Abstract: A method is disclosed for surveying drill holes with a drilling arrangement and borehole survey assembly. The method can include providing a drill tool having at least one drill rod and a drill bit assembly, and providing a borehole survey tool having a sensor) for measuring a borehole. In the method a drill tool having a central flushing channel for conducting flushing fluid to the drill bit assembly is used, and the borehole survey tool is arranged in the central flushing channel so that flushing fluid can flow in the central flushing channel past the borehole survey tool.

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly includes a base pipe and a sand screen positioned about an outer surface of the base pipe. An annular flow ring is positioned about the outer surface of the base pipe and is operatively coupled to the sand screen. The annular flow ring includes a cylindrical outer sleeve, a cylindrical inner sleeve received within and coupled to the outer sleeve, and a plurality of radial projections extending radially inward from the inner sleeve to radially support the annular flow ring against the outer surface of the base pipe. A flow annulus is defined between the outer surface of the base pipe and the annular flow ring and the sand screen, and the plurality of radial projections extends into the flow annulus.

Abstract: An exit side pipe handling and vise tool. The tool may be suspended from an arm of a hydraulic machine and rotated and pivoted relative to the arm. The tool comprises two retainer assemblies, two vise assemblies, and a roller assembly each suspended from a linear frame. Each of the retainer assemblies is movable relative to the frame in a direction transverse to a length of the frame. The vise assemblies are in side-by-side configuration to break a connection between adjacent pipe segments. The roller assembly defines rollers having a spiral ramp disposed on an external surface to encourage axial movement of a pipe segment during rotation thereof.

Abstract: A method for anchoring a casing string within a wellbore is disclosed. The method includes providing a casing string, where the casing string being generally tubular, and coupling a swellable elastomeric material on at least a portion of the exterior of the casing string. In addition, the method includes positioning the casing string within a wellbore, exposing the swellable elastomeric material to a swelling fluid, and sealing the swellable elastomeric material to the wellbore.

Abstract: A flow control assembly having a body defining a central flow passage and one or more lateral flow openings that facilitate fluid communication between the central flow passage and an exterior of the body, and a flow trim positioned within the central flow passage and defining one or more flow orifices aligned with the lateral flow openings. A flow closure member is positioned within the central flow passage and movable between a closed position, where the lateral flow openings and the flow orifices are occluded to prevent fluid flow through the lateral flow openings, and an open position, where the lateral flow openings and the flow orifices are at least partially exposed to facilitate fluid flow through the lateral flow openings. A sacrificial nose radially interposes the flow closure member and the flow trim to mitigate erosion of the flow closure member.

Abstract: It has been found that in many instances it is desirable to be able to determine where fluid in a well originates. To that end a tracer assembly is provided where the tracer assembly becomes a portion of the tubular that is run into the wellbore. Preferably the tracer assembly provides an exterior barrier whether permanent or temporary to fluid flow outside of the tubular and also provides an interior barrier to fluid flow as it passes through the inner bore of the tubular. The interior barrier is adjustable so that upon command it provides access from the interior of the tubular to at least a portion of a cavity within the tracer assembly. The cavity is provided with a tracer or tracers so that as fluid is allowed within the interior cavity portion of the tracer is eroded, dissolved, or otherwise mixed with the fluid and the tracer that is now mixed with the fluid is transported to the surface.

Abstract: A roof-bolt drill bit includes a bit body that is rotatable about a central axis, a coupling pocket defined in the bit body, and at least one cutting element mounted to the bit body. The at least one cutting element includes a cutting face, a cutting edge adjacent the cutting face, a back surface opposite the cutting face, and a side surface extending between the cutting edge and the back surface. The roof-bolt drill bit additionally includes a coupling attachment coupled to the bit body, the coupling attachment being positioned adjacent to a portion of the side surface of the cutting element that abuts a side surface of the coupling pocket.

Abstract: A pipe handling device and method for use with a horizontal directional drilling system. The pipe handling device stores sections of drill pipe in individual columns within a magazine. The magazine is constructed so that it can be mounted to a boring machine in a pin-up or pin-down orientation. A plurality of signal elements are attached to the magazine and each extend at least partially within a footprint of each column. The signal elements may move from a first position, indicating the column is full of pipe sections, to a second position, indicating the column is not full of pipe sections. A proximity sensor assembly detects movement of the individual signal elements and signals a processor accordingly. These signals indicate whether or not a given column is full of pipe sections.

Abstract: Systems, tools, and methods include using a milling assembly with a catch mechanism configured to maintain a connection between the drill string and the mill in the event a primary connection between the mill and catch mechanism fails. A primary connection may support the weight of the mill by using a connection between the drill string and the mill. The catch mechanism may operate as a back-up or redundant connection and may support the weight of the mill by coupling the catch mechanism to both the mill and the drill string.

Abstract: A lift apparatus and method for driving a downhole reciprocating pump is disclosed and includes a hydraulic cylinder having a piston and a hydraulic fluid port, the piston being coupled to a rod for driving the reciprocating pump, the piston being moveable between first and second ends of the cylinder in response to a flow of hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic fluid port. A variable displacement hydraulic pump is responsive to a displacement control signal to draw hydraulic fluid from a reservoir and to produce a controlled flow of hydraulic fluid at the outlet. The apparatus also includes a valve connected between the hydraulic fluid port and the reservoir, the valve being responsive to a valve control signal for controlling discharge of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid port of the cylinder back to the reservoir to facilitate movement of the piston through a downstroke away from the second end toward the first end of the cylinder.

Abstract: A downhole plug for use in oil and gas well completions made of [aluminum] magnesium, dissolves in natural wellbore fluids, has a dissolvable seal made of [aluminum] magnesium split rings or a degradable elastomer, has a backup pump out ring, and may be provided to the well site as an interchangeable parts kit for adaption to the well's requirements, provides an interventionless plug in a well.

Abstract: A valve assembly is installed within a wellhead such as a conventional tubing hanger or casing hanger used to suspend pipe or other tubular goods in a well. A seal bushing assembly is installed in a tubing head assembly or other wellhead component. A hanger valve assembly is stung into the seal bushing assembly and includes a valve that can be selectively opened or closed. In the open position, the valve does not restrict a central flow path diameter through the hanger and wellhead. In the closed position, the valve contains pressure and/or fluid flow and fully seals against wellbore pressure acting on the valve. A wellhead adapter covers the hanger valve assembly and provides an attachment point for a conventional Christmas tree or other wellhead equipment.

Abstract: An activation device is disclosed that can activate multiple downhole tools in a wellbore. The activation device is cost effective and easy to produce. A method for activating multiple downhole tools in a wellbore is described where at least one downhole tool is activated by magnetic field, while at least one additional downhole tool is activated by mating of the activation device with the downhole tool.

Abstract: A device for use in a subterranean well can include a component which degrades in the well, the component being at least one of the group comprising: a) an electrical element which conducts electricity in the well, b) a magnetic element which produces a magnetic field in the well, and c) a substrate which structurally supports an electrical circuit. A method of constructing a device for use in a subterranean well can include determining an environmental condition to be experienced by a component of the device in the well, the component being at least one of the group comprising: a) an electrical element which conducts electricity in the well, b) a magnetic element which produces a magnetic field in the well, and c) a substrate which supports an electrical circuit; selecting the component which degrades when exposed to the environmental condition; and incorporating the component into the device.

Abstract: Cutting elements for earth-boring tools include one or more recesses and/or one or more protrusions in a cutting face of a volume of superabrasive material. The superabrasive material may be disposed on a substrate. The cutting face may be non-planar. The recesses and/or protrusions may include one or more linear segments. The recesses and/or protrusions may comprise discrete features that are laterally isolated from one another. The recesses and/or protrusions may have a helical configuration. The volume of superabrasive material may comprise a plurality of thin layers, at least two of which may differ in at least one characteristic. Methods of forming cutting elements include the formation of such recesses and/or protrusions in and/or on a cutting face of a volume of superabrasive material. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements, and methods of forming earth-boring tools include attaching such a cutting element to a tool body.

Abstract: Annular sealing structure associated with at least one annular support for sealing off against well casing said sealing structure including a first O-ring and at least two spaced annular sealing surfaces against which the O-ring seals in addition to sealing off against well casing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for alleviating spiraling in boreholes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sub, which adjusts the length of the bottom-hole assembly in response to tension/compression, flexural bending and/or torque measurements made above and below the reamer so that the drill bit and the reamer cut at the same depth rate. The sub is connected between the drill bit and the reamer. The apparatus further includes measurement devices disposed on the bottom-hole assembly above and below the reamer, which are capable of measuring the tension/compression, flexural bending and torque in the bottom-hole assembly. The method includes use of a data processor, which determines which operational output signals to supply to the sub in order to adjust its length and thereby accomplish the desired drilling rates.

Abstract: A bend adjustment assembly for a downhole mud motor includes a driveshaft housing, a driveshaft disposed in the driveshaft housing, a bearing mandrel, wherein the bend adjustment assembly includes a first position that provides a first deflection angle between a longitudinal axis of the driveshaft housing and a longitudinal axis of the bearing mandrel, wherein the bend adjustment assembly includes a second position that provides a second deflection angle between the longitudinal axis of the driveshaft housing and the longitudinal axis of the bearing mandrel, and an actuator assembly configured to shift the bend adjustment assembly between the first position and the second position in response to a change in at least one of flowrate of a drilling fluid supplied to the downhole mud motor, pressure of the drilling fluid supplied to the downhole mud motor, and relative rotation between the driveshaft housing and the bearing mandrel.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a housing including a connection for coupling with a conveyance that extends from a terranean surface into a wellbore; a first tubular member coupled with the housing, the first tubular member including a first compound cylinder; and a second tubular member coupled with the housing and concentrically positioned radially adjacent the first tubular member, the second tubular member including a second compound cylinder, the first and second tubular members defining a pressure chamber between an inner surface of the first tubular member and an outer surface of the second tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus has an elongate body defining an interior chamber and a gas passage in communication with the interior chamber. The elongate body further includes a base defining a liquid opening and a cap defining an outlet opening. The liquid opening is adapted to receive a liquid disposed in a wellbore. The gas passage is adapted to receive a gas. An outlet of the gas passage is disposed a first distance from the base and an inner conduit is disposed in the interior chamber. The inner conduit includes a first open end in communication with the liquid opening and a second open end in communication with the interior chamber. The second open end is disposed a second distance from the base.