Abstract: A casing valve including a tool housing defining an internal channel from a wellbore annulus. A valve allows selective communication between the internal channel and the wellbore annulus, where the valve has a sliding sleeve positioned externally to the tool housing. A first piston surface for opening the valve and a second piston surface for closing the valve are attached to the sleeve and a fluid supply valve directs fluid to the first and second piston surface. An electronic controller operates the fluid control valve to direct the fluid to the first and second control valve.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stimulating oil or gas wells using material cemented outside the casing. Reaction agents, usually comprising oxygen-rich material and a coil of high order explosive, are positioned around the outside of the well casing at a desired level in a carrier and reacted later. The stimulation operation is initiated by firing a shaped charge into the high order explosive material. The combination of the explosive force of the high order explosive and burning of the oxygen-rich material fractures and cleans the formation adjacent to the well casing. The reaction agents may be provided in a sleeve supported on the casing joint at the time it is inserted into the well. In another embodiment, all components would be cemented externally to the casing and reacted remotely by a coded signal.

Abstract: Recovery and conversion of geothermal energy from geologically stable, hot, dry rock is disclosed. Deep boreholes are drilled to form a system of feed and return conduits in the non-porous formation. Fluid is passed through the conduits where heat energy is transferred to the moving fluid. The return conduit brings the hot fluid to an energy conversion station located underground where the thermal energy is converted into electrical energy. Power from the generator and warm water are supplied to the community for use. To form the deep boreholes, a series of large diameter boreholes is drilled, and the rig is moved down at intervals until the environment becomes intolerable. At that depth, a final borehole is drilled to reach the optimum temperature level. The system of this invention taps an unlimited source of energy in this country and accomplishes this in a manner that is both cost efficient and environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stimulating producing strata in oil or gas wells. The formation is penetrated using existing shaped charges, and an oxygen-rich material then is introduced into the producing formation. Thus, oxygen is available within the formation to sustain an explosive reaction with the existing formation hydrocarbons acting as fuel. This explosive reaction will cause fracturing of the formation and will counteract plugging that often results from the use of conventional shaped charges. In one embodiment, a container encloses shaped charges surrounded by oxygen-rich material. The shaped charges are ignited first, perforating the well casing and any surrounding cement. Additional explosive charges at each end of the container then are ignited. This forces the oxygen-rich material into the perforation tunnels. Alternately, the oxygen can be a part of the shaped charge and projected into the formation with the shaped charge to accomplish the same results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stimulating producing strata in oil or gas wells. The formation is penetrated using shaped charges, and an oxygen-rich material then is introduced into the producing formation. Thus, oxygen is available within the formation to sustain an explosive reaction with the existing formation hydrocarbons acting as fuel. This explosive reaction will cause fracturing of the formation and will counteract plugging that often results from the use of conventional shaped charges. In one embodiment, a container encloses shaped charges surrounded by oxygen-rich material. Alternately, the oxygen can be a part of the shaped charge and projected into the formation with the shaped charge to accomplish the same results. Still further, oxygen-rich material can be pumped into the well in bulk in a liquid or paste form.

Abstract: A method and mold assembly for forming concrete or another moldable composition. A plurality of elongate elements, such as PVC pipes, are stacked in rows in gravity-stable arrangement to form a contour, such as an arch. The radius of the arch may be controlled by arranging the pipes as desired. Particulate matter, such as sand, may be used between the stacked pipes. Also, an anchor assembly can be used to secure one or more of the pipes to the earth. After the pipes are stacked and a bed of sand has been placed thereon, a waterproof cover is laid over the top of the stack, and layer of concrete is spread. After the concrete is set, the pipes, the cover and the anchor assemblies are removed. The removal will be expedited by washing the sand from the stack. Once removed, the pipes and anchors can be reused indefinitely.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for perforating, testing, squeezing and/or stimulating an oil or gas well, or other tubular structure. The apparatus preferably is suspended from an elongate conduit, such as a drill string or tubing. The apparatus is secured in position by a retractable back-up plate, and then a piercing member perforates the casing. A first valve controls the flow of fluid from a high-pressure accumulator to drive the various pistons in the apparatus. A second valve directs fluid from the elongate conduit either to exit through the perforation or to exit the housing and return up the conduit. Axial movement of the elongate conduit controls both valves in the apparatus. Upon completion of the operation, the piercing member is advanced to plug the perforation, the back-up plate is retracted, and the apparatus is removed.

Abstract: A method and mold assembly for forming concrete or another moldable composition. A plurality of elongate elements, such as PVC pipes, are stacked in rows in gravity-stable arrangement to form a contour, such as an arch. The radius of the arch may be controlled by arranging the pipes as desired. Particulate matter, such as sand, may be used between the stacked pipes. Also, an anchor assembly can be used to secure one or more of the pipes to the earth. After the pipes are stacked and a bed of sand has been placed thereon, a waterproof cover is laid over the top of the stack, and layer of concrete is spread. After the concrete is set, the pipes, the cover and the anchor assemblies are removed. The removal will be expedited by washing the sand from the stack. Once removed, the pipes and anchors can be reused indefinitely.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forcing drainage devices through the sidewall of a borehole and into the formation to increase oil and gas recovery from the formation. The object usually comprises a plurality of drainage devices, which may be a plurality of nesting discs perforated to provide a passageway for recovery fluid. The discs and drainage device are forced non-drillingly through the side wall and into the formation. The apparatus and method also may be used with interconnected links instead of discs to push a core sampler into the formation and retrieve it. The housing includes a guide channel that is usually an angled passageway or tube. The discs or links are sized to be received in the guide. The apparatus includes a propulsion assembly that impacts the discs or links that act as an anvil assembly. Alternatively, the apparatus takes the form of a pre-loaded casing section, that is, a casing section in which a plurality of drainage devices have been incorporated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forcing drainage devices through the sidewall of a borehole and into the formation to increase oil and gas recovery from the formation. The object usually comprises a plurality of drainage devices, which may be a plurality of nesting discs perforated to provide a passageway for recovery fluid. The discs and drainage device are forced non-drillingly through the side wall and into the formation. The apparatus and method also may be used with interconnected links instead of discs to push a core sampler into the formation and retrieve it. The housing includes a guide channel that is usually an angled passageway or tube. The discs or links are sized to be received in the guide. The apparatus includes a propulsion assembly that impacts the discs or links that act as an anvil assembly. Alternatively, the apparatus takes the form of a pre-loaded casing section, that is, a casing section in which a plurality of drainage devices have been incorporated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forcing drainage devices through the sidewall of a borehole and into the formation to increase oil and gas recovery from the formation. The object usually comprises a plurality of drainage devices, which may be a plurality of nesting discs perforated to provide a passageway for recovery fluid. The discs and drainage device are forced non-drillingly through the side wall and into the formation. The apparatus and method also may be used with interconnected links instead of discs to push a core sampler into the formation and retrieve it. The housing includes a guide channel that is usually an angled passageway or tube. The discs or links are sized to be received in the guide. The apparatus includes a propulsion assembly that impacts the discs or links that act as an anvil assembly. Alternatively, the apparatus takes the form of a pre-loaded casing section, that is, a casing section in which a plurality of drainage devices have been incorporated.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning dirt/oil/water mixtures that utilizes a rotating drum wherein the inner cylindrical wall of the drum includes a plurality of V-shaped troughs secured in continuous circumferential array with each vee or apex directed radially outward and secured to the inner drum wall. Canted baffle plates of triangular shape are then secured within each trough with triangle base secured at the vee open top and the triangle apex secured at the vee apex. Input dirty oil having water and dirt suspended is input at one end of the drum proximate the base ends of the baffle plates while lighter weight oil products are separated inward along the axis of the drum and heavy dirt and water materials are driven to the baffle apex points from which they may be extracted.