Abstract: A tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore. The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off. The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run in in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition.

Abstract: A tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore. The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off. The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run in in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition.

Abstract: A tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run-m in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition A sliding sleeve in a tubular has a driver selected to be acted upon by an inner bore conveyed actuating device, the driver drives the generation of a ball stop on the sleeve.

Abstract: A tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run-m in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition A sliding sleeve in a tubular has a driver selected to be acted upon by an inner bore conveyed actuating device, the driver drives the generation of a ball stop on the sleeve.

Abstract: A slip ring assembly including a slip ring and an electrical contact assembly. The slip ring defines a circumference and an electrical contact groove extending around the circumference of the slip ring. The electrical contact assembly preferably includes a plurality of electrical contacts spaced around the circumference of the slip ring for engaging the electrical contact groove. In addition, an urging mechanism is preferably associated with each of the electrical contacts for urging the electrical contacts toward engagement with the electrical contact groove. Finally, a wiper is preferably associated with each of the electrical contacts for extending within the electrical contact groove to inhibit a fluid from passing through the electrical contact groove.

Abstract: A variable gauge drilling apparatus and a method for assembling a variable gauge drilling apparatus for insertion in a subject borehole. The variable gauge drilling apparatus includes: an apparatus housing having a housing size which is suitable for insertion in a subject borehole which has a subject borehole size within a design range of borehole sizes; a plurality of interchangeable borehole engaging devices having different device sizes for mounting on the apparatus housing to provide the drilling apparatus with a drilling apparatus size within a range of drilling apparatus sizes, wherein the range of drilling apparatus sizes is compatible for use of the drilling apparatus within the design range of borehole sizes; and a universal borehole engaging device mount located on the apparatus housing, wherein the mount is configured to accept for mounting any one of the plurality of interchangeable borehole engaging devices.

Abstract: An instrument insert for a tool of the type comprising an inner member extending within an outer member, the inner and outer members being capable of relative longitudinal movement. The insert includes a first insert portion comprising a first instrument component of an instrument, a second insert portion comprising a second instrument component of the instrument and a coupling mechanism for connecting the first and second insert portions and for maintaining the first and second insert portions in a fixed relative longitudinal position. Further, the first and second insert portions are each adapted to be connected with one of the inner and outer members and the insert is adapted for mounting within the tool at a radial position between the inner and outer members such that the insert is capable of longitudinal movement relative to at least one of the inner and outer members.

Abstract: An instrument insert for a tool of the type comprising an inner member extending within an outer member, the inner and outer members being capable of relative longitudinal movement. The insert includes a first insert portion comprising a first instrument component of an instrument, a second insert portion comprising a second instrument component of the instrument and a coupling mechanism for connecting the first and second insert portions and for maintaining the first and second insert portions in a fixed relative longitudinal position. Further, the first and second insert portions are each adapted to be connected with one of the inner and outer members and the insert is adapted for mounting within the tool at a radial position between the inner and outer members such that the insert is capable of longitudinal movement relative to at least one of the inner and outer members.

Abstract: A drilling shaft deflection assembly for a drilling direction control device of the type comprising a rotatable drilling shaft and a housing for supporting a length of the drilling shaft for rotation therein. The deflection assembly is contained within the housing and is axially located between a first support location and a second support location for bending the drilling shaft between the first support location and the second support location. The deflection assembly includes a deflection mechanism for imparting lateral movement to the drilling shaft to bend the drilling shaft, a deflection actuator for actuating the deflection mechanism in response to longitudinal movement of the deflection actuator, and a deflection linkage mechanism between the deflection mechanism and the deflection actuator for converting longitudinal movement of the deflection actuator to lateral movement of the drilling shaft.

Abstract: A drilling shaft deflection assembly for a drilling direction control device of the type comprising a rotatable drilling shaft and a housing for supporting a length of the drilling shaft for rotation therein. The deflection assembly is contained within the housing and is axially located between a first support location and a second support location for bending the drilling shaft between the first support location and the second support location. The deflection assembly includes a deflection mechanism for imparting lateral movement to the drilling shaft to bend the drilling shaft, a deflection actuator for actuating the deflection mechanism in response to longitudinal movement of the deflection actuator, and a deflection linkage mechanism between the deflection mechanism and the deflection actuator for converting longitudinal movement of the deflection actuator to lateral movement of the drilling shaft.

Abstract: A method for orienting a rotary drilling system comprised of a rotatable drilling string, a drilling string communication system and a drilling direction control device, the drilling direction control device comprising a deflectable drilling shaft connected with the drilling string. The method for orienting the rotary drilling system may involve the steps of orienting the drilling string at a desired orientation and sensing the desired orientation of the drilling string with the drilling string communication system. Further, the method involves the steps of communicating a desired orientation of the drilling string to a drilling direction control device and then actuating the drilling direction control device to deflect the drilling shaft to reflect the desired orientation of the drilling shaft. The desired orientation of the drilling shaft may be communicated directly to the drilling direction control device or to the drilling direction control device through a drilling string communication system.

Abstract: A drilling direction control device, improvements in drilling direction control devices, methods for orienting a rotary driling system, and methods for rotary drilling. The drilling direction control device includes a rotatable drilling shaft, a housing for rotatably supporting a length of the drilling shaft, and a deflection assembly contained within the housing for bending the drilling shaft between a first support location and a second support location. The deflection assembly includes an outer ring which is rotatably supported on a circular inner peripheral surface of the housing and which has a circular inner peripheral surface that is eccentric with respect to the housing. The deflection assembly also includes an inner ring which is rotatably supported on the circular inner peripheral surface of the outer ring and which has a circular inner peripheral surface which engages the drilling shaft and which is eccentric with respect to the circular inner peripheral surface of the outer ring.