Abstract: Starch-based extruded food products and methods for manufacturing starch-based extruded food products, such as snacks, are disclosed. For example, a starch-based dough may be extruded, cut, and cooked to form a starch-based extruded food product with a rigid extruded body. The cooking process may include baking and/or frying the cut extrusion. The rigid extruded body of the starch-based extruded food product is made up of bodies or segments coupled at joints. The rigid extruded bodies are configured such that bodies of the rigid extruded body may be broken off or separated at the joints to be consumed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for establishing electrical communication between an instrument subsection disposed below a mud motor and an electronics sonde disposed above the mud motor in a drill string conveyed borehole logging system. Electrical communication is established via at least one conductor disposed within the mud motor and connecting the instrument sub section to a link disposed between the mud motor and the electronics sonde. The link can be embodied as a current coupling link, a magnetic coupling link, an electromagnetic telemetry link and a direct electrical contact link. Two way data transfer is established in all link embodiments. Power transfer is also established in all but the electromagnetic telemetry link.

Abstract: This invention relates to a steering assembly and to a steering component, suitable for use in drilling operations for oil and gas. The steering assembly comprises a downhole motor which can rotate the drill bit, and a steering component. The steering component has a shaft and a set of elements for engaging the borehole in use. The shaft has a longitudinal axis. The set of elements has a centreline and is movable relative to the shaft between a first position in which the centreline is offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft by a first distance, and a second position in which the centreline is offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft by a second distance. In use in drilling operations, movement of the set of elements from the first position to the second position alters the degree of curvature of the drilled hole.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for establishing electrical communication between an instrument subsection disposed below a mud motor and an electronics sonde disposed above the mud motor in a drill string conveyed borehole logging system. Electrical communication is established via at least one conductor disposed within the mud motor and connecting the instrument sub section to a link disposed between the mud motor and the electronics sonde. The link can be embodied as a current coupling link, a magnetic coupling ling, an electromagnetic telemetry ling and a direct electrical contact link. Two way data transfer is established in all link embodiments. Power transfer is also established in all but the electromagnetic telemetry link.

Abstract: This invention relates to a steerable drill bit arrangement, in particular for the use in drilling boreholes for oil and gas extraction. There is provided a steerable drill bit arrangement in which the drill bit (20) is connected to a drill string (16) including a steering component (12) and a stabiliser (14), the stabiliser (14) being located between the steering component (12) and the drill bit (20), the steering component (12) being adapted to move the drill string (16) transversely relative to a borehole in which it is located, the stabiliser (14) having an inner part (32) adapted to rotate with the drill string (16) and an outer part (34) adapted to engage the borehole wall, the outer part (34) being rotatable relative to the inner part so that the outer part (34) can remain substantially stationary as the remainder of the stabiliser (14) rotates with the drill string (16).