Abstract: A running/setting tool for packers is disclosed which can release in several different ways. The tool can be pumped through for normal release. The tool may be hydraulically released by dropping and pumping a ball to a seat and subsequent pressurizing. A frangible member is provided so that if circulation is impeded, it can be established by breaking the frangible member to allow a ball to be pumped to a seat. Finally, a shear release technique is provided which allows release by breaking a shear pin or shear ring or other frangible member, which unsupports collets to allow for removal. A support shoulder is provided on the tool to prevent the collets from becoming stressed on the trip out of the hole if the tool encounters a collar or other internal obstruction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for completing a wellbore junction. In one embodiment described herein, a lateral wellbore junction is sealed utilizing an apparatus assembled within the well. The apparatus may include multiple housings which are engaged with each other to form a sealed assembly with flow passages extending into the lateral wellbore, and upper and lower portions of a parent wellbore. Associated sealing devices and flexible couplings are also provided.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a well bore which is adapted to be connected to a drill string for insertion into the well bore and through which cleaning fluid is pumped, comprises an elongated outer sleeve having an axially extending through bore therein and at least one port in the side wall of the outer sleeve, each of which ports is axially spaced along the outer sleeve. An elongated inner sleeve having, an axially extending through bore therein is coaxial with and axially slidable within the outer sleeve. An annular seating collar is located within the through bore in the inner sleeve and at least one port is provided in the side of the inner sleeve. The ports are axially spaced along the inner sleeve. Pressure sensitive stops means serve to retain the inner sleeve in place within the outer sleeve at each of a plurality of predetermined axially spaced positions in turn.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for heating of formations using fired heaters. Each fired heater may consist of two concentric tubulars emplaced in the formation, connected via a wellhead to a burner at the surface. Combustion gases from the burner go down to the bottom of the inner tubular and return to the surface in the annular space between the two tubulars. The two tubulars may be insulated in an overburden zone where heating is not desired. A plurality of fired heaters can be connected together such that the combustion gases from a first fired heater well are piped through insulated interconnect piping to become the air inlet for a second fired heater well, which also has a burner at its wellhead. This can be repeated for other heater wells, until the oxygen content of the combustion gas is reduced near zero. The combustion gas from the last fired heater well may be routed through a heat exchanger in which the fresh inlet air for the first heater well is preheated.

Abstract: A formation fracturing and gravel packing tool and associated methods provide high flow rates and volumes of slurry delivery in a relatively small bore well. In a described embodiment, a formation fracturing tool has a telescoping travel joint and a washpipe within an assembly including a packer, a circulating sleeve and a screen. The packer is set in the well, the travel joint is extended, the travel joint is locked in its extended configuration, a slurry is flowed through the circulating sleeve, the extended travel joint is latched onto the washpipe, and the travel joint and washpipe are retrieved to the earth's surface.

Abstract: The chemical stick storage and delivery system includes a chemical stick delivery tube in communication with a well which supports a rotatable chemical stick storage device on the uppermost end of the delivery tube. The delivery tube includes an upper opening and the chemical stick storage device rotates to position chemical sticks sequentially over the delivery tube opening. Within the delivery tube is a first valve positioned directly beneath the delivery tube opening and a second valve spaced below the first valve for a distance sufficient to form a chamber between the first and second valves to receive a chemical stick. A timer controls the operation of the first and second valves so that after a predetermined timed interval, the first valve is opened while the second valve is closed to drop a chemical stick into the chamber.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly provides a connection between a protruding wellhead pipe of a landfill and piping that leads to treatment, disposal, or recovery equipment, or the like. The wellhead assembly includes a first substantially hollow cylindrical member that has a first open end, a second closed end, and a receiving cavity therein. The closed end has an aperture through it that is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the protruding wellhead pipe, and the first substantially hollow cylindrical member is capable of slidably receiving the protruding wellhead pipe within the receiving cavity. The wellhead assembly also includes a second substantially hollow cylindrical member having a first open end and a second closed end. The first open end is coupled to the second closed end of the first substantially hollow cylindrical member, and is positioned so as to surround and enclose the aperture in the first substantially hollow cylindrical member.

Abstract: An expandable apparatus for sealing a space downhole in a wellbore. The apparatus has an expandable body having a hollow interior for defining an open flow path. A deformable material within the hollow body interior partially obstructs the flow path when the body is run into the wellbore, and the deformable material is displaceable to expand the body into the downhole space and to open the body flow path. Such material can be displaced with a setting tool or with mechanical movement of the body components. A second body section can be moved relative to a first body section to displace the deformable material from the body interior. The second body section can initially be discontinuous with the first body section to permit installation through narrow wellbore spaces and can be connected downhole to create a unitary body structure.

Abstract: A disposable telemetry cable deployment system for facilitating information retrieval while drilling a well includes a cable spool adapted for insertion into a drill string and an unarmored fiber optic cable spooled onto the spool cable and having a downhole end and a stinger end. Connected to the cable spool is a rigid stinger which extends through a kelly of the drilling apparatus. A data transmission device for transmitting data to a data acquisition system is disposed either within or on the upper end of the rigid stinger.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a high torque pressure sleeve for easily drillable casing exit ports. A joint of tubular casing with a pre-formed window in the wall thereof has a tubular sleeve fixedly attached to the exterior of the tubular casing covering the window. The interior surface of the sleeve is sealed to the exterior of the tubular casing on opposite sides of the window. In use, the joint of the tubular casing is run down to the depth of interest in the earth wellbore and 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 a whipstock is lowered into the wellbore, oriented and anchored therein. The assembly automatimuly fixes the axial and circumferential oriention of the whipstock within a surrounding casing joint and holds the assembly in place.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in subsea well completion systems is provided. The apparatus has an isolation sleeve and an extension sleeve. The isolation sleeve has a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis defined between the first end and the second end. The isolation sleeve has a generally tubular shape. The extension sleeve has a first end attached to the second end of the isolation sleeve to form an assembly comprising the isolation sleeve and the extension sleeve, a second end, and a longitudinal axis that is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the isolation sleeve. Like the isolation sleeve, the extension sleeve has a generally tubular shape.

Abstract: A multi-gage blowout preventer test tool for testing different size ram and annular BOP's in one trip has an outer test tube assembly and an inner tube assembly connected in telescoping relation. The exterior of the outer tube has a plurality of pipe gage diameters corresponding to different drill pipe sizes. A top sub at the top end of the outer tube assembly connects to the drill string and contains an upper seal assembly and stinger. The bottom end of the inner tube assembly is secured to a bottom sub and the bottom end of the outer tube assembly is releasably connected to the bottom sub in the collapsed position. The bottom sub is connected to a test plug and tail pipe assembly and the tool is lowered through the riser pipe and BOP stack to set the test plug in the wellhead.

Abstract: An exemplary stabilizer and torque reducer which will engage a wellbore casing and locate the drill string substantially toward the concentric center of the wellbore casing. The device is capable of being affixed to a drill string at most any location along the string and features a wear sleeve formed of two mateable semicylindrical halves. Malleable bushings are disposed between the wear sleeve and the drill pipe to prevent damage to the drill pipe. The wear sleeve presents an outer wear surface upon which is disposed a stabilizer housing having a plurality of outwardly radially-extending blades adapted to contact a surface such as surrounding wellbore casing. In use, the stabilizer housing is intended to be non-rotatable with respect to the casing when in contact with the casing, but will rotate with respect to the drill string. The housing is of a durable construction having an elastomer jacket with a reinforcing insert within.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body and at least one bearing shaft depending inwardly and downwardly from the bit body. The bearing shaft has a base where it joins the bit body. At least one cutter is mounted for rotation on the bearing shaft and has radial and axial surfaces that cooperate with the base of the bearing shaft to define a bearing seal gland. A bearing is defined between the cutter and bearing shaft. A seal element is disposed in the seal gland. A secondary seal is disposed in the seal gland opposite the cutter axial surface and cooperates with the seal element to at least partially seal the gland against entry of debris from the exterior of the bit.

Abstract: A steel bodied PCD drag bit is disclosed having a plurality of blades integrally formed thereon, each blade having a bottom surface that includes an angular front section and rear section intersecting to form an apex, the front section having a plurality of sockets formed thereon to receive a plurality of cylindrical cutters elements, the rear section being substantially parallel to the cylindrical cutting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reducing an amount of a waste component present in a hydrocarbon fluid produced from an earth formation via a wellbore formed in the earth formation, the hydrocarbon fluid flowing in a stream of fluid through the wellbore. The method includes the steps of: a) inducing at least part of the amount of the waste component to move into a second fluid present in the stream of fluid as the stream flows through the wellbore; and b) separating the second fluid with the at least part of the amount of the waste component included therein, from the hydrocarbon fluid.

Abstract: Downhole apparatus is disclosed for use in expanding liner or tubing. The apparatus comprises a body for connection to a string and an expansion portion on the body. The expansion portion includes a plurality of radially movable parts for defining an outer surface thereof. The parts are initially arranged in an axially and circumferentially offset first configuration in which the parts may assume a smaller diameter first configuration. The apparatus is then run Into a borehole and through a length of expandable tubing. The parts are the moved radially outwardly and axially aligned such that the parts assume a larger diameter second configuration and define a substantially continuous outer circumference. The expansion portion is then pulled through the tubing to expand the tubing.

Abstract: An inflatable packer having a sealing section, with noncontinuous ribs, is provided in combination with a ribbed element, which provides anchoring capabilities in tandem with the partially ribbed element which provides sealing capabilities in downhole applications.

Abstract: A soil sampling apparatus includes a sampling box for penetrating the ground first, and a shutter plate for subsequently penetrating the ground while engaging with the sampling box, thereby sampling soil layers located in a space surrounded by the sampling box and the shutter plate.

Abstract: A well logging fluid is provided having a relatively non-conductive fluid and an effective amount of an electrically conductive fiber sufficient to modify the electrical characteristics of the relatively non-conductive fluid resulting in a modified fluid or well logging fluid such that an electrical well-logging tool when disposed in the modified fluid can perform an electrical well-logging survey of a borehole containing the modified fluid. The non-conductive fluid is selected from the group consisting of a non-aqueous fluid and an invert emulsion of an aqueous phase in a non-conductive liquid. In an invert emulsion, the aqueous portion thereof ranges up to about 70 percent by volume. Preferably, the modified fluid or well logging fluid has an electrical stability of at most 350 volts, more preferably at most 250 volts, as measured according to API RB 13-2. The well logging may be used for electric well logging and imaging.