Abstract: The present invention provides an improved coring motor for use in obtaining a core sample from the side wall of a drilled bore hole. The present invention provides controllable rotation, extension and retraction of the coring bit relative to the side wall without complicated positioning linkages and with conservation of space for use in slim tools for use downhole.

Abstract: An all-metal seal assembly is located between the exterior of a string of casing and the bore of a lower wellhead housing. The seal assembly has abase seal member with inner and outer legs that define a U-shaped cross-section extending upward into the bore. Each leg is provided with a set of seal bands for sealing against the bore and casing, respectively. When an upper wellhead housing is landed on top of the lower wellhead housing, an energizing ring is forced into the U-shaped cross-section and spreads the legs apart from each other, thereby moving the two sets of seal bands into sealing engagement with the bore and the casing.

Abstract: The riser system includes a small diameter riser that can be disconnected from the subsea BOP/wellhead assembly to obtain access to the wellbore for large diameter casing while continuously maintaining a hydrostatic head to control the well. The riser system further includes a large diameter riser joint having one end connected to the BOP/wellhead assembly and one or more hydraulic conduits extending from the BOP/wellhead assembly to the small diameter riser which extends to the surface. The small diameter riser has a first position where the small diameter riser is aligned and connected to the other end of the riser joint and a second position where the small diameter riser is non-aligned and unconnected with the large diameter riser joint. The riser system further includes a shifter which moves the small diameter riser from the first position to the second position. Downhole operations are conducted through the small diameter riser in the first position.

Abstract: A method of creating an electric signal that describes the motion of a down-hole, fluid-driven percussive tool is disclosed. The signal is obtained by attaching an electromagnetic transducer to the percussive tool, the member impacted by it, or the drill string. The rebound characteristics of the tool yield a measurement of the physical characteristics of the subterranean formation being penetrated. The tool's position over time is useful for diagnosing and regulating the operation of the tool. The transducer can also be configured to generate a signal large enough to be used as a power source.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and ultra-low density sealing compositions for sealing pipe in well bores penetrating formations which readily fracture at low hydrostatic pressures. A method of the invention basically comprises the steps of providing a hardenable ultra-low density sealing composition comprised of an epoxide containing liquid, a hardening agent, a hardening accelerating agent, a light weight filler and hollow glass michrospheres having a density in the range of from about 5 to 8.5 pounds per gallon, placing the sealing composition in the annulus between the pipe to be sealed and the walls of the well bore and allowing the sealing composition to harden therein.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for actuating a downhole tool by utilizing a pressure differential created by fluid flowing through a conduit. The conduit is in communication with a pressure sensing line that is selectively exposable to areas of the conduit having different pressures. By exposing the pressure sensing line to a portion of the conduit having a predetermined pressure therein, the pressure sensing line causes actuation of a hydraulic tool therebelow.

Abstract: Improved methods of treating water and hydrocarbons producing subterranean formations to reduce the water permeabilities of the formations without substantially reducing the hydrocarbons permeabilities thereof are provided. The methods basically comprise introducing into the formation a chemical which does not resist water flow and attaches to adsorption sites on surfaces within the porosity of the formation but slowly washes off the sites as another fluid flows through the treated formation. Thereafter, a water flow resisting polymer is introduced into the formation so that it flows deeply into the porosity of the formation before the previously introduced chemical washes off and attaches to the adsorption sites as the chemical washes off.

Abstract: A subsea wellhead and completion system which provides for monitoring pressure in the annulus of the production casing through communication passages that are pressure-isolated from tubing annulus passages and production fluid passages. The communication passages route production casing annulus fluid pressure from the production casing annulus through the production casing hanger to a communication passage provided between the wellhead housing and an isolation sleeve that spans and seals between the production casing hanger and the tree and then through the tree to an outlet on external diameter of the tree and thence to monitoring equipment located typically at the rig. A removable closure member is located in the production casing hanger to isolate the communication passage during drilling operations. This closure member is removed after drilling operations are concluded and after the tree is installed, but before the isolation sleeve and tubing hanger are landed.

Abstract: A test system and method for testing a well having a first and second zone includes a chamber and an isolation device moveable in the chamber. The isolation device separates a first and a second portion of the chamber. The chamber is adapted to receive fluid in the second chamber portion from the first zone. The isolation device is adapted to be moved in the chamber in a first direction by the first zone fluid. The first chamber portion can be charged with fluid pressure to move the isolation device in a second direction to pump the first zone fluid inside the second chamber portion into the second zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding wireline into a well bore comprising an insert bowl, the insert bowl having a substantially vertical groove formed in an interior surface thereof. A rotation means is preferably provided on the insert bowl, the rotation means configured and positioned to rotate against a wireline and maintain the wireline substantially in the groove when the insert bowl is positioned in a rotary table of a drilling platform, to thereby prevent damage to the wireline during wireline and drilling operations. The rotation means preferably comprises a support member and a wheel rotatably disposed in the support member, the support member being attached to a top of the insert bowl above the groove. The wheel is preferably configured as a sheave having a concave rim.

Abstract: A tie-back insert is installed in a primary wellbore and includes a housing which includes one or more axial bores therethrough and a lateral bore which extends laterally out the side of the housing. The lateral bore allows a liner to pass through the top of the insert, through the lateral bore and into the lateral borehole to a new producing formation. The annulus formed between the housing and the casing is sealed at the upper end of the housing by an upper packer and the lower end of the housing is sealed by stabbing into a lower packer. The upper and lower packers seal around the window cut in the casing. The axial bores allow production fluid from the primary wellbore to be transmitted through the insert to the surface of the well. The insert is placed within the primary wellbore so that the lateral bore is located and oriented adjacent the lateral borehole allowing production fluid from the lateral borehole to transmitted to the surface of the well.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit having a plurality of circumferentially spaced gage pads for drilling bore holes of a preselected trajectory, including lateral or deviated bore holes, in subterranean formations. Each gage pad is provided with, or alternatively associated with, at least one aggressive gage, or side, cutting element having a preselected relative degree of aggressiveness. Selected circumferentially spaced gage pads comprise at least one gage cutting element, or cutting region, disposed thereon and/or comprise alternative gage-cutting elements longitudinally proximate and exclusively associated with a selected gage pad. At least one such gage-cutting element provides more aggressive gage-cutting than at least one other, less aggressive gage-cutting element disposed on, or associated with, a different gage pad.

Abstract: Cutter spokes are disposed on a cutterhead of a tunnel-excavating machine. Movable blocks, each having a roller cutter, are movably supported by each of the cutter spokes while being connected one another by means of a connection link. A gate mechanism is attached to an end portion of each of the cutter spokes. A machine body is equipped with a roller cutter accommodation box such that through rotation of the cutterhead to a predetermined angular position, the roller cutter accommodation box can be selectively and removably engaged with the end portion of any one of the cutter spokes via the gate mechanism.

Abstract: A running tool which is intended to be lowered down a tubular member via a wireline extending from the surface to a connection to the upper end of the tool by which the tool is suspended, said tool being capable of advancing itself along the wall of the tubular member when required (e.g. when the tubular member is inclined to the vertical as a “lateral”), by repeated application and release of tension force in the wireline.

Abstract: A cellular structure, in particular a supporting or sound insulation structure plantable with greenery, one with earth, rock, or bulk material filling (Ed), arranged in particular as cells (Z) in layers, the cells being bounded at least in part by flat flexible, liquid-permeable, and corrosion-resistant material (F), in particular material in the form of netting or a grating, and having at least one dimensionally stable frontal element (FG) also in the form of netting or a grating which is connected to tension bracing (ZA) extending into the cell filling and to support bracing (ZV) ensuring the assigned frontal surface inclination and frontal surface position of the structure, the support bracing (ZV) for the individual front elements having at least one elongated bracing element (AS) which on one side is connected to a front element (FG) and on the other extends into the area of the filler.

Abstract: The invention concerns a core barrel, in particular in the field of oil exploration, comprising at least an outer tube (2) and a core bit (3) forming an outer assembly (4) and at least an inner tube (5) forming with a drilling core optionally present therein, and optionally with part of the groups arranged under the drilling core base, an inner assembly (7), suspension and/or guiding means being provided for maintaining the inner assembly (7) inside the outer assembly (4), the suspension and/or guiding means being further arranged such that the inner assembly (7) maintains at least perpendicular to these means (9), with respect to the outer assembly (4), a predetermined axial and/or radial and/or angular freedom of movement greater than usual.

Abstract: A subterranean formation is treated by injecting a blend of fracture proppant material and deformable particulate material into the formation. The deformable particulate material may combine with the fracture proppant material to increase fracture conductivity, reduce fines generation, and/or reduce proppant flowback. The fracture proppant material may be a material such as sand, and the deformable particulate material may be a material such as polystyrene divinylbenzene beads.

Abstract: An expandible packer provides a crescent-shaped cross-sectional area for more and larger diameter data cable and fluid control conduits by eccentrically offsetting the packer mandrel relative to the expandable element. The expandible element of the packer eccentrically surrounds the mandrel to provide an eccentric volume zone between the packer collars. One or more data cable or fluid carrier conduits may be laid between the collars within this eccentric zone, all of greater diameter than would be possible within an annulus between two concentric mandrels. The eccentric zone conduits are secured and protected by a compliant filler material such as rubber or other elastomer that is applied around and between the control conduits within the eccentric zone. This filler material is trimmed or cast to a substantially cylindrical surface about an axis that is substantially coextensive with the expandable element axis.

Abstract: In accordance with a method of servicing a well there is provided a casing spool having an endless tubing access port. The endless tubing access port has a feed passage that extends toward the first end and outwardly from the body. The feed passage terminates in a flow control valve. Endless tubing is extended through the endless tubing access port while a tubing hanger is still in position supporting a tubing string. The endless tubing passes along the central flow passage beside the tubing string. Fluids are then pumped through the endless tubing to promote circulation within the well.

Abstract: Drilling fluids are stored in the ballast compartments of drilling vessels to reduce the dependency of a drilling operation on the supply of drilling fluids from work boats. The composition of the brine-based drilling fluid stored in the ballast compartment is designed to provide a biostatic environment and a density appropriate for the environment in which the well is to be drilled.