Abstract: Systems and methods for well-drilling operations involving magnetic ranging with a rotating magnetic source are provided. In one embodiment, a system for determining a relative location of a magnetic source includes a three-axis magnetometer and data processing circuitry. The three-axis magnetometer may measure a time-dependent magnetic field caused by a magnetic source rotating about an axis, which may include two transverse components transverse to the axis and the data processing circuitry may determine a transverse angle of rotation of the measurements such that one of the two transverse components is ±?/2 radians out-of-phase with the other when the measurements are transformed by the transverse angle of rotation. The data processing circuitry may determine a spatial relationship between the magnetic source and the three-axis magnetometer based at least in part on the transverse angle of rotation.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus is described, capable of cutting hard materials including asphalt and concrete. The cutting apparatus is particularly well suited for attachment to a skid steer or other transportation implement. When attached to a skid steer the apparatus includes a frame that allows the cutting system to slide from side to side, slide up and down, or rotate about a vertical axis while held in a cutting position by the skid steer boom. The cutting apparatus also includes an airflow member that affectively creates an air turbulence to thereby confine debris and dust within a shroud and to direct the debris and dust against a surface of the shroud to a localized exit at a minimized velocity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole well filter (800) and method of use in a tubing string with a power head (704) for creating reverse flow. The filter assembly includes an inner pipe (820) into which fluid flow is directed. The inner pipe is positioned within a cylindrical screen member (830). The well fluid flows through the screen member and debris from the fluid is deposited in the annulus (832) between the inner pipe and screen member. The screen member has a cap (860) at its upper end to prevent fluid from escaping from the upper end of the screen member. The cap may have a pop off valve (870) so fluid can escape from the screen member when the screen becomes clogged with debris or pressure builds within the screen member.

Abstract: A pick tool comprising an insert and a steel holder for the insert, the insert comprising a superhard tip joined to a cemented carbide support body having an insertion shank; the steel holder comprising a shaft for connection to a tool carrier and provided with a bore configured for receiving the insertion shank; the volume of the cemented carbide support body being at least 6 cm3.

Abstract: A valve for use in a flow management system comprising a valve including a body, a shuttle, and a seat closure, a rotatable shaft passing through the body and the seat closure, the rotatable shaft for operating a mechanical pump, and, translation of the seat closure along the rotatable shaft operable to mate the seat closure with a seat of the shuttle.

Abstract: A pick tool comprising an insert and a steel holder for the insert, the insert comprising a superhard tip joined to a cemented carbide support body having an insertion shank; the steel holder comprising a shaft for connection to a tool carrier and provided with a bore configured for receiving the insertion shank; the volume of the cemented carbide support body being at least 6 cm3.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons from a well. The method begins by injecting steam into a well. The bitumen in the formation is then heated with the injected steam, followed by ceasing the injection of steam into the well and then by soaking the bitumen with the injected steam and collecting the heated oil. Steam that has condensed is revaporized by directing RF/MW radiation to the steam allowing for more bitumen to be produced without injecting more steam. In addition, some of the steam could become superheated, wherein the temperature of the superheated steam is greater than the temperature of the steam. The bitumen is heated by the revaporized steam and the superheated steam, followed by soaking the bitumen with the revaporized steam and the superheated steam. Hydrocarbons are then produced from the well.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhanced and improved viscous oil recovery are disclosed. A horizontal well is drilled through the viscous oil formation. A specially designed tubing string includes outlets that deliver steam more uniformly into the entire horizontal extent of the well borehole. Heat from the steam mobilizes and lowers the viscosity of the heavy crude wherein the crude is then produced to the surface via conventional lift arrangements.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a wellbore casing for stimulation operations comprise the steps of cementing a wellbore casing in a wellbore, the wellbore casing having a downhole tool comprising a valve and an apparatus for restricting fluid flow through the valve, such as a ball seat, disposed above the valve. Actuation of the valve opens the valve to establish fluid communication between the wellbore casing and the formation. A plug element is disposed on a seat of the ball seat and a casing pressure test is performed. The plug element then dissolves or disintegrates over time increasing fluid communication between the wellbore casing and the formation, thereby preparing the wellbore casing for stimulation operations without additional wellbore intervention after the casing pressure test. In certain embodiments, during or after dissolution of the plug element, clean-out of the bore of the valve is performed by the plug element.

Abstract: A self-propelled construction machine has a machine frame and an operating drum for processing the ground surface, wherein the operating drum is positioned in a downwards open drum housing, that is closed on both sides by an edge protector, which is adjustable in height by an actuator for raising and/or lowering the edge protector. A control unit comprises a sensor for registering the distance a between a reference point on the edge protector and the ground surface. Furthermore, the control unit is configured so that when the distance between reference point and ground surface falls below a predetermined minimum distance, the actuator is switched from a floating setting, so that the edge protector is raised. As a result, the edge protector tightly closes the drum housing at the sides without there being a risk that the edge protector can be entrenched in loose substrate.

Abstract: A system including a first component, a second component disposed radially adjacent to the first component, and a centralizer disposed between the first component and the second component for at least partially filling a radial clearance between the first component and the second component. The centralizer is formed at least partially from a disintegrable material responsive to a selected fluid. A method of completing a borehole is also included.

Abstract: Modular actuators, steering tools, and rotary steerable drilling systems are presented herein. A modular actuator is disclosed for use in directing a drill string, which includes a housing proximate a drive shaft. The modular actuator includes a cartridge that is configured to couple to the outer periphery of the housing. A fluid reservoir is contained within the cartridge. A hydraulically actuated actuator piston, which is slidably disposed at least partially inside the cartridge, is movable between activated and deactivated positions. A hydraulic control system is also contained within the cartridge, fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir to the actuator piston. The hydraulic control system is configured to regulate movement of the actuator piston between the activated and deactivated positions such that the actuator piston selectively presses against and moves the drive shaft and thereby changes the direction of the drill string.

Abstract: A cold planer is disclosed. The cold planer may have a frame, a drum rotatably mounted to the frame, and a gear box connected to the drum. The cold planer may also have a drive pulley connected to the gear box, a primary motor, and a drive belt connecting the primary motor to the drive pulley. The cold planer may further have a service pulley connected to the gear box, a service motor, and a service belt that connects the service motor to the service pulley. The cold planer may additionally have the gear box being configured to transfer motion from the drive pulley and the service pulley to the drum.

Abstract: A solution mining method for recovering alkali values from a cavity of an underground ore formation comprising trona and/or wegscheiderite; a manufacturing process using such method to make sodium-based product(s); and a sodium-based product obtained therefrom. The method comprises: an ore dissolution phase (a) in which the incongruent double-salt in trona and/or wegscheiderite is dissolved from an ore face in a first solvent, and a cavity cleaning phase (b) in which sodium bicarbonate deposited on the ore face during the dissolution phase (a) is dissolved into a second aqueous solvent having a higher pH, hydroxide content, and/or temperature and is partly or completely converted in situ to sodium carbonate. The method further comprises withdrawing a liquor resulting from either phase to the ground surface, optionally recycling some liquor to the cavity; and passing some liquor through a crystallizer, a reactor, and/or an electrodialyser, to form at least one sodium-based product which is recovered.

Abstract: A managed bulk drilling system that employs a guide wire for ranging and crosswell telemetry. Some system embodiments include multiple drilling assemblies operating in the vicinity of a reference well that contains an electrical cable. The electrical cable is coupled to a surface control system. The control system uses the electrical cable as part of an antenna to receive uplink signals from the drilling assemblies and to broadcast down-link signals to the drilling assemblies. The uplink signals can include position data and the downlink signals can include individual steering commands to adjust the trajectories of each drilling assembly. The cable can also generate a guidance field for the drilling assemblies to detect and follow.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine (100) includes a cutterhead assembly (102) rotatably mounted to a forward shield assembly (116) through a cutterhead support assembly (110). The cutterhead support assembly is configured to receive a variable number of drive assemblies (105), such that the number of drive assemblies may be selected after fabricating the cutterhead support structure (120). The cutterhead support structure includes a housing portion (121) that houses the main bearing assembly (101) and a drive gear (104). A plurality of drive mount stations (111) provide access to the drive gear, and are provided with a pinion housing (130) for stations that receive a drive assembly, or with a cradle cover (140) for stations that do not receive a drive assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an expansion assembly and method to expand tubulars. In embodiments, an expansion assembly for disposition in a wellbore includes an expandable tubular and an expansion tool that has a swage and a thruster. In addition, the expansion tool has a front anchor assembly that has a front anchor having an open position providing an anchoring relationship with the internal wall and a closed position providing the front anchor with a diameter less than an internal diameter of the expandable tubular. The front anchor assembly also has a sensor positioned on an opposing side of the front anchor from the expansion swage providing that while the sensor is positioned inside the internal wall the front anchor may be in an open position or in a closed position while upon exit of the sensor from the end portion the sensor brings the front anchor in a permanently closed position.

Abstract: A roof-bolt drill bit may have a bit body rotatable about a central axis. At least one coupling pocket may be defined in the bit body. At least one cutting element may be at least partially disposed in the at least one coupling pocket. The at least one cutting element may include a cutting face, an element back surface, and an element side surface extending around an outer periphery of the cutting face. The element side surface may include a first element side surface abutting a first pocket side surface of the at least one coupling pocket and a second element side surface abutting a second pocket side surface of the at least one coupling pocket. At least one of the first element side surface and the second element side surface may have a substantially planar surface.

Abstract: A method for driving tunnels, galleries, shafts or the like with a driving device (1; 2; 15), including: that a cutting head (4) rotating around a general axis of rotation (R) and having cutting elements directed essentially radially outwardly is applied against a rock surface to be worked. The rock cutting elements (13), are formed on cutting rolls (7) are brought to roll against the rock side during pressing against the rock and rotation of the cutting head (4), and the rock cutting elements during rolling are brought to cut sidewardly arranged grooves in the rock surface at a distance from each other. The invention also concerns a rotatable cutting head and a device and a rig for driving tunnels, galleries, shafts or the like.

Abstract: A road cutting machine has a machine frame and at least one left-hand running gear and at least one right-hand running gear. A device is provided for raising or lowering the running gears resting on the ground, in relation to the machine frame, and also a control unit is provided for activating the device for raising and lowering the running gears, so that the height of the running gears can be adjusted to the machine frame. The control unit comprises sensors for detecting changes in the height of the ground to be covered by the running gears in relation to the machine frame, whereby the control unit contains a control mode for initiating actions in the control system for adjusting the height of the running gears. The control unit is configured in such a way in the control mode that if a change is detected in the height of the ground, the respective running gear or the respective running gears are raised or lowered so as to compensate any lateral tilting due to a change in the height of the ground.