Abstract: An improved apparatus for filtering down-hole drilling fluids, insertable at any point in the drill string, i.e.: tool joints or within instrument subs. The filter element is a disk insertable between the two threadably connected ends of any two lengths of the drill string or adaptively placed within a tool joint containing down-hole tools such as data gathering instruments. The filter is essentially a disk having a series of expanding concentric radial slots and may be used in combination with an X collar support ring insert, combined with a sleeve having a landing ring or provided with a retrieval means.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for use in a wellbore comprises an expandable bistable device. An exemplary device has a plurality of bistable cells formed into a tubular shape. Each bistable cell comprises at least two elongated members that are connected to each other at their ends. The device is stable in a first configuration and a second configuration.

Abstract: A downhole service tool is provided that may include a body having an interior passageway, at least one exit port through which fluid may flow from the interior passageway to an exterior of the tool, and at least one diverting channel adapted to cause fluid exiting the exit port to flow in a predetermined pattern, such as a helical or rotational flow path. The diverting channel may be in the form of a trough, and may also have a tapering width from its upper end to its lower end, where it meets the exterior of the tool. The diverting channel may also have a helical or other predetermined shape so as to facilitate the inducement of the desired flow pattern. By designing the tool so as to create a desired flow pattern, erosion of the tool by the exiting fluid flow is lessened. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system of drilling straight directional and multilateral wells utilizing hydraulic frictional controlled drilling, by providing concentric casing strings to define a plurality of annuli therebetween; injecting fluid down some of the annuli; returning the fluid up at least one annulus so that the return flow creates adequate hydraulic friction within the return annulus to control the return flow within the well. The hydraulic friction should be minimized on the injection side to require less hydraulic horsepower and be maximized on the return side to create the desired subsurface friction to control the well.

Abstract: A system for completing a well having casing (34) includes a perforating assembly (38) and a tubing string assembly (40). The tubing string assembly (40) including a pair of seal assemblies (56, 74), a production screen assembly (58) and a ported sleeve (66) positioned between the seal assemblies (56, 74) and a live annulus screen assembly (76) positioned uphole of the seal assemblies (56, 74). The perforating assembly (38) is operated to perforate the well and is then released downhole. The tubing string assembly (40) is then repositioned such that the production screen assembly (58) is located proximate the perforated interval (14) so that when the well is hydraulically fractured with a treatment slurry that is pumped through the ported sleeve (66), the formation reaction to the fracturing is monitored by obtaining pressure readings in the annulus in fluid communication with the live annulus screen assembly (76).

Abstract: An expander tool for expanding a first tubular into a second surrounding tubular within a wellbore. The expander tool first comprises a body. Within the body is an expansion member capable of being actuated outwardly from the body when expansion of the first tubular is desired. In one aspect, the expander tool is a rotary expander tool, and the expansion members define a plurality of rollers. The expander tool further comprises at least one sensor for sensing a downhole condition during expansion of the tubular. The sensors in one aspect include at least one tool for sensing wall dimensions of the first tubular such as inner diameter or wall thickness. Examples include sonic logs, caliper logs, and electromagnetic wall thickness tools. A depth gauge may also be included. In one aspect, a data transmission device is provided between a surface server and the sensors downhole. In this way, the operator at the surface can monitor progress of the expansion operation downhole.

Abstract: A drill member for percussive rock drilling is formed by forming a compound component and friction welding the compound component to the end of a drill rod. The compound component is formed by welding a core part within a shell part and machining a thread into either the shell part (male thread) or core part (female thread). The part in which the thread is machined is formed of low alloy steel, and the other part is formed of stainless steel, wherein the thread bottom is formed of stainless steel, and the thread crests are formed of low alloy steel.

Abstract: A directional borehole drilling system employs a controllable drill bit, which includes one or more conical drilling surfaces. Instrumentation located near the bit measures present position when the bit is static, and dynamic toolface when the bit is rotating. This data is processed to determine the error between the present position and a desired trajectory, and the position of one or more of the bit's leg assemblies is automatically changed as needed to make the bit bore in the direction necessary to reduce the error. The controllable drill bit preferably comprises three leg assemblies mounted about the bit's central axis, each leg having a “toed-out” axle. In response to a command signal, a lower leg translates along the bit axis to cause it to bear more of the bit weight, thus excavating more deeply over the commanded toolface sector and causing the bit to bore in a preferred direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for casing while drilling without the use of an underreamer. In one aspect, the invention provides a flexible drill collar that enables drilling of a large enough borehole for passage of the casing string therethrough.

Abstract: Once the core barrel has been inserted into the ground to the appropriate depth for the required soil sample, it may be withdrawn by removing the entire drill string. Once withdrawn, the soil sample may be obtained by unscrewing the adapter coupling 12 and drive shoe 14 from the respective ends of the core barrel. One or both of the halves 110a, 110b may then be axially slid with respect to one another until locking tabs 142, 152 of locking configurations 160 are offset and become released/disengaged from one another. This allows the halves to be separated so that the soil sample may be readily accessed.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body that includes head sections, each having depending bit legs with a circumferentially extending outer surface, a leading side, and a trailing side. A bearing shaft depends inwardly from each of the bit legs for mounting a cutter. The bit includes a beveled surface formed at a junction of the leading side and the outer surface of each bit leg. The beveled surface is angled relative to a radial plane emenating from the axis of the bit. The angle of the beveled surface is at least 20 degrees, and extends to an inner surface of the bit leg. The bit can also have a layer of hardfacing on the leading, trailing and shirttail surfaces of the bit leg. A diversion finger of hardfacing extends circumferentially to direct cuttings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for running a whipstock into a well bore attached to a combination mill and drill bit, releasing the mill/bit from the whipstock, milling a window in the casing, and drilling a lateral well bore, all in one trip. The mill/bit is provided with a primary cutting structure better suited for milling through the casing, and a secondary cutting structure, better suited for drilling through the earth formation. The secondary cutting structure is initially smaller in diameter than the primary cutting structure. The whipstock can be attached to the mill/bit with a shear bolt supported by a boss on the whipstock, with the boss designed to arrest axial motion of the mill/bit after shearing of the bolt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subterranean well cementing operations, and more particularly, to cement compositions that include high aspect ratio materials, and methods for using such cement compositions in subterranean formations. An example of a method of the present invention is a method of cementing in a subterranean formation. An example of a composition of the present invention is a cement composition for use in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: A sonde (transmitter) housing having a one-piece design for improved housing rigidity. The housing includes a mechanically-adjustable mounting configuration adaptable to a variety of sonde applications. A method of making the sonde housing in a one-piece design and infinitely orienting the sonde clocking electronics.

Abstract: Natural gas is produced from a reservoir above a bitumen reserve with minimal or no impact on concurrent or subsequent production of bitumen recovery techniques including SAGD. Greenhouse benefits over and above the benefits of coincidental recovery are available through the injection of waste gas containing carbon dioxide for maintaining pressure in the gas reservoir while producing natural gas. Carbon dioxide separates out of the waste gas through preferential absorption in connate or aquifer water, with the result that carbon dioxide is thereby both retarded from flowing to the natural gas production well and effectively sequestered in the reservoir water. Additional advantage is achieved wherein water influx at production wells can be managed and trapped gas can be recovered.

Abstract: A casing-engaging wellhead isolation and method of the tool protects wellheads from lifting pressures induced by high fluid pressures and high flow rates used to stimulate low pressure wells. A releasable packer assembly mounted to a bottom end of a mandrel of the tool grips the casing and transfers the lifting pressures directly to the casing. Well treatment safety is thereby significantly enhanced.

Abstract: A method of providing a downhole seal, such as a packer, in a drilled bore between inner tubing and outer tubing comprises: providing an intermediate tubing section defining a seal arrangement for engaging with the inner tubing; and radially plastically deforming the intermediate tubing section downhole to form an annular extension. The extension creates a sealing contact with the outer tubing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coupling a tubular member to a preexisting structure.

Abstract: A hydraulic tool assembly for a downhole tool comprises a body (12), first and second members (14, 16) mounted for independent movement with respect to the body, and first and second control fluid chambers (24, 26) associated with the respective first and second members. Movement of the first member (14) between a first position and a second position in response to an applied force displaces control fluid from the first chamber (24) into the second chamber (26), to move the second member from a first position towards a second position to execute a tool function.

Abstract: A retaining wall block (1) has parallel top and bottom faces (2, 3), a front face (4), a rear face (5), first and second side wall faces (6, 7) and a vertical plane of symmetry (S) extending between the front and rear faces (4, 5). The block (1) is formed as a body portion (8) including the front face (4), a head portion (9) including the rear face (5) and a neck portion (10) connecting the body portion (8) and the head portion (9). The body, head and neck portions (8, 9, 10) each extend between the top and bottom faces (2, 3) and between the first and second side wall faces (6, 7). An opening (13)? extends through the neck portion (10) from the top face (2) to the bottom face (3), dividing the neck portion (10) into first and second neck wall members (14, 15) extending rearwardly from the body portion (8) to the head portion (9).