Abstract: One exemplary APD Device is used with a liner drilling assembly to control wellbore pressure. The APD Device reduces a dynamic pressure loss associated with the drilling fluid returning via a wellbore annulus. Another exemplary APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when deploying wellbore equipment, including running, installing and/or operating wellbore tools. The APD Device is set to reduce a dynamic pressure loss associated with a circulating fluid. The APD Device can also be configured to reduce a surge effect associated with the running of the wellbore equipment. Still another APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when completing or working over a well. Exemplary completion activity can include circulating fluid other than a drilling fluid, such as a gravel slurry. The APD Device can reduce the dynamic pressure loss associated with circulation of both drilling fluid and non-drilling fluid.

Abstract: A device for use in retrieving debris from a well, including an elongate body; a main bore extending part way along a length of the body; an opening towards a lower end of the body; a main fluid chamber in the body in fluid communication with the main bore; a flow restriction provided in the main bore, through which fluid flows from the main bore and into the main fluid chamber; at least one chamber outlet for directing fluid from the main fluid chamber into an annulus defined between the device and a well borehole wall; a return flow passage extending between the body opening and the main fluid chamber, for return flow of fluid from the annulus to the main fluid chamber, to facilitate retrieval of debris from the well; and at least one fluid exit, for flow of fluid out of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drill bit assembly for fluid-operated percussion drill tools comprising a percussion bit (1) having a head portion (3) formed with an axially extending stub shank (32). The stub shank is provided with axially extending splines (36), which are slideably engageable with complementary splines (35) formed on a drive chuck (4). Rotational drive from the chuck (4) may be transmitted to the stub shank (32) by means of the splines. Bit retaining means (6, 7, 41, 42) at the chuck are adapted for engagement with complementary retaining means (37, 51) at a spline portion of the stub shank to retain the stub shank in the drill bit assembly. Engagement means on the chuck (4) are adapted for connecting the chuck (4) to a drive means (5) of the fluid-operated percussion drill tool.

Abstract: A drilling rig with a top drive for engagement with a travelling block with a hook comprising an airlift thread compensator with an airlift box connected to a bail. The airlift box can have an airbag disposed therein. A bail pin can be engaged through the airlift box, and can be connected to the airbag. The airbag can support the top drive. Upper links can be connected to the airlift box and to a bearing housing. The bearing housing can support a stem connected to a motor, and a bearing can be disposed about the stem. Lower links can be connected to the bearing housing and to an elevator for moving tubulars. An inside blow out preventer can be connected to the stem and to a saver sub. A torque wrench can be connected to the bearing housing for gripping tubulars.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a downhole device such as a choke, the apparatus comprising a housing, a mandrel connected to the downhole device and moveable within the housing to move the device between different positions, and a detent mechanism to selectively lock the mandrel in one of the positions within the housing. The first and second positions are typically defined by physical stops on the apparatus such as shoulders, or dogs and grooves etc, and are typically placed at set positions that define the different configurations of the device. Thus, the movement of the downhole device is governed by the detent mechanism, rather than by variable factors such as pressure changes.

Abstract: A process is provided to drill through a composite frac plug. The plug is in an oil well. The process utilizes an improved mill. The process also rotates drill pipe at one hundred to five hundred rpm and circulates drilling fluid such that the velocity of the fluid upwardly over the exterior of the drill pipe is in the range of three hundred to four hundred and seventy-five feet per minute. One thousand to three thousand pounds of slack off weight is applied during the process.

Abstract: A steel body bit nozzle assembly comprising a bit body having a port therein with a sleeve disposed adjacent a nozzle in the port and an annular seal disposed between an outer wall, each of the sleeve and the nozzle and a wall of the port, each seal being received and compressed in an annular seal groove located between its respective component and the bit body. A nozzle pocket insert assembly and a method of manufacturing or retrofitting a steel body bit for use of the nozzle pocket insert assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of constructing a borehole drilled with a drilling apparatus (16), the method comprises: connecting a flexible tubular liner sleeve (22) around the outside of the drilling apparatus and connecting the sleeve around an upper opening of the borehole so as to pass into the borehole; progressively extending the sleeve into the borehole as drilling progresses while maintaining connection to the drilling apparatus and borehole opening; at a predetermined point in the drilling, expanding the sleeve so as to contact the borehole wall; and setting the sleeve so as to be fixed to the borehole wall after expansion. Apparatus for use in such a method comprises: a flexible, expandable sleeve (22); a first connector for connecting the sleeve around the outside of a drilling assembly; and a second connector for connecting the sleeve around the opening of the borehole; wherein the sleeve is arranged to extend through the borehole between the connectors as drilling progresses.

Abstract: A technique for utilizing a coiled tubing rig improves its operation and functionality. The coiled tubing rig is adapted to enable improved operation in a variety of harsh environments. The coiled tubing rig also may comprise features that facilitate the interchangeability of well tools, e.g. the interchangeability of bottom hole assemblies, to lower operational cost and to increase the efficiency with which a variety of well related operations can be performed.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid flow system for a reverse circulation down-the-hole hammer having a cylinder coaxially disposed in between an outer casing and the piston. This piston reciprocates due to changes in pressure of the pressurized fluid contained inside of a front chamber and a rear chamber at opposite sides of the piston, where the flow into and out of these chambers is controlled solely by the overlap or relative position of the piston and the cylinder as a supply chamber and a discharge chamber, which are defined by recesses on the inner surface of the outer casing and separated by a dividing wall, respectively, supply to and discharge from the front and rear chambers, the pressurized fluid. An internal chamber may also be provided in between the piston and a sampling tube coaxial with the outer casing for a more efficient filling of the chambers.

Abstract: A well pump device is introduced into a well and connects to a wireline to receive electrical energy from the surface. An electrically driven feed pump connects to and delivers driving fluid to the driving side of an ejector. A hydraulic apparatus uses the well pump device as a pulling tool.

Abstract: Systems and processes are provided for safely facilitating transfer of down-hole devices through an adaptive seal assembly capping a well under pressure. At least one dynamic seal is provided having a size and shape to accommodate varying cross section of an elongated down-hole device, such as a logging tool. The adaptive seal assembly includes a mating flange for coupling its open end to a reversibly sealable wellhead fixture. A pressure is maintained along a wellbore side of the reversible seal, while the aperture is varied according to the varying cross section of the down-hole device as it is translated along the axis. More than one dynamic seals can be actuated in a controlled sequence to apply axial thrust in a preferred direction to the tool. One or more robotic systems can be provided to further expedite manipulation of at least one of the tool and the vessel.

Abstract: A method of subsurface lubrication facilitates well completion, re-completion and workover while increasing safety and reducing expense. The method involves using a subsurface lubricator mounted to a wellhead of the cased wellbore to lubricate a downhole tool string into the cased wellbore by running a subsurface lubricator through the wellhead and into an upper section of a production casing of the cased wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid in a well includes a flow control device and a generator that generates electrical energy in response to a flow of an electrically conductive fluid. The flow control device may include an actuator receiving electrical energy from the generator, and a valve operably coupled to the actuator. The actuator may be configured to operate after a preset value for induced voltage is generated by the generator. The generator may use a pair of electrodes positioned along a flow path of the electrically conductive fluid to generate electrical energy. In one arrangement, one or more elements positioned proximate to the electrodes generate a magnetic field along the flow path of the electrically conductive fluid that causes the electrodes to generate a voltage. In another arrangement, the electrodes create an electrochemical potential in response to contact with the electrically conductive fluid.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly in a casing-while-drilling operation is retrieved by reducing the density of the fluid in the casing string above the bottom hole assembly, creating an upward force on the bottom hole assembly. As the bottom hole assembly moves upward in the casing string, fluid is pumped into the upper end of the annulus and displaced fluid flows out of the upper end of the casing string. The flow rate of the fluid flowing into the upper end of the annulus and the flow rate of the displaced fluid flowing out of the casing string are monitored and compared.

Abstract: A system and method for drilling a well bore with an under-balanced hydrostatic pressure. The system used in the method includes a tubular member containing a first port, a compression member disposed about the outer portion of the tubular member and having an internal sliding mandrel extending therefrom with a second port, an external sliding sleeve having a third port and being in contact with the internal sliding mandrel and operatively associated with the internal sliding mandrel, and a compressible seal disposed about the external sliding mandrel that is responsive to a longitudinal weight transferred to the compression member. In a closed position the first, second and third port are misaligned and in an open position the first, second and third ports are aligned.

Abstract: A method and device for drilling, particularly percussion drilling or rotary percussion drilling a hole in soil or rock material and fixing an anchoring in the hole. To this end, a drilled hole is made by a drill bit mounted on a drill rod. The drill rod, on the rear side facing away from the drilling surface of the drill bit, is surrounded at a distance from the drill bit by an anchoring element whose outside dimension exceeds, at least in part, the circumference of the drilled hole made by the drill bit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for the lifting of hydrocarbons in oil field wells, comprising a lifting assembly formed by a fluid collecting hose and a fluid suction tube being lowered, filled and raised within a well casing.

Abstract: A force balancing system for use with a well bore tool, such as a drilling tool, is provided. The tool may be connected to a drill string, and the force balancing system is adapted to decouple the weight of the drill string from the operation of the tool. The force balancing system utilizes hydraulic or pneumatic pressure to advance the tool into the well bore, while preventing excessive weight from being applied to the tool.

Abstract: A method related to restarting a drilling process includes the steps of applying a surface torque to a drill string in a borehole, detecting signals related to one of a torque and a rotational speed experienced at a bottom hole assembly, initiating drilling fluid flow, and lowering a drill bit to a bottom of the borehole. The surface torque or the drilling fluid flow is maintained or changed based on the signals related to the torque or rotational speed.