Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a fluid extractor system that has been design to obtain fluid, such as crude oil from wells at a fraction of the cost by using a novel canister assembly lowered in a well to collect the fluid. The canister assembly includes a pump and a storage container for collecting the fluid pumped into it by the pump. When the storage container is full the canister assembly is brought to the surface and emptied. In one embodiment the canister assembly has a battery to independently power the pump. A further feature of the invention includes repeatedly raising and incrementally lowering down the canister assembly to lower levels in the well using a jogging assembly to place the canister assembly only in the top layer of the fluid in the well. The system could also be used for recovering several other types of fluids in a well such as gas or water.

Abstract: A method for removing fluid from a subterranean zone includes drilling a well bore from a surface to the subterranean zone and forming an enlarged cavity in the well bore such that the enlarged cavity acts as a chamber to separate liquid from gas flowing from the subterranean zone through the well bore. The method includes positioning a pump inlet within the enlarged cavity and operating a pumping unit to produce the liquid through the pump inlet. The well bore may comprise an articulated well bore.

Abstract: A sonde and an apparatus for the deployment thereof against a well casing is described, the sonde comprising a resilient C-shaped member (22) and at least one sensor (23).

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for seating a whipstock. The apparatus comprises an expandable seat, or nipple, configured to receive a whipstock. The seat is run into a cased wellbore, and is set by expanding it into frictional contact with the inner surface of the casing. Thereafter, a whipstock is seated onto the seat. The seat includes a keyway configured to receive an orientation member extending from the whipstock. In this manner, the orientation of the seat can be determined. An orientation member of the whipstock can be adjusted to properly orient the face of the whipstock in the seat, and the whipstock lowered onto the seat so that it automatically seats in the proper direction. The whipstock then serves as a diverter tool for drilling a lateral wellbore such as a horizontal well.

Abstract: A traction apparatus (1) for propulsion along a bore comprises first and second traction members (6) having outwardly extending legs (14). A propulsion system for operating the traction members (6) comprises a turbine-driven shaft (7) which drives the traction members (6) by way of bearing members (15). In a first phase, one of the legs of the first traction member is moved in one direction whilst in contact with the traction surface to impart the propulsion force at the same time as one of the legs of the second traction member is moved in opposite direction whilst out of contact. In a second phase one of the legs of the second traction member is moved in said one direction whilst in contact with the traction surface to impart the propulsion force at the same time as one of the legs of the first traction member is moved in opposite direction whilst out of contact.

Abstract: A section mill for casings used in oil wells to cut predetermined portions for repair purposes. An elongated cylindrical assembly is inserted through the casing and it includes at least two spaced apart apertures with one blade member pivotally mounted within each aperture. First and second coaxially disposed tubular shaft assemblies with teethed portions to coact with the blades to selectively move them between two extreme position upon the application of a pressurized fluid. The fluid needs to overcome the spring biased applied to the shaft assemblies. The first set of blades is stopped and slidably rotates in contact with the internal surface of the casing. The second set cuts through the casing with one end and sections the casing with the other end. After wearing off, the first set of blades continues the sectioning work.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plug-in vacuum cleaner hose arrangement (10), comprising a socket (15), formed from a collar piece (12), in which a hose push-fit end (13) is detachably held, by axially plugging in to a clip-lock. An operating slide (17), comprising a retaining surface (26) runs axially on the collar piece (12) and may be axially displaced in both opposing axial directions (e, a) about a neutral axial position for the retaining surface (26) thereof, against a spring force (by 18). In said neutral axial position the retaining surface (26) locks the clip body (S) and releases the same when displaced from the neutral position thereof by any movement. The connection is produced by a first directing surface (41) on the front end of the hose push-fit end (13) and opening the connection is performed by a second directing surface (43) formed by the locking recess (T) of the hose push-fit end (14). Said arrangement (10) permits a convenient operation, both on attaching and detaching the connection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing a leak in a plastic pipe is provided. The apparatus includes a body and an electrofusion element. The body is constructed of a substantially rigid material and has an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface is adapted to be positionable about at least a leak portion of a plastic pipe. The electrofusion element is disposed about the lower surface of the body and operable to sealably couple with the plastic pipe to encapsulate the leak.

Abstract: A method for optimally orienting perforations in a subterranean formation is disclosed, the optimization process being based on establishing the orientation of bedding planes in the formation and, where applicable, hole size effects while determining an orientation of the perforation that balances the stress concentration along the circumference of the cross-section between perforation and bedding plane in further improvements of the method inhomogeneous stress distributions and permeability are included into the optimization process.

Abstract: A gravel packing apparatus comprises multiple joints each having substantially the same construction and each having a perforated outer tubular (150, 152) positioned around a sand control screen (154, 156) including a slurry passageway (190, 194) and a production pathway (188, 192) therebetween. First and second transition members (210, 204) are disposed at opposite ends of each joint. When two such joints are connected together, the second transition member (204) of one joint is proximate the first transition member (210) of the next joint such that a fluid traveling from the slurry passageway (190) of one joint to the slurry passageway (194) of the next joint travels from the exterior to the interior of the second transition member (204) of the one joint and from the interior to the exterior of the first transition member (210) of the next joint.

Abstract: A barb clamp provides a leakproof connection of a flexible tube in a barbed fitting. The barb clamp includes a collet and sleeve. The barb fitting is configured to fit snugly within the tube. The collet is slid over the tube. Shelves on the interior surface of the collet fit tightly around the tube and under an expanded portion of the barb fitting. The sleeve is then slid over the collet. As the sleeve moves over the collet, tangs on the collet are pushed radially inwardly into the tube and barb fitting. The sleeve is moved over the collet until an annular projection on the interior surface of the sleeve sits within an annular groove of the collet. Radial ledges on the exterior surface of the collet provide a stop and lock to prevent the annular projection on the sleeve to move out of the annular groove of the collet.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a hardfacing composition for a drill bit, including a carbide phase including from about 50% to about 80% by weight of the hardfacing composition of a combination of 80 to 200 mesh macro-crystalline tungsten carbide and 80 to 200 mesh crushed cast carbide, the crushed cast carbide being about 5% to 50% of the total weight of the carbide phase, and a binder alloy comprising about 20% to about 50% by weight of the hardfacing composition is disclosed. A hardfacing composition for a drill bit, including a carbide phase composed of sintered tungsten carbide having a particle size from about 80 to 200 mesh that is about 50% to about 80% by weight of the hardfacing composition, and a binder alloy forming about 20% to about 50% by weight of the hardfacing composition.

Abstract: A plug-in coupling having a base body (6), a sealing ring (12, 13), a locking ring (40) and an annular body which can be connected to the base body (6). A pipe end (4, 5) can be locked in position by the locking ring (40). The plug-in coupling of the invention enables a connection to be made with at least one pipe end in a simple, functionally reliable manner, in such a way that pipes made of different materials can be used together. The pipe ends (4, 5) can be inserted into an axial annular gap or space (27) between the base body (6) and the annular body (18, 19) in such a way that the sealing ring (12) lies adjacent the interior of the pipe end (4, 5), making a good seal with the pipe end, and also in such a way that the locking ring (40) is located in the annular gap (27). The locking ring (40) is prestressed and adjoins the locking surface (20) of the annular body (18) on one side and the exterior surface of the inserted pipe end (4, 5) on the other side.

Abstract: Methods of reducing proppant flowback during production of fluids form subterranean formations are provided. Compressed sieves made from a shape memory material are introduced into hydraulic fracturing opera into hydraulic fractures in subterranean formations during hydraulic fracturing operations or subsequent thereto. The heat of the formation, or introduced heat, triggers the return of the sieves to their previous uncompressed shape and size. The sieves thereby wedge themselves into position within the fractures and serve to filter proppant and formation fines from produced fluids.

Abstract: A device for sealing off an opening through the wall of a well tubular, which device comprises a tubular spacer having an outer diameter allowing the spacer to be arranged in the well tubular, a first seal collar assembly and a second seal collar assembly arranged opposite ends of the tubular spacer, each seal collar assembly comprising an activator ring and an annular seal collar, the activator rings being interconnected by a cylindrical system of shape memory alloy which system contracts when the temperature of the cylindrical system reaches the transition temperature of the shape memory alloy, and wherein each annular seal collar is arranged so as to be compressed against the inner surface of the well tubular upon contraction of the cylindrical system of shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A method of completing a subterranean well utilizes an isolation bypass transition joint at a wellbore intersection. In a described embodiment, the isolation bypass transition joint has multiple plug devices in a sidewall thereof. The transition joint extends laterally from one wellbore into another. After a cementing operation, the plug devices are opened to permit flow through the transition joint sidewall.

Abstract: An adjustable base unit includes a pair of upper and lower frameworks, a connection sleeve attached to the lower framework and having opposite end portions for extending into and providing flow communication through the unit and between an upper fill tube and a lower blower pipe of a silo filling apparatus, and elements for adjustably interconnecting and spacing apart the upper and lower frameworks with respect to one another. When the unit is interposed between the fill tube and blower pipe and the upper and lower frameworks are respectively detachably attached to the fill tube, connection sleeve and blower pipe, the upper framework can be angularly tilted by adjusting selected ones of the interconnecting elements in any one of several different orientations relative to the lower framework so as to correspondingly angularly adjust the mounting disposition of the fill tube on the blower pipe and thereby the position of the fill tube within the silo.

Abstract: A medical connector, usable to securely couple a first tubular medical device to a second tubular medical device, includes first and second fittings cooperating with the first and second medical devices, respectively. The first and second fittings may each include a nipple, a ferrule, or some other structure that is connected to the associated medical device and that is connectable to the other fitting. The second fitting may additionally include a tubular sleeve that slides over the second medical device and the ferrule or other component of the second fitting. The two components of the second fitting are sequentially connectable to the first fitting through distinctly different motions to provide a redundant, secure connection. For example, the first fitting may include a first set of left-handed threads and a second set of right-handed threads, and the components of the second fitting may have corresponding left-handed and right-handed threads.

Abstract: A disconnect assembly connecting two portions of a downhole assembly having a downhole apparatus attached to a coiled tubing string. The disconnect assembly includes a first housing connected to one portion of the downhole assembly and a second housing connected to another portion of the downhole assembly. The housings are releasably connected by a release assembly. The release assembly is coupled to a drive train on a motor by a connection transferring rotational motion into translational motion. The release assembly includes locking members having a connected position engaging both housings and a released position wherein the housings can be separated. The motor is connected to the surface by conductors extending through the coiled tubing whereby the motor may be actuated from the surface to move the release assembly between the connected and disconnected positions.

Abstract: A non-metallic element system is provided which can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a first and second support ring having one or more tapered wedges, a first and second expansion ring, and a sealing member disposed between the expansion rings and the support rings.