Abstract: A valve assembly for reversibly governing fluid flow through coiled tubing equipment. Valves of the assembly may be directed by a telemetric line running from an oilfield surface. In this manner, valve adjustment and/or reversibility need not require removal of the assembly from the well in order to attain manual accessibility. Similarly, operation of the valves is not reliant on any particular flow rate or other application limiting means. As such, multiple fluid treatments at a variety of different downhole locations may take place with a reduced number of trips into the well and without compromise to flow rate parameters of the treatments.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling and/or minimizing the formation or accumulation of unwanted deposits on the inside of fluid flow paths by employing at various locations along the path an assembly of permanent magnets oriented such that the fluid flow is preferably from the North magnetic pole to the South magnetic pole.

Abstract: A method to enhance oil shale, oil sand, asphaltic crude oil, or other high viscosity crude oil production by using a solar blackbody waveguide to heat these formations in situ. A parabolic mirror collects and directs the solar flux into a vertical shaft of a well drilled into the formation. This vertical shaft is lined with a reflective sleeve that reflects nearly all of the sunlight down into the well bore. The reflective sleeve ends at the top of the formation so that below this point, the solar flux is permitted to make successive reflections with the interior of the metal well casing or solar blackbody waveguide coil. The coil absorbs the solar flux, converting it to heat. Heat from the coil is transferred by conduction into the formation and allowing the formation to be produced by traditional methods.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for reducing kinetic energy of a plunger within a plunger lift system. In one aspect, a lubricator is provided at a surface of a wellbore, the lubricator having a sealed, pressurized chamber therein to cushion the plunger upon impact. In another aspect, a method is provided for reducing the kinetic energy of the plunger by providing a compressed gas chamber within a lubricator, moving a kinetic energy-reducing surface which is partially bounding the chamber, and compressing the gas within the chamber to reduce kinetic energy of the plunger and cushion the impact force of the plunger.

Abstract: A system comprising a top mounted rotating stuffing box is provided for use with downhole pump (e.g., Progressing Cavity Pump) applications. The system also includes a split standpipe configuration that allows the stuffing box to be quickly installed or removed as needed. The split standpipe feature combined with the top-mounted aspect of the stuffing box allow for the corresponding drive units to stay intact while the stuffing box is being installed or removed.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting a kick in a borehole include acquiring a set of measurements with a sonic tool in the borehole; determining borehole mud slowness from the set of measurements; and comparing the mud slowness with a selected criterion, wherein the determining the mud slowness includes determining fluid mode slowness as a function of frequency for at least one fluid mode, and determining the mud slowness from the fluid mode slowness.

Abstract: The invention relates to well reamer for borehole reaming within a specified interval. The well reamer has a housing with inclined slots, radial holes and a central straight-through channel, in which a spring-loaded rod with holes in the upper and lower parts is located. The upper holes of the rod are covered when the operating elements are extended into an operating position. A plurality of legs, including cutters rotatably supported on the legs, are moved by pistons between an operating position and a transport position along the inclined slots. Free-ends of the pistons may be connected to the rod by sliders, which are movable radially into openings in the rod to connect the rod to the pistons to move the rod with the legs.

Abstract: The drill string is fitted for drilling activity in the formation expected, including a jet nozzle equipped drill head, and a near bit kick sub. The drill string is deflected to change the progressing well bore to a preferred direction. After the change in well bore direction is accomplished by jetting, the kick sub is straightened and drilling proceeds along the new well bore center line. Ideally, the kick sub responds to direction from the surface and produces a change in drilling fluid pressure at the surface to indicate which mode, straight or deflected, is being carried out down hole.

Abstract: A wellbore chemical treating system includes a pressure vessel for containing a treating chemical. The pressure vessel is closed to atmospheric pressure. A first controllably operated valve is disposed in direct fluid communication between an outlet of the pressure vessel and a well for selectively controlling the flow of the chemical from the pressure vessel to the well. A pressurized gas is disposed in the pressure vessel wherein the pressure exerted by the pressurized gas causes the chemical to flow from the pressure vessel to the well through the first valve when the first valve is opened. A second controllably operated valve is disposed in fluid communication between the well and an outlet of a fluid tank for selectively controlling flow of fluid in the tank to the well. The fluid tank is replenished by fluid produced from the well. The system includes a controller for selectively operating the first valve and the second valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for running a liner into a well bore, hanging the liner to a casing, perforating the liner, cementing the liner in, setting a liner packer, and establishing sand control, all in one trip.

Abstract: An improved plunger lift mechanism comprises an internal hollow body having bypass orifices that, when exposed, allow fluid to pass through during plunger descent in a downhole tube to the bottom of a production well. A slidable sleeve slides along the hollow body to close the orifices, causing the plunger to rise and carry accumulated fluid to the well surface. In addition, the present apparatus comprises surface interfaces between a slidable sleeve and a mandrel to minimize a probability of mandrel and sleeve separation during the plunger's ascent phase and a risk of plunger stall. By integrating a plunger lift having a slidable sleeve with closer limits between the slidable sleeve and an internal hollow body, and a wider plunger surface area, the present apparatus can minimize radial movement which can occur during plunger drop and when impact occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus operatively coupled to a well having a production casing positioned therein, the apparatus including a first device having and internal bore, a second device having an internal bore, and a fracture isolation sleeve disposed at least partially within the internal bores of the first and second devices, wherein the fracture isolation sleeve has an internal diameter that is greater than or equal to an internal diameter of the production casing.

Abstract: The Invention is a Well Cleaning Method and Apparatus using detonating cord having Additional Reliability and a Longer Shelf Life. The method and apparatus employs one or more subassemblies, each subassembly having a combustible material, means for igniting the combustible material, and one or more high-strength sleeves attached around portions of the combustible material to attenuate the outwardly-directed pressure wave created by ignition of the combustible material. The assemblies further exhibit staggered detonation with the simultaneous application of electrical current to all assemblies. The combustible material is further modified to add an additional outer impervious layer such that the combustible material exhibits prolonged shelf life and durability.

Abstract: An earth boring apparatus for sinking shafts and removing shaft material from the shaft, the apparatus having at least two decks; hydraulic means for allowing movement of the decks relative to one another; releasable anchoring means associated with the decks for engaging walls of the shaft to secure the apparatus in a stationary position; whereby the releasable anchoring means of one of the decks engages the wall while the releasable anchoring means of the other deck is released from the wall to allow motion of the other deck along the shaft, in cooperation with the hydraulic means. The apparatus also includes guide means for forcing a bucket for hoisting shaft material from the shaft along a predetermined path, and an in-stage cut-boom drill.

Abstract: Methods and systems for cementing casing in well bores drilled in subterranean formations, and more particularly, methods and systems for cementing casing in a well bore without surface casing or a well head are provided. A method provided herein may comprise sealing an annulus at the mouth of the well bore with a seal; pumping a cement composition into the annulus through the seal; and taking circulation fluid returns from the inner diameter of the casing. A system provided herein may comprise a seal of an annulus at the mouth of the well bore; a cement composition pump fluidly connected to the annulus through the seal; and a coupling connected to the exposed end of the casing for taking circulation fluid returns from the inner diameter of the casing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for reverse circulation cementing a casing in an open-hole wellbore. The apparatus includes a surface pack-off device, which has a housing defined by an upper section and lower section. A load bearing plate is secured to the housing between the upper and lower sections. The load plate and lower section of the housing cooperate to prevent sloughing of the earth at the surface of the wellbore via a section of casing string. The surface pack-off device also includes a casing hanger, which couples to the casing in the wellbore. Fluid inlets allow the cement to be pumped into the wellbore in the annulus formed between the casing and wellbore sidewall. The method includes the steps of installing the surface pack-off device and operation on reverse circulation of the cement down the annulus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for installing and selectively retrieving a wear bushing in the bore of a subsea or surface wellhead. The assembly includes a bit sub, which is adapted for attachment to a drill string, a drill string adapter removably coupled to the bit sub, and a wear bushing removably coupled to the drill string adapter and adapted to be recoupled to the drill string adapter for selective retrieval from the bore of the wellhead.

Abstract: A method for producing oil or gas from multiple wells, the wells including at least a first well and a second well, with each well using an artificial lift system that includes a plunger associated with a motor valve off time, and first and second identical connecting subsystems that connect their respective wells to a common sales line. The first connecting subsystem includes: a) a plunger arrival sensor connected to a micro controller; b) a wellhead connected to the first well; c) a motor valve connected to the wellhead; d) first and second pressure transducers on either side of the motor valve, conductively coupled to the micro controller; and e) a micro controller for keeping the motor valve closed during the motor valve off time, and extending the motor valve off time following a determination of the existence of a pressure spike in the common sales line.

Abstract: The spider, arranged for support on a drilling rig, is fitted with a plurality of slips peripherally distributed about a slip bowl. Each slip has a plurality of pipe gripping dies distributed vertically and resting on individual abutment surfaces on the slip. Each slip has a generally vertical slide way to receive mating surfaces on the die for radial constraint of the dies.

Abstract: A shank for a working tool has at least three recesses (5) provided within the lockable region (3) and arranged in a cross-section (c-c) to the tool axis (A) at least at angles of 0°, 120°, and 240° within the radial reference dimension (R) of the shank, with at least one of the recesses (5) being axially closed toward a free end of the shank (1), and at least one protrusion (6) arranged circumferentially between two adjacent recesses (5) outside of the radial reference dimension, with the sum of central recess angles (?) of the recesses amounting to at least 150°, and a central protrusion angle (?) of the at least one protrusion (6) being smaller than a central recess angle (?).