Abstract: A system and method allows determining the movement of subsurface fluids, gases or solids in the subsurface structure of interest. This allows quantitatively determining the results of surface and subsurface equipment and materials changes. These simple observations may result in significant improvements in field efficiency.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters, for processes including enhanced oil recovery. A representative system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a water source, a solar collector that includes a collector inlet, a collector outlet, and a plurality of solar concentrators positioned to heat water passing from the collector inlet to the collector outlet, a fuel-fired heater, a steam outlet connected to an oil field injection well, and a water flow network coupled among the water source, the solar collector, the heater, and the steam outlet.

Abstract: A dump bailer actuator mechanism is disposed in a dump bailer having an elongated body and a longitudinal bore therethrough. The actuator mechanism has a collet rod which is moved longitudinally between a first, lower position and a second, upper position, by an electric motor turning a threaded shaft, on which rides a nut assembly connected to a push rod, which in turn contacts the collet rod. In the first, lower position, the collet rod keeps the collet fingers of a collet finger assembly, which have external shoulders, engaged with a shoulder profile within the bore of the main body. A weight bar assembly is attached to the collet finger assembly. When the collet rod is moved to the second, upper position, the collet fingers disengage from the profile, and the weight bar assembly is moved forcefully downward, striking a swab piston and forcing cement out of the dump bailer.

Abstract: A downhole tool suitable for use in a wellbore, the downhole tool having a mandrel, a first and second slip, a conical surface, and a lower sleeve. An elongate member is disposed at least partially in each of the second slip, the conical surface, and the lower sleeve. The elongate member is not in contact with the mandrel, and has a body axis parallel to a long axis of the downhole tool.

Abstract: A method for presenting oilfield data to a user includes: searching a plurality of oilfield data sources for raw oilfield data; applying an algorithm as needed to the raw oilfield data; providing a quality control check on the oilfield data; deleting any oilfield data that does not pass the quality control check; tagging oilfield data that passes the quality control check with one or more searchable identifiers; storing any oilfield data that passes the quality control check and associated one or more identifiers in a storage medium; receiving a request for specified oilfield data from a user; searching identifiers in the storage medium to identify the specified oilfield data; and sending the identified specified oilfield data in the storage medium to the user. The method may also include planning an oilfield action using the specified oilfield data and implementing the planned oilfield action using oilfield equipment.

Abstract: A mill includes a mill body defining a plurality of blades extending in a direction from a center or rotation of the mill body to a gauge surface. The blades define a cutting profile having a minimum diameter at a longitudinal endmost position. The minimum diameter is smaller than a diameter of a drop ball. The cutting profile has an intermediate diameter at most equal to the diameter of the drop ball at a longitudinal distance from the endmost position greater than the diameter of the drop ball. Shear cutters are mounted on at least one of the plurality of blades, mounted such that at least one shear cutter is mounted closer to a center of rotation of the mill body with respect to other cutters mounted to the blades. At least one insert is mounted to the at least one of the plurality of blades rotationally ahead of the shear cutters.

Abstract: A tool is incorporated into a tubing string and is run into a wellbore until an agitator at a bottom of the tool engages an obstruction in the wellbore. A helical drive arrangement between a mandrel and a sleeve causes the sleeve on the outside of the tool, to which the agitator is attached, to rotate as the mandrel is reciprocated between a downstroke and an upstroke. Rotation of the agitator disrupts the obstruction forming debris therefrom and a slurry of the debris in wellbore fluid. At the same time, reciprocation of the mandrel causes a standing valve and a travelling valve in the tool to be alternately opened and closed for pumping the slurry into the tool and from the tool into the tubing string for storage therein. Periodically the tool is tripped to surface and the stored debris is removed from the tubing string.

Abstract: A downhole tool having opposing interfaces for incorporation of the downhole tool into a downhole tool string. A housing extends between the opposing interfaces, and a bore extends longitudinally through the housing between the opposing interfaces. An accelerometer is disposed within the bore of the housing for detecting acceleration of the downhole tool in response to a mechanical impact generated elsewhere within the downhole tool string. The accelerometer generates an output signal indicative of the acceleration. The downhole tool also includes a processor for processing the output signal, a memory device for storing the output signal or data generated by the processor, and an electrical energy source powering the processor and the memory device.

Abstract: Downhole assemblies including a plurality of tubular members extendable within a wellbore and defining a through bore. A telemetry device is positioned within a wall of one of the plurality of tubular members and has a secondary flow path defined therethrough and a valve element engageable with a valve seat provided at an upper end of the secondary flow path. The secondary flow path extends between an inlet and an outlet, both of which fluidly communicate with the through bore and are defined in the one of the plurality of tubular members. A flow restrictor is located within the through bore and is axially positioned between the inlet and the outlet of the secondary flow path. The valve element is actuatable to control fluid flow through the secondary flow path to selectively generate a fluid pressure pulse.

Abstract: A drilling assembly including a sensor coupled to a gear, the gear in direct or indirect rotational communication with a component of drilling assembly, such as a bull gear or a pipe handler. The drilling assembly further including a logic device configured to calculate a wear status of the drilling assembly, indicating wear of one or more components of the drilling assembly. The logic device can also be configured to calculate an alignment value of the gear for engagement of a locking device.

Abstract: A jack and push/pull apparatus is provided by attaching to a wellhead an extendable/contractible horseshoe-shaped jack assembly of sufficient diameter to surround and act upon the tubing or casing to be manipulated in the well, the linear action of the assembly being powered between an extended and a retracted position, the assembly having at least one tube-gripping mechanism at the end of the assembly away from the wellhead attachment. Tubing is inserted into the well bore through the assembly and the wellhead, and when injection forces are desired tube-gripping means grip the tubing being injected and the apparatus is powered to a retracted position, forcing the grasped tubing into the well. The operation may be reversed to pull tubing or casing. The assembly can be simply added to the rig while tubing is present on and above the rig's floor.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) include a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table in which cobalt is alloyed with phosphorous to improve the thermal stability of the PCD table. For example, a PDC includes a substrate and a PCD table including an upper surface spaced from an interfacial surface that is bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table further includes an alloy comprising at least one Group VIII metal and phosphorous. The alloy is disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions.

Abstract: A ram block assembly enables a very high shearing, breaking, or parting force by utilizing guide rails and passageways within the ram block assembly to accept the rails and gird the rails against deviation from intended trajectory. The ram block rails and cavities enable application of extreme forces, opposing and concentrated within a small area, when actuating the ram block assemblies into the “open” or “close” positions. The ram block assemblies move in opposition, approaching each other and applying opposing forces against any material positioned between the ram block assemblies, and deforming, severing, breaking, shearing, parting, tearing and/or cutting, as the case may be, any said material positioned between the ram block assemblies. The severing of materials in the wellbore is known as “shearing,” and the apparatus performing this shearing operation as shear rams, shear ram blocks, shear blocks or shears.

Abstract: A ram boring device has a pressurized-fluid driven striking piston in a device housing and a rotating reversing device configured to urge the striking piston from a forward operation to a reverse operation, in order to create oblique or horizontal bores in the ground. A piston chamber of a rotary piston drive is connected to a control fluid line.

Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to be coupled to a component of a system associated with a wellhead. The apparatus includes a band adapted to be coupled to the component; a buckle coupled to the band and located proximate to a first end of the band; a holder coupled to the band, wherein the holder is positioned, or is adapted to be positioned, proximate to the first end; an electronic identifying device attached to the holder and adapted to identify the component; and an identifying component coupled to the band. The identifying component visually conveys information about at least one of: the electronic identifying device, and the component to which the band is adapted to be coupled. In one embodiment, the system associated with the wellhead is a system for pumping fluid to the wellhead. The electronic identifying device is, or includes, an RFID chip.

Abstract: A process for applying an insulative coating to a mandrel can be used in an electromagnetic telemetry antenna assembly. One process includes applying a bond coat to at least a portion of an outer radial surface of a mandrel; applying an electrical isolation layer to the bond coat; applying a first sealant layer to the electrical isolation layer; and heat treating the mandrel in an oven.

Abstract: An off bottom flow diverter subassembly. A fronthead and shank each includes a central bore. One of the shank and the fronthead has an outer diameter configured to fit within the central bore of another of the fronthead and shank. The shank and fronthead are arranged to slide longitudinally with respect to each other and are limited from sliding out of contact with each other. At least one diverting flow passage is between adjacent sliding surfaces of the shank and fronthead. Sliding the fronthead and shank with respect to each other opens and closes the diverting flow passage. Application of a force, sufficient to open the diverting flow passage, to a drill string to which the subassembly is attached in a direction toward an opening of a hole being drilled causes the diverting flow passage to open and drilling fluid to flow out of the subassembly away from the bit.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing leaks from a stuffing box on a wellhead production assembly, the apparatus comprises a containment vessel consisting of two half shells that are joined below the stuffing box. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a transparent lid having an upper opening to receive a polished rod extending from the stuffing box. The lid is secured to the containment vessel in a liquid tight manner such that the stuffing box is substantially isolated from the environment so that any leaks originating from the stuffing box will be contained in the apparatus.

Abstract: A well pump assembly includes rotary pump and a submersible motor. A shroud surrounds the pump intake and the motor. The shroud has an open upper end in fluid communication with the pump intake. A tubular member of smaller diameter is secured to and extends downward from a lower end of the shroud. The tubular member may have an open lower end for drawing well fluid along a lower flow path up the tubular member to the pump intake. An upper flow path at the upper end of the shroud may have a minimum flow area that is smaller than a minimum flow area of the lower flow path. The tubular member has a smaller outer diameter than an outer diameter of the shroud. The tubular member may have a closed lower end to define a debris collection chamber with a drain valve.

Abstract: A fracturing system can include a fracturing manifold coupled to a plurality of fracturing trees. The fracturing manifold may include adjustment joints that enable adjustment of the length of the fracturing manifold. The fracturing manifold can also include pivot joints that allow angular displacement of portions of the fracturing manifold with respect to other portions. The adjustment and pivot joints can accommodate spacing and elevation differences between the fracturing trees.