Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing water from a gas well to permit efficient production of gas while protecting formation from introduced pressures. The apparatus comprises a one-way-valve that seals the casing from production zone when hydrostatic pressure of water from production accumulates in casing above production perforations and one-way-valve exceeds formation pressure. When the casing is sealed, a compressor pressurizes gas into the casing but not an exhaust conduit, the top of the casing being sealed around the exhaust conduit, permitting communication between the conduit and a suitable destination, such as via liquid separators on into sale pipeline. Accumulated water is caused to flow into the bottom of the exhaust conduit and out at surface to collection. When pressure within the sealed casing to the top end of exhaust conduit is equalized, the one-way-valve opens and regular production can resume.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for actively controlling the flow of hydrocarbon fluids from a producing formation at the downhole sand screen. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a fluid flow annulus within the production tube inside of the screen. In a first flow control configuration, fluid passing through the screen is required to flow along the annulus to find a flow aperture into an interior flow bore. A static flow control device within the annulus between the sand screen and a first flow aperture dissipates flow energy by forcing the flow through a restricted area that helically winds about the flow annulus. Dissipation of the flow energy increases the pressure reduction from the screen into the production bore and reduces the flow velocity. In a second flow control configuration, flow control structure within the flow annulus obstructs all flow along the annulus. A third flow control configuration removes all flow restrictions within the flow annulus.

Abstract: A method for heating a subterranean formation includes the steps of positioning a well to a subterranean formation; disposing an energy transforming material in the formation; and exposing the material to energy whereby the material generates heat.

Abstract: A gage trimmer and a bit incorporating such a gage trimmer are provided. The gage trimmer has an ultra hard material layer having a circumferential surface including a cylindrical portion and a flat surface for bearing against a circumferential wall of a hole drilled by the bit. The ultra hard material layer is formed over a substrate interface surface. The flat surface does not extend to the interface surface.

Abstract: A borehole includes a tubular member, a sealing member for sealing an annulus between the tubular member and the borehole, a pump for pumping fluidic materials into the tubular member, and an automatic choke for controllably releasing pressurized fluidic materials out of the annulus. A system and method monitor the operating pressure within the tubular member and compare the actual operating pressure with a desired operating pressure. The difference between the actual and desired operating pressure is then processed to control the operation of the automatic choke to thereby controllably bleed pressurized fluidic materials out of the annulus thereby creating back pressure within the borehole.

Abstract: A device for moving a tool lengthwise in a passageway such as a pipe or oil well hole, with a power or signal conduit connected between the tool and outside of the passageway, consists of a solid rod with a groove along the rod's length, the groove extending inwards from the rod outer surface. The conduit is installed in the groove. The device can also be used to rotate the tool in the passageway.

Abstract: A drag type casing mill/drill bit for down hole milling of a casing window and lateral drilling of a bore hole in an earth formation comprises a bit body adapted to be rotated in a defined direction. The bit body includes an operating end face having a plurality of radially extending blades formed as a part of the operating end face of the bit body. A plurality of primary cutting elements are individually mounted in pockets in one of the plurality of blades. In addition, a plurality of secondary ridge structures are mounted to each of the plurality of blades interspersed with the plurality of primary cutting elements in a pattern such that as the bit body rotates the secondary ridge structures contact the casing or the earth formation thereby protecting the primary cutting elements and allowing continuous substantially smooth casing milling and earth formation drilling.

Abstract: A standard ROV/manual gate valve operating mechanism is used to move a bore selector between the production and annulus bores of a completion. The ROV operation could be via torsion or linear action. The positioning of the selector may be hydraulically linked to the functioning of retainer valves. Alternatively, the operating mechanism may be for one of the retainer valves, with a mechanical linkage for actuation of the bore selector.

Abstract: Two working pistons (AK1, AK2) strike on the anvil (10) of a drill device or a rock breaking device. One working piston (AK1) is a solid piston, while the other (AK2) is an annular piston. Both working pistons can work at the same or substantially the same rate. In general, the percussion rate acting on the anvil (10) can be doubled with two working pistons. The working pistons can be controlled in common or independent from each other. In a synchronous mode with equal phase, the impact energy is multiplied; in an asynchronous mode or a mode with opposite phases, the percussion rate is increased.

Abstract: An oil well system for extracting oil extracted from a reservoir via a well, includes a separator device adapted to separate oil and water from a mixture extracted from a reservoir. The separator device has a non-vertical first flow path for the mixture and being arranged along a non-vertical portion of the well, a second flow path, separate from the first flow path, for receiving water or a water enriched phase that has been separated from the mixture by the separator device, and a plurality of drain openings along a section of the first flow path. The first and second flow paths are arranged such that water or the water enriched phase in the first flow path can flow by gravity to the second flow path via the drain openings. An opening area of the drain openings, per unit area of the first flow path, decreases in a flow direction of the mixture along the first flow path.

Abstract: The present invention provides an artificial lift apparatus that monitors the conditions in and around a well and makes automated adjustments based upon those conditions. In one aspect, the invention includes a pump for disposal at a lower end of a tubing string in a cased wellbore. A pressure sensor in the wellbore adjacent the pump measures fluid pressure of fluid collecting in the wellbore. Another pressure sensor disposed in the upper end of the wellbore measures pressure created by compressed gas above the fluid column and a controller receives the information and calculates the true height of fluid in the wellbore. Another sensor disposed in the lower end the tubing string measures fluid pressure in the tubing string and transmits that information to the controller. The controller compares the signals for the sensors and makes adjustments based upon a relationship between the measurements and preprogrammed information about the wellbore and the formation pressure therearound.

Abstract: A method of achieving a preferential flow distribution in a horizontal well bore. This method consists of the step of positioning in a horizontal wellbore a slotted liner having a plurality of slots which provide a flow area. The slot open flow area of the slotted liner varying along its length in accordance with a selected strategy of flow distribution. The preferred strategy being to create an overbalanced condition in the wellbore which promotes promote a higher flow at the toe portion than at the heel portion.

Abstract: A cleaning tool (1) for cleaning casing within a wellbore is comprised of an upper (3) and lower (4) sleeve which are mounted via ball bearings (5) on a work string (2). The ball bearings enable the upper (3) and lower (4) sleeves to have no or negligible rotational movement notwithstanding rotation of the work string (2). The upper (3) and lower (4) sleeve limit the axial movement of the cleaning tool (1) along the work string (2). The cleaning tool (1) is further comprised of at least one lantern (6) which supports the plurality of cleaning member (7) which may be brushes or scraping blades.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing abrasive wear within a housing that includes a body having at least one protrusion selectively positioned and extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof, the body being placed concentrically within the housing and rubbing against the inside surface thereof as the body is moved within the housing. The body is provided with a plurality of slides residing in a like number of grooves formed on the outside surface thereof, each of the slides having a groove formed in at least one side surface thereof The slides are affixed to the body by deforming the material comprising the body into the groove formed in the slide by striking the surface of the material comprising the body adjacent the groove in which the slide resides with enough force to deform the material comprising the body into the groove formed in the side surface of the slide. The apparatus is particularly effective for use with the sucker rod of a pump jack for a subterranean petroleum well.

Abstract: A control device for regulating flow of fluid selectively with respect to two passages of a completion tool positioned within well bore tubing. The device incorporates a valve that is electrically driven to selectively block to prevent fluid flow through one of two passages of a Y-tool. The device operates to prevent recirculation of product fluid when an electrical submersible pump (ESP) is operating and alternately closes this passage with respect to fluid flow when the pump is not operating to permit intervention work within the well bore below the location of the ESP.

Abstract: A reference sleeve is used to orient a whipstock assembly to direct a pipe string into a new borehole section. The whipstock assembly may be removed such that a pipe string may enter the original borehole through the relatively large inner diameter of the expanded reference sleeve. The reference sleeve provides a permanent reference without forming an obstruction in the wellbore. To go back into the new borehole section, the whipstock assembly will be oriented automatically within the reference sleeve such that a pipe string will be reliably directed into the new borehole section, even years later. The reference sleeve is preferably run into the hole in a running position that is radially compressed. After orientation, the reference sleeve is expanded to thereby engage the wellbore and be affixed in position. Orientation surfaces include sloping guide surfaces and a slot that mate to a key on the whipstock assembly. The reference sleeve may be used for any reference purpose in the wellbore, e.g.

Abstract: A system of apparatus for use in a coring tool measures the height of a core sample being recovered and transmits data relative thereto to the surface of a formation concurrently during the coring operation. A transmitter of an electromagnetic ranging system rides atop a core sample being formed in the barrel chamber and a receiver member of the electromagnetic ranging system is fixed at a top end of the barrel it known distance above the transmitter. During the coring operation the transmitter transmits a fixed frequency signal to the receiver through drilling fluid disposed therebetween. The distance between the transmitter and receiver decreases and the amplitude of the transmitted signal changes as a function of the separation distance between the transmitter and receiver as the core sample enters the inner barrel and the height of the core sample within the barrel is determined as a function of time and depth.