Abstract: A top drive or a power swivel with a high pressure washpipe and seal assembly receives high pressure drilling fluid from a mud pump and provides high pressure drilling fluid to the drilling fluid side of a dual fluid reservoir. A separating piston in the dual fluid reservoir moves toward the oil side as hydraulic oil is used for lubrication. This dual fluid reservoir with separating piston provides hydraulic oil at drilling mud pressure as required by the set of unique high pressure seals which are continuously lubricated and which generate minimal heat.

Abstract: A dump valve arrangement for a fracking tool coupled to a length of coil tubing includes an axially displaceable inner mandrel which cooperates with a valve arrangement to allow for releasing fracturing fluid through the central bore of a fracturing tool to an outlet port positioned at the bottom of the tool string. Displacement of the inner mandrel is effected as a result of the normal sequence of operation of the fracturing tool set.

Abstract: A modular fracturing system including a fracturing fluid manifold and a skid apparatus coupled in fluid communication with the fracturing fluid manifold and only one fracturing tree. The skid apparatus can include an inlet coupled to the fracturing fluid manifold, a single outlet coupled to the one fracturing tree via a fluid conduit, and a valve between the inlet and the single outlet to control flow of fracturing fluid from the fracturing fluid manifold through the skid apparatus to the one fracturing tree.

Abstract: Methods of formulating a cement slurry for use in a subterranean salt formation, including methods for formulating a cement slurry capable of providing long-term zonal isolation within a subterranean salt formation. The methods also take into account the effects of treatment fluids on the cement slurry, such as drilling fluids, spacer fluids, flush fluids, or other relevant fluids used to perform a subterranean formation operation.

Abstract: A fluid production system for downhole fluid purification includes a filtering assembly to be positioned within a wellbore. The filtering assembly has a fluid filter and a first pump closely-coupled to the filter. In addition, the system includes an extension shaft extending from the first pump to a source of rotational power positioned adjacent the surface of the earth.

Abstract: A method for pumping fluid at a wellhead. The invented method will improve liquid removal by eliminating the need to transport liquid produced from a well to containment facilities using trucks or large diameter pipelines capable of accommodating periodic surges of a high volume of fluid. The danger that the liquid will freeze in cold weather is also addressed. The invention removes liquid from the well site through a small diameter pipeline as a continuous flow at a constant flow rate.

Abstract: A lubricator is provided which has a unitized body with at least one port in communication with the body's bore and its outer surface, to which port(s) connectors with different outer fittings for further connection to other equipment may be attached and sealed, and later detached and replaced with other connectors. The connectors may have different outer fittings or may be a plug or valve. This allows the connection of a single port to external equipment to be changed and the fitting for that external equipment's connection to be altered, without having to disconnect the lubricator from its well-head and stem or any of the lubricator's other connections.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing and controlling the flow of hydrocarbons from a bore well or other earth formation includes a housing enclosing a receiving and distribution chamber, receiving and distribution chamber is in fluid communication with and sealably connected to a top vertical tubular member and a bottom vertical tubular member, wherein the top and bottom tubular members extend from the receiving and distribution chamber to the exterior of said housing. The apparatus further includes a cone aperture adapted to prevent or allow the flow of liquid into the top tubular member, at least one outlet passage between the receiving and distribution chamber and the exterior of the housing, valve means adapted to permit or prevent the flow of liquid through at least one of said outlet passages, and pump devices adapted to facilitate the flow of hydrocarbons through at least one of said outlet passages.

Abstract: A system and method for treating a portion of a wellbore that includes a bottom hole assembly (BHA) connected to a work string. The BHA includes a packing element movable between an unset position and a set position and a locator device movable between retracted position and expanded positions. The locator device may be a locator collet. The locator collet may be expanded by a cone movable with respect to the collet. The expanded locator device is configured to engage a profile in a ported tubular within the wellbore. The engagement between the locator device and the profile selectively prevents further movement of the BHA and provides an indication of the location the BHA. The packing element may then be actuated and the wellbore treated through a port in the ported tubular. The BHA may then be moved to a different ported housing to treat another portion of the wellbore.

Abstract: A fluid pulse apparatus for down hole drilling having a turbine assembly actuated by a flow of drilling fluid. The apparatus has a narrowed fluid flow section that cooperates with a piston that moves between an open and a fluid flow restricting position. The apparatus has a turbine assembly that rotates in response to a flow of drilling fluid. The turbine apparatus has upper and lower cam surfaces that cooperate with fixed cam followers such that rotation of the turbine assembly and cam action between the cam surfaces and the fixed followers causes the turbine assembly to reciprocate axially. The piston is fixed to either of the upper or the lower cam surfaces such that as the turbine assembly reciprocates axially, the piston moves between the open and the flow restricting positions to create a pulsed fluid flow.

Abstract: A completion system includes a lower completion installed in a borehole proximate to a downhole formation. An intermediate completion assembly is included directly engaged with the lower completion. The intermediate completion assembly includes a barrier valve and packer device. The barrier valve is operatively arranged to selectively impede fluid flow through the lower completion and the packer device operatively arranged for isolating the formation. An upper completion string is included that is selectably engagable with the intermediate completion assembly. The barrier valve is operatively arranged to be transitionable to an open position when engaged with the upper completion string and transitions to a closed position via the upper completion string when the upper completion string is pulled out of the borehole. A method of completing a borehole is also included.

Abstract: An air/water separator including a first hollow member configured to receive a flow including an air and water mixture and a second hollow member configured to receive the flow from the first hollow member. An exit of the first hollow member extends into an opening of the second hollow member such that the exit of the first hollow member axially overlaps the opening of the second hollow member, thereby creating a first flow path from the interior of the first hollow member to the outside of the second hollow member including two turns about the exit of the first hollow member and opening of the second hollow member, and a second flow path from the first hollow member through the second hollow member.

Abstract: A system and method for removing water from mine areas. In one embodiment, one or more directionally drilled dewatering wells are drilled into the geologic formation such that at least a portion of the dewatering well is positioned underneath the mine. In one embodiment, one or more of the dewatering wells may originate outside the perimeter of the mine so as not to interfere with mine operations. In one embodiment, a hydrogeologic assessment along with mine dewatering requirements may be used to generate a mine dewatering plan. In one embodiment, a hydrogeologic assessment along with a determination of the dewatering requirements of the mine and surrounding areas may be used to create a mine dewatering plan. In one embodiment, the mine dewatering plan provides design information pertaining to each dewatering well.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation device includes a substance; and a pH maintainer, wherein the pH maintainer maintains the pH of a wellbore fluid surrounding the isolation device at a desired pH or range of pH values for a desired period of time, and wherein the substance is capable of decomposing at the desired pH or range of pH values. A method of removing the wellbore isolation device includes placing the isolation device into the wellbore; and causing or allowing at least a portion of the substance to decompose.

Abstract: A core catcher includes a housing having an inner wall that defines an axial bore through the housing. A retention member is disposed within the housing and is coupled to a first hinge tab that defines a first hinge barrel with the inner wall of the housing. A first closure member has a slot that is engaged with the first hinge tab and a pivot edge that is at least partially disposed within the first hinge barrel. In an open position, the first closure member is disposed in an annulus between a sleeve that is slidably disposed within the housing and the housing. In a closed position the first closure member is disposed at least partially across the axial bore of the housing.

Abstract: A tool equalizes a packer or bridge plug before it can release the slips and sealing element of the packer or bridge plug with a reconfigurable grip tool. In one configuration the grip tool is latched only into the equalizing mechanism for the packer or bridge plug. Having equalized the pressure and while still latched to the equalization mechanism the tool is reconfigured with a force and locked into a second configuration. From that position the grip tool can latch and move the release mechanism for total release and retrieval to the surface. Release force undermines a ratchet lock for the slips to allow extension as the sealing element extends axially and radially retracts. If the slips fail to release with undermining of the ratchet lock then a set down force can be applied to re-engage the lower slip cone to push it from the lower slips for a release.

Abstract: A technique facilitates drilling applications by providing a unique flex joint. In one embodiment, the flex joint has an adjustable bending stiffness while being much more compact than conventional flex joints. The flex joint also may be designed to de-couple bending moments from the tool joints and, in some applications, can operate as an active vibration and shock control sub by incorporating suitable sensors and a hydraulic actuator system. The design also enables incorporation of other features, such as electrical insulation features disposed above and/or below the flex joint. In some applications, the flex joint also may have an electrical feed through.

Abstract: An annular barrier system for proving a testable annular barrier arranged between a first metal casing or borehole and a second metal casing. The annular barrier system has a first annular barrier and a second annular barrier, each barrier including a tubular part made of metal extending in a longitudinal direction for mounting as part of the second metal casing, an expandable metal sleeve surrounding and connected with the tubular part and defining an annular barrier space, and a first fluid passage in the tubular part for letting fluid into the annular barrier space to expand the sleeve. The annular barrier system further includes a sensor, and when the expandable sleeves are expanded to abut the first metal casing or borehole, a first annular space is at least partly defined between the annular barriers. The sensor is arranged to determine a condition of the annular space in order to test the isolation ability of at least one of the annular barriers.

Abstract: A casing mandrel includes a body having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to be coupled to an upper portion of a casing string and the second end being configured to be coupled to a lower portion of the casing string, a downhole tool operatively coupled to an outer surface of the body, a tool port defined in the body and extending between the downhole tool and an interior of the body and thereby placing the downhole tool in fluid communication with the interior of the body, and at least one degradable plug disposed within the tool port to prevent wellbore debris from obstructing fluid communication between the interior and the downhole tool, wherein the degradable plug degrades over time.

Abstract: A scalping insert includes a scalping surface having a plurality of scalping slots therethrough, and a vertical base portion. A shaker screen assembly includes a screen frame having at least one slot, and at least one scalping insert disposed in the at least one slot of the screen frame. A method of processing fluid includes providing a flow of fluid to a shaker screen assembly; and flowing the fluid through a scalping surface and a screen surface of a single shaker screen deck.