Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation of a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. Methods of operation are described wherein at least one geophysical parameter is measured with a geophysical parameter sensing member located within the drill string. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambient hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.

Abstract: A sealed perforating gun assembly for use with automatic pipe handling equipment on oil and gas drill rigs. An upper sealed connector and a lower sealed connector have sealed threaded connections for mating with ends of a perforating gun. The connectors have external dimensions equivalent to the external dimensions of standard drill pipe and have standard tapered thread couplings. Ignition transfer explosives are carried within cavities in the connectors. The cavities are sealed on their drill pipe coupling ends. The ignition transfer explosives are adapted to penetrate the seals so that ignition can be transferred between the gun assembly and adjacent sections of the gun string. Since the external dimensions of the sealed connectors correspond to the external dimensions of drill pipe, automatic drill pipe handling equipment can handle the gun assemblies.

Abstract: A portable area monitoring system for use with a horizontal directional drilling machine and adapted to produce a composite of the positions of a beacon and a fixed object. In a preferred embodiment the sensor assembly is supported by a hand-held frame and adapted to detect signals emanating from each of a beacon and a fixed object. The sensor assembly transmits the detected signals to a processor which simultaneously processes the signals to produce a composite of relative positions of the beacon and the fixed object to the frame. The composite of the relative positions of the beacon and the fixed object to the frame is communicated to the operator using a portable display.

Abstract: A control system for use in controlling actuation of tools in a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a control system includes a well tool, an actuator for the well tool and a control module interconnected between the actuator and first and second fluid lines. The control module is operative to meter a predetermined volume of fluid from the actuator to the second line in response to pressure applied to the first line.

Abstract: An obstacle avoidance system for obstacle detection in an opaque material. The system includes at least one electromagnetic signal source adapted to produce an electromagnetic source signal suitable for transmission through the opaque material, at least one electromagnetic signal detector adapted to receive reflected electromagnetic energy signals from discontinuities in the opaque material encountered by the electromagnetic source signal, and a reflected electromagnetic energy signal processor suitable for determining a presence of obstructions and/or strata variations within the opaque material. The system is preferably integral with a head element suitable for traversing the opaque material, for example a subterranean drill bit.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive, the apparatus comprising a supporting member (13) connectable to said top drive (3) characterized in that it further comprises an internal tool (30) for engaging said tubular (7) and an external clamping device (39) for engaging said tubular (7).

Abstract: A horizontal bore cryogenic drilling method includes in a first embodiment forming a pilot hole of a first select diameter along a desired path of the horizontal bore. A grindable casing is inserted into the guide bore. A cryogenic fluid is flowed through the grindable casing to form a freeze zone of frozen moisture adjacent the grindable casing having a second select diameter. A primary bore is formed having a third select diameter greater than the first diameter and less than the second select diameter within the freeze zone along the desired path of the horizontal bore with the grindable casing in place. The second diameter is selected to be sufficiently greater than the third select diameter to prevent collapse of the freeze zone. Another embodiment of the invention is a method of forming a horizontal bore in an earth formation including providing a drill string having a conduit communicating with a cutting tool for engaging the earth formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a head for injecting a fluid under pressure for breaking up the ground from a borehole and mounted at the end of a string of rods. The body of the drilling head has a bottom wall for mounting a mechanical drilling tool having a feed pipe, at least one injection nozzle, and duct-forming means for connecting the feed pipe with liquid at the inlet of said nozzle, the duct-forming means presenting a mean line having a radius of curvature that varies continuously, the right section of said duct-forming means decreasing regularly over at least half its length from its first end towards its second end. The injection head further comprises at least one pipe for feeding said mechanical tool, said pipe being connected at a first end to said duct-forming means and at a second end to a chamber disposed at the bottom end of said injection head and fitted with a controllable shutter member interposed between said chamber and the pipe for feeding said mechanical tool.

Abstract: This invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes directional formation evaluation devices on a rotating assembly in conjunction with toolface orientation sensors. The data from the toolface orientation sensors are analyzed by a processor and toolface angle measurements are determined at defined intervals. Formation evaluation sensors operate substantially independently of the toolface orientation sensors and measurements of the formation evaluation sensors are analyzed in combination with the determined toolface angle to obtain formation parameters.

Abstract: A method of installing an internal latch profile in an existing tubular string does not require the use of a packer. In a described embodiment, a method of latch installation includes the step of deforming an interior surface of the tubular string after the tubular string is positioned in a well. In another described embodiment, a method of latch installation includes the step of cutting into the interior surface of the tubular string.

Abstract: A spring centralizer device for supporting a tubular member spaced from the wall of a bore is made from a single piece of boron steel material. The spring centralizer device has first and second collars spaced apart along a longitudinal axis. Spring bow portions extend between the collars. As the device is made from a single piece of material, the material extends seamlessly from each collar portion through the bow portions so that there are no joins or points of weakness. Use of boron steel means that the device can be made by cold forming.

Abstract: A drilling system is provided that includes first and second tubular connectors and a washpipe assembly including at least one dynamic seal and defining a fluid conduit having a first mating connector and a second mating connector. The drilling system also includes a controllable torque driver arranged to mechanically engage the washpipe assembly such that fluid connections are made between the first mating connector and the first tubular connector, and the second mating connector and the second tubular connector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting an operation of a downhole tool using an optical sensing system are disclosed. In an embodiment, a flow control device has an inner tubular member moveable relative to an outer tubular member and a thermally responsive chamber capable of a change in temperature during a movement between the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member. Detecting the change in temperature in the thermally responsive chamber with an optical sensing system provides real time knowledge of the position of the flow control device. In another embodiment, a flow control device comprises an inner tubular member moveable relative to an outer tubular member that produces an acoustic signal during a movement between the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member. Detecting the acoustic signal with an optical sensor provides real time knowledge of the position of the flow control device.

Abstract: A solids-stabilized oil-in-water emulsion and a method for preparing the solids-stabilized oil-in-water emulsion. The oil-in-water emulsion is formed by combining oil, water, solid particles and a pH enhancing agent and mixing until the solid-stabilized oil-in-water emulsion is formed. The low viscosity oil-in-water emulsion can be used to enhance production of oil from subterranean reservoirs. The low viscosity oil-in-water emulsion can also be used to enhance the transportation of oil through a pipeline.

Abstract: An acoustic position measurement system and method includes an acoustic transmitter operable to transmit a sound wave into an underground well bore in a target formation. The sound wave is configured to reflect from a boundary formation proximate the target formation. The system includes an acoustic receiver operable to receive a reflected sound wave. The reflected sound wave comprises a reflection of the sound wave from the boundary formation. The system also includes an electronics portion electrically coupled to the acoustic receiver. The electronics portion is operable to process the reflected sound wave and produce, based upon a characteristic of the reflected sound wave, data output indicative of a position of the acoustic position measurement system in the target formation.

Abstract: A horizontal spool tree wellhead system 10 utilizes a casing 18, 19 installed in a well bore and a wellhead housing 20 at the upper end of the casing. A spool 23 of the horizontal tree 22 is connected to the upper end of the wellhead housing, and includes at least one radially extending side port. The BOP 28 is also installed at the upper end of the housing with a bore aligned with the wellhead housing bore. After drilling the well, the casing string 19 carrying a casing hanger 42 may be lowered through the bores of the BOP, the spool tree, and the wellhead housing and into the well. An orientation/isolation sleeve 60 may be installed in a predetermined rotational orientation with the spool tree. A tubing hanger 70 having a side port is landed onto the orientation sleeve and is automatically oriented to align the tubing hanger side port with the spool side port.

Abstract: A rolling cone drill bit is provided that has gage inserts on the first row from the bit axis to cut to full gage diameter that have a cutting portion enhanced with a layer of super abrasive material. The gage cutting surface has a center axis that is canted to be more normal to the gage curve such that the its point of contact at gage is away from the thinner portion of the layer of super abrasive material.

Abstract: A technique for providing auxiliary conduits in multi-trip completions is disclosed. The technique has particular applicability to liner mounted screens which are to be gravel packed. In the preferred embodiment, a protective shroud is run with the gravel pack screens with the auxiliary conduits disposed in between. The auxiliary conduits terminate in a quick connection at a liner top packer. The gravel packing equipment can optionally be secured in a flow relationship to the auxiliary conduits so as to control the gravel packing operation. Subsequent to the removal of the specialized equipment, the production tubing can be run with an auxiliary conduit or conduits for connection down hole to the auxiliary conduits coming from the liner top packer for a sealing connection. Thereafter, during production various data on the well can be obtained in real time despite the multiple trips necessary to accomplish completion.

Abstract: A method and system for gas-lifting well effluents utilizes a porous wall in which an array of small lift-gas injection ports is present such that lift-gas is injected as an agglomerate of finely dispersed micro-bubbles into the stream of well effluents. In this way the lift-gas and produced crude oil form a froth and the risk of slugs of lift-gas that bypass slugs of crude oil and create an unstable flow regime is minimized.

Abstract: A downhole device processes particles entrained in a drilling fluid returning up a wellbore. In one embodiment, the device includes a housing having at least one cutting surface formed in a chamber of a housing. A cutting head disposed in the chamber crushes or comminutes the particles entrained in the drilling fluid to a predetermined size. The device is disposed in the wellbore and processes the entrained particles before they enter a selected wellbore device such as a pump. In certain embodiments, the housing has at least two chambers, wherein the entrained particles are reduced to a first predetermined size in the first chamber, a second predetermined size in the second chamber, etc. Also, the housing can include an operator that generates an energy field that reduces the size of the particles entrained in the drilling fluid to a first predetermined size when the particles flow through the energy field.