Abstract: A drilling mud diverter and method of use for horizontal drilling operations wherein drilling muds are diverted to a single portal of the bore where the drilling muds are recovered for removal or reprocessing, the mud diverter having a diverter unit with a central cylindrical core with enlarged end caps and an inflatable bladder mounted on the core, the diverter unit having a bypass passage through the unit blocked by a pressure relief valve that allows drilling muds blocked by the diverter unit to pass through the unit only when a preset pressure is reached; the method of use including the procedure for installing the mud diverter into an enlarged bore using the drilling pipe and removing the mud diverter using the drilling pipe, cables or other alternative equipment.

Abstract: A ground drilling machine comprises a controller for automatically controlling the injection of working liquid according to the output signal output as a function of the rotating condition of the pilot head 20. When the pilot head 20 is driven forward or backward, working liquid can be injected by switching the working liquid transfer valve 111 so long as the pilot head 20 is revolving in order to improve the digging efficiency, the soil delivering efficiency and the cooling efficiency of the machine. The injection of working liquid can be suspended when the direction of propelling the pilot head 20 is shifted while stopping the revolution of the pilot head 20 because no working liquid is required for delivering the dug soil and cooling the leading body. Thus, working liquid can be injected always at an optimal rate depending on the rotating condition of the pilot head 20 to suppress any waste of working liquid and reduce the construction cost.

Abstract: Cutter elements for use in rolling cones rock bits are disclosed having a crown that includes multiple, spaced-apart cusps for enhancing formation removal by creating overlapping Hertzian contact zones. The cusps may be partially dome-shaped, berm shaped or otherwise. The cutter elements provide multiple cutting edges for engaging the formation and may have differing radii and extension length as suitable for particular applications.

Abstract: A production tubing joint is disclosed for a well comprising a barrel forming an upper tubing section and connected to the tubing hanger, a tubing connector within the barrel having a lower end connected to a lower tubing section of the production tubing string, a lower locking means having a first lower lock component secured to the barrel and a second lower lock component secured to the tubing connector and selectively engageable with the first lower lock component for suspending the tubing connector and the lower tubing section from the barrel, an adapter bar for connection to a rod string, and an upper locking means having a first upper lock component secured to the tubing connector and a second upper lock component secured to the adapter bar and selectively engageable with the first upper lock component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating a desired target signal along a piping structure is provided. Because of a lossy communication path presented by the piping structure, an input signal, which is transmitted from a first location on the piping structure, is consciously predistorted prior to transmission. The amount and nature of the predistortion applied to the input signal is determined by mathematically modeling the communication path between the first location and a second location. Predistortion of the input signal results in reception of an output signal at the second location that closely approximates the desired target signal. Application of this predistortion method of communicating is described in the context of communicating in the borehole of a petroleum well.

Abstract: A method and system for cable-based communication between the drilling rig and the bottom hole assembly is disclosed. A cable is provided along the outside of an upper portion of the drillstring. The cable is connected to a cross-over sub assembly below which is attached a second cable that extends down towards the bottom hole assembly. During drilling the cable rotates with the drillstring, and the unused cable is stored in a reel mounted on the top drive unit. New pipe stands are connected and the cable is clamped to the outside of the drillstring. The method and system are particularly well suited for use in deep-water drilling environments.

Abstract: Methods and apparati are disclosed for continuous circulation of drilling fluids while adding or removing tubulars to and from a drill string, and also for continuing drilling during the addition or removal of tubulars to and from the drill string.

Abstract: A method for drilling wells in which the tubular (5) can be added or removed from the drill string (17) whilst the drill is rotating with the mud and drilling fluids being circulated continuously and kept separated from the environment to reduce pollution. A connector is used with an inlet (15) and outlet (10) for the mud etc. and which incorporates rams (11) to seal off and separate the flow of mud as a tubular is added or removed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for locating joints in coiled tubing operations. The apparatus is adapted for running into a well on coiled tubing and for use during reverse circulating and fracturing operations. The apparatus having a central passageway for fluids, a collar locator module, a one-way valve coupled to the central passageway to allow for the flow of fluids in one direction but not the other, a port coupled to the central passageway to allow fluids to exit when the one-way valve is functioning, a movable cover module to cover the port to build up pressure in the central passageway, and a flow diverting module for permanently diverting the flow of fluids from the port to the central passageway.

Abstract: A pipe assembly (5) for use in a wellbore (3) having a plurality of outlets (6) positioned about the periphery of the pipe at longitudinally spaced apart intervals for allowing fluid to pass from the interior to the exterior of the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling the flow of hydrocarbons into and/or out of a string of tubing disposed in a wellbore. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a tubular member having at least one aperture formed in a wall thereof and a sleeve disposed radially outward of the tubular member. The sleeve is selectively movable between a first position and a second position to control the flow between the outside and the inside of the tubular member. In one aspect, the apparatus further comprises a biasing member disposed adjacent the sleeve and adapted to apply a force against the sleeve in an axial direction and further comprises a piston adapted to receive a hydraulic pressure to move the sleeve against the force of the biasing member. In another aspect, the apparatus further comprises a electromechanical device adapted to selectively move the sleeve between the first position and the second position and further comprises a control line adapted to conduct an electrical current.

Abstract: One or more subterranean zones are isolated from one or more other subterranean zones using a combination of solid tubulars and perforated tubulars.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining the fluid column in an annulus are provided. The fluid column support, or fluid column seal is disposed about a second casing being lowered into a well through a first casing already cemented in the well. The fluid column support includes a seal connected to the second casing that engages the first casing as it is lowered therethrough. The seal will allow flow in an upward direction but prevents downward flow. The seal will support, or maintain a fluid column in the annulus between the first and second casing in the event that the fluid level below the seal drops for any reason, such as lost circulation or the failure of a buoyancy chamber in the second casing. The fluid seal, in conjunction with stage tools, provides hydrostatic pressure in the well to maintain proper fluid placement therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polycrystalline diamond or diamond-like element with greatly improved wear resistance without loss of impact strength. These elements are formed with a binder-catalyzing material in a high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) process. The PCD element has a body with a plurality of bonded diamond or diamond-like crystals forming a continuous diamond matrix that has a diamond volume density greater than 85%. Interstices among the diamond crystals form a continuous interstitial matrix containing a catalyzing material. The diamond matrix table is formed and integrally bonded with a metallic substrate containing the catalyzing material during the HTHP process. The diamond matrix body has a working surface, where a first portion of the interstitial matrix in the body adjacent to the working surface is substantially free of the catalyzing material, and a second portion of the interstitial matrix in the body adjacent to the working surface contains the catalyzing material.

Abstract: A system for enhanced access to subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore pattern having a first well bore extending from a surface well bore substantially defining a first end of the area in the subterranean zone to a distant end of the area. The pattern also includes a plurality of lateral well bores extending outwardly from the first well bore. The distance from an end of a lateral well bore to the surface well bore may be configured to be substantially equal for each of the lateral well bores to facilitate forming the lateral well bores. The system and method may also include nesting two or more well bore patterns within the subterranean zone to provide uniform coverage of the zone. Additionally, the system and method may include multiple well bore patterns in communication with a common surface well bore to reduce the surface area required for accessing the subterranean zone.

Abstract: A wiper plug for downhole use is disclosed. It features an inflatable structure that allows it to ride inside tubulars that change or gradually vary in inside diameter. In a preferred embodiment the bladder is actuated by fluid displaced by a biased piston. The piston is capable of moving in opposite directions to allow original insertion into a launcher and subsequent bladder expansion. In another embodiment, the piston can be fluid driven in opposed directions by a pump and an on board control system which can regulate, on a real time basis, the contact pressure of the bladder to a predetermined level or range, as the bladder encounters varying interior wall diameters of the tubular string or associated equipment.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a method for the surface recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir. The reservoir can be a formation found in sandstone, carbonate, coal bed or other mineral deposit formations. The method includes drilling a well bore having a first substantially vertical portion and a first substantially horizontal portion, in which the first horizontal portion intersects the subterranean reservoir. A plurality of lateral well bores intersecting and extending from the first horizontal portion of the well bore are drilled. Thereafter, a drainage well bore is drilled below and substantially parallel to the first horizontal portion of the well bore, in which the drainage well bore intersects the first horizontal portion.

Abstract: Methods and apparati are disclosed for continuous circulation of drilling fluids while adding or removing tubulars to and from a drill string, and also for continuing drilling during the addition or removal of tubulars to and from the drill string.

Abstract: A novel method, system and tool for performing formation and well evaluation while drilling are disclosed. These inventions determine the properties of a particular formation within a reservoir as the reservoir is being intersected during well construction. In one form of the invention, the formation evaluation is made using a direct measurement of the formation's ability to flow fluids. The flow potential of a reservoir during underbalanced well construction is determined as the well is being constructed. The methods produce an understanding of the volumes and types of fluids such as oil, gas, and/or water, that can be produced out of discrete sections of a formation within a reservoir as the reservoir is intersected.

Abstract: A twist drill (1) has a plurality of of protuberances (9) arranged in the grooves (6) of the helix (4) which project radially outward partially into the groove cross section to prevent clumps.