Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a piezoelectric element in an electroacoustic communications node used in a downhole wireless telemetry system. An end mass is secured to the piezoelectric element. At least one fastener attaches a pre-tensioning support plate to a housing of the node. The pre-tensioning support plate and the at least one fastener impart a tensioning force to the end mass and/or the piezoelectric element when the pre-tensioning support plate and the end mass and/or the piezoelectric element are secured to the housing.

Abstract: A method of drilling vertical and horizontal pathways to mine for solid natural resources involves a drill bit, at least one reamer, a first plugging material, and a second plugging material; drilling a testing wellbore to a specific vertical depth with the drill bit and identifying at least one desired mining section wherein the desired mining section is associated with a corresponding vertical depth; creating a new bottom end for the testing wellbore by filling the testing wellbore up to an offset distance with the first plugging material; drilling a horizontal access hole from the new bottom end into the desired mining section with the drill bit and enlarging it with a reamer; excavating cuttings from the desired mining section through the horizontal access hole; filling the horizontal access hole with the second plugging material; and repeating the drilling, enlarging, and filling process to create a plurality of lateral holes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intermediate storage vehicle for storing milled material and also to a work train with such an intermediate storage vehicle, a surface milling machine and a transport vehicle.

Abstract: A packer penetrator assembly comprised of a proximal mandrel, an intermediate mandrel and a distal mandrel that can be quickly and efficiently assembled while preventing the migration of gases or fluids up the ESP cable through a well bore packer. These ESP cables can be spliced to power cables passing through a wellbore packer, a sealed electrical connection at a packer assembly. The packer penetrator also offers an adaptive or male to female crossover assembly that allows use of power cables of differing diameters and styles to be joined.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of strip mining that involves dividing the pit into blocks in a diamond shape arrangement with an angular advancing strike face and removing waste material from each diagonally adjacent block so as to minimize the amount of waste material pushed by dozers and maintain the incline of ramps to gradients of 10% or less so that trucks can take mined ore from the pit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ground milling machine, in particular a road milling machine, comprising a machine frame, traveling devices connected to the machine frame, a drive engine, a ground milling device with a milling drum box open towards the ground and a milling drum mounted so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis inside the milling drum box, wherein the ground milling device is adjustable by means of an adjusting device between a raised transport position and a milling position engaging the ground, a conveyor device with at least one primary conveyor belt, with which milled material produced inside the milling drum box can be transported away from the ground milling device, the primary conveyor belt including a receiving side and a discharge side, a belt holder arranged in front of the ground milling device in the working direction of the ground milling machine, in which the receiving side of the primary conveyor belt is mounted, and an operator platform, from which an operator controls the groun

Abstract: A device is provided for isolating, from shock and vibration, any down-hole tool housed within a drill string, while maintaining rotational alignment and providing a continuous electrical connection between the ends of the tool along a plurality of conductor paths. The device increases down-hole tool life while reducing damage when operating in demanding environments.

Abstract: A method for recovering gas in natural gas hydrate exploitation is disclosed, in which a gas-water mixture at a bottom of a exploitation well is delivered to an ocean surface platform through a marine riser, by adopting the gas-lift effect of methane gas derived from the dissociation of natural gas hydrate, so as to achieve a controllable flowing production of marine natural gas hydrate. In the startup stage, the pressure in the bottom of the well is decreased by the gas-lift effect of the injected gas to allow dissociation of the hydrate. In the flowing production stage, the flowing production is achieved by the gas-lift effect of the gas derived from the dissociation of the natural gas hydrate, wherein a seafloor gas tank is employed to control the flowing rate and replenish the consumed gas.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for capturing drilling fluid returns in an exploration drilling process, as well as a related method of capturing the drilling fluid returns. The apparatus (10) is adapted to be fitted onto a drill collar/casing (11) adjacent its open top (13). The apparatus (10) comprises a body (21) defining a reservoir (23) for receiving the drilling fluid returns flowing out through the open top end (13) of the drill collar/casing (11) and spilling into the reservoir (23). The reservoir (23) comprises a collecting portion (25) in which the fluid returns spilling from the drill collar/casing (11) can be collected. The reservoir (23) also comprises a sump portion (27) which can receive the drilling fluid returns and from which the drilling fluid returns can be pumped by way of a sump pump (28). The reservoir (23) is configured to direct the drilling fluid returns collected by the collecting portion (25) to the sump portion (27) as a continuous flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an annular barrier for isolating a production zone, the annular barrier having a first end and a second end, comprising: a tubular metal part for mounting as part of a well tubular metal structure, the tubular metal part having an outer face, an expandable metal sleeve surrounding the tubular metal part and having an outer face facing a wall of a borehole, each end of the expandable metal sleeve being connected with the tubular metal part, an annular space arranged between the expandable metal sleeve and the tubular metal part, the expandable metal sleeve being configured to expand by pressurised fluid entering the annular space, a first tubular metal connection assembly surrounding the tubular metal part connecting one end of the expandable metal sleeve with the tubular metal part and a second tubular metal connection assembly surrounding the tubular metal part connecting the other end of the expandable metal sleeve with the tubular metal part, each tubular metal connection a

Abstract: A tubular element for a drill stem includes a substantially cylindrical body and two tool joints. Each tool joint is disposed at one end of the body and provided with a threaded portion that can be joined to a complementary element. At least one of the tool joints has a lifting surface that can cooperate with a lifting tool of the element to connect it into a drill stem. The lifting surface has a non-circular cross-section forming an activation zone for a drilling fluid.

Abstract: A wellbore liner-hanger tie-back system includes a bore receptacle coupled with a liner hanger at a downhole end of the bore receptacle, where the liner hanger is configured to be positioned in a wellbore, a tieback casing configured to be disposed in the wellbore, where a portion of an outer surface of the tieback casing is disposed proximate to an inner surface of the bore receptacle, and a seal system including at least one swellable seal. The seal system is disposed between the tieback casing and the bore receptacle to seal a space between the portion of the outer surface of the tieback casing and the inner surface of the bore receptacle.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for producing a three-dimensional visualization of a drill plan and drilling motor with a toolface are provided for drill steering purposes. A drilling motor with a toolface in communication with a sensor system is provided. A controller in communication with the sensor system is operable to generate a depiction of the drill plan and a depiction of the drilling motor, and to combine these depictions in a three-dimensional visualization of the downhole environment. This visualization is used by a user to steer the drill.

Abstract: A wellbore injection system comprises a tubing hanger mountable within a wellbore tubular, an injection conduit supported by the tubing hanger to extend into the wellbore tubular, and an injection valve mountable within the wellbore tubular and arranged in fluid communication with the injection conduit. The injection valve is removable from the wellbore tubular independently of the tubing hanger and injection conduit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a chipping hammer adapter handle generally comprising an elongated shaft and a hammer receiver. The elongated shaft is coupled to the hammer receiver. The hammer receiver comprises a hammer handle housing configured to receive a chipping hammer handle, and at least one secure arm to secure a chipping hammer. The adapter handle further comprises a knee guard and at least one vacuum hose guide. The adapter handle allows a user to remain in a standing position while using a chipping hammer for tile removal. The more ergonomic position may prevent fatigue and health issues for the user.

Abstract: A bearing pressure system includes a bearing assembly having a first component movable against a second component and at least one accumulator in fluid communication with an interface between the first and second components, the at least one accumulator holding a pressurized fluid. A method includes providing a bearing pressure system having a fluid communicable between an accumulator and an interface between components movable relative to each other, providing an amount of pressurized fluid from the accumulator to the interface when the pressure of the fluid at the interface falls below a pressure range being maintained, and transferring an amount of the fluid from the interface to the accumulator when the pressure of the fluid at the interface rises above the pressure range being maintained.

Abstract: A wellbore liner-hanger tie-back system includes a bore receptacle coupled with a liner hanger at a downhole end of the bore receptacle, where the liner hanger is configured to be positioned in a wellbore, a tieback casing configured to be disposed in the wellbore, where a portion of an outer surface of the tieback casing is disposed proximate to an inner surface of the bore receptacle, and a seal system including at least one swellable seal. The seal system is disposed between the tieback casing and the bore receptacle to seal a space between the portion of the outer surface of the tieback casing and the inner surface of the bore receptacle.

Abstract: A hanger running tool includes a hanger-contacting segment configured to move radially to engage a corresponding groove formed in a hanger to couple the hanger running tool to the hanger. The tool also includes a piston assembly comprising a first piston configured to couple to a seal assembly. The hanger running tool is configured to run the hanger and the seal assembly simultaneously into a wellhead, and actuation of the first piston is configured to energize the seal assembly to seal an annular space between the hanger and the wellhead.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drill and blast method for advancing the tunnel face in a mine, which makes use of a mobile canopy. The mobile canopy having vertical supports connected to a frame that supports a shield. The mobile canopy allows for face production activities and ground support activities to occur simultaneously or near simultaneously. This allows for more rapid advancement of the tunnel face compared to traditional batch drill and blast techniques.

Abstract: A method for implementing a centralized control platform of a hydraulic support on a fully mechanized mining working face in underground coal mines, which is used for safety production in the underground coal mines.