Abstract: Hydrocarbon extraction can be expedited and improved. As one example, a system can receive input data describing a technical process for adjusting hydrocarbon production from a well site. The system can then detect a change in hydrocarbon production from the well site resulting from applying the technical process to the well site. The system can associate the change in hydrocarbon production with a number of barrels of hydrocarbons. The system can then determine values for at least two site metrics based on the number of barrels of hydrocarbons, the values indicating an efficacy of the technical process. The system can transmit an output signal comprising the values indicating the efficacy of the technical process. The technical process may then be adjusted based on the content of the output signal, so as to provide a feedback loop that facilitates hydrocarbon extraction from the well site.

Abstract: Provided is a downhole fracturing tool assembly, and a method for fracturing an oil/gas formation. The downhole fracturing tool assembly, in one aspect, includes a tool body, and a localized fracking system located within the tool body. In accordance with this aspect, the localized fracking system is designed to create a localized initial pulse of pressure sufficient to initiate a fracture of a subterranean zone of interest.

Abstract: Provided is a downhole fracturing tool assembly, and a method for fracturing an oil/gas formation. The downhole fracturing tool assembly, in one aspect, includes a tool body, and a localized fracking system located within the tool body. In accordance with this aspect, the localized fracking system is designed to create a localized initial pulse of pressure sufficient to initiate a fracture of a subterranean zone of interest.

Abstract: A casing section comprising: a body comprising a wall; a window, wherein the window is an opening in the wall of the body; and a covering, wherein the covering: (A) is composed of a composite material; (B) is located on the outer surface of the body; (C) covers the window; and (D) spans at least a sufficient distance beyond the perimeter of the window such that the casing section has a desired pressure rating at the location of the window. A method of creating a lateral wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising: introducing a casing string into a wellbore, wherein the casing string comprises at least one casing section; drilling through at least a portion of the covering from the inside of the casing string to expose the window; and forming the lateral wellbore adjacent to the exposed window.

Abstract: A casing section comprising: a body comprising a wall; a window, wherein the window is an opening in the wall of the body; and a covering, wherein the covering: (A) is composed of a composite material; (B) is located on the outer surface of the body; (C) covers the window; and (D) spans at least a sufficient distance beyond the perimeter of the window such that the casing section has a desired pressure rating at the location of the window. A method of creating a lateral wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising: introducing a casing string into a wellbore, wherein the casing string comprises at least one casing section; drilling through at least a portion of the covering from the inside of the casing string to expose the window; and forming the lateral wellbore adjacent to the exposed window.

Abstract: Methods and systems of dynamically aligning interests in a business relationship are disclosed. Some embodiments provide a method of profit sharing between business entities, comprising: determining a baseline cost for a service or product; determining a savings relative to that baseline cost; and allocating a portion of that savings to a provider of that service or product as an increased profit multiplier to a burdened cost of that service or product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing cuttings in a deviated borehole using drilling fluids. The apparatus includes a pipe string and a bottom hole assembly having a down hole motor and bit for drilling the borehole. The pipe string has one end attached to the bottom hole assembly and does not rotate during drilling. The apparatus and methods raise at least a portion of the pipe string in the deviated borehole to remove cuttings from underneath the pipe string portion.

Abstract: A drilling rig includes a tower, a stabilizer for lifting/lowering an injector and BOP stack, and a powered arm adapted to manipulate BHA segments. The tower includes a plurality of interlocking modules and is mounted on two perpendicularly aligned skids. The tower is also provided with an opening that enables the side loading of equipment. The preferred rig includes one module adapted to support a stabilizer that includes hydraulic lifts that can raise the injector and BOP stack off the wellhead. The stabilizer also accommodates the thermal expansion of the BOP stack by rising and lowering the stack during well servicing operations. The powered arm attaches to the tower and includes an articulated gripper for manipulating the bottom hole assembly segments. Preferably, the powered arm is controlled by a general-purpose computer that guides the powered arm through a predetermined sweep.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing cuttings in a deviated borehole using drilling fluids. The apparatus includes a pipe string and a bottom hole assembly having a down hole motor and bit for drilling the borehole. The pipe string has one end attached to the bottom hole assembly and does not rotate during drilling. The apparatus and methods raise at least a portion of the pipe string in the deviated borehole to remove cuttings from underneath the pipe string portion.

Abstract: A self-erecting rig is adapted for deployment on a platform and includes hydraulic jacks and rails. The rig structure is made up of stacked, interlocking modules having open areas pre-fitted with well equipment such as mud pumps, mud tanks, and power packs. The rails are disposed on a platform and guide the modules to the hydraulic jacks. Hydraulic jacks, also fixed onto the platform, are configured to releasably engage and elevate the modules. During deployment, the jacks engage a module and hoist it to a pre-determined height. While the engaged module is suspended, another module is slid immediately below. After the two modules interlock, the jacks repeat the process.

Abstract: The methods and apparatus of the present invention include an tubing disposed within an conduit to assure flow through the outer pipe. The tubing string is nearly neutrally buoyant or substantially buoyant and has a cleaning and monitoring tool attached to its end. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for removing material from an conduit includes an tubing extending through the conduit and having a flowbore adapted to flow fluids within the tubing and a monitoring and cleaning tool attached to and receiving the fluids from the tubing. The tool preferably includes a plurality of nozzles, a sonic measuring device, and an expandable element.

Abstract: The methods and apparatus of the present invention include an tubing disposed within an conduit to assure flow through the outer pipe. The tubing string is nearly neutrally buoyant or substantially buoyant and has a cleaning and monitoring tool attached to its end. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for removing material from an conduit includes an tubing extending through the conduit and having a flowbore adapted to flow fluids within the tubing and a monitoring and cleaning tool attached to and receiving the fluids from the tubing. The tool preferably includes a plurality of nozzles, a sonic measuring device, and an expandable element.

Abstract: A drilling rig includes a tower, a stabilizer for lifting/lowering an injector and BOP stack, and a powered arm adapted to manipulate BHA segments. The tower includes a plurality of interlocking modules and is mounted on two perpendicularly aligned skids. The tower is also provided with an opening that enables the side loading of equipment. The preferred rig includes one module adapted to support a stabilizer that includes hydraulic lifts that can raise the injector and BOP stack off the wellhead. The stabilizer also accommodates the thermal expansion of the BOP stack by rising and lowering the stack during well servicing operations. The powered arm attaches to the tower and includes an articulated gripper for manipulating the bottom hole assembly segments. Preferably, the powered arm is controlled by a general-purpose computer that guides the powered arm through a predetermined sweep.

Abstract: A drilling rig includes a tower, a stabilizer for lifting/lowering an injector and BOP stack, and a powered arm adapted to manipulate BHA segments. The tower includes a plurality of interlocking modules and is mounted on a two perpendicularly aligned skids. The tower is also provided with an opening that enables the side loading of equipment. The preferred rig includes one module adapted to support a stabilizer that includes hydraulic lifts that can raise the injector and BOP stack off the wellhead. The stabilizer also accommodates the thermal expansion of the BOP stack by rising and lowering the stack during well servicing operations. The powered arm attaches to the tower and includes an articulated gripper for manipulating the bottom hole assembly segments. Preferably, the powered arm is controlled by a general purpose computer that guides the powered arm through a predetermined sweep.

Abstract: A computer having a backplane and a motherboard disposed on the backplane along with expansion slots for receiving expansion cards. The backplane further having circuitry coupled thereto for performing an alarm function where the alarm circuitry is not coupled to a card occupying one of the expansion slots, instead the alarm circuitry is coupled to the backplane in a manner so that it is not directly under the supervision of the system processor on the motherboard. The alarm circuitry including processors which use the LON bus protocols for receiving and transmitting information relating to environmental conditions in the PC.

Abstract: A reel assembly having three reels disposed side-by-side on a shaft pays out coiled tubing to an injector. A conveyor is used to support and guide the coiled tubing during travel from the reels to the injector. The conveyor is selectively rotatable such that the conveyor may be directed to the reel which actively pays out the coiled tubing. In another embodiment, two reels are slidably disposed side-by-side on a shaft. A conveyor is used to support and guide the coiled tubing during travel from the reels to the injector. In this embodiment, the conveyor is directed to a specific location on the shaft and the reels are slid into the specific location for coiled tubing payout.

Abstract: A winding tool operating in conjunction with a level wind spools coiled tubing in a helical pattern onto a reel. In one embodiment, the winding tool includes a plurality of rollers that are urged against the winds of coiled tubing with a biasing member. A driver provides controlled oscillatory translational movement for the rollers.

Abstract: A self-erecting rig is adapted for deployment on a platform and includes hydraulic jacks and rails. The rig structure is made up of stacked, interlocking modules having open areas pre-fitted with well equipment such as mud pumps, mud tanks, and power packs. The rails are disposed on a platform and guide the modules to the hydraulic jacks. Hydraulic jacks, also fixed onto the platform, are configured to releasably engage and elevate the modules. During deployment, the jacks engage a module and hoist it to a pre-determined height. While the engaged module is suspended, another module is slid immediately below. After the two modules interlock, the jacks repeat the process.

Abstract: A drilling rig includes a tower, a stabilizer for lifting/lowering an injector and BOP stack, and a powered arm adapted to manipulate BHA segments. The tower includes a plurality of interlocking modules and is mounted on a two perpendicularly aligned skids. The tower is also provided with an opening that enables the side loading of equipment. The preferred rig includes one module adapted to support a stabilizer that includes hydraulic lifts that can raise the injector and BOP stack off the wellhead. The stabilizer also accommodates the thermal expansion of the BOP stack by rising and lowering the stack during well servicing operations. The powered arm attaches to the tower and includes an articulated gripper for manipulating the bottom hole assembly segments. Preferably, the powered arm is controlled by a general purpose computer that guides the powered arm through a predetermined sweep.

Abstract: An offshore field management system which includes a composite riser, a floating buoy and a service vessel. The riser is extended from a subsea well head to the buoy. Conductors, preferably provided in the riser, are connected with a well telemetry system. The buoy has a floating or semi-submersible hull that includes a hatch covering a moonpool for receiving the riser. The buoy preferably includes satellite communication hardware and computer systems in communication with the well telemetry system via riser embedded conductors. The well environment can be remotely monitored using the buoy communication system. Servicing of the oilfield well is accomplished using the service vessel by docking the buoy in a bay formed in the service vessel. The service vessel is preferably a self-contained facility fitted with the equipment and materials necessary to carry out pre-determined well servicing operations.