Abstract: A sub-sea template and moveable guide structure assembly for conducting sub-sea drilling and production operations selectively between a plurality of adjacent sub-sea wells has a sub-sea well template having a plurality of template sections, each of these sections having a plurality of well bore guide means in laterally spaced series relative to the longitudinal extent of the template; tool guide means for guiding a sub-sea well tool into a well bore guide means; carriage means and means for movebly mounting the carriage means to the template, the carriage means moveably mounting the tool guide means on the template for relative movement therebetween.Sonic alignment means associated with the moveable guide structure and a sub-sea well tool are provided for sensing a spatial relationship between the guide structure and the well tool as the well tool is lowered onto the guide structure.

Abstract: A plurality of piston and cylinder assemblies extend radially from the wall of the drill tube above the drill bit. A roller assembly is journalled in the distal ends of the pistons and engages the wall of the bore hole. The pistons are urged outwardly by fluid pressure to engage the wall and they are inclined approximately 10.degree. from the longitudinal axis of the drill string so that when the drill string is rotated, the engagement of the inclined rollers against the wall urges the drill bit downwardly thus assisting in applying the required pressure to the rotating bit.

Abstract: A roller reamer body is provided with junk receiving pockets that are downward extensions of the body cavities in which the rollers and their shaft mounting blocks are disposed. The slots have upwardly slidably openable or removable outside wall panels so that junk can be dumped from the slots while the reamer is still vertical in the drill string, making it unnecessary to disconnect the reamer to dump the junk.

Abstract: A drill bit used for obtaining core samples in concrete or rock formations. The drill bit comprises a cylindrical body having a generally annular-shaped cutting surface at one end and at least one waterway including an inner channel on the interior surface of the body extending to the cutting surface and an outer channel on the exterior surface of the body extending to the cutting surface at a point radially spaced from the point where the inner channel extends to the cutting surface. The waterway further includes a recessed portion on the cutting surface connecting the inner and outer channels at the points at which the channels respectively extend to the cutting surface. Such a waterway helps to wash the cutting surface of the bit so that concentration of drill cuttings on the cutting surface is minimized.

Abstract: A drill bit having three cone-shaped cutters is formed with two drilling fluid nozzles on opposite sides of one of the cutters and with an enlarged return passage for the drilling fluid being formed between the other two cutters. Flow restrictors adjacent the two nozzles restrict the flow of return fluid in those areas. A flow diverter in the dome area of the bit extends into the space between the cutters to better direct fluid across the bottom of the hole where cuttings are being generated by the cutter teeth.

Abstract: This invention teaches the use of one or more cavitation inducing nozzles in combination with conventional nozzles for rock bits. The cavitation nozzles enhance the drilling rate by rapidly removing cuttings from the hole bottom. Cavitation from a cavitating nozzle positioned on one side of the bit reduces the pressure thereby inducing drilling mud at higher pressure passing through an opposing non-cavitative nozzle to move across the rock-tooth interface. The resultant cross-flow rapidly removes the cuttings from the hole bottom.

Abstract: There is disclosed a down-hole drilling motor having a connection to the drill bit, such that, when desirable or necessary, fluid may be circulated in the bore by means of the motor to clean out undue accumulation of cuttings, or for other reasons, while at the same time the bit is stopped, thereby saving wear on the bit and bit drive parts. When the motor is disconnected from the drill shaft, the drill shaft may be locked to the drill pipe so that the bit may be rotated by turning the drill pipe from the top of the bore with the conventional rotary table to permit the operator to drill his way out if the drill is stuck or to roll the bit out from under a ledge under which it might be caught during drilling.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are 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 limited 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 bit for drilling holes in rocks comprising inserts of sintered carbide, the base of which in a plane perpendicular to the edge of its drill point follows a downward convex curve along the symmetry axis of the cross-section of the insert. The insert has the shape of an quadrangle in a section perpendicular to the cross-section of the insert, the side situated nearest to the axis of the bit being inclined at an acute angle .phi., and the side corresponding to the base of the insert being inclined thereto at an angle .epsilon. determined by the relationship 90.degree.>.epsilon..gtoreq.90.degree.-.phi., wherein .phi.<30.degree.. The plane of symmetry of the insert, taken perpendicular to the cross-section of the bit is inclined at an angle .tau. determined by the relationship 90.degree..ltoreq..tau..ltoreq.90.degree.+.gamma., wherein .gamma. is the angle of incidence of the drill point of the bit.

Abstract: Apparatus for directional drilling in the earth comprises a down hole motor having a stator housing adapted to be connected to a string of drill pipe at one end and having a rotor shaft extending out the other end. The rotor shaft is adapted to receive and drive any suitable rotary bit. The stator housing is provided with fulcrum means in the form of a barrel member having arcuate longitudinal cross section. The fulcrum member is of substantially the same size as the hole being bored and is engageable with the side wall of the hole to provide a fulcrum about the drilling motor can be turned to change direction. A suitable deflection means is positioned at the end of the stator housing adjacent to the connection to the drill string and includes a laterally moveable thrust member which is operable to engage one side of the hole being drilled to deflect the stator housing in the opposite direction and pivot the same on the fulcrum point to change the direction of the hole being drilled.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for perforating an earth formation from a well bore wherein each perforator unit of a perforator gun utilizes the combination of a shaped charge and a bullet and the perforator unit is adapted to fire the shaped charge responsive to detonation of detonating cord and the bullet is fired responsive to the firing of the shaped charge.

Abstract: This invention concerns the production of very deep boreholes. A rotary drilling tool is suspended at one end of a very long line of supporting elements such as a cable. During at least the entire duration of the drilling operation, the borehole is filled at least partly with at least one substance which remains in a liquid state and has a density greater than the mean density of the drilled ground strata. Thus any infiltrations in the borehole and the drilling debris move naturally upwards to the free surface of the liquid substance filling the borehole.

Abstract: A well perforating tool (9) for drilling holes in a well casing substantially from and at right angles to a vertical well bore within which the casing is disposed. The tool (9) includes an elongate housing (15) for insertion within the casing and having a detachable boot (13) at one end thereof for centralizing the longitudinal axis of the tool within the casing. Two motors (53,85) are disposed within the housing (15) for rotating a flexible drill shaft (97), and advancing and retracting the flexible drill shaft (97) with respect to the interior wall of the casing. The entire tool is supported by a cable (19) which also includes power supply and signal lines for independently activating the motors (53,85) from an above-ground control station and ascertaining the depth of drill shaft penetration.

Abstract: A bridge plug having an ejectable plug assembly means in the bore thereof and means for catching the ejectable plug assembly means.

Abstract: A marine riser system is provided which extends between a floating offshore platform and well means in a seabed formation and which has riser end portions connected in novel manner to the floating platform and to wellhead structure at the well hole. Each end portion of the riser is adapted to yield axially, laterally, and rotatively during movement of the riser relative to the platform and to the wellhead structure. Each end portion of the riser is provided with fulcrum or pivot contacts with hawse pipe carried by the platform and with hawse pipe or casing means provided in the wellhead structure. Bending stresses at the riser end portions are reduced at the platform and at the wellhead structure.

Abstract: Downhole surge tools for efficient well completions wherein natural earth energy is utilized by the exploitation of a maximum pressure differential into a given well bore. The 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 roller on reamer's rollers are rotatably mounted on shafts whose ends are supported by blocks inserted in the reamer body. One end of each shaft is welded, pinned, or otherwise nonrotatably anchored to its mounting block. Each block makes an interference fit with the body socket in which it is disposed. The blocks are stepped or tapered for quick release. Access openings to the backs of the blocks facilitates knockout. Knockout of the stepped blocks is achieved by wedge means.Drilling mud may have access to contacting surfaces of rollers and shafts to lubricate same. Protective seal means may be provided between each roller and shaft at the upper ends thereof so that the mud must flow upwardly to reach the space between shaft and roller and dense solids will be excluded by gravity. Grease lubrication may be provided, e.g. in conjunction with roller shafts mounted in stepped blocks, the rollers being sealed to the shafts at both ends.

Abstract: A drill bit is shown for enlarging a pilot hole into a larger diameter hole by disintegrating the earth formations that surround the pilot hole. The bit includes a cutterhead with a multiplicity of saddles containing rolling cutters for contacting and disintegrating the formations that surround the pilot hole. The rolling cutters are mounted so that the cutter face profile of the cutters extends in a uniform manner to the edge of the pilot hole and eliminates uncut bottom. A drive stem or stinger projects from the cutterhead. The lower portion of the drive stem or stinger comprises extensions that reach over or "bridge" the inner legs of the center saddles and extend into the available vacant areas between the saddles for attachment to the body of the cutterhead.

Abstract: An elongated tubular nipple is provided including upper and lower ends. The interior of the nipple defines a longitudinal bore extending therethrough and the lower and upper ends of the bore are downwardly and upwardly flared, respectively. The upper end portion of the nipple includes an externally threaded diametrically enlarged portion for threaded engagement within the internally threaded upper end of a tubular pumping tee mounted atop a tubing string section and the length of the nipple from the externally threaded diametrically enlarged portion to the lower end thereof is such to enable the nipple, when mounted within a pumping tee, to have its lower end at least closely adjacent the upper end of the tubing section from which the pumping tee is supported.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for recovering submerged equipment, such as a guide base and wellhead used in offshore well operations. A recovery tool, which includes an elongated member capable of extending from above the equipment into a well pipe and means for latching the recovery tool to the equipment and explosive means attached to the elongated member for severing the well pipe, is lowered from the water's surface to the equipment and then latched thereto. The explosive is then detonated to sever the well pipe. The recovery tool, together with the equipment and severed portion of the well pipe, is raised to the water's surface.