Abstract: A steerable soil penetration system having a steerable penetration head, which compacts and does not cut away the surrounding soil and which is connected to an elongate flexible tubing such that the orientation of the penetration head can be varied relative to the tubing. The elongate tubing and/or a downhole hammer or tractor pushes the penetration head through the subsurface formation. Preferably the tubing is surrounded by a narrow annulus so that buckling of the tubing is inhibited and the tubing protects the pierced hole against caving in. Optionally the tubing is circumferentially expanded after completion of the piercing process thereby increasing the width of the pierced hole and providing a permanent hole lining.

Abstract: Apparatus (9) for radially expanding an expandable member, the apparatus including a plurality of radially moveable fingers (22). The radially moveable fingers (22) can move between two positions; in a first position, the moveable fingers (22) are radially extended to a form a cone to facilitate radial expansion of the expandable member; in the second position, one or more of the radially movable fingers (22) can move radially inward so that restrictions in the path of the apparatus can be by-passed.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of expanding tubulars, and particularly tubulars or a string of tubulars that have one or more per orated portions and one or more non-perforated portions. In one embodiment, the apparatus (150) includes an inflatable element (e.g. a packer 152) that has a shaft (156) rotatably coupled thereto so that the shaft (156) can rotate relative to the inflatable element (152). An expansion cone (158) is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion (156t) of the shaft (156) so that it moves along the threaded portion (156t) upon rotation of the shaft (156) relative to the cone (158).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for anchoring a first conduit (10) to a second conduit (12). The first conduit (10) is typically an expandable conduit whereby a portion of the first conduit is expanded by applying a radial force thereto to provide an anchor and/or seal between the first (10) and second (12) conduits. An inflatable device (14) is provided that can be used to provide a temporary anchor whilst the first (expandable) conduit (10) is radially expanded. An expander device (16) that is capable of applying a radial expansion force to the first conduit (10) is optionally attached to the inflatable device (14).

Abstract: Apparatus (9) for radially expanding an expandable member, the apparatus including a plurality of radially moveable fingers (22). The radially moveable fingers (22) can move between two positions; in a first position, the moveable fingers (22) are radially extended to a form a cone to facilitate radial expansion of the expandable member; in the second position, one or more of the radially movable fingers (22) can move radially inward so that restrictions in the path of the apparatus can be by-passed.

Abstract: A steerable soil penetration system having a steerable penetration head, which compacts and does not cut away the surrounding soil and which is connected to an elongate flexible tubing such that the orientation of the penetration head can be varied relative to the tubing. The elongate tubing and/or a downhole hammer or tractor pushes the penetration head through the subsurface formation. Preferably the tubing is surrounded by a narrow annulus so that buckling of the tubing is inhibited and the tubing protects the pierced hole against caving in.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for anchoring a first conduit (10) to a second conduit (12). The first conduit (10) is typically an expandable conduit whereby a portion of the first conduit is expanded by applying a radial force thereto to provide an anchor and/or seal between the first (10) and second (12) conduits. An inflatable device (14) is provided that can be used to provide a temporary anchor whilst the first (expandable) conduit (10) is radially expanded. An expander device (16) that is capable of applying a radial expansion force to the first conduit (10) is optionally attached to the inflatable device (14).

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of expanding tubulars, and particularly tubulars or a string of tubulars that have one or more per orated portions and one or more non-perforated portions. In one embodiment, the apparatus (150) includes an inflatable element (e.g. a packer 152) that has a shaft (156) rotatably coupled thereto so that the shaft (156) can rotate relative to the inflatable element (152). An expansion cone (158) is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion (156t) of the shaft (156) so that it moves along the threaded portion (156t) upon rotation of the shaft (156) relative to the cone (158).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for anchoring a first conduit to a second conduit. The first conduit is typically an expandable conduit whereby at portion of the first conduit is expanded by applying a radial force thereto to provide an anchor and/or seal between the first and second conduits. An inflatable device is provided that can be used to provide a temporary anchor while the first (expandable) conduit is radially expanded. An expander device that is capable of applying a radial expansion force to the first conduit is optionally attached to the inflatable device.

Abstract: A method of interconnecting a pair of metal oilfield tubulars having complementary tapered edges with a common contact surface when the tubulars are interconnected, is provided. The method consist of having a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the tubulars, interconnecting the tubulars whereby the think layer of metal is in between the tubulars, applying heat to the thin layer of metal so as to melt the thin layer of metal, and cooling the tapered edges whereby a metallurgical bond is created between the tubulars.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and a method of anchoring an expandable conduit. A formation is provided on an outer surface of the conduit, the formation comprising a number of bands of a friction and/or sealing material. When the expandable conduit is radially expanded, the friction and/or sealing material engages a second conduit in which the expandable conduit is located. The engagement of the friction and/or sealing material provides an anchor for the expandable conduit.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and a method of anchoring an expandable conduit. A formation is provided on an outer surface of the conduit, the formation comprising a number of bands of a friction and/or sealing material. When the expandable conduit is radially expanded, the friction and/or sealing material engages a second conduit in which the expandable conduit is located. The engagement of the friction and/or sealing material provides an anchor for the expandable conduit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to portions of casing that are inserted into a wellbore. The casing portions are provided with a protected portion in which a friction and/or sealing material can be located. In certain embodiments, the protected portion is provided by first and second annular shoulders that are spaced-apart axially along the length of the casing. The friction and/or sealing material is typically located on an outer surface of the casing between the annular shoulders. There is also provided a casing portion that has annular shoulders provided at either end of the casing portion, with means to connect successive casing portions located on these shoulders. The casing portion in this embodiment is provided with a friction and/or sealing material in a recessed portion of the casing portion.

Abstract: A method of interconnecting a pair of metal oilfield tubulars having complementary tapered edges (3, 6) with a common contact surface when the tubulars are interconnected, is provided. The method comprises providing the tapered edge of at least one of the tubulars at the common contact surface thereof with a thin layer of a metal having a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the tubulars, interconnecting the tubulars whereby the thin layer of metal is in between the tubulars, applying heat to the thin layer of metal so as to melt the thin layer of metal, and cooling the tapered edges whereby a metallurgical bond is created between the tubulars.

Abstract: A downhole tool for providing a thrust force to an elongate body extending in a borehole formed in an earth formation is provided. The tool comprises at least one rotatable body provided with a plurality of rollers, each roller being expandable against the borehole wall at a selected contact force between the roller and the borehole wall. The rollers are oriented when expanded against the borehole wall so as to roll along a helical path on the borehole wall, and a motor is provided to rotate each rotatable body. The tool further comprises a device to measure the thrust force provided by the tool and a control system to control the thrust force provided by the tool by regulating the rotative torque of the rotatable body, in response to the measured thrust force.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting outflow of fluid from an offshore wellbore to a surrounding earth formation or inflow of fluid from the formation of the wellbore. The wellbore is in fluid communication with a conduit extending between the wellbore and an offshore structure floating above the wellbore, which wellbore and conduit are at least partly filled with a body of fluid. Liquid is injected into the body of fluid at a first predetermined flowrate, and liquid is discharged from the body of fluid at a second predetermined flowrate. A variation of the content of the body of fluid is then determined.