Abstract: There is described an improved pipeline isolation tool for plugging a pipeline at a predetermined location, comprising a housing adapted for movement through a pipeline, the housing having first and second ends, seals disposed annularly about the housing, the seals being radially expandable into fluid sealing contact with an inner wall of the pipeline, and a plurality of braking members including grips for frictionally engaging the inner wall of said pipeline to lock the isolation tool in position against fluid pressure in the pipeline, the braking members being selectively and repetitively movable between a first position in which the grips are disengaged from the inner pipeline wall and a second position in which the grips engage the inner wall.

Abstract: There is described an improved apparatus for azimuthal orientation of a tool in a wellbore. The apparatus comprises a tubular housing, a mandrel rotatably supported in the tubular housing and extending therefrom for connection to a tool for rotation thereof, a piston mandrel axially aligned with and connected to the mandrel, a piston longitudinally movable in an annulus between the piston mandrel and the tubular housing and being non-rotatable relative to the tubular housing, at least one pin longitudinally movable in concert with the piston arranged to track in respective helical grooves in the mandrel causing rotation of the mandrel in response to longitudinal movement of the pins, and a flow path for selective delivery of pressurized hydraulic fluid to either side of the piston for rotating the mandrel in either the clockwise or counterclockwise directions, or to both sides of the piston equally to maintain the mandrel in a fixed annular orientation.

Abstract: There is provided an improved fluid for fracturing an underground formation penetrated by a well bore comprising a mixture of a liquified gas and a gas.

Abstract: A fracturing fluid composition for use in fracturing underground formations, such as oil or gas wells is described. It includes at least one anhydrous aliphatic alcohol, a modified guar gum polymer, and as a complexor, a sodium borate salt. A gel breaker which acts over a time period to degrade the guar gum cross linked polymer and thereby reduce the viscosity of the gel is provided as well to aid in the removal thereof from an oil or gas well that has been fractured by application of the fluid under pressure.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for the drilling and servicing of bore holes in the earth, comprising a first sub-assembly adapted for the drilling and servicing of bore holes using jointed and coiled tubing, a second sub-assembly adapted for the drilling and servicing of bore holes using a continuous length of coiled tubing, and a platform adapted to support the first and second sub-assemblies thereon.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method of fracturing an underground formation penetrated by a well bore comprising the steps of forming a first pressurized stream of liquified gas, introducing proppants into the first stream for transport of the proppants in the first stream, pressurizing and cooling the proppants to substantially the storage pressure and temperature of the liquified gas prior to introducing the proppants into the first stream, forming a second pressurized stream of gas and admixing the first and second streams to form a fracturing fluid for injection into the formation at a rate and pressure to cause the fracturing thereof.

Abstract: There is described a method of fracturing an underground formation penetrated by a well bore comprising the steps of forming a first pressurized stream of liquified gas, introducing proppants into the first stream for transport of the proppants in the first stream, pressurizing and cooling the proppants to substantially the storage pressure and temperature of the liquified gas prior to introducing the proppants into the first stream, forming a second pressurized stream of fracturing fluid, introducing proppants into the second stream for transport therein, and admixing the first and second streams to form an emulsion for injection into the formation at a rate and pressure to cause the fracturing thereof.

Abstract: There is described an improved apparatus and method of treating a section of unlined well bore comprising the steps of establishing a flow path from the top of the well bore to a location opposite the section of unlined well bore to be treated, pumping an erosive fluid through the flow path at a predetermined rate and pressure, directing a stream of the erosive fluid against a surface of the section of well bore to be treated to cause the initiation of a cut thereinto, and moving the stream of erosive fluid past a length of the surface to be treated to extend the cut formed therein in the direction of movement of the stream.

Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for connecting the end of coiled tubing to a downhole tool string, comprising a first tubular housing having a first uphole and a second downhole end and a bore formed therethrough for a length of coiled tubing, a second tubular housing adapted for releasable connection to the downhole end of the first housing, the second housing having a first uphole and a second downhole end and a bore formed therethrough for receiving the length of coiled tubing at least partially into the second housing, slips adapted to at least partially surround the coiled tubing and having on an inner surface thereof raised projections for penetrating a contiguous surface of the coiled tubing for connection thereto, the slips additionally including connectors to interlock with cooperating connectors on the second housing for a non-rotatable torque transmitting connection therebetween, and a force transmitting member disposed between the slips and the first housing to maintain the slips in comp

Abstract: There is described an improved method and apparatus for releasably connecting one part of a tool string to another, comprising a tubular housing having an uphole and a downhole end, a piston slidably disposed within the tubular housing for longitudinal movement therein between a first position and a second downstream position, the piston having a sealable bore formed therethrough for passage of a pressurized fluid, first connectors for releasably maintaining the piston in the first position thereof prior to sealing of the bore in the piston, a tubular bottom sub having an uphole end for concentric connection to the downhole end of the tubular housing, and a downhole end adapted for connection to a tool string and second connectors for releasably connecting the tubular housing to the bottom sub to normally prevent axial separation therebetween, wherein the piston, upon sealing of the bore to block the passage of pressurized fluid therethrough and in response to the pressure of the fluid then acting on the pist

Abstract: There is provided an improved guide arch for guiding the movement of continuous production tubing through a predetermined curvature, the guide arch comprising a housing and an endless curved conveyor mounted within the housing to support the tubing through its curvature, wherein the conveyor continuously supports the tubing along the majority of its length passing through the arch to thereby reduce contact stress between the tubing and the conveyor.

Abstract: There is described an adjustable bent housing comprising a cylindrical housing having an uphole and a downhole end and a bore formed therethrough, the bore being divided into uphole and downhole portions axially offset to one another, and a tubular mandrel having an uphole and a downhole end, the ends being axially offset to one another. The downhole end of the mandrel is receivable along a portion of its length into the uphole portion of the bore in the housing for rotational movement relative to the cylindrical housing for varying the angle of bend between the mandrel and the cylindrical housing. Also provided is a locking mechanism comprising outer and inner concentric sleeves disposed annularly about the mandrel.

Abstract: Underground formation fracturing compositions comprise a fracturing fluid composition for use in fracturing underground formations, such as oil or gas wells, comprising at least one substantially anhydrous aliphatic alcohol, a non-ionic homopolymer to form a gel with the alcohol and having a molecular weight from about 4 million to about 5 million, and as gel activating agent an alkali metal halide or an alkaline earth metal halide. A gel breaker comprising a salt containing iron or chromium, can be present.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming fractures and placing proppants therein, which comprises creating a foam having a down-well Mitchell quality of form about 0.53 to 0.99 and passing that foam down the well in admixture with a particulate proppant in an amount of up to four pounds of proppant per gallon of foam, then decreasing the gas volume in said foam, whereby the proppant carrying medium being passed down the well changes from a foam to a liquid. The proppant concentration is decreased as the change occurs from foam to liquid so that the proppant material will not deposit out prematurely in the well. Once liquid flow has been established, the proppant to fluid ratio is gradually increased and the fracture of the formation is continued with liquid and proppant. The liquid is capable of carrying an amount of proppant greater than that which could be carried by the foam, namely an amount up to twelve pounds per U.S. gallon.