Abstract: The invention refers to a rotary steerable drilling tool having a tool collar and a bit shaft. The bit shaft is supported within the tool collar for pivotal movement about a fixed position along the bit shaft. Moreover, the rotary steerable drilling tool includes a variable bit shaft angulating mechanism, located within the interior of the tool collar. The variable bit shaft angulating mechanism includes a motor, an offset mandrel, and a variable offset coupling. The motor is attached to the upper end of the offset mandrel and adapted to rotate the offset mandrel. The upper end of the variable offset coupling is uncoupleably attached to an offset location of the lower end of the offset mandrel, and the upper end of the bit shaft is rotatably coupled to the variable offset coupling. The rotary steerable drilling tool also includes a torque transmitting coupling adapted to transmit torque from the tool collar to the bit shaft at the fixed position along the bit shaft.

Abstract: A cyclic check valve is provided for a coiled tubing string which enables reverse circulating for a specific period when a specific combination of pumping condition and oil conditions are favorable. The check valve may be activated to prevent reverse flow up through the valve and into the coiled tubing in the event of a failure of the coiled tubing at surface. The valve may be de-activated to allow reverse circulating. The check valve includes a flapper valve which may be de-activated by shiftable sleeve locked in place by a J-slot assembly. The check valve may be cycled from the activated to de-activated position and verified by a change in pressure drop through the tool.

Abstract: A drillpipe sub (30) comprises a shaft (32), a first frustoconical member (34) encircling, and fixedly mounted on, the shaft (32), and a second, opposed frustoconical member (36) encircling, and slidably mounted on, the shaft (32). The first frustoconical member (34) is bonded at its base (38) to the base (40) of the second frustoconical member (36).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and system for the remediation and enhancement of secondary recovery gas from a natural gas well and geologic formation. The present invention employs the use of protic and aprotic solvents which are injected in sequence into the well and geologic formation. The protic and aprotic solvents are injected into the well bore and progress through the geologic fissures and pores of the geologic formation. After reacting with the downhole and geologic formation deposits, the solvent solute, containing the remaining solvent, dissolved solids and debris, and any remaining components are extracted from the well and formation resulting in improved gas well flow rate through the formation and well bore.

Abstract: A centering tool assembly helps centrally position a casing in a tubing using a baseplate, actuator, support tube, power source, and reaction studs. The baseplate is positioned on an outside edge of the tubing. The actuator is either preinstalled on the baseplate or installed after positioning on the tubing's outside edge. The support tube vertically adjusts the actuator. The power source activates the actuator which provides a force against the casing, moving the casing into the central position. Reaction studs or counteracting members help stabilize the centering tool assembly during this positioning. The centering tool assembly may be used to either pull or push the casing into the desired position. Additionally, a method for centering a casing into a central or desired position in a tubing involves placing a baseplate on the edge of the casing. An actuator is installed on the baseplate and vertically adjusted via a support tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method expanding a portion of a tubular. The expansion apparatus is run into a wellbore on a working string. The expansion apparatus first comprises a rotary expander for expanding an expandable tubular. The expansion apparatus further comprises a spline assembly for coupling the rotary expander to a motor disposed on the work string. The rotary expander and spline assembly have hollow bodies that allow them to encircle the work string and rotate relative thereto. The spline assembly comprises an inner sleeve and outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is attached to the motor and the outer sleeve is attached to the rotary expander. The inner and outer sleeves are coupled to each other using a spline and groove connection. The connection allows the rotary expander to be rotated by the motor, while at the same time, allow the rotary expander to move axially relative to the motor. The rotary expander comprises two rows of rollers for expansion against the tubular.

Abstract: A method for selecting an emulsifier for isolating free hydrocarbons in a given drilling system and a method of using the emulsifiers to treat drill cuttings to isolate free hydrocarbons, including bitumen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coupling device for converting a below-ground potable water well installation to an above-ground installation, the device comprising a housing having a first opening which is dimensioned to receive an upper end of a below-ground well casing and a second opening which is dimensioned to receive a lower end of a well casing extension; gasket means located adjacent the first and second openings for sealing the respective connections between the housing, the below-ground well casing and the well casing extension, the gasket means further providing a first seating surface to seat the upper end of the well casing and a second seating surface to seat the lower end of the well casing extension; and a central region including a passage to receive a well line adaptor there between.

Abstract: A subsea wellhead (10) includes annulus pressure monitoring and bleed down ports (32, 34, 36) whereby excessive pressure may be detected and bled off to a production controls or workover controls system via an electro/hydraulic jumper (58). A valve block (44) bolted to the wellhead (10) includes pressure transducers (52, 54, 56) and isolation valves (46, 48, 50). Excessive annulus pressures and hence damage to the completion program may thereby be avoided in HPHT subsea well applications.

Abstract: An electromagnetic method and apparatus for directional drilling guidance of horizontal boreholes for the installation of pipelines and communication cables beneath rivers, highways and other obstacles is disclosed. A solenoid source, with horizontal axes, generates alternating electromagnetic fields which are measured in the borehole by a magnetometer with known orientation with respect to the direction of gravity near the drill bit. A preferred embodiment has a useable range of 150 meters from the source.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for electrically heating a segment of a subsea pipeline are provided. The annulus between the pipes electrically isolates the pipes, but at the ends of the segment the concentric pipes are electrically connected. The inner pipe may be thermally insulated. Electrically insulating water stops are provided to act as flood control barriers in the event the outer pipe is breached. Collars on seals around the water stops may help avoid electrical shorts and packets of super-absorbent may be in place to further reduce the risk of electrical faults.

Abstract: A christmas tree to control the production from a subsea oil or gas well is disclosed. The christmas tree design including a tree body having a first flow port and a tree cap; a tubing hanger landed within the tree body; an actuation mandrel landed within the tree body, the actuation mandrel having a flow port; and a flow diverter disposed within the tree cap to divert flow through the flow port. The christmas tree arrangement allows for dual barriers within the tree cap without placing or retrieving any plugs from within the tubing hanger, thereby reducing the number of downhole trips required to complete and/or service the subsea well.

Abstract: A shock absorber for use between the reciprocating member of an oil well pumping mechanism and a polish rod connected to the rod spring and movable along a vertical pumping axis. The shock absorber comprises an upper and lower end plate having a peripheral surface around the plumping axis and defining a polish rod clearance opening. A coil spring is located between the plates and is concentric with and surrounding the pumping axis. A friction reducing centering head secured to at least one of the plates (preferably the lower plates) centers polish rod in the clearance opening and holds the polish rod away from the peripheral wall of the plate.

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 method and apparatus for generating foam cement and placing foam cement in an annulus between a casing and a wellbore. The method includes the steps of displacing cement downwardly in the casing and injecting a gas, preferably nitrogen, into the cement at a predetermined location downhole in the casing. The nitrogen may be injected through a ported sub. The ported sub may be connected in a tubing string that is lowered in the casing. The ported sub has a plurality of ports, which may have nozzles connected therein, that communicate a central opening through the ported sub with an annulus between the ported sub and the casing. The rate at which nitrogen is injected into the cement preferably increases from a leading edge of the cement to a trailing edge of the cement so that a consistent foam cement quality is achieved.

Abstract: A well pressure control assembly includes an annular pressure containment structure useful for manipulating pipe during drilling and other well operations performed with annular pressure at the wellhead. The annular pressure containment structure includes a sealing structure involving a sealing wall and a fluid port extending through the sealing wall through with a hydrodynamic bearing fluid is injectable adjacent pipe received in the annular pressure containment structure.

Abstract: An anchor system for high expansion applications is described. It features a gripping member that holds together a pair of links. The movement of the links is regulated to assure the gripping member moves into proper contact with the casing. Meshing gears or a pin and slot can do this, for example. The gripping member is shaped such that it can still transmit load through the links even if the pin connections fail. The gripping member is preferably contoured to the shape of the casing inner wall to enhance grip.

Abstract: A rotary drag bit and method for drilling subterranean formations including a bit body being provided with at least one cutter thereon exhibiting reduced, or limited, exposure to the formation so as to control the depth-of-cut of the at least one cutter, so as to control the volume of formation material cut per bit rotation, as well as to control the amount of torque experienced by the bit and an optionally associated bottomhole assembly regardless of the effective weight-on-bit. The exterior of the bit preferably includes a plurality of blade structures carrying at least one such cutter thereon and including a sufficient amount of bearing surface area to contact the formation so as to generally distribute an additional weight applied to the bit against the bottom of the borehole without exceeding the compressive strength of the formation rock.

Abstract: A check enhancer for use in a well comprises a housing portion and an injector portion disposed in the housing portion. The housing portion includes an outer body defining a fluid cavity therein with a plurality of body ports in communication with the fluid cavity. The injector portion includes a check valve and a dispersement nipple in communication therewith. The check valve is connected to the outer body, and the dispersement nipple extends into the fluid cavity. The check valve allows fluid flow from the tubing through nipple ports defined in the dispersement nipple. The nipple ports are longitudinally spaced from the body ports so that the fluid cavity remains substantially filled with fluid with the dispersement nipple substantially submerged within the fluid.

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.