Abstract: A drill pipe connecting apparatus has radially extending locking openings to the drilling drive of a rig. An inner tube receives a free end of the drill pipe by the locking opening of the drill pipe. An outer tube at least partially encompasses the inner tube and connects to the drive. The inner tube has, at the drill pipe end, radially extending through-recesses for guiding/allowing passage of locking elements, radially slidingly movable in the through-recesses. External guide elements on the outer tube form control gates for adjusting the radial position of the locking elements between open/locking positions by relative rotation. A connecting device releasably connects the tubes in a rotationally fixed manner; positive-locking elements extend circumferentially around the inner face of the outer tube and on the outer face of the inner tube. These elements enter into positive-locking engagement or reach free-running position, depending upon the longitudinal tube position.

Abstract: A system includes a deployment device and an adjustable mill. The deployment device has a box end with internal threads. The adjustable mill has a tubular body, a cylinder, and a lock ring. The tubular body has a lateral end and a pin end. The pin end has external threads, the lateral end is partially enveloped by cutters, and the lateral end comprises an inner wall defining an orifice. The cylinder is movably disposed within the orifice. The cylinder is partially enveloped by the cutters. The lock ring is disposed circumferentially around the cylinder. The lock ring interacts with a lock ring seat machined into the inner wall of the lateral end to place the adjustable mill in a mode. The internal threads of the adjustable mill and the external threads of the deployment device interact to form a connection between the adjustable mill and the deployment device.

Abstract: A fishing tool for downhole operations with a collapsible distal end, wherein the collapsible grabber includes catching fingers that have a variable inner diameter.

Abstract: A method for centering device on a cutting device using an ultrahigh pressure (UHP) hose carrying UHP fluid that is designed to be inserted into a pipe or tube and cut the same from the inside out. In one example, the cutting device is for insertion into a wellbore for cutting the casing of the wellbore from within the wellbore with a revolvable UHP hose. The cutting head which effectuates the cut may be centered by the centering device that is generally conical in shape such that a portion of the centering device remains exterior to the pipe or tube as the UHP revolves during the cutting action.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and/or milling of tubulars in a wellbore, especially using coiled tubing. An elongated main body has a longitudinal bore, with a piston slidably positioned in the bore. The piston is connected to one or more operating arms which are rotatably connected to the main body. The connection between the piston and the operating arms may be a pinned connection or a geared connection, both of which provide for a positive connection between the piston and the operating arms. Cutter bases are connected to the cutter arms, with a number of cutters mounted to the cutter bases. Fluid flow down the coiled tubing and through the main body bore pushes the piston downwardly, opening the operating arms and cutter bases and permitting the apparatus to be pulled up into the lower end of a tubular string for cutting and/or milling.

Abstract: Systems and methods for moving a tubular string within a subterranean well include a downhole assembly. The downhole assembly includes a torque disconnecting member and a shock generating member. During normal drilling activities, both components are inactive. When a stuck pipe event occurs, first the torque disconnecting member is activated while the shock generating member is still inactive. Once the torque disconnecting member is activated, then the shock generating member is activated. A laterally-protruding shock pad of the activated shock generating member produces shocks against the proximate side of a wellbore wall while the shock generating member is rotating. Systems and methods for moving a tubular string within a subterranean well include a fishing assembly. The fishing assembly includes a fishing member, a swivel member, and an imbalanced member.

Abstract: A cutting insert for milling wellbore casing in a downhole environment includes a body having a cutting face and a chip-breaking face. The cutting face and chip-breaking face are oriented at a face angle relative to each other, the face angle being between 75° and 130°. As the wellbore casing is milled, swarf is formed and work hardened. Further deformation of the swarf and movement along, or in contact with, the chip-breaking face breaks the swarf into chips that are readily flushed away or transported within the wellbore.

Abstract: A plug system for repairing a hole in a wall includes a cylindrical plug body that has a grooving implement adapted to cut or abrade the wall at one end and a thread projecting outwardly from the plug body at an opposing end. A plug is adapted for fitting within a rear cavity and has at least one screw aperture. In use, with the plug body fixed with the rotary tool, the rotary tool is activated to rotate the plug body to cut or abrade the wall around the hole. The thread of the plug body engages the wall until the proximal end of the plug body is substantially flush with the wall to repair the wall, and to provide screw apertures at the desired location on the wall to hold an object with screws if needed.

Abstract: A gripping assembly for a fishing tool which includes first and second end members and a plurality of gripping members which are retained by the first and second end members and which are moveable between a radially expanded configuration and a radially restricted configuration by rotation of the second end member with respect to the first end member.

Abstract: A gripping device and method for receiving piece objects from above is described. The gripping device includes movable gripping elements for gripping the piece object by way of an inwards movement of the gripping elements, wherein the gripping elements are arranged around a receiving opening which is delimited by the gripping elements, and the gripping device below the receiving opening includes a guide which surrounds the receiving opening for the lateral guidance of the gripping device with the approach of the gripping device onto the piece object. An inner diameter of the guide at a lower end of the guide is larger than a largest possible diameter of the receiving opening, wherein the inner diameter of the guide tapers upwards.

Abstract: A water pump pipe cutoff tool provides a means to cut and retrieve an existing original water pipe from within an existing well in such cases where a faulty submersible pump is trapped within said well. By cutting and removing the original water pipe, a new submersible pump can be installed into the well, thereby avoiding the expense of drilling a new well.

Abstract: A drilling shaft abutting apparatus is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a plate having an arcuate edge. The arcuate edge is configured to at least partially encircle a drilling shaft. The apparatus also includes a first blade mounted on the plate for pivoting movement between a first retracted position and a first fully-pivoted position. The first blade passes across the arcuate edge during movement between the first retracted position and the first fully-pivoted position. The first blade prevents items from falling down a hole at least partially occupied by the drilling shaft. The apparatus includes at least one actuator operable to selectively urge the first blade to at least one of the first retracted position and the first fully-pivoted position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of use for an apparatus that may include: a) a protuberance slicer and orientation device a cylindrical sleeve, the cylindrical sleeve having a down-hole end with an outer edge perpendicularly affixed to an annular support ring, and an up-hole end having a cut-out mating edge; the annular support ring having an orifice, a protuberance slicer, a plurality of fins, and a diameter that exceeds the diameter of the cylindrical sleeve; and b) a center body device, having a cylindrical sleeve having a pivotable load measurement mechanism disposed thereon, and a cut-out mating mechanism disposed thereon; where the apparatus is positioned atop a subterranean tool string.

Abstract: A plurality of rows of locking dogs are provided with housing flexibility between rows to allow them to share a shear loading while leaving enough structural integrity in the housing to define the windows through which the dogs emerge. The dogs can also have extensions with a surface that grippingly engages the housing adjacent the window on extension of the dogs such that loads can transfer from the housing into the extension and into the profile in which the dog is disposed rather than passing the shear stress through the window edge into the dog that is in the profile. The dog configuration can also share the load on multiple contact surfaces of the housing to reduce stress at each contact location.

Abstract: A cutting tool that inserts into a tubular for cutting the tubular from within. The cutting tool includes a motor, a cutting head, permanent anchor between the motor and cutting head, an electronics portion, and a modular anchoring sub that can be between the motor and electronics portion or on the upper end of the cutting tool. The modular anchoring sub provides flexibility in where anchoring elements are positioned so that depending on the application, the modular anchoring sub can be positioned so that it provides its maximum anchoring force for stabilizing the cutting tool during use.

Abstract: A method for performing an operation in the wellbore may include at least partially separating a wellbore tubular while reducing a compression in a section of the wellbore tubular using a force applicator in the wellbore. An apparatus for performing the downhole operation may include a cutter configured to at least partially sever a wellbore tubular; and a force applicator configured to reduce a compression in a section of a wellbore tubular proximate to the cutter.

Abstract: An ultra-high pressure (UHP) cutting device for insertion into a wellbore for cutting the casing of the wellbore from within the wellbore is provided. The cutting device comprises a UHP hose connector for connection with a UHP hose in communication with a fluid source; a rotatable UHP tube with a top end in fluid communication with the UHP hose connector and a bottom end opposite the top end; a rotating means in operational communication with the UHP tube for rotating the UHP tube during operation of the cutting device; and a cutter head in fluid communication with the bottom end of the UHP tube.

Abstract: There is provided a high power laser assisted blowout preventer and methods of use. In particular, there are provided systems and assemblies for utilizing high power laser energy within a blowout preventer to cut tubulars that are present within the bore of the blowout prevent, reducing the risk that such tubulars will inhibit the ability of the blowout preventer to seal a well.

Abstract: There is provided a high power laser-riser blowout preventer package and laser module for use with a subsea riser. The laser module and laser-riser package use high power laser energy to quickly cut the riser permitting an offshore drilling rig to quickly, and in a controlled manner disconnect from a blowout preventer.

Abstract: There is provided a high power laser riser blowout preventer system and controller for operation thereof. The system utilizes high power laser cutters that are associated with the riser and the blowout preventer to provided an integrated operation to quickly weaken or cut tubulars to address potential emergency and emergency situations that can arise during deep sea drilling.

Abstract: Downhole cutting tools such as blade mills comprise a body having an upper end for connection with a rotating component of a drill string and a guide member disposed at lower end. The guide member can comprise a shape that is reciprocal to an engagement member disposed on an object within the well that is to be cut by the cutting mill. In certain embodiments, the guide member comprises a portion that is spherically shaped or an apex formed by two angled cutting elements. The cutting tools can also include one or more blades having cutting elements disposed thereon in a stepped arrangement. In one such embodiment, the cutting elements are disposed to cover one or more steps profiled on a lower end of the blade to lessen wear of the blade caused by the cutting of the object by the blade.

Abstract: A subsea cutting device for a subsea blow-out preventer or wellhead comprises a tubular body having an axial throughbore, and configured to be fitted to a casing string, the cutting device further comprising a shearing mechanism in the form of a radial cutting system rotatably mounted within a pressure-containing housing, and comprising a plurality of movable cutters arranged around the throughbore and configured for deployment during rotation successively inwards. The cutting device is useful in a subsea shut off device which is latched to a template at surface and run to the sea floor on a casing string which is drilled into place and converted into a riser on a single trip. For the event when emergency disconnection is required, the device may be used to cut the casing and seal in the well. The system then allows a conventional subsea reconnection of the riser.

Abstract: A milling tool which includes a nose cutting portion, a cutting section having a plurality of hardened cutters and a shaft portion. A wear pad is disposed on the cutting section and shaft portion. Upon the shaft portion, the wear pad extends radially outwardly to an engagement diameter that exceeds the maximum cutting diameter of the cutters.

Abstract: A whipstock with a longitudinal axis includes a tapered face surface, at least a part of which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis, for guiding a milling head as the milling head passes from a top end to a bottom end of the face surface. A deflecting arrangement protrudes from the face surface and has first and second deflection surfaces. At least a part of each of the deflection surfaces is raised above the face surface, and each of the first and second deflection surfaces are inclined at a greater angle with respect to the longitudinal axis than the face surface in the region of the deflection arrangement. The first deflection surface is located closer to the top end of the face surface than the second deflection surface.

Abstract: Methods for severing a tubular string having a cable in association therewith can include lowering a cutting apparatus into the tubular string and actuating the cutting apparatus to form a cut in the tubular string and sever the cable. Severing the cable in this manner can be performed through a single actuation of a single cutting apparatus, enabling at least a portion of the tubular string to be subsequently severed and retrieved, unimpeded by the cable.

Abstract: A method for performing an operation in the wellbore may include at least partially separating a wellbore tubular while reducing a compression in a section of the wellbore tubular using a force applicator in the wellbore. An apparatus for performing the downhole operation may include a cutter configured to at least partially sever a wellbore tubular; and a force applicator configured to reduce a compression in a section of a wellbore tubular proximate to the cutter.

Abstract: A method of removing a restriction in a tubular located in a well includes providing a drilling assembly with a drill bit and a reamer, the reamer having a cutting structure for removing the restriction; drilling through a lower portion of the tubular; expanding the reamer at a location below the restriction; and urging the reamer back toward the restriction to remove the restriction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing a subsea structure wherein a housing defining a subsea structure receiving space and having a jetting system attached at or near the bottom of the housing is used to form an excavation around the subsea structure to the desired depth and a frame attached to or mounted in the housing carries a cutter assembly which is movable from a first position on the frame to a second position on the frame, the first position being on one side of the subsea structure, the second position being on the opposite side of the subsea structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for down-hole cutting of pipe, such as casing, production tubing and other tubular goods. The apparatus has a central mandrel, retractable blades and opposing helical cam sleeves, and can be conveyed into a well and actuated via slickline or other non-conductive wireline. When the apparatus is positioned at a desired down-hole position relative to the pipe to be cut, the blades are extended radially outward to contact the pipe. Axial force applied to the opposing helical cam sleeves transfers torque to the blades which, in turn, rotate and cut the pipe. After the pipe is cut, the blades are retracted, and the apparatus can be retrieved from the well.

Abstract: The invention relates to techniques for severing a tubular. A blowout preventer is provided with a housing having a bore therethrough for receiving the tubular, an actuator positionable in the housing, and a plurality of cutting tools positionable in the housing and selectively movable into an actuated position with the actuator. Each of the cutting tools have a base supportable by the actuator and selectively movable thereby, and a cutting head supported by the base. The cutting head comprising a tip having a piecing point at an end thereof and at least one cutting surface. The piercing point pierces the tubular and the cutting surfaces taper away from the piercing point for cutting through the tubular whereby the cutting head passes through tubular.

Abstract: A process is provided to drill through a composite frac plug. The plug is in an oil well. The process utilizes an improved mill. The process also rotates drill pipe at one hundred to five hundred rpm and circulates drilling fluid such that the velocity of the fluid upwardly over the exterior of the drill pipe is in the range of three hundred to four hundred and seventy-five feet per minute. One thousand to three thousand pounds of slack off weight is applied during the process.

Abstract: A mill is configured to have large debris passages disposed among a series of radially extending blades. The mill center is adapted to accept a retention nut that supports a tool that secures the downhole tool being milled out, such as a packer. Reverse flow takes cuttings into the large open area between the blades to pass up in an annular space around a support for the retention nut. The passage then opens up to a maximum dimension leaving only the tubular wall needed for structural strength to support the mill and conduct cuttings into a debris removal tool.

Abstract: A cutting assembly for external conduits on a tubing string features a breakaway in the string that can be severed with a tensile force. Preferably each external conduit is run through a cutter housing. Upon severing of the string and applying a pickup force, a tension is applied to each external conduit since the severing of the string happens above all the cutter housings. Each housing cuts at least one conduit and the upper portion of the string brings with it the upper portion of the external conduit while the lower portions of each cut external conduit are retained in the cutter housings that remain downhole below the breakaway. In that manner there are no loose external conduit ends to interfere with and/or disturb subsequent fishing or other wellbore operations.

Abstract: A cutting assembly for external conduits on a tubing string or main tubular conduit features at least one breakaway in the string that can be severed with a tensile force. Preferably each external conduit is run through a cutter housing that is integral with a passage having threaded end connections. While in some scenarios it is preferred that the main tubular conduit is severed below the cutting assembly thus allowing the cutting apparatus to be retrieved with the upper portions of the cut main tubular conduit and external longitudinal member(s), in other circumstances it may be desired that the main tubular conduit is severed above the cutting assembly allowing the cutting apparatus to be left “downhole” with the lower portion of the cut main tubular conduit and the BHA. The cutter knife assembly chambers or channels can be in banks that are axially spaced using bypass channels to access lower banks.

Abstract: A mill for milling a window through metal casing in a well bore that includes a body having a plurality of blades; a plurality of cylindrically bodied cutting elements on said blades; and a plurality of diamond enhanced elements having a non-planar diamond working surface on said blades; wherein said cutting elements initiate cutting into said casing and mill said window into said well bore.

Abstract: A device for removing junk from a well by attaching to a tubing string a mill body with a removable milling core and lowering the assembly into a well. A movable collet and check valve are located in the milling core. The milling core can be separated from the mill body by dropping a ball bearing into the tubing and then feeding water under pressure into the tubing behind the ball bearing.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly used for making a window in a tubular is modified to reduce tool joint stress in a connection above the topmost watermelon mill. A protrusion is located between the topmost watermelon mill and the next threaded joint uphole. Preferably, the protrusion height is not greater than the outside dimension of the largest watermelon mill. Preferably, the protrusion is located below the upset area in the tubular where the threaded joint is made up and about ? the distance downhole from the threads to the next adjacent watermelon mill.

Abstract: The pipe cutter disclosed herein is useful for severing downhole tubulars and comprises a drive system, a pivoting system, a cutting head, and a cutting member. Cutting is accomplished by rotatingly actuating the cutting head with an associated motor, and then radially extending the cutting blades away from the cutting head. In one embodiment, the cutting head includes a cutting member that pivotally extends from the cutting head upon rotation of the cutting head.

Abstract: A cutter module includes a piston and a shear blade. The piston includes at least two movable telescoping elements that are adapted to expand from a first retracted length to a second expanded length. The shear blade is connected to the first piston to sever a tubing in response to the piston expanding from the retracted length to the second expanded length. The shear blade has a cutting edge that has a radius greater than 0.01 inches.

Abstract: A method of removably anchoring well tubing in a well bore may include selecting a well having a bore diameter and an anchor positioned therein. The anchor may have a housing defining an anchor diameter and extension members extending therefrom toward the bore diameter. The bore diameter and anchor diameter may be spaced apart a distance defining an annulus therebetween and extending along the well. A tool sized to cut substantially exclusively within the annulus may be selected. The tool may be positioned within the annulus, rotated, and advanced to drive past the housing to remove the extension members between the housing and the bore diameter to free the anchor.

Abstract: A liner hanger test packer assembly includes an axially translated liner top dressing mill having a calibrated shear mechanism for securing the mill at a first, top dressing position. Tool string load on the mill bearing upon the liner top in excess of the calibrated shear mechanism allows the mill to shift to a second axial position where abutment edges around the Mill base engage a tripping mechanism to drive slips against the casing wall above the liner hanger. The tripping mechanism also expands the packer seal against the casing I.D. above the liner hanger. No additional load may be imposed on the liner hanger after the anchor slips have engaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and equipment for recovering use of a well-bore in circumstances where the well bore has become blocked by downhole equipment. The invention provides a method comprising the steps of separating, at a release joint, a portion of equipment from a jammed portion (6) of equipment; running the separated portion of equipment uphole out of the wellbore (100); running a deflector assembly (60) downhole into the wellbore (100); and deflecting a milling tool (64) from the wellbore into surrounding formation. The method is characterised by restricting relative movement between the deflector assembly (60) and the wellbore (100) by engaging, prior to deflecting the milling tool (64), the deflector assembly (60) with said jammed portion (6) of equipment.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a cutting insert for use with wellbore milling tools. The cutting insert forms an angle between a milling surface of the insert and a surface of the tool that the insert is attached to in order to provide the proper cutting incline, and substantially perpendicular sides of the insert relative to the milling surface of the insert provide continuous support for the milling surface. In addition, the inserts can comprise spacers and legs that evenly distribute bonds formed between inserts and bonds formed between the inserts and the surface of the tool, respectively. Selecting the dimensions of the spacers and legs alters the strength of the bonds.

Abstract: A down hole pipe cutter is provided to cut a section of pipe from the pipe's interior. The device includes a lower guide plate, an upper guide plate, a connector rod interconnecting the lower guide plate to the upper guide plate, and an eccentrically mounted blade drive assembly. The eccentrically mounted blade drive assembly includes an outer tube and an inner drive shaft that are moveably interconnected to both the lower guide plate and the upper guide plate. The inner drive shaft has a distal end extending through the lower guide plate with a blade attached thereto. The proximal end of the drive shaft extends above the upper guide plate for attachment to a power source, such as a hand drill. The blade drive assembly is rotatable between a first retracted position and a second extended cutting position.

Abstract: A rotating tool for milling or drilling in a well bore, having one or more rotating cutting structures, with each cutting structure rotating about its own axis, and with the cutting structures rotating about the axis of the tool. The rotational axis of the tool is offset from the axis of at least one cutting structure, with the axis of the tool passing through that cutting structure. This ensures that the cutting structure which spans the axis of the tool rotates independently of the tool, to prevent the existence of a zero velocity point on the cutting face of the tool.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drawing small milling debris into a combination milling and debris retrieval tool, during the performance of the milling operation. A milling tool has a fluid intake port near its lower end, where debris-laden fluid is drawn into the milling tool and subsequently into a separator section. The separator section has a debris deflection tube and a screen for separating the debris from the fluid. Fluid is drawn into the tool by either a set of eductor nozzles or a downhole motor and pump.

Abstract: To separate relatively long upright pipes (13) which have a relatively large diameter, the lower end thereof being fixed in the ground, in particular of support legs (3) of an off-shore oil bore or conveying platform (100), a cutting unit is lowered down into the pipe (13) to a separation point. The cutting unit (40) acts gradually from the inside across the periphery to the internal periphery of the pipe (13) and cuts through the pipe (13) by removing metal. A bore tool head (60) is mounted upstream of the cutting unit (40), viewed from the lowering position, and is used to bore out material in the pipe such as ocean bed or concrete.

Abstract: A wellbore mill has been invented that, in certain aspects, has a body having a top and a bottom and, optionally, a fluid flow channel extending therethrough from top to bottom with, optionally, one or more fluid jetting ports in fluid communication with the fluid flow channel, milling apparatus on the body including a plurality of milling inserts, each insert mechanically secured in a corresponding recess in the body, said mechanical securement sufficient for effective milling in a wellbore. A wellbore milling method for milling an opening in a selected tubular of a tubular string in a wellbore has been invented that includes installing and using such a mill.

Abstract: A method for applying cutting elements to a tool for cutting or milling a metal item in a well, along with the cutting element used in the method. The tool can include one or more blades extending outwardly or downwardly from the tool for cutting a metal item such as the wall of a casing string, or for removing a predetermined length of a casing string in a cutting action. The blade or blades have cutting elements positioned on the leading faces of the blades to engage the casing string or other metal item in the bore hole. Each cutting element is composed of a plurality of effective cutting faces. Each cutting face can have a substantially triangular shape, or a substantially square shape, or some other geometric shape. The cutting elements can be arranged in a random pattern. Each cutting element can be oriented in a random orientation relative to the blade.