Abstract: A drilling apparatus for tapping into a fluid containing vessel from a valve device connected with the vessel. The apparatus is comprised of a housing having a lower end adapted for attachment of the apparatus to the valve device, the housing defining a housing bore, the housing bore defining a housing bore axis. A feed rod assembly is connected with the housing adjacent to the housing bore. In addition, a feed nut is connected with the feed rod assembly, the feed nut defining a first bore. A drilling rod extends through the housing bore and is rotatably supported in the first bore of the feed nut and a drilling bit is connected to a lower end of the drilling rod, for tapping into the vessel. Manipulation of the feed rod assembly results in axial movement of the feed nut and the drilling rod relative to the housing bore axis so that the drilling rod moves through the housing bore.

Abstract: An electromagnetic antenna extension assembly for connection downhole into a pipe string between a data transmission unit and an electromagnetic antenna. Further, a method for connecting the data transmission unit with the antenna utilizing the assembly. The antenna includes an outer antenna member and an inner antenna member having a lower electrical connector. The data transmission unit includes an outer transmission member and an inner data transmission tool having an upper electrical connector connectable with the lower connector of the inner antenna member.

Abstract: A storage vessel system for subterranean installation and a method for constructing such a system. The system includes a storage vessel and a support structure for supporting the storage vessel so that the weight of the storage vessel and any upward buoyancy force applied to the storage vessel are both transferred to the support structure. More particularly, the support structure defines a vessel housing and the storage vessel is contained within the vessel housing. The support structure includes a bearing surface adapted for contacting the ground so that the system is supported on the ground, a vessel anchor for anchoring the storage vessel so that the upward buoyancy force applied to the storage vessel is transferred to the support structure, an exterior shell which permits an infiltrating fluid to infiltrate the vessel housing, and a packing material contained within the vessel housing by the exterior shell and substantially surrounding the storage vessel in order to protect and support the storage vessel.

Abstract: A radiation indicator device for use in indicating exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation. The device includes a radiation sensitive mixture which is selectively responsive to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength substantially within or shorter than the range of wavelengths of ultraviolet-B radiation. The radiation sensitive mixture includes an organic halogen constituent capable of producing at least one acidic product upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation and an indicator constituent capable of producing a change in color in response to a change in concentration of the acidic product. The radiation sensitive mixture has a first color representing a relatively low concentration of the acidic product and has a second color representing a relatively high concentration of the acidic product. The first color is visually distinguishable from the second color.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in creating a magnetic declination profile for a borehole. The method includes the steps of making a magnetic directional measurement at a longitudinal location in the borehole and at a magnetic measurement orientation, making a reference directional measurement at a reference measurement orientation, wherein there is a known orientation relationship between the magnetic measurement orientation and the reference measurement orientation, and obtaining a value of magnetic declination at the longitudinal location in the borehole using the magnetic directional measurement, the reference directional measurement and the orientation relationship.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for injecting a fluid into a borehole. The method includes the step of injecting an injection fluid into a primary injection zone in a borehole at an injection fluid pressure. The primary injection zone is bounded by a proximal injection zone interface and a distal injection zone interface. The proximal injection zone interface and the distal injection zone interface are maintained at pressures which are substantially balanced with the injection fluid pressure. The apparatus includes a body adapted for passage through a borehole, at least four radially extendable and retractable zone interface elements spaced longitudinally along the body which when extended define at least three zones along the body, a zone interface element actuator for selectively extending and retracting the zone interface elements, and a fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid to each zone.

Abstract: A bulk bag comprising a flexible body having a bottom and sidewalls and at least one pair of tubular fork tine receiving members including a rigidifying insert and a flexible sleeve depending from the bottom of the body for removably inserting the rigidifying insert therein. Further, the receiving members are arranged in substantially parallel spaced relation across the bottom of the body such that fork tines from a forklift are insertable into the receiving members to lift the body. In one aspect, the rigidifying insert has a mating component which clamps around the sleeve and onto the rigidifying insert in order to preclude the rigidifying insert from being withdrawn from the sleeve. In another aspect, the sleeve is made from a material with sufficient elasticity to stretch to receive the rigidifying insert and then contract to inhibit the rigidifying insert from being withdrawn from the sleeve.

Abstract: A device and method for electrical stimulation of a portion of the gastro-intestinal tract, defining a longitudinal axis. A proximal and at least one distal electrode set are arranged circumferentially about the portion of the gastro-intestinal tract in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and in axially spaced relationship relative to each other. At least one power source provides a variable electrical stimulus to the electrode sets sufficient to stimulate the smooth muscle to produce a local circumferential contraction at each electrode set, wherein the electrical stimulus is variable between each of the proximal and distal electrode sets. A timing mechanism phase locks the electrical stimulus such that it is applied to the electrode sets successively, preferably in an overlapping manner, and repetitively.

Abstract: An actuator for an orienting device for orienting a borehole apparatus in a borehole and an orienting device comprised of the actuator, wherein the orienting device is comprised of an orienting mechanism which is actuated by longitudinal movement. The actuator is comprised of a housing having a first end and a second end and a fluid passageway extending through the housing from the first end to the second end. Further, a longitudinally reciprocable piston, positioned within and providing a first partial obstruction of the fluid passageway, engages with the orienting mechanism such that longitudinal movement of the piston actuates the orienting mechanism.

Abstract: A tubing plug is adapted for insertion into a tubing string for sealing the tubing string. The tubing plug is comprised of a housing having an outer surface, wherein the housing is adapted for insertion in the tubing string such that an annulus is defined between the tubing string and the outer surface of the housing and wherein the housing defines a fluid passage therethrough, the fluid passage having an upper end and a lower end. A sealing mechanism is associated with the housing for sealing the annulus and a two-way fluid bypass is provided for selectively permitting a flow of a fluid across the sealing mechanism. Finally, a one-way valve is located at the lower end of the fluid passage for selectively permitting a flow of a fluid in a first direction from the upper end to the lower end of the fluid passage and for preventing a flow of a fluid in a second direction from the lower end to the upper end of the fluid passage.

Abstract: A process for final bleaching cellulose-containing pulp which has been subjected to previous bleaching with a peroxide compound. The process involves the sequential steps of exposing the pulp to an amount of a reducing agent in order to eliminate residual peroxide compound from the pulp and then final bleaching the pulp by exposing the pulp to an amount of formamidine sulfinic acid.

Abstract: A synthetic aggregate and a process for converting a waste material into the synthetic aggregate. The synthetic aggregate includes a finely divided waste material and an amount of a sulphur binder for substantially coating the waste material such that the waste material is encapsulated therein The finely divided waste material acts as a stabilizer to stabilize the structure of the sulphur binder. The process comprises creating a molten sulphur binder. No chemical stabilizer is used. An amount of the waste material is mixed into the molten sulphur binder such that the waste material is substantially coated by the molten sulphur binder to produce an encapsulated waste material. The encapsulated waste material is separated into discrete particles having a size suitable for use as an aggregate to produce the synthetic aggregate. The molten sulphur binder is cooled to harden the encapsulated waste material.

Abstract: In a drilling apparatus of the type comprising a housing, a proximal seal, a distal seal, a fluid chamber defined by an interior of the housing between the proximal seal and the distal seal, the fluid chamber containing a lubricating fluid having a fluid chamber pressure, a pressure compensation system for compensating for the effects of an ambient pressure exerted on an exterior of the apparatus. The pressure compensation system includes a pressure port in the housing so that the ambient pressure can be communicated to the fluid chamber and a supplementary pressure source for exerting a supplementary pressure on the lubricating fluid contained in the fluid chamber so that the fluid chamber pressure is maintained higher than the ambient pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data transmission or telemetry system and a method for communicating information axially along a drill string. The method includes the step of conducting an axial electrical signal embodying the information between a first axial position in the drill string and a second axial position in the drill string through an axial conducting loop formed by the drill string, which axial conducting loop extends between the first and second axial positions. The system includes the axial conducting loop for conducting the axial electrical signal embodying the information between the first and second axial positions and a transmitter for transmitting the information to the axial conducting loop. The system further preferably includes a receiver for receiving the information from the axial conducting loop. Finally, the portion of the drill string forming the axial conducting loop is preferably comprised of a downhole motor drilling assembly.

Abstract: A method for orienting a rotary drilling system comprised of a rotatable drilling string, a drilling string communication system and a drilling direction control device, the drilling direction control device comprising a deflectable drilling shaft connected with the drilling string. The method for orienting the rotary drilling system may involve the steps of orienting the drilling string at a desired orientation and sensing the desired orientation of the drilling string with the drilling string communication system. Further, the method involves the steps of communicating a desired orientation of the drilling string to a drilling direction control device and then actuating the drilling direction control device to deflect the drilling shaft to reflect the desired orientation of the drilling shaft. The desired orientation of the drilling shaft may be communicated directly to the drilling direction control device or to the drilling direction control device through a drilling string communication system.

Abstract: A pack-off bushing for placement inside an outer conduit while a fluid is passed through an inner conduit positioned within the outer conduit. The bushing includes a mandrel having a mandrel passage extending axially therethrough, a housing carried on the mandrel and capable of axial movement relative to the mandrel and a balancing system associated with the mandrel and the housing for applying a balancing force to the mandrel to oppose an axial mandrel force applied to the mandrel.

Abstract: A downhole drilling assembly including a housing having an upper end for connection to a drill string and a lower end, a fluid passage extending through the housing from the upper end to the lower end, a power unit contained within the housing, a drive assembly extending within the housing between the power unit and the lower end of the housing such that a mandrel chamber is defined between the drive assembly and the housing, a radially movable first stabilizer associated with the housing and located between the power unit and the lower end of the housing, an axially movable mandrel contained within the mandrel chamber, the mandrel being associated with a stabilizer actuator for causing radial movement of the first stabilizer in response to axial movement of the mandrel, and a sensor apparatus located between the power unit and the lower end of the housing for sensing at least one drilling parameter.

Abstract: A drilling assembly and a method for directional drilling using the drilling assembly. The drilling assembly comprises a drilling bit, a near bit stabilizer and an adjustable gauge stabilizer. The near bit stabilizer is located a first axial distance from a distal end of the drilling assembly and has a near bit stabilizer gauge which is greater than a nominal drilling assembly gauge. The adjustable gauge stabilizer is located a second axial distance from the distal end, which is greater than the first axial distance, and is adjustable between an extended and retracted gauge. The retracted gauge is less than the near bit stabilizer gauge. A bit drop angle is created between the drilling assembly and the drilling bit, while a stabilizer angle is created between the near bit stabilizer and the adjustable gauge stabilizer.

Abstract: A drilling direction control device, improvements in drilling direction control devices, methods for orienting a rotary driling system, and methods for rotary drilling. The drilling direction control device includes a rotatable drilling shaft, a housing for rotatably supporting a length of the drilling shaft, and a deflection assembly contained within the housing for bending the drilling shaft between a first support location and a second support location. The deflection assembly includes an outer ring which is rotatably supported on a circular inner peripheral surface of the housing and which has a circular inner peripheral surface that is eccentric with respect to the housing. The deflection assembly also includes an inner ring which is rotatably supported on the circular inner peripheral surface of the outer ring and which has a circular inner peripheral surface which engages the drilling shaft and which is eccentric with respect to the circular inner peripheral surface of the outer ring.

Abstract: A joint of tubular casing with a pre-formed window in its sidewall, has a tubular sleeve fixedly attached to the interior of the tubular casing by a plurality of shearable fastners. The exterior surface of the sleeve is sealed to the interior surface of the tubular casing on opposing sides of the window using a pair of high pressure seal assemblies. The window cavity is filled with a fluid and then the window is covered with one or more layers of a composite material such as fiberglass. In use, the joint of tubular casing is run down to the depth of interest in an earth borehole, and then the window is oriented with respect to the formation of interest at the depth. The joint of tubular casing is then cemented in place, after which the tubular sleeve is retrieved by the use of a fishing tool causing the set screws to shear upon the upward movement of the fishing tool. After the interior sleeve is retrieved, a whipstock is lowered into the cased borehole, until it is oriented and anchored therein.