Abstract: A rolling cutter drill bit has multiple rows of gage reaming inserts mounted in the gage face of the cutters. A first interlocking row of gage reaming inserts is positioned on the gage face of a cutter in close proximity to the gage row, such that the reaming inserts are closely adjacent to the mouth of the gage insert sockets. A second non-interlocking row of gage reaming inserts is positioned on the gage face of the cutter such that the reaming insert sockets are a predetermined minimum distance from the gage insert sockets and first reaming row sockets, thereby enabling a maximum number of large diameter reaming inserts to be placed in the second reaming row. Both the first and second reaming row inserts are sized and placed to maintain a desired distance between all insert sockets without affecting the size and spacing of gage row inserts.

Abstract: Two production strings extend downwardly from a well head of an oil well to a point adjacent a producing region. Lower ends of the two production strings are connected by a coupling which allows a mechanical interface launched adjacent the well head of one of the production strings to descend along the production string through the coupling and upwardly through the other production string to displace oil from the production strings to a surge tank. High pressure gas is utilized to move the mechanical interface through the production strings and suitable valves are provided for controlling the flow of gas and oil through the production strings.

Abstract: A shoe for attachment to a length of casing for use in a wellbore comprises a body portion attachable to casing, and a nose portion rotatably mounted on the body portion. A casing string with a plurality of casing sections and such a shoe.

Abstract: A drill string orienting tool for insertion into a well bore includes a housing that has a plurality of inwardly projecting splines. A mandrel is disposed within the housing. The orienting tool has two operating positions, a running position, and an orienting position. The housing is longitudinally moveable relative to the mandrel between the running position and the orienting position. The mandrel and the housing define an annular chamber that is vented to the exterior of the housing. A flexible metallic coiled tube is disposed within the annular chamber and contains hydraulic fluid. The upper end of the coiled tube is coupled to the housing and is in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber. The lower end of the coiled tube is coupled to the mandrel. The mandrel has outwardly projecting splines that are engageable with a corresponding set of inwardly projecting splines on the housing when the orienting tool is in the running position. A piston is movably disposed within the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for conducting alternating current through a well barrier made substantially entirely of ferromagnetic material includes at least one non-ferromagnetic electrically conductive rigid tube extending through its own separate passageway in the well barrier. A single electrical conductor carrying the alternating current, extending through the well barrier, is enclosed by each rigid tube. The electrical conductor includes insulation electrically isolating the rigid tube from the conductor.

Abstract: An apparatus for keeping an electrical connection in tact within a pressurized well bore, the connection being made between a cable conductor extending from downhole of the well bore and a power conductor extending through and enclosed by a rigid tube extending through a wellhead barrier of the well. The electrical connection includes a first connector terminating the power conductor and a second connector terminating the down hole cable conductor. The second connector is mated with the first connector to complete the electrical connection. Mated rubber boots surround the electrical connection. The apparatus includes a tubular top stop for fixedly attaching to the rigid tube including a hole for receiving the rigid tube. The top stop engages and confines an upper end of the rubber boots. A rigid tubular outer sleeve encloses the rubber boot and has an upper end engaging the top stop.

Abstract: A damage-resistant filter for use in subterranean wells has at least one layer of a filter medium, such as a sintered supported porous membrane, coaxially disposed about a perforated support member. The filter may also include a drainage layer disposed between the inner support member and the filter medium, and a protective covering, such as a perforated cage, surrounding the filter medium. The filter is particularly suitable for removal of sand and other particulates from fluids produced in a well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the installation or removal of large multi-ton prefabricated deck packages includes the use of usually two barges defining a base that can support a large multi-ton load. A variable dimensional truss assembly is supported by the barge and forms a load transfer interface between the barge and the deck package. End caps are removably connected to each of a two diagonally extending, longitudinal members of a boom portion of the truss assembly. Upper and lower connections form attachments between the end caps and the deck package at the upper elevational positions on the deck package. Tensile connections form attachments between the deck package and barge at a lower elevational position. The variable dimension truss includes at least one member of variable length, in the preferred embodiment being a winch powered cable that can be extended and retracted by winding and unwinding the winch.

Abstract: A compressor piston divides a first compartment into two compression chambers, while a hammer piston divides a second compartment into two drive chambers, each of the compression chambers being connected to a respective one of the drive chambers to form a closed fluid system wherein reciprocation of the compressor piston causes cyclic compression and expansion of the fluid in the compression chambers and thus in the drive chambers, to effect a cyclic impacting of the hammer piston with a bit adapter connected to the drill bit. A mud motor rotates a shaft to drive an oscillator which reciprocates the compressor piston. The oscillator can comprise roller elements in the compressor piston in engagement with canted grooves in the shaft. While drilling mud drives the motor and then passes downwardly to flush the drill bit and the borehole, the drilling mud is isolated from the closed fluid system.

Abstract: A device for making holes in the ground, such as for a golf course, has a tubular cutter having an open first end for insertion into the ground, and an opposite second end from which a guide extends. A percussion weight is guided for movement along the guide and exerts a hammering force on the second end of the cutter. A tubular part is connected to the end of the percussion weight that lies distal from the tubular cutter. The tubular part guides the percussion weight axially along the guide. A handle for maneuvering of the percussion weight is attached to the top of the tubular part. The cutter and associated guide on the one hand, and the percussion weight with associated tubular part carrying the handle on the other hand, can be locked together releasably against axial movement, are non-rotatable, and are also releasably locked against rotation movement, so that the cutter can be easily removed from the ground once the hole is cut.

Abstract: A rotating blowout preventor having at least two rotating stripper rubber seals which provide a continuous seal about a kelly or drilling string having drilling string components of varying diameter. A stationary housing is designed to support a bearing assembly and a clamp cooperates with the housing to secure the bearing assembly in the housing. Chilled water and/or antifreeze may be circulated through the top inner barrel seal of the bearing assembly and lubricant is pumped into the top seal for lubricating the seals and bearings that facilitate rotation of the stripper rubber seals, kelly and drilling string with respect to the stationary housing and pressurize the inner barrel seals and bearings to at least partially offset well pressure.

Abstract: An iterative planning and monitoring method for drilling (and completing) difficult boreholes which avoids unnecessary risk or cost. The method provides multiple point value probability estimates of an indicator of drilling problems based upon a range of possible drilling variables, supplanting single point estimates. Expected drilling variables are perturbed within physically feasible bounds, and multiple estimates of the corresponding indicator values are made. The probability of each estimate is used to calculate the likelihood of an indicator of an unwanted condition. Mitigation measures are implemented if the probability of an unwanted condition exceeding a threshold value is unacceptable and the mitigated probability is reassessed. If the perturbed indicator change is not significant, the drilling variable is deleted from further analysis. Critical variables are thus quickly identified, allowing monitoring and selection of mitigation measures which are the most cost effective.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention involve a casing or liner component that has a sliding sleeve operable therein. A plurality of ports are plugged off externally to the liner. A series of perforating charges are aligned adjacent the plugs extending from the ports which they plug. The charges may be set off hydraulically with the valve within the liner in the open or closed position, depending on the configuration. The perforating charges may be oriented differently with respect to each other to increase the zone of perforation of the formation. The plugs and charges can be distributed in such a manner as to obtain significant coverage of perforations for the zone in question.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for use in coil pipe operations. A coil pipe (12) is coiled up on a rotary drum (10) and is fed out/in in relation to the drum (10) by means of a feeding device (14) having a rectilinear, through-going passage for the coil pipe (12). In order to reduce the number of straightenings/bendings of the coil pipe (12) to a minimum, the drum (10) is disposed in the immediate association with the feeding device (14), said drum (10) and said feeding device (14) being positioned and orientated such in relation to each other that an imaginary extension of the feeding device's coil pipe passage (16) extends substantially tangentially to the outer circumference of the coil pipe coil on the drum (10). This measure reduces the number of straightening/bending strains to one straightening upon the coil pipe's uncoiling and one bending upon the coil pipe's (12) coiling up on the drum.

Abstract: A two trip sidetrack casing milling apparatus for elongating and enlarging a previously formed window in a cased borehole in preparation for a subsequent sidetracking drilling operation is disclosed. The apparatus consists of three mills on a shaft, a first window mill is secured to an end of a shaft. The first window mill forms a diameter larger than a diameter of a subsequent sidetracking drill bit that is passed through the window. A second pilot mill is secured to the shaft and strategically positioned above the first window mill. The second pilot mill forms a diameter that is less than the diameter of the first window mill. A third watermelon mill is secured to the shaft and strategically positioned above the second pilot mill. The third watermelon mill forms a diameter that is at least the same diameter as the first window mill.

Abstract: A facility for an oil well, extending from the surface (12) towards an oil-bearing rock stratum (14), includes a first casing (20) placed in the well and forming a flow way towards the surface for the hydrocarbons originating from the oil-bearing rock stratum (14). According to the invention the well receives a second casing (22) forming a second flow way towards the surface for the hydrocarbons originating from the same rock stratum, the facility additionally including a chamber (51) between the casings (20,22) and the well wall (18), which does not contain any hydrocarbons originating from the rock stratum.

Abstract: A downhole tool for pressure testing of oil and gas wells comprises a generally tubular main tool (1), which is provided with an internal passage (2) and is arranged for attachment at the lower end of a drill pipe string. The main tool (1) is on its outside provided with an inflatable packing element (10), which may be supplied with and relieved of inflating medium via an annular slide valve (5) arranged inside the main tool (1). The slide valve has two active positions, one on each side of a closing initial position, and the slide valve is brought to the active positions by an auxiliary tool (18) which may be run into the passage (2) of the main tool and attached releasably in the slide valve (5).

Abstract: The invention is directed at a method and apparatus for producing liquids, namely hydrocarbons, from a subterranean formation using a well having a collecting wellbore located at least partially within the formation.

Abstract: A production pump & circulation tool (1, FIG. 1) used down-hole on the end of a production string (FIG. 10) including: a combined traveling valve assembly bottom connector (10) and fishing tool section (20, FIGS. 2A-2C) which engages griping pins (51) for twisting the tool and is associated with a traveling ball valve (11/12); a sleeve (30, FIGS. 3A-3C); peripherally spaced, "J" slots (43) in an outer member (40, FIGS. 4A-4C) in which guide pins (52) move changing the tool's state when one part is rotated about a longitudinal axis with respect to the other, causing it to longitudinally move with respect to the other under or against a biasing spring (81); a standing valve assembly (50, FIGS. 5A-5C) which carries at its top a projector for unseating the traveling ball valve and to which the pins are attached and which encloses a standing valve ball (50A) and carries its seat (50B); a combined bushing (60) and top spring seat (70, FIGS. 6A & 6B); a spring housing (80, FIGS.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating transporting and heating a liquid for treating oil and gas wells and pipeline systems is provided. The apparatus includes a vehicle having an engine and a tank for transporting a liquid that can be used for treating oil wells or pipeline systems is connected to move with the vehicle. A heat exchanger system is operatively connected to the engine. A selectively operable circulating pump and a circulating line are operatively connected between said tank and said heat exchanger system for circulating the liquid from the tank through the heat exchanger system to heat the liquid. The apparatus includes at least one selectively operable valve for controlling the flow of liquid through the circulating pump, the circulating line, and the heat exchanger system. Liquid is pumped through the heat exchanger system to use heat energy from the engine to heat the liquid to a predetermined temperature prior to use for treating an oil well or pipeline system.