Abstract: The invention provides an under-reamer tool and method for creating a large diameter volume within a well bore. The under-reamer tool includes a mandrel for connection to a drill pipe and for supporting a torque arm assembly and hole initiator assembly. The hole initiator assembly, upon activation, creates a nominally larger diameter volume that triggers activation of the torque arm assembly thereby allowing the torque arm assembly to extend to cut away a cutting face thereby creating a significantly larger diameter volume within the wellbore as the under-reamer is rotated within the wellbore. Reverse circulation of a circulation medium in combination with the geometry of the cutting face provides effective removal of the cuttings from the cutting face.

Abstract: A method of extracting liquid hydrocarbons from geological formations having a reduced or low liquid hydrocarbon flow rate utilizing a wellbore extending downwardly from the surface of the ground into the geological zone of interest. The method includes the steps of first creating at least one downhole reservoir through enlarging a portion of the wellbore. The downhole reservoir is made substantially larger than the wellbore and formed so as to hold a desired amount of effluent, which includes liquid hydrocarbons, based upon approximated flow rates of effluent from the geological zone of interest. Effluent is allowed to accumulate in the downhole reservoir for a desired length of time until it reaches a desired level. Finally, the effluent is evacuated from the downhole reservoir through the use of a pump.

Abstract: A soil dressing implement useful as a sand trap rake, the head thereof including a transverse body portion with plurality of tines and a vane extending across the rear of the tines for the full width of the head. The tines, which are laterally spaced, have a downwardly and rearwardly sloped front edge merging into a rearwardly and downwardly curved bottom edge. The bottom edge curves slightly upward at the rear and terminates at a lower edge of the vane. The vane has a front flat surface which slopes downwardly and forwardly towards the lower edge thereof. The transverse body has a top surface having a rear edge which is forward of the bottom edges of tines when the implement is lying on its back. The implement has better raking characteristics than known devices because the front sloped surface of the vane has a tendency to pull the tines down into the sand and to distribute the sand which then flows between the tines and spills over the upper edge of the vane so as to not leave any tine marks.