Abstract: A valve actuation system comprises a first arm having a first arm contact surface and operatively connected to a valve actuation motion. A second arm having a second arm contact surface is operatively connected to the at least one engine valve. A discrete lost motion device is provided that is controllable between a first, motion conveying state and a second, motion absorbing state. The discrete lost motion devices comprises a plunger contact surface and a housing contact surface. The housing contact surface is configured to engage one of the first or second arm contact surfaces, and the plunger contact surface is configured to engage another of the first and the second arm contact surfaces. The first and second arm contact surfaces, the housing contact surface and the first plunger contact surface are configured to support the discrete lost motion device between the first arm and the second arm.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having vertically-stacked conductive levels alternating with dielectric levels. A layer over the conductive levels includes silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron and phosphorus. In some embodiments the vertically-stacked conductive levels are wordline levels within a NAND memory array. Some embodiments include an integrated structure having vertically-stacked conductive levels alternating with dielectric levels. Vertically-stacked NAND memory cells are along the conductive levels within a memory array region. A staircase region is proximate the memory array region. The staircase region has electrical contacts in one-to-one correspondence with the conductive levels. A layer is over the memory array region and over the staircase region. The layer includes silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron and phosphorus.

Abstract: The staple remover is a device that effectively removes staples, especially staples that have already been partially removed. The device includes top and bottom jaws that are pivotally connected in pliers-like fashion. A conventional spring biases the jaws apart. Each jaw is provided with a toothed or serrated-like inner surface. The outer surface of each jaw is padded to enhance ergonomic dexterity and comfort. An elongate prong extends from the front surface of the bottom jaw.

Abstract: The staple remover is a device that effectively removes staples, especially staples that have already been partially removed. The device includes top and bottom jaws that are pivotally connected in pliers-like fashion. A conventional spring biases the jaws apart. Each jaw is provided with a toothed or serrated-like inner surface. The outer surface of each jaw is padded to enhance ergonomic dexterity and comfort. An elongate prong extends from the front surface of the bottom jaw.

Abstract: Pro-drug forms of linear polyamine-bridged platinum compounds and methods for their production and use are provided. The polyamine-bridge portion of the compounds is based on spermine or spermidine, and the central amines of the polyamine-bridge are chemically bonded to labile blocking groups. The presence of the blocking groups serves to minimize the toxicity of the Pt compounds upon administration. Selective removal of the blocking groups and release of the active, unblocked species occurs upon exposure to suitable environmental conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a method, apparatus, and system for monitoring conditions in wellbore in real time prior to setting an inflatable element in the wellbore. The inflatable element is inflated with an inflation tool run on a cable with one or more electrically conductive wires (the cable is commonly referred to as a “wireline”). One or more sensors, internal or external to the inflation tool, are monitored before setting the inflatable element to verify well conditions are compatible with the inflatable element. The sensors may be internal or external to the inflation tool.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a method, apparatus, and system for monitoring conditions in wellbore in real time prior to setting an inflatable element in the wellbore. The inflatable element is inflated with an inflation tool run on a cable with one or more electrically conductive wires (the cable is commonly referred to as a “wireline”). One or more sensors, internal or external to the inflation tool, are monitored before setting the inflatable element to verify well conditions are compatible with the inflatable element. The sensors may be internal or external to the inflation tool.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims a system for forming an opening, or window, in a downhole tubular for the subsequent formation of a lateral wellbore. In the system of the present invention, an apparatus is run into the parent wellbore which includes at least a tubular having a drill bit, a diverter such as a whipstock releasably connected to the drill bit, an anchoring device such as a packer, and a milling device. This apparatus allows for the milling of a window in the parent wellbore, and the drilling of a lateral wellbore through that window, in a single trip.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a method, apparatus, and system for monitoring conditions in wellbore in real time prior to setting an inflatable element in the wellbore. The inflatable element is inflated with an inflation tool run on a cable with one or more electrically conductive wires (the cable is commonly referred to as a “wireline”). One or more sensors, internal or external to the inflation tool, are monitored before setting the inflatable element to verify well conditions are compatible with the inflatable element. The sensors may be internal or external to the inflation tool.

Abstract: Pro-drug forms of linear polyamine-bridged platinum compounds and methods for their production and use are provided. The polyamine-bridge portion of the compounds is based on spermine or spermidine, and the central amines of the polyamine-bridge are chemically bonded to labile blocking groups. The presence of the blocking groups serves to minimize the toxicity of the Pt compounds upon administration. Selective removal of the blocking groups and release of the active, unblocked species occurs upon exposure to suitable environmental conditions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims a system for forming an opening, or window, in a downhole tubular for the subsequent formation of a lateral wellbore. In the system of the present invention, an apparatus is run into the parent wellbore which includes at least a tubular having a drill bit, a diverter such as a whipstock releasably connected to the drill bit, an anchoring device such as a packer, and a milling device. This apparatus allows for the milling of a window in the parent wellbore, and the drilling of a lateral wellbore through that window, in a single trip.

Abstract: Methods for wellbore operations in an earth wellbore with tubing within casing in an earth wellbore, the wellbore extending down into earth from an earth surface, the tubing including a tubing string with a lower end and extending down within the casing with the lower end at a point above a lower end of the casing, a tubing-casing annulus between the tubing and the casing sealed by a first sealing apparatus, the method including sealing the lower end of the tubing string with a sealing device to prevent fluid flow therethrough, and sealing the tubing casing annulus with a second sealing apparatus above and spaced apart from the first sealing apparatus. In certain aspects the sealing apparatuses provide upper and lower spaced-apart primary barriers. The methods in additional aspects include making an exit opening through the tubing and an exit opening through the casing, each exit opening located between the first sealing apparatus and the second sealing apparatus.

Abstract: A milling system has been invented for milling an opening in a tubular in a tubular string in a wellbore extending down from a surface of the earth, the milling system, in one aspect, has a whipstock connected to an anchor assembly and a mill apparatus releasably connected to the whipstock, the mill apparatus having auto fill apparatus therein. A mill has been invented with a mill body with a top end and a bottom end, a flow bore through the mill body, and an auto fill apparatus in the flow bore. A valve assembly has been invented for selectively controlling fluid flow through a hollow tubular in a string of hollow tubulars in a wellbore extending from a surface of the earth into the earth, the valve assembly in one aspect having positions limited to at rest, circulate, and anchor set positions so that a fluid pressure indicating at the surface indicates only either a pressured up position for anchor setting or a pressured up position for fluid circulation.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for wellbore operations in an earth wellbore with tubing within casing in an earth wellbore, the wellbore extending down into earth from an earth surface, the tubing including a tubing string with a lower end and extending down within the casing with the lower end at a point above a lower end of the casing, a tubing-casing annulus between the tubing and the casing sealed by a first sealing apparatus, the method including sealing the lower end of the tubing string with a sealing device to prevent fluid flow therethrough, and sealing the tubing casing annulus with a second sealing apparatus above and spaced apart from the first sealing apparatus. In certain aspects the sealing apparatuses provide upper and lower spaced-apart primary barriers. The methods in additional aspects include making an exit opening through the tubing and an exit opening through the casing, each exit opening located between the first sealing apparatus and the second sealing apparatus.

Abstract: A new wellbore apparatus has been invented which, in certain aspects, has anchor apparatus for anchoring the wellbore apparatus in a bore, the anchor apparatus actuated by fluid under pressure supplied thereto, and sealing apparatus selectively inflatable to close off the bore to fluid flow therethrough, and temperature compensating apparatus for maintaining a desired fluid pressure in the sealing apparatus to prevent it from bursting or deflating.

Abstract: A milling system has been invented for milling an opening in a tubular in a tubular string in a wellbore extending down from a surface of the earth, the milling system, in one aspect, has a whipstock connected to an anchor assembly and a mill apparatus releasably connected to the whipstock, the mill apparatus having auto fill apparatus therein. A mill has been invented with a mill body with a top end and a bottom end, a flow bore through the mill body, and an auto fill apparatus in the flow bore. A valve assembly has been invented for selectively controlling fluid flow through a hollow tubular in a string of hollow tubulars in a wellbore extending from a surface of the earth into the earth, the valve assembly in one aspect having positions limited to at rest, circulate, and anchor set positions so that a fluid pressure indicating at the surface indicates only either a pressured up position for anchor setting or a pressured up position for fluid circulation.

Abstract: Wellbore liner apparatus has been invented which, in one aspect, includes at least one tubular member for lining at least part of a lateral wellbore extending from a primary wellbore in the earth, at least one coupling bushing connected to the at least one tubular member and disposed in the primary wellbore, the coupling bushing having a bore therethrough from a top to a bottom thereof. In one aspect, the wellbore liner apparatus has two coupling bushings and a first tubular member and a second tubular member, the first tubular member secured to and extending down from the first coupling bushing to the second coupling bushing which is secured thereto, the second tubular member secured to and extending down from the second coupling bushing, with part of the second tubular member lining the lateral wellbore. Such systems are combinable with a wellbore milling system so that communication between the primary wellbore and the interior of the liner may be reestablished.

Abstract: A wellbore motion control apparatus for controlling the motion of a tubular wellbore string (in one aspect with an additional item and/or apparatus connected thereto) in a wellbore extending from a surface down into the earth has been invented which has, in one aspect, a central mandrel connected to the tubular wellbore string, a housing with a hollow interior and fluid therein, at least one fluid passage apparatus disposable in the hollow interior and having a fluid flow channel extending therethrough, and the at least one fluid passage apparatus secured to the central mandrel, the housing surrounding the central mandrel, the at least one fluid passage apparatus disposed for movement in a chamber defined by an inner surface of the housing and an outer surface of the central mandrel, the at least one fluid passage apparatus positioned within the chamber so that fluid therein is flowable therethrough permitting movement of the fluid passage apparatus within the chamber and thereby controlling movement of the m

Abstract: A wellbore motion control apparatus for controlling the motion of a tubular wellbore string in a wellbore extending from a surface down into the earth and methods for using it. Such an apparatus, in one aspect, has a housing with a top end, a bottom end, and a hollow interior having an interior volume with fluid therein. There is at least one fluid passage apparatus having a top end and a bottom end and disposable in the hollow interior of the housing, the at least one fluid passage apparatus having a fluid flow channel extending therethrough from the top end to the bottom end.

Abstract: Wellbore operations (e.g. for milling and/or drilling) are disclosed which require a reduced number of tool trips into a wellbore to create a cut-out pocket, opening, or window in a tubular such as casing in the wellbore; and, in some aspects, to continue into a formation adjacent a main wellbore forming a lateral wellbore in communication with the main wellbore. Preferably one trip is required to complete a window or a window and the lateral wellbore. In one aspect a full gauge tool body is used so that the completed lateral wellbore is of a substantially uniform diameter along its entire length, which, in one aspect is suitable for the passage therethrough of full gauge tools, pipe, devices, and apparatuses. In one aspect a cutting system has cutting apparatus initially covered with a wearable away material which is worn away by contacting a tubular to be milled, exposing the cutting apparatus for milling and/or for drilling formation adjacent the wellbore.