Abstract: A vibrator apparatus to be positioned onto a pipe string is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a tubular housing, a tubular stator having a radial fluid opening, and a rotating rotor shaft with a longitudinally extending fluid bore and at least one radially extending fluid passage that intermittently aligns with the stator fluid opening. A rotation generator is provided to rotate the rotor shaft in response to fluid flow. Fluid flow through the fluid bore of the rotor shaft is discharged from the radially extending fluid passage of the rotor as it rotates in response to fluid flow and is intermittently interrupted by the stator as the rotor is rotated past the radial fluid opening in the stator thereby creating pulses in the fluid column and vibrating the pipe string.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the connection of a first tubular to a second tubular used in the oil and gas exploration and extraction industries includes a tubular handling device and a tubular engagement apparatus, and in certain instances a spider apparatus.

Abstract: An articulated drive shaft for a downhole mud motor is provided for transmission of torque and thrust loads from one member to another mainly comprising a driven member, ball members, a plurality of rollers, ball socket members and cylindrical driver members. The drive shaft is allowed to transmit torque and thrust loads through a given angular range between the axes of members on each end of the assembly. Several sealing means for retaining lubricants within the joints are provided while maintaining the mud motor's ability to articulate within borehole. A flow diverter may also be incorporated into the drive shaft to provide a means for fluid passage through the chive shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for running tubular(s) into a well bore for use with a top drive or power swivel comprising a make-up assembly with inner and outer members, one of which has an array of ramped or inclined surface(s) while the other is an inner or outer cage with rolling support(s) with or without a central spindle and openings which may also be referred to as tubular engagement apparatus wherein relative movement of the members urges the rolling support(s) to protrude radially through the openings to engage a tubular internally or externally. Also provided is an elevator assembly with elevator links and transfer elevators to position tubular for engagement by the make-up assembly.

Abstract: A mechanically activated bypass valve apparatus for allowing fluid being pumped through the pipe or coiled tubing string to be bypassed around a tool string and into the wellbore. Activation of the bypass valve is accomplished by applying weight-on-bit to the apparatus to shear a set of shear screws, allowing the mandrel to move axially relative to the tubular housing. Lowering the pipe string and setting down weigh on bit misaligns fluid bypass ports in the mandrel and housing, thus forcing fluid to continue to flow through the bore of the tool and to the toolstring below the bypass tool. Picking up on the pipe string aligns corresponding ports in the mandrel and housing and allows fluid to flow from the bore of the tool to the wellbore annulus, thus bypassing other tools downhole of the apparatus.

Abstract: A bypass tool has a piston movable within the bore of a central housing. A control slot on an exterior wall of the piston engages a slot pin in the housing. Longitudinal movement of the piston is downward, in response to fluid pressure exerted on a ball seated on a ball seat on the piston; and spring biased upward. The control slot and slot pin rotate the piston as it moves longitudinally between a first, upper position in which bypass ports in the housing are closed, and a second, lower position in which the bypass ports are open. An intermediate longitudinal position has the ports closed, and permits pressuring up on a ball to force it through the ball seat and reset the tool in the flow through position. The ball and/or ball seat may be of resilient material to permit passage of the ball through the seat.

Abstract: An apparatus for dampening vibrations in a drill string has a tubular housing with an upper sub connected to a first end, having a threaded connection for engagement with the pipe or drillstring. A piston is positioned in the bore of the tubular housing and longitudinally movable in the bore; the dimensions of the piston and bore permit limited fluid flow around the piston. Connected to the piston and extending out of the second end of the housing is a bottom sub. Mating and engaging profiles in the tubular housing and lower sub allow longitudinal movement between them, but no relative rotation. A spring member, which may be a mechanical spring, an elastomeric member, a compressed gas, or some combination thereof, biases the piston and lower sub out of the tubular housing.

Abstract: A friction reduction apparatus (FRA) positioned onto a pipe string comprises a tubular housing, upper and lower mandrels having variously configured fluid flow passages and ports, a valve and a shifter. Fluid travelling through the apparatus causes the valve and shifter to reciprocate, repeatedly opening and closing flow passages. Each of these cycles creates a pulse in the fluid column creating vibrations that reduce friction in the pipe string. The FRA can be used in conjunction with a ball or dart activated tool positioned downhole from the FRA.

Abstract: A bi-directional fluid safety valve for preventing spillage when filling tanks, vessels, fill lines, and or hoses for transportation of fluids in pipelines or tubulars with a tubular body with an external body and an internal bore having a fluid flow path from a first end to a second end, the first and second members concentrically disposed and moveable along a longitudinal axis within the tubular body; with means such as springs to longitudinally bias the first member toward the second member and means to longitudinally bias said second member toward said first member. Also provided are embodiments for connection of the tubular body to alternative connection systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating running or pulling tubulars from a well bore whereby the functions of a surface mounted traditional spider/elevator are replaced by an FMS which may also be remotely controlled. The FMS comprises a main body consisting of upper and lower plates assembled in a bolted and welded configuration, a slip assembly each said slip assembly comprising a slip back, a slip, one or more die inserts, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder and multiple sized die blocks to conform to the tubular OCTG diameter.

Abstract: A downhole motor for drilling and servicing of wells has an elongated outer housing and an elongated mandrel rotatably disposed within the housing. A primary thrust bearing is disposed between the lower end of the housing and the mandrel, and transfers axial loads downward from the housing to the mandrel, and then to the drill bit or other tool mounted on the lowermost end of the mandrel. The placement of the primary thrust bearing permits it to extend radially to the outer diameter of the housing. One preferred embodiment of the primary thrust bearing comprises bearing surfaces of polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating running or pulling tubulars from a well bore whereby the manual operations or functions normally performed by a human are undertaken by the THD and may including remote control or manipulation. The THD comprises an elevator assembly (THD) with a main body consisting of upper and lower plates, a scissor assembly and multiple sized die blocks to conform to the tubular diameter. The THD can be used as a transfer elevator to position the tubular for engagement by the make-up assembly, can be outfitted to perform as a safety clamp or restraining device and also configured as a tubular stabbing arm as required by the operation.

Abstract: A downhole separation apparatus for releasing a pipe string from a bottom hole assembly is disclosed. The apparatus has a tubular collet body, a tubular bottom sub, and a piston collet positioned within the collet body. The collet piston has a plurality of collet fingers threadedly engaging an internal profile of the bottom sub. Separation is accomplished by pumping a circulation ball through the pipe string until it lands on a ball seat inside the collet piston. Increasing fluid pressure then shifts the piston collet axially downward within the collet body thereby causing the collet fingers to collapse to disengage the bottom hole assembly from the pipe string.

Abstract: A wellbore underreamer has a tubular body, a central body cavity, and pivotally mounted blades in slots on the periphery of the tubular body. A translatable piston in the central body cavity is urged away from cam surfaces on the blades by a biasing spring. The piston has an orifice restricted fluid passage and translates in response to fluid pressure determined by the selected piston orifice and biasing spring. Fluid circulates through the piston fluid passage and fluid passages in the underreamer while piston movement is restrained by the spring. At a predetermined fluid pressure, the piston moves to engage the blade cam surfaces to pivotally extend the blades outward from the blade slots. The blades are held in the slots by a spring biased ball until they are extended by the piston.

Abstract: A hydraulic percussive apparatus is disclosed for generating vibrating forces to a pipe string. The apparatus is attached to the pipe string a central bore through which fluid may be introduced into the apparatus. The apparatus has a tubular housing, an anvil surface with an irregularly profiled surface, and a rotor with an irregularly profiled hammer surface that is urged to move axially toward and away from the anvil surface. The rotor has a longitudinally extending fluid bore and a tangentially oriented fluid port in communication with the longitudinal fluid bore of the rotor. Fluid entering the rotor's fluid bore and exiting the rotor's tangentially oriented fluid port rotates the rotor, and thus the irregularly profiled hammer surface on the irregularly profiled anvil surface, moving the hammer surface toward and away from the anvil producing intermittent impact forces.

Abstract: A downhole motor for drilling and servicing of wells has an elongated outer housing and an elongated mandrel rotatably disposed within the housing. A primary thrust bearing is disposed between the lower end of the housing and the mandrel, and transfers axial loads downward from the housing to the mandrel, and then to the drill bit or other tool mounted on the lowermost end of the mandrel. The placement of the primary thrust bearing permits it to extend radially to the outer diameter of the housing. One preferred embodiment of the primary thrust bearing comprises bearing surfaces of polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) material.

Abstract: A hydraulic disconnect apparatus is disclosed for disconnecting a pipe string or coiled tubing string from a bottom hole assembly for drilling, work over, or plug and abandonment of oil and gas wells. Disconnection is accomplished by pumping a circulation ball from surface through the pipe or coiled tubing string until it lands on a seat inside the apparatus. Fluid pressure is then applied to shift a piston assembly within the apparatus, thereby allowing a series of balls to retract. The upper and lower portions of the apparatus can then be separated by applying a tensile force to the upper portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for running tubular(s) into a well bore for use with a top drive or power swivel comprising a make-up assembly with inner and outer members, one of which has an array of ramped or inclined surface(s) while the other is an inner or outer cage with rolling support(s) with or without a central spindle and openings which may also be referred to as tubular engagement apparatus wherein relative movement of the members urges the rolling support(s) to protrude radially through the openings to engage a tubular internally or externally. Also provided is an elevator assembly with elevator links and transfer elevators to position tubular for engagement by the make-up assembly.

Abstract: A bi-directional fluid safety valve for preventing spillage when filling tanks, vessels, fill lines, and or hoses for transportation of fluids in pipelines or tubulars with a tubular body with an external body and an internal bore having a fluid flow path from a first end to a second end, the first and second members concentrically disposed and moveable along a longitudinal axis within the tubular body; with means such as springs to longitudinally bias the first member toward the second member and means to longitudinally bias said second member toward said first member. Also provided are embodiments for connection of the tubular body to alternative connection systems.

Abstract: A downhole motor for drilling and servicing of wells has an elongated outer housing and an elongated mandrel rotatably disposed within the housing. A primary thrust bearing is disposed between the lower end of the housing and the mandrel, and transfers axial loads downward from the housing to the mandrel, and thence to the drill bit or other tool mounted on the lowermost end of the mandrel. The placement of the primary thrust bearing permits it to extend radially to the outer diameter of the housing. One preferred embodiment of the primary thrust bearing comprises bearing surfaces of polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) material.