Abstract: In order to prevent potential electrical hazards associated with supplying power downhole, a hanger is provided for either casing or tubing strings, or a plurality of casing or tubing strings, that electrically insulates the internal suspension mechanism of the hanger from the hanger's external seal. Electrical power is typically transferred through a hanger by way of the internal suspension mechanism. If electrical umbilicals are used, connecting devices may be located within the internal suspension mechanism for connecting an upper and lower umbilical and transferring power trough the hanger. If a rigid tubular conductor is used, the suspension mechanism may be ported to allow the passage of electrical feedthroughs or, in the case of tubing hangers, the tubing itself may be charged with electrical power. By insulating the suspension mechanism from the external seal potential electrical hazards are eliminated.

Abstract: Enhanced horizontal drilling systems and methods encompass the production of crude oil from wells drilled from a subterranean production facility. This approach has the location of the well head below the oil reservoir to improve flow rate and recovery due to the consistent voiding of fluids by gravity flow within the well bore to the well head allowing well bore production pressure to achieve extremely low fluid pressure or even a vacuum of up to 15 PSI. This method increases oil recovery rate and factor, and lowers production costs. The present method is production of shallow crude oil by way of long horizontal or near horizontal boreholes drilled and serviced from a subsurface workroom. The subsurface workroom serves as both the drilling platform and the place to which production is centrally accumulated from the wells. Oil is collected in a central facility and is then lifted to the surface utilizing pumps.

Abstract: A method of microbial enhanced oil recovery for recovering oil from an oil-bearing rock formation (13). The method comprises: injecting water containing a source of vitamins, phosphates and an electron acceptor such as nitrate into the formation at first location (10) and allowing anaerobic bacteria, which are either already present in the formation (13) or which are introduced simultaneously to multiply using the oil as their main carbon source. This establishes a biomass layer (16) which acts to dissociate the oil from the rock formation (13). The dissociated oil is removed via an outlet (15).

Abstract: An automatic paraffin removal unit, including a scraper body, a tumbler, an arc spring leaf and a return torque spring, and the upper and lower commutators having a sleeve, an open spacing ring and a tower spring. In operation, the scraper is clamped on a pumping rod, while the upper, lower commutators are respectively connected to the upper, lower ends of the tubing section from the well head to the section having toe temperature lower than paraffin deposition temperature requiring paraffin removal. The scraper moves up and down following the pumping rod via unidirectional upward or downward movement, paraffin removal being performed to the inner wall of tubing and pumping rod unceasingly, and variations in direction being performed in the upper, lower commutators.

Abstract: Oilfield cleaning apparatus is provided for cleaning the inner wall of an oilfield tubular. The apparatus comprises a body to be introduced into the tubular, the body being provided with annular cleaning elements. Furthermore a rotary drive acts to oscillate the cleaning elements in contact with the inner wall of the tubular to scrape debris from the inner wall with the cleaning element. Each cleaning element is mounted on a rotary bearing member which is inclined relative to its axis of rotation so as to cause the cleaning element to be oscillated axially in contact with the inner wall as the bearing member is rotated, Also a catcher tube is provided to catch the heavier debris which is not washed away by the flow of fluid up the borehole. Such apparatus provides an active cleaning action which is particularly effective in removing deposits from the inner wall of the tubular.

Abstract: A completion assembly for use in a lateral well bore has a base pipe with a plurality of holes through the sidewall of the base pipe. Flow through the holes is regulated to produce an influx difference between the ends of the base pipe. Flow can be regulated by variably spacing or sizing the holes. Flow can also be regulated by selectively inserting a rod between adjacent splines located on the base pipe to cover and block the flow through certain holes in the base pipe. Flow can also be regulated using a rotatable sleeve adjacent to the base pipe such that rotation of the sleeve brings the holes and openings in the pipe and sleeve, respectively, into and out of alignment. A filter can be used to filter sand and other particulates. An erosion inhibitor can be used to extend the useful life of the assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for facilitating coupling and cementing of downhole tubulars (12, 28) comprises a tubing section (12, 10) for use in lining a bore. The tubing section has upper and lower ends and defines a tubing wall having cement outlets (20) spaced from the lower end of the tubing. The lower end of the tubing is selectively closed, and swab cups (22) are provided externally of the lower end of the tubing below the cement outlets (20) for restricting passage of cement.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for expanding an expandable tubular in the wellbore. In one aspect, the expandable tubular is expanded using an inflatable packer. In another aspect, the expandable tubular is an expandable sand screen.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string into a wellbore during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. Additionally, the apparatus and methods can be used for running in casing, running in wellbore components or for a drill string.

Abstract: A cutter for a drill bit has a superabrasive member joined to a substrate at a three-dimensional interface. The three-dimensional interface comprises a protrusive pattern of interconnected elements comprising projections of the superabrasive member into the substrate and vice versa. The protrusive pattern comprises at least one generally annular member intersected by a series of generally radially extending members for distributing stresses along the interface, enhancing compressive strength, and enabling optimization of the magnitudes and locations of beneficial residual stresses in the superabrasive member and in the vicinity of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of recovering oil or contaminants from subterranean reservoirs using a surfactant system where an adsorption reducing agent is injected before, after, and/or with the surfactant system. The adsorption reducing agent is formed by the reaction of an olefin sulfonic acid and phenol/aldehyde resin, the structure which is shown below where M may be Hydrogen or any cation, R is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, etc., X is methylene or other aldehyde derived bridge, Y is hydrogen, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide or mixtures of two or more of these, x+y is greater than 2 and n is equal or greater than 1.

Abstract: A thrust absorber is interposed between a thruster and an anchor that cooperate to axially displace another member. The thrust absorber includes an enclosure fixed to the anchor and a retainer connected to the thruster. A biasing member is operably associated with the retainer. During an overthrust condition, the thruster imparts a thrust force to the member, but the member is not substantially axially displaced. In such a condition, the biasing member absorbs the thrust that the thruster would otherwise impart to the member. A dampener is also included to dampen the movement of the thruster and anchor when the anchor is no longer anchoring the thruster.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a dynamic mudcap drilling and well control assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises of a tubular body disposable in a well casing forming an outer annulus there between and an inner annulus formable between the body and a drill string disposed therein. The apparatus further includes a sealing member to seal the inner annulus at a location above a lower end of the tubular body and a pressure control member disposable in the inner annulus at a location above the lower end of the tubular body. In another embodiment, the assembly uses two rotating control heads, one at the top of the wellhead assembly in a conventional manner and a specially designed downhole unit. Finally, the assembly provides a method for allowing the well to produce hydrocarbons while tripping the drill string.

Abstract: A downhole tool that functions as an underreamer, or alternatively, as a stabilizer in an underreamed borehole. The tool includes one or more moveable arms disposed within a body having a flowbore therethrough in fluid communication with the wellbore annulus. The tool alternates between collapsed and expanded positions in response to differential fluid pressure between the flowbore and the wellbore annulus. In one embodiment, the tool moves automatically in response to differential pressure. In a second embodiment, the tool must be selectively actuated before it is moveable. When the tool expands, the arms are preferably translated axially upwardly, while simultaneously being extended radially outwardly from the body. The expanded tool diameter is adjustable at the surface without changing components. The arms may include borehole engaging pads that comprise cutting structures or wear structures or both, depending upon the function of the tool.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition comprising expandable cross linked polymeric microparticles having an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 10 microns and a cross linking agent content of about 1,000 to less than about 9,000 ppm of labile cross linkers and from 0 to about 300 ppm of non-labile cross linkers and to the use of the composition for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.

Abstract: A plunger for use in downhole tubulars in wells which produce fluids and/or gases under variable pressure, which has an internal passage to facilitate more rapid descent of the plunger to the well bottom or well stop. The plunger has a stopper housed inside a chamber that is actuated when the plunger and stopper stem reach bottom or a well stop and which is held in a closed position by the build up of pressure below the plunger. The plunger may also have a jacket mounted about a core which has sealing, holding, and lifting capabilities. The plunger may also have fingers which project inwardly from the underside of the jacket toward the inner core which may also be grooved and which provides an inner turbulent or labyrinth-type seal.

Abstract: A drill bit has a bit body and at least one roller cone rotatably mounted on the bit body. The cone has a plurality of milled teeth at selected locations on the cone. At least one of the milled teeth has a substrate having a convex crest and a layer of hardfacing applied to the convex crest. The convex crest is adapted to produce at least one of a convex axial stress distribution, a substantially even axial stress distribution, and a substantially smooth axial stress distribution.

Abstract: A method for hydraulic fracturing subterranean formation whereby at least part of the fracture is propped with proppant material essentially in the form of elongated particles having a shape with a length-basis aspect ratio greater than 5, preferably such as metallic wire segment. The remaining part of the fracture may be propped with conventional non-metallic proppant. Fracture conductivity is optimized.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for facilitating coupling and cementing of downhole tubulars (12, 28) comprises a tubing section (12, 10) for use in lining a bore. The tubing section has upper and lower ends and defines a tubing wall having cement outlets (20) spaced from the lower end of the tubing. The lower end of the tubing is selectively closed, and swab cups (22) are provided externally of the lower end of the tubing below the cement outlets (20) for restricting passage of cement.

Abstract: A rotary drilling head assembly for a well bore, including an erosion resistant bowl apparatus. The bowl comprises a bowl member, the bowl member having a central receiving cavity configured to receive a rotary sealed bearing assembly, the bowl member having a discharge nozzle extending therefrom, the discharge nozzle fluidly communicating with the receiving cavity, and at least one diverter member extending from an inner surface of the receiving cavity of the bowl, the diverter member formed and configured to disrupt patterns of fluid flow within the bowl during drilling operations. The apparatus preferably includes at least one nozzle diverter member extending from an inner surface of the discharge nozzle. A plurality of diverter members preferably extend from an inner surface of the receiving cavity of the bowl and from the discharge nozzle.