Abstract: A method of removing cuttings includes the steps of disposing a pipe string in a high-angle wellbore, circulating mud through the wellbore and creating a viscous coupling layer of mud spiraling about a section of the pipe string. Wherein the wellbore may be deviated from vertical thirty degrees or greater. The viscous coupling layer desirably extends outwardly beyond the outside diameter of the tooljoint upsets in the section of the pipe string. A pipe joint for creating a viscous coupling layer of drilling fluid spiraling about the pipe to remove cuttings from high angle wells includes an elongated tubular having an outer surface extending between opposing tooljoints, tooljoint upsets and projections provided on substantially the entire outer surface.

Abstract: A portable unit includes a body having a bottom panel, a wall extending upward from the bottom panel and surrounding at least a portion of the bottom panel to define an interior area; a lid moveably connected with the body, the lid moveable between an open position and a closed position; and a video monitor connected with the lid, the video monitor moveable between an open and a closed position. In the closed position the video monitor may be oriented substantially parallel to the lid. The video monitor may be connected to one or more electronic devices for providing live broadcast or recorded video.

Abstract: A ported float shoe (5) and a landing collar (16) are attached at a first end of a portion of a casing string (4) and a sliding air trapping insert (20) is attached at the other end. The air trapping insert (20) includes a fluid flow passageway (24) blocked by a plug (22) attached by shear pins to the insert (20) or the air trapping insert is an inflatable insert (55) having a conduit (60) providing a fluid passageway to the first end. The air trapping insert and float shoe form an air cavity (12a or 12b) within the string portion (4). The air cavity provides buoyant forces during running, cementing or other casing operations within a borehole (2), reducing running drag and the related chance of a differentially stuck casing (4). It also allows reciprocation and rotation during cementing and avoids separate removal steps.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting and release system for run in and cementing of a work string and tubular within a borehole has a small diameter pipe string extending from a release tool through a packer to within the tubular. The system forms at least one annulus between the pipe string and tubular. The pipe string includes a ported nipple and a seat subassembly downstream of the ported nipple. The pipe string allows the packer to anchor the tubular, by being inflated through the port even when the seat is blocked. The pipe string also forms a flotation annulus which is sealed by, and the pipe string is supported by, a drag/seal subassembly downstream of the seat assembly. The system also includes a safety release tool for reliable uncoupling. Uncoupling is accomplished after run in, displacing a cement slurry slug separated by a plug or dart using a following pump down fluid which can land on the seat and block further flow and displacement of cement slurry, and anchoring.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting and release tool has a shear out setting assembly attached to a string coupling member. Upon reaching a predetermined hydraulic pressure, a piston of the tool shears restraining shear pins and moves in a body of the tool to release dogs that engage the coupling member. When used in running in a liner, the coupling member is a running head that rotates the liner during running in and cementing. When used as a drill string release tool, the coupling member is a release sub, the tool being placed serially with other string components. If the drill string gets stuck, it is separated by merely increasing the hydraulic pressure sufficiently to shear the pins and allow the piston to move and the dogs to retract to separate the release sub from the shear out assembly.

Abstract: A ported float shoe (5) and a landing collar (16) are attached at a first end of a portion of a casing string (4) and a sliding air trapping insert (20) is attached at the other end. The air trapping insert (20) includes a fluid flow passageway (24) blocked by a plug (22) attached by shear pins to the insert (20) or the air trapping insert is an inflatable insert (55) having a conduit (60) providing a fluid passageway to the first end. The air trapping insert and float shoe form an air cavity (12a or 12b) within the string portion (4). The air cavity provides buoyant forces during running, cementing or other casing operations within a borehole (2), reducing running drag and the related chance of a differentially stuck casing (4). It also allows reciprocation and rotation during cementing and avoids separate removal steps.

Abstract: An oil tool release joint with a top sub that has a pin end which inserts into an opening in a bottom sub provides an alternative remote tool for separating pipe string segments after rotation. The subs are held together by shear pins which are wedged through holes in the bottom sub into recesses in the top sub. The bottom sub has uphole extending splines that engage slots in the top sub when the subs are connected. The splines and slots translate rotational motion from one sub to the other. The joint releases upon the application of a force sufficient to shear the shear pins either by hydraulic pressure in the drill string, an upward pull on the top sub or both. A guide ring encircles the uphole ends of the splines to guide material into the bottom sub when the joint is separated.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting and release tool has a shear out setting assembly attached to a string coupling member. Upon reaching a predetermined hydraulic pressure, a piston of the tool shears restraining shear pins and moves in a body of the tool to release dogs that engage the coupling member. When the dogs release, springs retract the dogs from engagement in sockets of the coupling member and the shear out setting assembly separates from the coupling member. When used in running in a liner, the coupling member is a running head that rotates the liner during running in and cementing. When used as a drill string release tool, the coupling member is a release sub, the tool being placed serially with other string components. If the drill string gets stuck, it is separated by merely increasing the hydraulic pressure sufficiently to shear the pins and allow the piston to move and the dogs to retract to separate the release sub from the shear out assembly.