Abstract: A method for heat injection into a subterranean diatomite formation is provided. A heater is placed in a wellbore within the diatomite formation, and the heater is then operated at a temperature above that which the heater could be operated at long term in order to better sinter the formation in the vicinity of the wellbore. The improved sintering of the diatomite significantly improves the heat transfer coefficient of the diatomite and thereby increases the rate at which heat can be injected from a constant limited long term heater temperature.

Abstract: A mid-mount type riding lawn tractor includes tractor frames, a mower unit disposed under the tractor frames, and a connection structure for vertically movably connecting the mower unit to the tractor frames. The connection structure includes support arms extending substantially longitudinally of the tractor frames, each of the support arms being pivotally connected at one end thereof to a lower position of one of the tractor frames, and at the other end to a portion of the mower unit, interlocking links each pivotally connected at one end thereof to a position of the mower unit closer than the portion of the mower unit to the position of connection between the support arm and the tractor frame, each of the interlocking links having a free end, and seesaw arms.

Abstract: A method to cement a wellbore is provided wherein two fluids are transported into the wellbore through separate conduits, and combined within the volume to be cemented. The two fluids set to become a hardened cement after a short time period. The two fluids are preferably passed through a static mixer at the ends of the conduits within the wellbore to provide uniform contact between the two fluids. The two fluids are preferably a wellbore cement and an accelerator for that cement. Because the cement sets within a short time period, fluid loss from the wellbore is minimal. Additionally, the static head to which the formation is exposed is not excessive, even if a cement slurry having a density that exceeds the hydraulic fracture gradient of the formation is used.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving objects from well bores includes an uppermost segment having an internally threaded opening extending upwardly from a bottom end of the uppermost segment to a first location above the bottom end. One or more additional segments are provided. Each of the additional segments have top and bottom ends and are removably attachable, at a top end of each additional segment, to a bottom end of one of an upper one of the additional segments and the uppermost segment. Each of the additional segments have a tapered, internally threaded opening extending between the top end and the bottom end of the additional segments. A top end of the uppermost segment is secured to a bottom end of a rotatable down-hole drill rod and is lowered down around and rotated relative to an object to be retrieved such that threads on the tapered, internally threaded opening engage with the object. A method for using the apparatus and a method for making a retrieving tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: The carriage for holding horticultural motorized hand-held cutting devices, comprises an elongated frame having opposite longitudinal sides and opposite lateral sides to define opposite ends. At least one wheel which defines the front of the carriage, is rotatably mounted on the frame at one of the opposite lateral sides. An auxiliary wheel frame assembly, near the other of the opposite lateral sides, extends from the elongated frame, respectively away from each of the opposite longitudinal sides and downwardly from the elongated frame into a leg. Each of the legs has a wheel rotatably mounted thereto. A handle on said elongated frame, propels and directs the motion of the carriage. The elongated frame has rotatably mounted thereto a supporting holder assembly for holding in an operating position a horticultural motorized hand-held cutting device such as a weed eater, an edger, a trimmer, a blade cutter for branches and a cultivator.

Abstract: The present invention includes, in one embodiment, a receptacle for use in orienting a tool or member in a wellbore or in a tubular with respect to an anchor (or other member) anchored in the wellbore or tubular. In one aspect the receptacle has hollow cylindrical body with a tapered nose and a lower alignment assembly in a bottom of the hollow body member. The lower alignment assembly receives and releasably holds a top portion of the anchor and facilitates its movement through and orientation with respect to the receptacle. In one aspect the receptacle also includes an upper locking assembly which receives and locks onto the anchor. An anchor according to this invention has a guide key according to this invention with dual opposed carved surfaces which co-act with curved surfaces on the tapered nose of the receptacle's body to facilitate movement of the receptacle in a correct orientation down over the top to the anchor.

Abstract: A method for heat injection into a subterranean formation is provided. The method utilizes flameless combustion and a gas fired heater having an electrical heated surface for ignition of the gas. The absence of a flame eliminates the flame as a radiant heat source and results in a more even temperature distribution throughout the length of the burner. Flameless combustion is accomplished by preheating the fuel and the combustion air to a temperature above the autoignition temperature of the mixture. Preheating hydrocarbon fuel requires the inclusion of a carbon formation suppressant such as carbon dioxide or steam to prevent carbon formation.

Abstract: A method for zone isolation or replacing a damaged or corroded casing with a solid plastic is described herein. A resin/curing agent mixture sufficient to form a hardened plastic or solid, underwater and/or at low wellbore temperatures that is also able to withstand downhole stresses, is placed into the wellbore so as to bind with the undamaged casing and close off any thief zone. Subsequently, the resin/curing agent mixture forms a hardened solid. The hardened solid is milled out if necessary so as to form a resinous casing the size of the original casing. Later, the hardened resinous casing is perforated to communicate with a targeted zone. Perforation is not required when isolating a zone. The hardened solid is of a strength sufficient to withstand stresses generated during EOR operations such as carbon dioxide or steam-flooding. Said solid is also resistant to workover acids and other chemicals used in EOR operations.

Abstract: A process for producing methane from a subterranean coal bed by continuously injecting a carbon dioxide-containing gas into the coal bed and recovering displaced and desorbed methane from a recovery well. The injection gas may be exhaust gas from a hydrocarbon fueled engine.

Abstract: An improved O-ring seal for rock bit bearings is formed from a resilient elastomeric composition comprising a multiplicity of low friction wear resistant particles distributed uniformly throughout the composition. The low friction wear resistant particles can have a rounded or non-rounded configuration. The low friction wear resistant particles located near the surface of the O-ring are exposed through wear of the elastomeric component to form wear pads that contact adjacent rotating rock bit sealing surfaces. The wear pads serve to reduce the break-off friction between the adjacent sealing surfaces and minimize the occurrence of stick-slip, thereby enhancing the service life of the O-ring seal and rock bit.

Abstract: A mobile baler machine is combined with raking apparatus which includes two rotatable rake members which consolidate cut crop material during travel of the baler machine and present a single row of raked and consolidated cut crop material to the baler machine.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a well for soil sparging and soil vapor extraction is provided. The well comprises a bore hole extending from the surface of the earth for several feet and preferably to the base of the clay layer. An impervious casing having a larger diameter than the bore hole is mounted concentrically around the bore hole and extends from a point above the surface of the earth to a point below the surface of the earth. The impervious casing is sealed at its top end by a cover plate. An injection tube is inserted into the bore hole wherein the injection tube terminates at a point above the bottom of the bore hole. The bottom most portion of the bore hole is filled with granular material. Above the granular material, the bore hole is filled with packing material that is substantially impervious to liquid and gas. Above the packing material, the remaining space in the bore hole is filled with permeable material which allows passage of gas or liquid.

Abstract: A wellhead isolation tool nipple seal testing apparatus includes an upper seal, upper nipple, and a lower seal and a lower nipple, the lower nipple being attached to the upper nipple. Test pressure forced between the upper and lower seals may be used to test the upper nipple up to well servicing pressures. The lower nipple may seal the well bore by being closed, or by the use of a mandrel carrying a seal on its lower end or with a burst disk.

Abstract: A flexible steering sub is disclosed for flexible drilling of horizontal oil and gas wells, horizontal storage wells, geothermal drilling for electric power generation; earth sciences study of and monitoring of earth movement with respect to fault movement; environmental science cleaning up of inaccessible polluted areas; coring to test rock strength prior to large scale constructions such as dams; introduction of chemicals for solution mining logging while drilling short radius well bores, and the like. The flexible sub comprises an elongated housing having a plurality of housing sections connectable at one end to an orientation sub for a PDM drill and connectable at the other end to a wire line connector. An electronics assembly including guidance directional guided sensors, directional probe and logging while drilling probe is positioned in a plurality of the housing sections, interconnected electrically, and connected at one end to the wire line connector.

Abstract: A method for selectively affecting the permeability of reservoirs to enhance fluid flow therein includes placing a plurality of acoustical wave generator means in a patterned array with respect to the reservoir and energizing them to create acoustic nodes at targeted areas of the reservoir. The acoustic wave generator means can be located solely on the surface, only below surface or in combination above and below surface. The acoustic wave generator means can be selectively simultaneously or sequentially energized to create nodes at targeted areas of the reservoir.

Abstract: A spindle nut and bushing assembly for cotton picker row units includes a light-weight spindle nut and a single elongated bushing having a length to outer diameter ratio of greater than two. The bushing extends through substantially the entire length of the spindle nut to provide a low friction bearing surface with sufficient strength to reinforce the spindle nut against breakage even when the spindle is impacted and fractured by an obstacle. In one embodiment of the invention, the nut is formed from a thermoplastic material and the bushing is fabricated from powdered metal, preferably a sintered bronze-iron alloy, and includes elongated grooves which act as lubricant reservoirs. In another embodiment, the bushing is formed from a filament-wound fiberglass material. The weight of the plastic nut is less than 75% of that of a conventional steel nut. In an alternative embodiment, the nut is fabricated from a light-weight metal such as aluminum.

Abstract: A process to recover oil is provided wherein an oil containing subterranean formation is heated by conductive heat transfer. The high temperature levels of this process result in high recoveries of initial oil in place, and recovery of the oil within a short time period. This process is particularly applicable to diatomite formations that have low permeabilities.

Abstract: The invention is a wireline cable head adapted to be used on a wireline tool string which is conveyed into a wellbore by a coiled tubing. The cable head comprises a biased, piston-type check valve which enables fluid circulation from the tubing into the wellbore, but prevents fluid flow from the wellbore into the coiled tubing. The biasing means maintains a minimum differential pressure which must be pumped into the coiled tubing to enable fluid circulation from the coiled tubing into the wellbore. The cable head also comprises a bulkhead for maintaining hydraulic integrity of the cable head after the cable is extracted from the cable head.

Abstract: A gravel pack screen assembly adapted to produce fluids from two spaced apart zones of interest through gravel packing surrounding spaced apart gravel pack screens includes a sub interposed in the screen assembly between the two screens and having a reservoir for discharging a quantity of permeability reducing material into a layer of gravel packing intermediate the gravel packing surrounding each of the screens. The sub is operable to discharge the material into the gravel pack layer in response to movement of a washpipe or the like within the screen assembly to move an actuator member to cause a closure member to uncover ports in the sub in communication with the reservoir. The actuator member includes a transverse surface projecting into a central bore of the sub and operable to be engaged by deflectable collet fingers formed on a washpipe assembly or a similar member insertable within the gravel pack screen assembly to effect operation of the sub to discharge its permeability reducing material.

Abstract: A method is provided to produce a polymer-thickened solution for injection into a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:a) providing an aqueous polymer solution or suspension;b) dispersing the aqueous polymer solution or suspension into an aqueous stream not containing any of the polymer through nozzles wherein the nozzles have an opening of no larger than a circle of about 1/8-inch diameter;c) passing the aqueous stream containing the polymer solution or suspension through a static mixer having a residence time of at least about 0.5 seconds; andd) injecting the polymer-thickened solution into a wellbore. The polymer-thickened solution prepared according to the present invention may be used as a fracturing fluid, combined with gravel pack sand and used for gravel packing a wellbore, used as an acid treatment composition or used as a fluid loss composition.