Abstract: A tubing conveyed perforating apparatus is shown which includes a tubular assembly made up of a plurality of tubular sections. One or more elongate charge holders are located within the interior bore of the tubular assembly and carry explosive charges thereon. A firing head is carried on the tubular assembly for detonating the explosive charges to perforate a surrounding well bore. The charge holders and explosive charges are comprised of materials which disintegrate upon detonation of the explosive charges, whereby the interior bore of the tubular assembly is fully open after detonation.

Abstract: A casing patch is disclosed which uses one or more fins which elastically flex to accept a casing stub. The casing stub is prepared with a dressing tool containing a special mill to obtain the requisite finish on its outer surface prior to insertion of the casing patch. The flexible fin or fins provide a metal-to-metal seal to the outer surface of the casing patch and a grip assembly holds the joint together. In certain applications, the fins can be combined with a resilient seal where the fins preferably provide a complete extrusion barrier to the resilient seals. Using the fins which preferably are integral to the body, alone or in combination with a resilient seal or seals, the wall thickness of the joint can be maintained at thicker values for a given size as compared to prior designs, thus, ensuring a sufficient pressure rating for the joint which is at least equal to the rating of the casing stub.

Abstract: An acoustic method is disclosed for performing pump off control using fluid level in producing wells and other inaccessible cavities. The method uses flow induced pressure phenomena to locate the fluid level. Simplified equipment is involved and acoustic velocities can be measured externally from the well. The method applies to various artificial lift methods in which a conduit is accessible for measuring fluid level.

Abstract: Wellbore operations (e.g. for milling and/or drilling) are disclosed which require a reduced number of tool trips into a wellbore to create a cut-out pocket or window in a tubular such as casing in the wellbore and, in some aspects, to continue into a formation adjacent a main wellbore forming a lateral wellbore in communication with the main wellbore. Preferably one trip is required. A milling apparatus has been invented with milling apparatus for milling a tubular member and a nose cone releasably connected to the milling apparatus and releasably connectible to a diverter that directs the milling apparatus toward the tubular member. A nose cone for a milling apparatus has been invented with a body member, the body member having a mid portion, a top portion and a lower nose portion, and the top portion releasably securable to the milling apparatus and the lower nose portion releasably securable to a concave of a whipstock.

Abstract: A packer is disclosed having a setting piston mounted on the body thereof. The packer is hydraulically set prior to treating or cementing. The packer has a sliding sleeve valve which is open during run-in. After the packer has set, the setting tool is released from the valve. The valve may then be operated through manipulation of the tubing string. The tubing string can be disengaged and reengaged into the packer body to determine if the valve has closed by measuring the pressure conditions at the surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhanced and improved viscous oil recovery are disclosed. A horizontal well is drilled through the viscous oil formation. A specially designed steam stinger is used to inject steam substantially uniformly into the entire horizontal extent of the well borehole without direct steam impingement on the production liner in the viscous oil formation. Heat from the steam mobilizes and lowers the viscosity of the heavy crude wherein the crude is then produced to the surface via conventional lift arrangements.

Abstract: A ferrule-type fitting for forming a fluid-tight seal between an insulated electrical conductor extending from outside a well to a wellhead barrier and a rigid tube that surrounds the electrical conductor and extends through the wellhead barrier. A tubular body fitting with an elongated opening is sized and shaped to fit around the rigid tube. The opening includes a conical counter bored section adjacent to one end for forming a gap between the body fitting and the rigid tube. The body fitting includes an outer threaded surface on at least one end. A ring-shaped ferrule bushing formed of a material softer than the material of the rigid tube, is sized and shaped to fit around the rigid tube and interface to the conical bore section within the gap.

Abstract: A single tubular member, or monobore riser, is provided for tubing hanging operations via a drilling riser and BOP, where wireline and/or coiled tubing deployed tools may be directed into production and annulus bores via a dual bore safety package and a dual bore selector and where various circulation modes may be established in cooperation with the choke and kill conduits in the BOP stack or with a length of tubing through the monobore riser in cooperation with selectively operable valves in the production and annulus bores of the safety package, a retainer valve in a single bore at the top of the dual bore selector, and by means of BOP rams capable of closing about a spool of the safety package and with a side outlet in the safety package. For Xmas Tree (XT) operations, the identical monobore riser is provided for surface communication to a dual bore selector and dual bore Riser Safety Package (RSP) secured to the top of the XT.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grout injection device and method for depositing a liquid grouting material in a hole formed by a cone penetrometer. The device is a modular design with a sliding sleeve member that replaces older grouting injection devices with exit port opening actuated by fluidic pressures with an improved more reliable mechanical design that is actuated by withdrawal of the cone penetrometer pipe string by friction between the sliding sleeve and the soil wall formed by the cone penetrometer. The invention solves the problem of pressure losses that can occur with prior art devices resulting in partially opened grout exit ports. The instant invention's design also achieves proper channeling of the grout flowing out of the device's grout exit ports for even distribution of grout filling the hole. This is achieved by the invention's boss structures mounted on an adapter unit of the device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enhanced recovery of subterranean deposits. A heating fluid circulates in a concentric tubing assembly which attaches to a downhole heat exchanger. A convertible fluid descends to the downhole heat exchanger in the concentric tubing assembly where it converts to vapor by transfer of heat from the heating fluid. The vapor can then be used to liquefy viscous subterranean deposits. A feed control valve controls the rate at which convertible fluid enters the downhole heat exchanger. Scale produced by the vaporization of the convertible fluid is purged by a purging valve into the well sump.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining one pipe section that contains a pressurized fluid, such as a pipe section formed from a non-metallic material in the sensing section of a drill string, to another pipe section so as to minimize the pressure gradient acting across the joint. An inner sleeve is installed within the pipe section so as to extend across the joint, thereby forming an annular chamber between the inner sleeve and the joint. Seals at the ends of the inner sleeve prevent the fluid flowing within the pipe section from flowing into the annular chamber. A vent hole allows fluid flowing outside the pipe section to enter the annular chamber and pressurize it to the same pressure as the fluid, thereby equalizing the pressure across the joint. Alternatively, the annular chamber can be filled with an incompressible fluid and a pressure balancing piston used to equalize the internal and external pressures acting on the joint.

Abstract: An insert construction is set forth comprising a right cylinder insert body crowned with a PDC crown bonded thereto defining an interface between the two materials. The interface construction is described in geometric terms. The interface includes irregular curvilinear sided depressions to enhance the interface grip between the two materials thereby reducing shear stress concentration which might damage the PDC crown. Other failure modes are reduced also. Relationships are set forth in the amount, depth, and shape of the depressions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for recovering gas from an underground source of gas and water and for disposing of water from the source into a porous stratum above the source. A casing having perforations at the level of the porous stratum extends from the surface into the source. A first mandrel inside the casing is above the perforations and a second mandrel inside the casing is below the perforations. Each mandrel has a first and a second passageway therethrough. A perforated tube connects the first passageways of the first and second mandrels and a bypass tube connects the second passageways of the first and second mandrels. A first tube extends from the surface to the first passageway of the first mandrel and a second tube extends from the first passageway of the second mandrel into the source. A sucker rod extends from the surface through the inside of the first, perforated, and second tubes into the source.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods of using the apparatus provide ease forming an opening from a first wellbore to a second wellbore, the first wellbore having a portion thereof which intersects the second wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus has a cutting device disposed within a housing and a series of spaced apart nozzles directed radially outward from the housing. In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus is axially, rotationally, and radially alignable relative to the liner of the first wellbore. The cutting device is connected to the nozzles. The nozzles direct a discharge from the cutting device radially outward to cut into the tubular structure.

Abstract: An earth boring system is disclosed for guiding and steering a string of pipe casings to form an underground cased bore. The string of pipe casings are guided by a boring end assembly including a front casing and a steering head connected at an interface gap by a plurality of hinge assemblies each having an actuator and a pair of connector parts. A protective enclosure protects the hinge assemblies from loosened earth from the earthen bore and from the earth being removed from within the pipe casings. The protective enclosure can be formed by an inner pipe and an outer pipe of both the front casing and the steering head, plus a closure ring and a retainer belt at the interface gap. Guidance sensors are provided to determine the location of the string of pipe casings and a computer control center computes steering head axial and angular displacements for guiding the string of pipe casings and controlling the extent of the interface gap.

Abstract: An inflatable packer is provided for introduction into a subterranean well bore on a conduit. A pinch can form in the inflatable elastomeric bladder of the packer during inflation or deflation, forming a seal which obstructs the effective passage of pressured fluid, thereby obstructing inflation and deflation of the bladder. Additionally, ribs on the exterior of the bladder can cut into the bladder during nonuniform inflation or deflation of the bladder. The packer provides a series of shape-controllers to cause uniform inflation along the length of the bladder to eliminate these problems.

Abstract: A non-rotating stabilizer tool is provided for connection within a drilling string for stabilization and centralization of the drill string within a well bore being drilled by a rotary drill bit. The tool incorporates an elongate stabilizer and centralizer mandrel having upper and lower collars for its connection within the drill string. The mandrel defines an external circumferential stabilizer receptacle having a cylindrical surface and upper and lower shoulders which are lined with a wear resistant low friction material. The mandrel defines a plurality of axially spaced circumferential seat grooves which interrupt the cylindrical receptacle surface and the friction resistant lining. A stabilizer is rotatably mounted within the stabilizer receptacle by a plurality of wear pads that are seated within the circumferential seat grooves and provide rotatable support for the stabilizer with its inner periphery disposed in spaced relation with the lining of the stabilizer receptacle.

Abstract: A digger from a unit for digging utility pole holes is encased in an elongated box. The box has an attachment thereon for attachment to the carrying arm of a backhoe in place of the backhoe bucket. A 90.degree. attachment provides versatility. The digger is thus capable of digging horizontal tunnels for laying one underground line under another underground line.

Abstract: A gravel pack apparatus and associated method of completing subterranean wells provides convenient and economical gravel packing operations, permitting a sand control screen to be run into the well attached to the apparatus which is, in turn, attached to production tubing, and further permitting the tubing to be detached from the screen. In a preferred embodiment, a gravel pack apparatus has interoperable valve and tubing release portions. The valve portion may be closed after the gravel packing operation is completed. Closure of the valve portion activates the release portion, permitting the apparatus to be separated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slip design with substantially longitudinally oriented wickers, which can be used alone or in combination with transversely oriented wickers, to secure a downhole tool, such as a bridge plug or packer, against rotational forces, such as those imparted from a whipstock, as well as longitudinal forces, such as those ultimately delivered by pressure fluctuations from uphole or downhole. The longitudinally oriented wickers are further cammed against the casing since any imparted torque on the packer body contacts a corner or edge of the slip, imparting to it a camming action making it dig further into the casing surface.