Abstract: A subsurface apparatus in the form a tractor is adapted for travel through a bore containing a moving fluid stream. The tractor comprises a body, a drive arrangement for moving the body in a desired direction, a member mounted on the body and adapted to be driven by the moving fluid, and a conversion arrangement for converting movement of the member to drive for the drive arrangement. The drive arrangement may include a contactless magnetic coupling and a harmonic drive.

Abstract: A method of expanding tubing downhole comprises providing a section of expandable tubing of a first diameter, and axially compressing the tubing to induce buckling, such that the buckled portion describes a larger second diameter. The resulting diametric expansion may be utilised to anchor or seal the tubing within a larger bore. The buckled portion may be used to anchor the tubing within the wellbore prior to expansion of the length of the tubing into the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of expanding tubing comprises locating an expansion tool in a section of tubing to be expanded, applying a fluid pressure to the tubing to create a fluid pressure expansion force and induce a hoop stress in the tubing, and applying a mechanical expansion force to the tubing via the expansion tool. The combined fluid pressure expansion force and mechanical expansion force is selected to be sufficient to induce expansion of the tubing.

Abstract: A method of expanding tubing downhole comprises the steps of: providing tubing (14;44) of a first diameter; running the tubing into a bore (10;40); expanding a first section of the tubing to a second diameter, and expanding a second section of the tubing to a third diameter.

Abstract: A marking device (10) comprises a frame (1) (of frame plates (12, 14)) to which are fixed first and second motors (16, 18). A carriage frame (40) is pivoted in the frame about a screw axis (22). A marking head (30) is mounted on the carriage frame for movement in a direction parallel the screw axis. A drive screw (20) is rotationally mounted in the frame along the screw axis and is driven by the first motor (16). The carriage frame is journalled on said drive screw to permit said pivoting about the screw axis. The marking head is driven by rotation of the screw, the carriage frame being pivoted by the second motor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a memory controller and memory controlling method for controlling transfers to or from a memory device of a type where each transfer comprises a sequence of distinct phases and the actual sequence of distinct phases is dependent on the type of transfer. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the memory device is a NAND flash memory device. The memory controller comprises a memory device interface operable to couple the memory controller with the memory device, a number of programmable timing registers programmable to store timing information appropriate for the memory device whose transfers are to be controlled by the memory controller, and a number of programmable control registers which, prior to each transfer, are programmable to define the actual sequence of distinct phases to be performed for that transfer and one or more control values for that transfer.

Abstract: A traction apparatus (1) for propulsion along a bore comprises first and second traction members (6) having outwardly extending legs (14). A propulsion system for operating the traction members (6) comprises a turbine-driven shaft (7) which drives the traction members (6) by way of bearing members (15). In a first phase, one of the legs of the first traction member is moved in one direction whilst in contact with the traction surface to impart the propulsion force at the same time as one of the legs of the second traction member is moved in opposite direction whilst out of contact. In a second phase one of the legs of the second traction member is moved in said one direction whilst in contact with the traction surface to impart the propulsion force at the same time as one of the legs of the first traction member is moved in opposite direction whilst out of contact.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for shaping pipes, tubes, liners, or casing at downhole locations in wells. Use is made of rollers bearing radially outwards against the inside wall of the pipe (etc.), the rollers being rolled around the pipe to cause outward plastic deformation which expands and shapes the pipe to a desired profile. Where one pipe is inside another, the two pipes can be joined without separate components (except optional seals). Landing nipples and liner hangers can be formed in situ. valves can be deployed to a selected downhole location and there sealed to the casing or liner without separate packers. Casing can be deployed downhole in reduced-diameter lengths and then expanded to case a well without requiring larger diameter bores and casing further uphole. The invention enables simplified downhole working, and enables a well to be drilled & produced with the minimum downhole bore throughout its depth, obviating the need for large bores.

Abstract: A method of installing a liner in a drilled bore below a section of bore previously lined with casing comprises the steps of: running a length of liner into the bore such that at least an upper end of the liner is positioned in overlapping relation with at least a lower end of the casing; and plastically deforming a portion of the liner such that an external face of the portion forms an interference fit with an internal face of a portion of the casing.

Abstract: A method of expanding tubing comprises the steps: providing a length of expandable tubing; locating an expansion tool, such as a cone, in the tubing; and applying impulses to the tool to drive the tool through the tubing and expand the tubing to a larger diameter. The tubing may be located downhole and may have a solid wall or a slotted wall.

Abstract: A method of providing a downhole seal, such as a packer, in a drilled bore between inner tubing and outer tubing comprises: providing an intermediate tubing section defining a seal arrangement for engaging with the inner tubing; and radially plastically deforming the intermediate tubing section downhole to form an annular extension. The extension creates a sealing contact with the outer tubing.

Abstract: A polymeric material containing a halogen-containing polymer such as PVC, an inorganic hydroxide and, an acrylic material is described. The presence of the inorganic hydroxide provides a material of superior weathering resistance as compared to materials comprising halogen-containing polymers which do not contain hydroxide.

Abstract: Apparatus for injecting coiled tubing into a bore comprises a rotatable housing (28, 29) having an axis along which coiled tubing is to be translated. A set of rolling elements (12, 14) is rotatably mounted in the housing (28, 29), each rolling element (24) having a skewed axis of rotation with respect to the housing axis and being arranged for rolling contact with an outside diameter of the coiled tubing. The arrangement is such that rotation of the housing (28, 29) relative to the tubing causes the tubing to be moved axially through the rotating housing.

Abstract: An expandable coupling arrangement for coupling first and second tubulars includes a male thread portion on an end of the first tubular and a female thread portion on an end of the second tubular. The thread portions comprise dovetail threads having flanks, roots and crests, wherein the flanks are inclined at an angle of greater than 10°.

Abstract: A method of coupling first and second tubulars (12,14) comprises providing a first tubular having a first yield strength and a second tubular having a higher second yield strength. A portion of the first tubular is located within and overlapping a portion of the second tubular and the first tubular is expanded sufficient to expand the second tubular, at least the first tubular being expanded beyond its yield point. Following expansion, a degree of elastic contraction of the tubulars is permitted, sufficient to provide interference between the tubulars.

Abstract: A method of lining and drilling a bore (10) comprises the steps: mounting a first section of bore-lining tubing (20) on the lower end portion of a drill string (18); running the drill string and tubing into a bore having an unlined section and an existing tubing lined section; locating the first tubing section (20) in the unlined section: uncoupling the first tubing section (20) from the drill string (18); and drilling the bore beyond the first tubing section.

Abstract: An acrylic material which is flame retardant comprises 4.9 to 94.9% by wt of an acrylic composition, 5-95% by wt of a halogen-containing polymer, especially PVC, and 0.1-25% by wt of an inorganic composition comprising at least one of an oxide, hydroxide, carbonate, borate, stearate, chloride or bromide, zinc, magnesium, molybdenum, antimony, aluminum, tin, copper, manganese, cobalt or iron.

Abstract: A method of anchoring tubing in a bore comprises: providing first tubing having a section with a wall configured to provide outer surface portions describing a diameter less than a first diameter. The tubing is located within a bore comprising a first section having an internal diameter greater than the first diameter and a second section having an internal diameter corresponding to the first diameter, with the tubing section in the first section of the bore. The tubing section is then reconfigured such that the outer surface portions describe a tubing diameter greater than the first diameter. The tubing is then axially translated relative to the bore to locate the tubing section in the second section of the bore such that the outer surface portions are restrained to the first diameter by the bore, and the outer surface portions engage with the bore.

Abstract: A method of anchoring tubing in a bore comprising: providing tubing having a section with outer surface portions defining a tubing profile, and configured to describe an outer diameter less than a first diameter. The tubing is located within a bore having an internal diameter equal to the first diameter and defining a bore profile. The tubing is then reconfigured such that the tubing profile engages with the bore profile, anchoring the tubing within the bore.

Abstract: The low stability of some molecular sieves can be overcome during calcination by a solid state reaction between the molecular sieve and a salt. Molecular sieves including zeolites, metal substituted aluminosilicates, and metallosilicates can be stabilized by this method. The inventive process comprises mixing such molecular sieve with a salt, either directly or as a slurry; and then heating the resulting mixture to remove water, organics and adsorbed species.