Abstract: A stripping gland is specially designed to act on uneven surfaced leads or the like making up a bundle that extends down into a well. It includes plural interior annular grooves which accommodate flexible seals. It also has an upper cylindrical chamber that has a highly elastic stationary seal which may be compressed tightly around the bundle.

Abstract: In the in-situ retorting of oil shale using radio frequency electrical energy, an applicator is inserted into a borehole and energized at a radio frequency. A protective device protects the applicator from expansion of the oil shale formation. The protective device includes an end plate attached to the applicator and a plurality of elements surrounds the applicator and is in contact with the end plate so as to prevent the oil shale formation from contacting the applicator.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and identifying abnormal drilling conditions. It determines the normal pump speed-pressure ratio over the range of usual working conditions. It measures the output pressure from the pump. And it measures the speed of the pump. Then it detects a change from the normal pump speed-pressure ratio which indicates abnormal conditions. Identification of the abnormal condition depends upon whether the pump speed increased above normal or the output pressure decreased below normal. If the former, the volume of drilling fluid returning is observed in order to identify one of three conditions. If the latter, the number of decreases greater than a predetermined extent are counted over a predetermined interval of time which may indicate malfunctioning pump valve or valves.

Abstract: A stabbing box structure that acts as a safety slip. It has a split construction with a clamp to hold it onto the flange of an end connector of a section of tubing which is being supported at the well head by slips. There is a tapered guide interior construction in the box which is for guiding the end connector of another section of tubing that is stabbed into the box. The tube being stabbed is guided into abutting alignment with the end connector that has the stabbing box clamped thereon. The stabbing box has an outside diameter that is greater than the opening at the well head. Consequently, if the slips holding the tubing string already in the well should let go, the stabbing box will prevent the tubing string from falling into the well.

Abstract: A coupling especially for connecting pipe or tubing that must not be subjected to torque as connections are made, or afterward. It includes a connector for each of the pipe ends that has a socket to receive the pipe and an extension with a flanged tip. There is a split ring clamp to hold two of the flanged tips together in butting relationship and a hose clamp holds the split ring clamp in place.

Abstract: A system for emitting electromagnetic energy at a radio frequency into a hydrocarbon stratum of earth formation traversed by borehole includes a source having impedance matching capability, which provides electromagnetic energy at a radio frequency, and an applicator which is used to emit the RF energy into the hydrocarbon stratum. The applicator includes an outer conductor and an inner conductor that is substantially longer than the outer conductor. The outer conductor is arranged with the inner conductor in a manner so that a portion of the inner conductor is located within the outer conductor and the portion of the inner conductor not located within the outer conductor is used for emitting the RF energy when the applicator is energized by the source. An end piece affixed to the inner conductor holds a plurality of insulators in place. The insulators are of a type that should they come into contact with the inner conductor substantially no phase shift of the RF energy occurs.

Abstract: A method for sealing off a section of tubing deep in a well comprises (1) permanently anchoring a tapered anchor in the tubing by lowering a beaded chain ring thereover for wedging the tapered anchor to the tubing at the desired position of sealing off of the tubing, and (2) fixedly attaching a bridge plug to the tubing by actuation of attaching means to the anchor for sealing off the section of tubing at the desired position. Likewise disclosed are a new bridge plug assembly, a new method for fishing for a cylindrical object deep in a well, a new fishing tool, and a new bridge plug element.

Abstract: A stuffing box for a pressurized well where plural cables are attached end to end, and the connector has a larger diameter than either of the cables. The stuffing box structure is a combination that includes a housing for the connector and a packing gland for each of the cables. It has a latching holder that incorporates one of the glands, and a receptacle for holding the latching holder removably therein. The receptacle may be mounted at the well head, and it has the other packing gland removably attached to it. The latching holder has a seal that cooperates with the receptacle when the holder is inside. The whole arrangement permits retaining a pressure seal while moving the connector through the stuffing box in either direction.

Abstract: A sensitive and compact heavy duty torque coupler. It includes elements of a dynamic torque meter. There are deflection elements to permit angular displacement under load, and they include radially situated legs that bend under load. The legs are connected at one end by an axially situated, integrally formed member that twists under load. There are a plurality of the deflection elements forming an annular torque transmitting unit. And, there is a stationary housing for the torque meter.

Abstract: A heavy-duty large-torque deflection unit. It will couple a shaft to a laterally located chain drive. It includes mechanical elements that are used in making dynamic measurement of relative angular displacement at the deflection unit.

Abstract: A system applicable to rotary drilling. It includes a torque meter that measures dynamic torque while drilling. The system averages the time period of individual oscillations in the torque, for a given number of such oscillations. It indicates the length of such average time numerically. Consequently, the probable cause of the oscillations may be inferred.

Abstract: A heavy-duty coupling unit that incorporates a sensitive torque-measuring device. It has a compact arrangement for making a direct longitudinal torque coupling in normal use. And, in addition it provides for alternative lateral chain drive coupling. It is especially adapted for use with a rotary drilling rig.

Abstract: An odometer that employs a pulse generator, the pulses of which correspond to a given increment of linear distance. It has a correction circuit which may be set to either add or subtract a pulse after a predetermined number of pulses have been counted. This corrects the linear distance measured for any cumulated total. Consequently, inaccuracies in the dimension represented by each pulse will be periodically compensated for by the added or deleted pulse.

Abstract: A hook load measuring system for improving the sensitivity of such measurements in deep-well-drilling operations. It employs a transducer actuated by the hook load and an output signal from the transducer that covers the full range of hook-load variation. There is an arrangement for nulling the signal at any given setting, and then for measuring change in a predetermined direction with greatly increased sensitivity.