Abstract: A blast joint resistant to erosion including an inner pipe joint having a substantially smooth outer surface and an upper end and a lower end. A cylindrical lower assembly having an exterior surface suitable for gripping with power tongs is mounted on the lower end of the inner pipe joint with a torque transfer assembly for transferring torque from the lower assembly to the smooth outer surface of the inner pipe joint. A cylindrical upper assembly having an exterior surface suitable for gripping with power tongs is mounted on the upper end of the inner pipe joint. A plurality of erosion resistant rings are concentrically mounted on the inner pipe joint in a vertically continuous arrangement from a point near the lower end to a point near the upper end of the inner pipe joint without a vertical gap between the rings. A hydrostatic piston and cylinder loader provides a vertical load on the plurality of rings to prevent separations between the rings.

Abstract: A durable blast joint using a protective sheath of erosion resistant rings arranged in overlapping stacks so as to provide a vertically continuous protective sheath for the full length of the blast joint. The blast joint provides durable structural surfaces suitable for gripping with power tools and has a pressure operated hydrostatic driver for maintaining a tight fit between a continuous series of erosion resistant rings. The blast joint is also adaptable to be installed in a pressurized well, using a snubber unit.

Abstract: A blast joint and related handling apparatus and method for installing the blast joint in a pressurized well, using a snubber unit. The blast joint has a pressure rated protective jacket, a pressure operated ring load compensator, and an adjustable tubing anchor.

Abstract: A durable blast joint using a protective sheath of erosion resistant rings arranged in overlapping stacks so as to provide a vertically continuous protective sheath for the full length of the blast joint, while also providing durable structural surfaces suitable for gripping with power tools.

Abstract: A multi-joint blast joint comprising a series of standard length joints of production tubing is disclosed. The blast joint includes a series of cylindrical rings composed of an abrasion resistant material mounted about the tubular tubing joints forming a protective shield about the production tubing. A movable sleeve formed of cylindrical abrasion resistant rings is selectively shiftable to enclose and shield the tubing connection assemblies joining the production tubing forming the blast joint. A slip sleeve is mounted about the blast joint providing a pipe slip engaging surface for suspending the blast joint in the well bore. The production tubing and abrasion resistant rings form a blast joint whose length exceeds the standard length of a single joint of production tubing.

Abstract: A measuring while drilling tool is disclosed. The preferred embodiment incorporates an outer tubular member adapted to be connected in a drill string above the drill bit. The apparatus utilizes a mud pulser sub extending through the hollow tubular member and anchored in the drill string. The apparatus includes a sensor module and a battery module operatively connected to form a single tool. The apparatus utilizes mud flow pressure in the drill string to move a mud pulser sub through constriction rings for creating a sequence of mud pulses detectable by surface located receiving means.

Abstract: A blast joint comprising a series of standard length joints of production tubing is disclosed. The blast joint includes a series of cylindrical rings composed of an abrasion resistant material mounted about the tubular tubing joints forming a protective shield about the production tubing. A movable sleeve formed of cylindrical abrasion resistant rings is selectively shiftable to enclose and shield the tubing connection assemblies joining the production tubing forming the blast joint. The production tubing and abrasion resistant rings form a blast joint whose length exceeds the standard length of a single joint of production tubing.

Abstract: A blast joint comprising a series of standard length joints of production tubing is disclosed. The blast joint includes a series of cylindrical rings composed of an abrasion resistant material mounted about the tubular tubing joints forming a protective shield about the production tubing. A movable sleeve formed of cylindrical abrasion resistant rings is selectively shiftable to enclose and shield the tubing connection assemblies joining the production tubing forming the blast joint. The production tubing and abrasion resistant rings form a blast joint whose length exceeds the standard length of a single joint of production tubing.

Abstract: In the preferred and illustrated embodiment of the present apparatus, a drilling orientation tool is disclosed utilizing a mud pressure charging system where the pressure charge is converted into hydraulic oil pressure. The hydraulic oil flow is supplied to a four-way, three-position, solenoid operated valve having a closed center position, the valve forming a control signal delivered to an adjustable constriction in the mud flow path through the tool. Variables are encoded dependent on opening and closing of the constriction. Consecutive variables are transmitted in the form of fine and coarse measures. The electrically operated solenoid valve thus encodes two or more variables for transmission to the surface by detecting mud pressure variations in the mud flow line at the surface.

Abstract: Mud choke apparatus is disclosed, and the preferred embodiment has the form of a hollow, tubular body receiving a mud flow introduced from a lateral port, the flow being directed through an axial passage and past a valve seat. The valve seat is a replaceable, hardened metal liner and is formed with a gradual taper so that the mud flows from the large end through the tapered, smaller end. Thereafter, it flows out of the body through an axial opening. The flow of mud is throttled by a tapered, hardened plug serving as a valve element which is received into the valve seat. A hydraulic cylinder and piston with a connecting rod move the plug. The plug has a surrounding, perpendicular shoulder which seals and seats against a shoulder on the insert to fully close the throttling valve apparatus. Flow is choked by inserting the tapered plug with controlled clearance into the tapered valve seat.

Abstract: In the preferred and illustrated embodiment of the present apparatus, a drilling orientation tool is disclosed utilizing a mud pressure charging system where the pressure charge is converted into hydraulic oil pressure. The hydraulic oil flows is supplied to a four-way, three-position, solenoid operated valve having a closed center position, the valve forming a control signal delivered to an adjustable constriction in the mud flow path through the tool. Variables are encoded dependent on opening and closing of the constriction. Consecutive variables are transmitted in the form of fine and coarse measures. The electrically operated solenoid valve thus encodes two or more variables for transmission to the surface by detecting mud pressure variations in the mud flow line at the surface.

Abstract: Mud choke apparatus is disclosed, and the preferred embodiment has the form of a hollow, tubular body receiving a mud flow introduced from a lateral port, the flow being directed through an axial passage and past a valve seat. The valve seat is a replaceable, hardened metal liner and is formed with a gradual taper so that the mud flows from the large end through the tapered, smaller end. Thereafter, it flows out of the body through an axial opening. The flow of mud is throttled by a tapered, hardened plug serving as a valve element which is received into the valve seat. A hydraulic cylinder and piston with a connecting rod move the plug. The plug has a surrounding, perpendicular shoulder which seals and seats against a shoulder on the insert to fully close the throttling valve apparatus. Flow is choked by inserting the tapered plug with controlled clearance into the tapered valve seat.

Abstract: A pressure pulse detection apparatus is disclosed which is adapted to receive small signals from downhole measuring while drilling apparatus which signals are propogated as pressure pulses traveling upstream in a column of drilling mud, which signals are obscured by mud pump pressure and velocity variations traveling downstream and which are significantly larger. The preferred embodiment incorporates a transient pressure transducer and an ultrasonic fluid velocity detector, the two forming output signals which are conditioned, amplified and offset against one another. They cancel (when properly calibrated) so that pressure and velocity variations from the mud pump upstream are nulled to zero. They reinforce so that pressure and velocity variations from the downhole signal generator are enhanced, thereby forming an output signal of downhole variations of interest.

Abstract: This apparatus disclosed in its preferred form is a choke for controlling the flow of drilling mud which is highly abrasive. The abrasive drilling mud is introduced through a lateral port and an elongate, tubular body. In the tubular body, a fluid actuated, double acting piston is forced to a choke control position. The piston has appended to it a centralized, tubular extension which receives a sleeve of wear resistant material. The sleeve is positioned in a circular chamber communicated to the lateral port where the drilling mud is introduced. It travels toward a seat downstream of the body. The seat is formed of hardened material. The downstream outlet of the body is additionally lined with a wear resistant sleeve. An alternate embodiment is also disclosed. A hydraulic control system for operation of the choke is also disclosed.

Abstract: A measuring while drilling tool is disclosed. The preferred embodiment incorporates an outer shell which is connected in a drill string above the drill bit and among the drill collars. The apparatus utilizes mud pressure variations to pump oil with a piston to energize a closed hydraulic circuit. The oil is delivered via a distribution and manifold system to first fill and scan five hydraulic signals sequentially. The sequential scan of the five hydraulic signals is then conveyed to an output mechanism comprising a choke which is placed in the lower end of the tool which choke varies the mud throughput, thereby varying upstream pressure in the mud circuit, forming an output which can be detected at the surface.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for use in a measuring while drilling apparatus which forms a pressure pulse promulgated from a downhole location upwardly through the drill string and column of mud therein. This apparatus includes a mud line section adapted to flow drilling mud in the mud flow line through an axial passage therein. The apparatus includes an encircling bladder which receives hydraulic oil under pressure to inflate to choke the passage. A Pitot tube is focused downstream and thus does not intercept the mud flow from the pump and the noise which is created by pump operation. Mud pressure variations directed upstream from the measuring while drilling apparatus, however, are directed into the Pitot tube. These pressure variations are coupled to a pressure signal transducer which forms an output signal of some type which is recorded. Pump noise is nulled to a minimum.

Abstract: This apparatus disclosed in its preferred form is a choke for controlling the flow of drilling mud which is highly abrasive. The abrasive drilling mud is introduced through a lateral port and an elongate tubular body. In the tubular body, a fluid actuated, double acting piston is forced to a choke control position. The piston has appended to it a centralized tubular extension which receives a sleeve of wear resistant material. The sleeve is positioned in a circular chamber communicated to the lateral port where the drilling mud is introduced. It travels toward a seat downstream of the body. The seat is formed of hardened material. The downstream outlet of the body is additionally lined with a wear resistent sleeve.

Abstract: Measuring and transmitting apparatus is the subject matter of the preferred embodiment which comprises an elongate tubular member functioning as a drill collar and adapted to be placed in a drill string. The apparatus utilizes a mud driven motor, while the mud flows therethrough functioning as a drill collar and out the bottom. The motor creates electric power which is used to operate selected transducers. The transducers form measurements which are encoded. The encoding portion of the equipment utilizes an oil reservoir, a mud driven pump, a valve which dumps the oil back to the reservoir if there is no signal and which otherwise delivers it to a two-position, four-way spool valve which drives a modulated signal generator. The signal generator modulates the back pressure in the mud flow by restricting the mud flow, thereby forming a signal which is sensed in the mud flow path.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus for use in inspecting drill pipe or like tubular members being tripped into and out of a well borehole comprises one or more planarly arranged set of ultrasonic search units, such as wheel search units, arranged on a frame suspendible within the well derrick and defining a vertical passage for the tubular member. Access is provided to the passage by the tubular member from a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, for example, by providing an openable hinged frame. When in the passage, the pipe is stabilized by wheels exerting a force on the pipe in excess of that exerted by the search units which are biased into sonically coupled contact with the pipe. A linkage on each search unit preserves the angular relation between an electro-acoustical transducer within the search unit and the pipe surface. A method of inspecting tubular goods on the floor of a drilling rig during a tripping operation is also provided.