Abstract: Hydraulic pulses are produced each time that a pulse valve interrupts the flow of a pressurized fluid through a conduit. The pulse valve includes an elongate housing having an inlet configured to couple to the conduit to receive the pressurized fluid, and an outlet configured to couple to one or more tools. In the housing, a valve assembly includes a poppet reciprocating between open and closed positions, and a poppet seat, in which the poppet closes to at least partially block the flow of pressurized fluid through the valve. A pilot within the poppet moves between disparate positions to modify fluid paths within the valve. When the valve is open, a relatively lower pressure is produced by a Venturi effect as the fluid flows through a throat in the poppet seat, to provide a differential pressure used to move the pilot and poppet. An optional bypass reduces the pulse amplitude.

Abstract: Hydraulic pulses are produced each time that a pulse valve interrupts the flow of a pressurized fluid through a conduit. The pulse valve includes an elongate housing having an inlet configured to couple to the conduit to receive the pressurized fluid, and an outlet configured to couple to one or more tools. In the housing, a valve assembly includes a poppet reciprocating between open and closed positions, and a poppet seat, in which the poppet closes to at least partially block the flow of pressurized fluid through the valve. A pilot within the poppet moves between disparate positions to modify fluid paths within the valve. When the valve is open, a relatively lower pressure is produced by a Venturi effect as the fluid flows through a throat in the poppet seat, to provide a differential pressure used to move the pilot and poppet. An optional bypass reduces the pulse amplitude.

Abstract: A turbine drill motor capable of operation at ultra-high rotary speeds (i.e., in excess of 1000 rpm, which is very high for turbine drill motors), with a high-pressure jet-assist functionality for drilling and well service applications. The ultra-high rotary speed enables fast penetration with diamond bits, while the high-pressure jet-assist ensures adequate cooling and cuttings removal. In an exemplary embodiment, such a turbine drill motor includes a bypass channel to divert a portion of the driving fluid supply when the bit is off-bottom, to limit the no-load runaway speed of the turbine. Serial and parallel flow paths can be accommodated, and different drill bits for cutting and well-bore servicing are disclosed.

Abstract: A sleeved hose assembly for lateral jet drilling through an ultra-short radius curve. The sleeved hose assembly includes a wire-wound high-pressure hose inserted inside a reinforcing sleeve. In general, wire-wound high-pressure hoses exhibit transverse moduli that are insufficient to resist buckling forces encountered during lateral drilling. A sleeve is selected to encompass a wire-wound high-pressure hose and to exhibit a transverse stiffness sufficient to prevent the combination of the wire-wound high-pressure hose and the sleeve (i.e., a “sleeved hose assembly”) from buckling during lateral drilling. Also disclosed are a method for drilling a lateral borehole using such a sleeved hose assembly, and a method for drilling an ultra-short radius curve using such a sleeved hose assembly. In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the sleeve includes a fiber reinforced epoxy composite having a transverse modulus of about 10 GPa.

Abstract: A method for governing the speed of a fluid turbine by establishing a circulating flow and a rotational flow with a rotor, and interrupting the rotational flow with an opposing stator. A related braking apparatus includes a housing, a rotatable shaft, a rotor configured to rotatingly engage the shaft and engage a fluid in the housing with a plurality of radial vanes, and a non-rotating stator comprising a plurality of fluid pockets. The stator is disposed such that the radial vanes of the rotor and the fluid pockets of the stator are oriented in a facing relationship. When the shaft is rotated, the fluid in the housing experiences both a circulating flow and a rotational flow. Thus, the rotational flow is present proximate the radial vanes, but not in the fluid pockets, and the fluid imparts a braking torque on the rotating shaft via the rotor's radial vanes.

Abstract: Rotary jetting tool including a rotor with axially-opposed pressure-balanced mechanical face seals. Vented upper mechanical face seal enables the rotor to be operated with the relativity low starting torque achievable using reaction forces from offset jets energized with a pressurized fluid. When rotor is displaced axially due to set-down conditions, a pressure chamber exerts a pressure imbalance on the rotor, forcing the rotor to return to a normal operating position. Alternate structure to achieve low starting torque includes a volume disposed adjacent to a lower mechanical face seal, the volume being coupled in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid. Mechanical face seal surfaces are fabricated from ultra-hard materials, such as tungsten carbide, silicon carbide, and diamond. A gage ring designed to ensure the jets remove all of the material from the gage of the protective housing before the tool can advance can be incorporated.

Abstract: A rotary jetting tool including a pressure-balanced rotor, which is achieved using a vented volume. Axial movement of the rotor relative to the housing caused by pressure imbalances acting on the rotor selectively uncovers or opens a vent that places the volume in fluid communication with an ambient volume, enabling the rotor to achieve a pressure balanced condition. A plurality of radial clearance seals between the rotor and the housing are used to provide hydrodynamic bearings to reduce friction between the rotor and housing. The diameters of the seals are manipulated to facilitate pressure balancing of the rotor. In one embodiment, the rotor includes a centrifugal brake configured to control a maximum rotational speed of the rotor. Pressurized fluid is introduced into the rotor in an axial direction, enabling a relatively large upstream settling chamber to be incorporated into the rotor, thereby reducing inlet turbulence and improving jet quality.

Abstract: This invention discloses a valve that generates a hydraulic negative pressure pulse and a frequency modulator for the creation of a powerful, broadband swept impulse seismic signal at the drill bit during drilling operations. The signal can be received at monitoring points on the surface or underground locations using geophones. The time required for the seismic signal to travel from the source to the receiver directly and via reflections is used to calculate seismic velocity and other formation properties near the source and between the source and receiver. This information can be used for vertical seismic profiling of formations drilled, to check the location of the bit, or to detect the presence of abnormal pore pressure ahead of the bit. The hydraulic negative pressure pulse can also be used to enhance drilling and production of wells.

Abstract: A method for governing the speed of a fluid turbine by establishing a circulating flow and a rotational flow with a rotor, and interrupting the rotational flow with an opposing stator. A related braking apparatus includes a housing, a rotatable shaft, a rotor configured to rotatingly engage the shaft and engage a fluid in the housing with a plurality of radial vanes, and a non-rotating stator comprising a plurality of fluid pockets. The stator is disposed such that the radial vanes of the rotor and the fluid pockets of the stator are oriented in a facing relationship. When the shaft is rotated, the fluid in the housing experiences both a circulating flow and a rotational flow. Thus, the rotational flow is present proximate the radial vanes, but not in the fluid pockets, and the fluid imparts a braking torque on the rotating shaft via the rotor's radial vanes.

Abstract: A sleeved hose assembly for lateral jet drilling through an ultra-short radius curve. The sleeved hose assembly includes a wire-wound high-pressure hose inserted inside a reinforcing sleeve. In general, wire-wound high-pressure hoses exhibit transverse moduli that are insufficient to resist buckling forces encountered during lateral drilling. A sleeve is selected to encompass a wire-wound high-pressure hose and to exhibit a transverse stiffness sufficient to prevent the combination of the wire-wound high-pressure hose and the sleeve (i.e., a “sleeved hose assembly”) from buckling during lateral drilling. Also disclosed are a method for drilling a lateral borehole using such a sleeved hose assembly, and a method for drilling an ultra-short radius curve using such a sleeved hose assembly. In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the sleeve includes a fiber reinforced epoxy composite having a transverse modulus of about 10 GPa.

Abstract: A rotary jetting tool including a pressure-balanced rotor, which is achieved using a vented volume. Axial movement of the rotor relative to the housing caused by pressure imbalances acting on the rotor selectively uncovers or opens a vent that places the volume in fluid communication with an ambient volume, enabling the rotor to achieve a pressure balanced condition. A plurality of radial clearance seals between the rotor and the housing are used to provide hydrodynamic bearings to reduce friction between the rotor and housing. The diameters of the seals are manipulated to facilitate pressure balancing of the rotor. In one embodiment, the rotor includes a centrifugal brake configured to control a maximum rotational speed of the rotor. Pressurized fluid is introduced into the rotor in an axial direction, enabling a relatively large upstream settling chamber to be incorporated into the rotor, thereby reducing inlet turbulence and improving jet quality.

Abstract: A method for increasing the efficiency of drilling operations by using a drilling fluid material that exists as supercritical fluid or a dense gas at temperature and pressure conditions existing at a drill site. The material can be used to reduce mechanical drilling forces, to remove cuttings, or to jet erode a substrate. In one embodiment, carbon dioxide (CO2) is used as the material for drilling within wells in the earth, where the normal temperature and pressure conditions cause CO2 to exist as a supercritical fluid. Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC—CO2) is preferably used with coiled tube (CT) drilling equipment. The very low viscosity SC—CO2 provides efficient cooling of the drill head, and efficient cuttings removal. Further, the diffusivity of SC—CO2 within the pores of petroleum formations is significantly higher than that of water, making jet erosion using SC—CO2 much more effective than water jet erosion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employing an ultra high-pressure fluid pulse to perform metal working operations, including joining and cold working. In one application, an ultra high-pressure fluid pulse is directed into a hollow rivet that is seated within an orifice formed in two metal sheets, causing the fastener to expand outwardly, in an interference fit with the orifice that joins the metal sheets together. The ultra high-pressure fluid pulse can alternatively be applied to the metal sheets to plastically deform them into a cavity to form a clinch fastener joint. Further, the ultra high-pressure fluid pulse is usable to plastically deform the interface between stacked metal sheets or other components into surface features that are provided on one of the sheets, to form a mechanical interlock.

Abstract: Suction pressure pulses are generated within a borehole by closing a valve that interrupts the flow of a drilling fluid (e.g., drilling mud) circulating through one or more high velocity flow courses within the borehole. In one embodiment in which the suction pressure pulses are applied to improve the efficiency of a drilling bit, the valve interrupts the flow of drilling mud directed through the bit and thus through high velocity flow course(s) disposed downstream of the bit. Arresting flow of the drilling mud through the high velocity flow course(s) generates suction pressure pulses of substantial magnitude over a face of the drill bit. The suction pressure pulses provide a sufficient differential pressure that weakens the rock through which the drill bit is advancing and also increase the force with which the drill bit is being advanced toward the rock at the bottom of the borehole.