Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for positioning a tool at a well site. The apparatus includes a first arm rotationally connected to a guide on a column. The apparatus further includes a second arm rotationally connected to the first arm. The second arm is also connected to a tool attachment member at a pivot point, wherein the pivot point is offset from the centerline of the tool. Additionally, the apparatus includes a flexible tension member having one end operatively connected to the guide and another end connected to the tool attachment member at a location closer to the centerline of the tool than the pivot point, wherein the flexible tension member is configured to maintain the tool in a specific orientation around the pivot point during the positioning operation. In a further aspect, a method of positioning a tool at a wellsite is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for persisting software objects. An object may be scanned to identify the members of the object. The members are transformed into an intermediate data structure. The intermediate data structure may be persisted in a single data table. Subsequent objects may be similarly scanned into respective intermediate data structure, and then persisted in the same single data table.

Abstract: A change to a tenant-independent content item identified as a target for changes as part of an update process of a core software platform provided by a multi-tenant system can be registered, and one or more customer tenants of the multi-tenant system can be analyzed to identify tenant-specific content items to which the registered change are relevant. A sequence can be established for processing a modification to the tenant-specific content item resulting from the registered change. The sequence can be based on at least one dependency of the tenant -specific content item on the tenant-independent content item affected by the registered change. Related articles and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A remotely operated joint elevator for use in handling a tubular is provided. The single joint elevator including a housing having an access opening configured to receive the tubular. The single joint elevator further including at least one closure member connected to the housing via a hinge pin. Additionally, the single joint elevator including a power assembly configured to rotate at least one closure member around the hinge pin to selectively open and close the access opening. In another aspect, a method of handling a tubular using a remotely operated joint elevator is provided. In yet a further aspect, a remotely operated joint elevator for use in handling a tubular.

Abstract: A remotely operated joint elevator for use in handling a tubular is provided. The single joint elevator including a housing having an access opening configured to receive the tubular. The single joint elevator further including at least one closure member connected to the housing via a hinge pin. Additionally, the single joint elevator including a power assembly configured to rotate at least one closure member around the hinge pin to selectively open and close the access opening. In another aspect, a method of handling a tubular using a remotely operated joint elevator is provided. In yet a further aspect, a remotely operated joint elevator for use in handling a tubular.

Abstract: An electronic control system comprises a first tubular handling tool, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control actuation of the first tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the sensor that corresponds to an operational characteristic of the first tubular handling tool. The electronic control system functions as an electronic interlock system to prevent mishandling of a tubular. A method of controlling a tubular handling tool comprises measuring an operational characteristic of the tubular handling tool, communicating the operational characteristic to a controller in the form of an electronic signal, and using the controller to control actuation of the tubular handling tool in response to the measured operational characteristic.

Abstract: A change to a tenant-independent content item identified as a target for changes as part of an update process of a core software platform provided by a multi-tenant system can be registered, and one or more customer tenants of the multi-tenant system can be analyzed to identify tenant-specific content items to which the registered change are relevant. A sequence can be established for processing a modification to the tenant-specific content item resulting from the registered change. The sequence can be based on at least one dependency of the tenant-specific content item on the tenant-independent content item affected by the registered change. Related articles and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that permit objects from runtime environments that are incompatible with one another to be co-executed on a computing machine. Depending on which object can service the request, a generic proxy may send the request to the proxy of the particular runtime environment associated with that object. The proxy may call the appropriate methods of the object therein to service the request. Each runtime environment may be isolated from other runtime environments by a container such that catastrophic errors in one runtime environment do not disrupt the execution of objects in another runtime environment. A first object in a first runtime environment may execute methods in a second object in a second runtime environment by invoking a proxy of the second runtime environment to call the methods of the second object.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for positioning a tool at a well site. The apparatus includes a first arm rotationally connected to a guide on a column. The apparatus further includes a second arm rotationally connected to the first arm. The second arm is also connected to a tool attachment member at a pivot point, wherein the pivot point is offset from the centerline of the tool. Additionally, the apparatus includes a flexible tension member having one end operatively connected to the guide and another end connected to the tool attachment member at a location closer to the centerline of the tool than the pivot point, wherein the flexible tension member is configured to maintain the tool in a specific orientation around the pivot point during the positioning operation. In a further aspect, a method of positioning a tool at a wellsite is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of Hepatitis B variants exhibiting a reduced sensitivity to nucleoside analogues both in vivo and in vitro. More in particular, reverse transcriptase mutant rt I233V is provided. Present invention provides assays and methods for detecting such variant, which assays are useful in monitoring anti-viral therapeutic regimes and adjusting patient therapy. A diagnostic kit for detecting the presence of an HBV variant in a biological sample has also been described. Finally, the use of a pharmaceutical composition to cure a subject suffering from a HBV infection, which HBV is resistant to lamuvidine and/or adefovir has been provided, which pharmaceutical composition comprises the nucleoside analogue tenofovir.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for automatically updating individual conditions associated with a pending conditional financial transaction. As the price of a financial instrument varies, a pending conditional financial transaction may be issued to cause the financial instrument to be bought or sold whenever its price satisfies certain specified conditions. In the field of common stock transactions, the disclosed method automatically updates a pending conditional sell order, called a stop loss order, upon the occurrence of several conditions, such as when the current stop loss order has expired, when the current price of one share of the stock has risen a predetermined percentage above the current stop loss value, or when the total value of all of the shares of the stock has increased beyond a predetermined percentage limit. When a stop loss order is updated, a new stop loss value is calculated based upon the current price and a percentage leeway in the price.

Abstract: A remotely operated joint elevator for use in handling a tubular is provided. The single joint elevator including a housing having an access opening configured to receive the tubular. The single joint elevator further including at least one closure member connected to the housing via a hinge pin. Additionally, the single joint elevator including a power assembly configured to rotate at least one closure member around the hinge pin to selectively open and close the access opening. In another aspect, a method of handling a tubular using a remotely operated joint elevator is provided. In yet a further aspect, a remotely operated joint elevator for use in handling a tubular.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that permit objects from runtime environments that are incompatible with one another to be co-executed on a computing machine. Depending on which object can service the request, a generic proxy may send the request to the proxy of the particular runtime environment associated with that object. The proxy may call the appropriate methods of the object therein to service the request. Each runtime environment may be isolated from other runtime environments by a container such that catastrophic errors in one runtime environment do not disrupt the execution of objects in another runtime environment. A first object in a first runtime environment may execute methods in a second object in a second runtime environment by invoking a proxy of the second runtime environment to call the methods of the second object.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a rotary steerable tool includes a drive shaft configured to be coupled to a drill string at an upper end thereof and configured to be coupled to a drilling tool at a lower end thereof. A middle portion of the drive shaft is disposed axially between the upper and lower ends and has a smaller diameter than each of the upper and lower ends. The drive shaft further includes a housing rotatably coupled externally to the drive shaft and at least one housing module coupled to a respective opening in the housing at an axial location corresponding to the middle portion of the drive shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of Hepatitis B variants exhibiting a reduced sensitivity to nucleoside analogues both in vivo and in vitro. More in particular, reverse transcriptase mutant rt I233V is provided. Present invention provides assays and methods for detecting such variant, which assays are useful in monitoring anti-viral therapeutic regimes and adjusting patient therapy. A diagnostic kit for detecting the presence of an HBV variant in a biological sample has also been described. Finally, the use of a farmaceutical composition to cure a subject suffering from a HBV infection, which HBV is resistant to lamuvidine and/or adefovir has been provided, which farmaceutical composition comprises the nucleoside analogue tenofovir.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a system and method for persisting software objects. In an embodiment, objects are scanned with object introspection to identify the members of the object. The members are transformed into an intermediate data structure. The scan and transformation process can be influenced with configurable rules. If the object references another object, then the process is repeated recursively on the other object. Thus, in an embodiment, an entire object closure may be scanned and transformed into the intermediate data structure. The intermediate data structure is persisted in a data store.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for automatically updating individual conditions associated with a pending conditional financial transaction. As the price of a financial instrument varies, a pending conditional financial transaction may be issued to cause the financial instrument to be bought or sold whenever its price satisfies certain specified conditions. In the field of common stock transactions, the disclosed method automatically updates a pending conditional sell order, called a stop loss order, upon the occurrence of several conditions, such as when the current stop loss order has expired, when the current price of one share of the stock has risen a predetermined percentage above the current stop loss value, or when the total value of all of the shares of the stock has increased beyond a predetermined percentage limit. When a stop loss order is updated, a new stop loss value is calculated based upon the current price and a percentage leeway in the price.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for power generation inside a steering tool includes a drive system having a drive shaft disposed within a wall of the steering tool, a rotating shaft rotatably coupled to a non-rotating sleeve of the steering tool, and a spline coupled to the rotating shaft. The spline is operable to indirectly drive the drive shaft by directly coupling to an idler gear of the drive system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a rotary steerable tool includes a drive shaft configured to be coupled to a drill string at an upper end thereof and configured to be coupled to a drilling tool at a lower end thereof. A middle portion of the drive shaft is disposed axially between the upper and lower ends and has a smaller diameter than each of the upper and lower ends. The drive shaft further includes a housing rotatably coupled externally to the drive shaft and at least one housing module coupled to a respective opening in the housing at an axial location corresponding to the middle portion of the drive shaft.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a rotary steerable tool includes a drive shaft having an upper portion configured to be coupled to a drill string and a lower portion configured to be coupled to a drilling tool. The drive shaft has a middle portion disposed between the upper and lower portions, the middle portion having a smaller diameter than each of the upper and lower portions. The tool further includes a housing rotatably coupled externally to the drive shaft at an axial location corresponding to the middle portion of the drive shaft, the housing formed from at least two housing segments configured to be coupled to each other substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing.