Abstract: A stabilizer for maintaining a drill string centered during large diameter earth boring. The stabilizer includes a ring with a continuous outer surface. The ring is mounted to the drill string so that it rotates with the drill pipe, its outer surface being in sliding contact with the shaft wall. The mounting system includes an inner plate carried by the drill string. The plate has protruding tabs that mate with tabs attached to the ring. The mating tabs support the ring and allow it to be easily uncoupled.

Abstract: A roller reamer assembly for mounting in a longitudinally extending undercut groove in a reamer body and having longitudinally slidable bearing blocks with cooperating locking members for securing the bearing blocks in the groove upon longitudinal movement of the bearing blocks to prevent undesired longitudinal and radial movement of the bearing blocks and an automatic lubricating system for the bearing blocks.

Abstract: An improved magnetic junk retriever arranged to magnetize a drill bit just prior to its removal from the bottom of the well bore. A wound, electromagnet subassembly is connected between the drill bit and the drill collar. A battery-pack tool is used to energize the electromagnet by lowering the tool through the bore of the drill pipe and collars to contact pins projecting into the bore of the sub. Energizing the electromagnet causes the drill bit to be magnetized.

Abstract: A method for handling pipe for drilling and well operations. The pieces of pipe to be used are connected together in a string above the surface of the medium, such as the earth or the seabed, into which they will be inserted. The pieces are connected so that the string lies in a substantially horizontal plane prior to insertion. The resulting string is then moved by a prime mover which moves in the horizontal plane. The string is moved into the medium at an angle near the horizontal. By employing suitable supports pre-assembled long length strings can be tested, inserted, and manipulated. Similarly, a complete string or large section thereof can be removed from a point of insertion such as a well bore without the necessity of disconnecting each separate member from the string. This method also accommodates the handling of single pieces of pipe.

Abstract: In a production well-head for an underwater oil well the suspension head of the innermost tubing, which has a frusto conical surface on which the production tube suspension member seats, has a duct leading from the enclosed space between the innermost tubing and the tubing adjacent thereto, to the interior of the innermost tubing, and a duct communicating therewith is provided in the suspension member.

Abstract: This relates to drilling in water from a platform or vessel using a riser pipe. An inverted funnel skirt or cone is placed over slots cut in the wall of a riser pipe a short distance above its lower end. The apex end of the cone is welded to the riser pipe above the slots and drill cuttings pass through the slots and fall to the seafloor. Another embodiment includes an "L" shaped diverter flowline welded to the periphery of each hole in the riser pipe with one leg of the "L" extending a short distance below the hole.

Abstract: A directional drilling "sub" provides a shifting end portion which allows the sub to be rotated from a first in-line axially straight orientation with the drill string to a second angled or "bent" position which second position is normally associated with conventional bent "subs" which are permanently structured in the bent position. The device shifts from the first (in-line) position to the second (bent) position upon the application of torsional force thereto which torsional force can be applied, for example, by the actuation of a "turbodrill" (normally attached thereto in operation). The device can be manufactured or machined to provide varying angles to the sub in its bent position to satisfy differing directional drilling situations. The axially aligned first position allows easy entry of the drill string, sub, and turbodrill into the well hole, while the second bend position is used to commence directional drilling.

Abstract: The method is disclosed for drilling a pilot hole and subsequently enlarging the pilot hole in earth formation. A dual concentric pipe string is used for circulating air downwardly through the outer pipe, through a pilot bit and upwardly through the bore hole outside the pipe string to bail cuttings, during drilling of the pilot hole. The air pressure expands the cutters of an expansible bit while a milited portion of the air supplied cools the cutters. After the cutters are fully expanded, additional air is utilized to clean and cool the cutters. Air is returned through the inner pipe of the dual concentric pipe string. A venturi device is utilized to induce return flow through the inner pipe during enlargement of the hole and to vacuum residue when enlargement is completed. The dual concentric pipe string is made up of lengths of pipe providing threaded, sealed joints.

Abstract: A metal cup with an apertured bottom provides a junk basket. The cup is spindled on the pin of a drill bit, e.g. a tungsten carbide insert roller cone bit, the bottom edge being releasably clamped between the pin shoulder and the shoulder formed by the mouth of the box on the member forming the lower end of the drill stem, e.g. a roller reamer. The connection between the pin and box and cup form a rotary shouldered connection, the pin shoulder and/or box mouth being cut back providing a longer pin neck or shallower box to accommodate the cup. Every time the bit is removed from the stem, the interiorly upwardly flaring cup is automatically dumped. In a modification, especially for small diameter holes, in order to provide space for junk to move both up outside the cup and down into the cup, the box on the adjacent drill stem member can be fluted, e.g.

Abstract: Diclosed is a connecting assembly for communicating between a first location and a second location lower than the first location, with the two locations separated by a fluid body. A first tube extending between the two locations generally encloses a second tube, and the annular area between adjacent surfaces of the two tubes is sealed toward the second location. The buoyancy of the assembly is selectively controlled by selectively controlling the quantity and density of fluid in the area between the tubes. In an embodiment shown, a marine drilling facility is joined to an underwater well site by a riser with a liner set and sealed therein, and gas-lift pumping is used in controlling buoyancy. In a method, a riser is set between an underwater well site and a marine well operating facility. A first segment of the well may be drilled through the riser. Casing is cemented in the well, and a liner is sealed at its bottom end to the riser.

Abstract: A modular underwater support platform having interconnecting elements is lowered into position by a conductor pipe which in turn is connected to and supported from a drill pipe. Releasable hydraulic connections connect the platform to the conductor pipe and connect the conductor pipe to the drill pipe. After the hydraulic connection between the platform and the conductor pipe is released, the drill pipe drills a hole in the subsea floor for receiving the conductor pipe. The conductor pipe is positioned in the hole, and locked to the platform for supporting the platform. A base may be connected to the bottom of the support platform which includes hydraulic cylinder and piston assemblies for leveling the support platform. Hydraulic control lines are positioned on the support platform and adapted to be in communication with the hydraulic connections when the conductor pipe is locked to the platform for hydraulically releasing the connections allowing the removal of the drill pipe.

Abstract: A gate valve which is mounted on a wellhead assembly and which may be closed to shear off workover lines, macaroni tubing and other suspension members so as to quickly shut in a well under emergency conditions. The gate has a flow port which aligns with the flow passage of the valve when the gate is open. A cutting edge of the port cooperates with a corner area of the downstream valve seat to shear the suspension member when the gate is forcefully closed by a hydraulic actuator mechanism. An undercut open space is presented immediately below the cutting edge to accommodate the sheared suspension member without jamming the gate or otherwise hampering its closure function.

Abstract: A maneuverable tool means for continuously maneuvering and controlling a pipe string end as it is lowered for engagement with a selected well part at the sea floor. The tool means comprises a body member attachable to the pipe string end, the body member carrying laterally directed thrust means; fluid pressure means in communication with the thrust means to impart thrust forces to the pipe string end and a remote control system for the fluid pressure means. The tool means also includes TV and sonar systems to sense the presence of adjacent objects as the pipe string end is lowered and to identify a well part with which the tool is to be cooperably associated. The tool means is provided with a lock means for temporarily retaining the tool means in a selected position in a guide funnel on a well template to facilitate installation of a guide line base means on the template.

Abstract: A plurality of valve structures are incorporated in a drill pipe string for drilling a well into the earth utilizing air as the drilling fluid. A first valve is located in the drill pipe string just above the drilling bit, and an additional valve or valves are located in upwardly spaced relation within the drill collar string. Each of the valves has a valve member held in a position allowing the flow of air through the valve by a fusible support, and when the support melts, the valve member will shift to a position closing the valve. The valve just above the bit is combined with a float valve to prevent the upward flow of fluid into the drill string, while the valve or valves spaced upwardly in the drill collar string are full opening valves which allow the running of instruments through the drill string to selected locations above the bit. The additional upwardly spaced valve or valves include a flap held in a position to one side of the bore through the valve body by a fusible retainer.

Abstract: Downhole method and apparatus for efficient well completions wherein natural earth energy is utilized by the exploitation of a maximum pressure differential into a given well bore. The method and tools of the apparatus function to back surge the well, enhancing reservoir communication, saving time and reducing costs. Tools of the apparatus include a tubular nipple, a surge plug inserted operationally into the nipple, and an optional catcher sub connected thereto. The entire tool assembly is production actuated by dropping a recoverable bar of sufficient weight to overcome that buoyant force which seals the plug within the nipple. The essence of invention resides in the economy of time and material.

Abstract: A drill fluid powered hydraulic system used for driving a shaft connected to a drill bit is disclosed. The apparatus includes a hydraulic fluid powered motor actuated and controlled by hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic fluid powered motor through an intermediate drive system actuated by drill fluid. The intermediate drive system is provided with two rotary valves and two double sided accumulators. One of the rotary valves routes the hydraulic fluid to and from the accumulators and respectively from and to the hydraulic fluid powered motor. The other valve routes the drill fluid to the accumulators from the drill fluid supply and from the accumulators to the drill bit. The rotary valves are indexed by a gear system and Geneva drive connected to the motor or drill shaft. A heat exchanger is provided to cool the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A tool having a low spring rate deformable element and a relatively long stroke is provided. The deformable element comprises a stack of alternating non-deformable metal washers and deformable elastomer rings extending throughout the length of the element chamber. The element washers and rings are substantially out of contact with the side walls of the mandrel and barrel, so that each segment of the element experiences the total shock load. The spline and deformable element are in an oil bath--the annular space between mandrel and barrel is sealed at the upper end by a fixed seal and at the lower end by a floating seal, so that the pressure internal of the chamber is equalized with the bottom hole pressure internal of the tool. Thus pre-loading of the element by the bottom hole pressure is avoided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling down hole pressure during an offshore drilling operation is disclosed. The method and apparatus are particularly useful for drilling in deep water from an offshore surface facility which includes a drilling vessel stationed above an ocean floor drilling site in which well head equipment is embedded. A marine riser is connected to the well head equipment and extends to the drilling vessel. A drill string enclosed within the riser extends from the drilling vessel through the well head equipment and into a borehole beneath the ocean floor. Choke and kill conduit lines are connected in fluid communication with the borehole and extend from the well head equipment to the drilling vessel. According to the invention, a subsea choke valve is connected in fluid communication with the choke conduit line and with the interior of the riser whereby fluid or gas may be discharged at a controlled rate from the choke line directly into the riser annulus.

Abstract: A thermally operated valve for automatic control of the rate of flow of a fluid coolant for hot gases produced by underground gasification of solid fuel deposits or by in situ combustion in oil wells, incorporating a temperature-sensitive element comprising a metal tube several meters long to be incorporated in a pipe for supplying coolant to the well, and a rod of a metal having a low coefficient of expansion coaxial with the pipe, the upper end of which rod is attached to the upper part of the metal tube and the lower end of which rod is flexibly connected to a valve member by a connecting element having adjustable clearance or play.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for indicating the downhole arrival of a well tool. The disclosed embodiment includes placing a magnet on the top releasing plug of a subsea releasing plug apparatus for cementing offshore oil wells, and sensing the arrival of the magnet with a magnetic switch in the well bore at the seafloor. An acoustic signal is sent from the seafloor to the ocean surface over a pipe string in the well at one frequency before the closure of the magnetic switch, and at a second frequency after the arrival of the top releasing plug closes the magnetic switch. The apparatus includes means at the surface for displaying the acoustic signal being received over the pipe string.