Abstract: Systems and methods for drilling a subterranean well with a drill bit include a drill bit body with a central bore. A plurality of ports extend through the nose end of the drill bit body from the central bore to an outside of the drill bit body. A blocked nozzle is located within one of the plurality of ports. The blocked nozzle has a nozzle bore end and a nozzle nose end opposite the nozzle bore end. A bore end disk is located at the nozzle bore end of the blocked nozzle, preventing a flow of fluids through the blocked nozzle past the bore end disk. A nose end disk is located at the nozzle nose end of the blocked nozzle, preventing the flow of fluids through the blocked nozzle past the nose end disk. The nose end disk and the bore end disk are removable.

Abstract: A downhole tool comprises a hollow body having a wall and a port in the wall, and a closing sleeve movable relative to the body to open and close the port. A seal is provided between the body and the sleeve and is configured to hold differential pressure. An isolation member may be deployed in the tool to isolate the seal from differential pressure and close the port. The isolation member may be deployed following initiation of a tool activation process, a successful outcome of the process being translating the closing sleeve and closing the port, and positioning the seal to hold a differential pressure. If it is detected that the outcome has not been achieved, the isolation member is deployed to isolate the seal from differential pressure and close the port.

Abstract: A debris collection device creates circulation with surface pumped fluid that draws debris laden flow into a long tail pipe. The tail pipe advances as debris is sucked out of the way and into the tailpipe. A shoe with a check valve at the tailpipe lower end prevents debris exit from the tailpipe either when the surface pump is turned off or when the tailpipe is removed with the tool to get the debris out of the borehole. The device handles horizontal runs where debris such as sand accumulates on the borehole bottom. Additional stands are added above the debris collection device as the tailpipe penetrates deeper into the borehole as sand that lies ahead of it is removed into the tailpipe. A volume of sand extending into the thousands of gallons can be removed in a single trip.

Abstract: A ground working tool comprising a tubular base body with an inner receiving space for receiving a cylindrical core of solid ground material, connector mechanism for connecting the tubular base body with a rotary drive and locking mechanism for locking the core in the receiving space of the tubular base body. The locking mechanism involves at least one locking unit having a guide rail being disposed at an inner side of the tubular base body and arranged with a deviation angle relative to a tangential direction of the tubular base body and the locking unit further comprises at least one locking element, which is moveably mounted on the guide rail between a radially outer releasing position and a radially inner locking position, in which the core is clamped within the receiving space by means of the at least one locking element.

Abstract: A well test assembly sized for use in a slim-hole of a subterranean well includes an inner moveable sleeve having an inner circulation port and an inner fluid passage port. An outer housing has a first outer circulation port, an outer fluid passage port, and a second outer circulation port. A middle sleeve has: a middle circulation port aligned with the inner circulation port and the first outer circulation port when the assembly is in a lowering position; a middle fluid passage aligned with the inner fluid passage port and the outer fluid passage port when the assembly is in a collection position; and a fluid injection port aligned with the second outer circulation port when the assembly is in a retrieval position. A packer assembly seals an annulus between the middle sleeve and an inner diameter of the slim-hole when the assembly is in a setting position.

Abstract: A method of hydraulically activating a mechanically operated wellbore tool in a bottom hole assembly includes: holding moveable elements of the wellbore tool in an unactivated position using a shear pin; inserting one or more drop balls into a drilling fluid; and flowing the drilling fluid with the drop balls to a flow orifice located in or below the wellbore tool. The flow orifice is at least partially plugged with the drop balls to restrict fluid flow and correspondingly increases the hydraulic pressure of the drilling fluid. The hydraulic pressure is increased to a point beyond the rating of the shear pin, thereby causing the shear pin to shear and allowing the moveable elements of the tool to move to an activated position.

Abstract: A method for servicing a subterranean formation comprising providing a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, and placing a wellbore servicing tool in the wellbore, wherein the wellbore servicing tool comprises a baffle, wherein the baffle comprises a seat contoured to match a spherical zone of an obturator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wellbore control include a downhole facing ball stop and sealing area that can stop and seal with an actuator ball migrating toward surface with wellbore returns or production. The downhole facing ball stop operates with the returning actuator ball to create a seal against any returns or production migrating toward surface such that well control is provided until the ball is removed from the sealing area or a bypass is opened around the seal.

Abstract: A drillstring valve has an inlet mountable to a drillstring, an outlet and a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet in a predetermined operating condition. In accordance with an embodiment, the drillstring valve comprises a stop element adapted for receiving a valve element wherein the stop element comprises at least one protrusion extending into a passageway portion of the passageway to thereby retain the valve element. According to an embodiment, the at least one protrusion is spaced from an inlet edge having a continuously reduced diameter in downstream direction. According to a further embodiment, the stop element comprises two or more protrusions which are spaced in circumferential direction of the passageway portion into which the at least two protrusions extend.

Abstract: A back-off sub apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a connection connecting a rotational section and a non-rotational section. The rotational section is designed to be rotated via a ball dropped into the well under sufficient pressure to cause the rotational section to rotate relative to the non-rotational section supplying a controlled and sufficient torque to the connection to break the connection. The connection then is unthreaded by normal surface action. The disconnected or upper section of the apparatus and the drill string section associated with it can be withdrawn from the well leaving the lower portion and the drill string section associated with it in the well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for temporarily increasing fluid pressure at a specific location in a work string to perform an operation in an oil or gas well bore. Apparatus is provided which, in a first position provides fluid flow through the work string; in a second position provides the desired increase in fluid pressure to perform the operation in the well bore by dropping a ball (62) into the apparatus; and, by shearing pins (52) to move a sleeve (50) within the apparatus, provides a third position which returns fluid flow through the work string via bypass channels (26) created in the apparatus around the ball. Operation of a pressure activated near bit reamer in conjunction with the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A back-off sub apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a connection connecting a rotational section and a non-rotational section. The rotational section is designed to be rotated via a ball dropped into the well under sufficient pressure to cause the rotational section to rotate relative to the non-rotational section supplying a controlled and sufficient torque to the connection to break the connection. The connection then is unthreaded by normal surface action. The disconnected or upper section of the apparatus and the drill string section associated with it can be withdrawn from the well leaving the lower portion and the drill string section associated with it in the well.

Abstract: A by-pass tool is provided which has a large bore throughflow passage when in an inactive drilling mode, and which is capable of being activated upon launching of an activation dart from the surface, to an active mode in which drillstring fluids can be diverted to a by-pass port. The by-pass tool includes a casing, a by-pass port for diverting drillstring fluids when the tool is in the active mode, and an axially slidable member placed within the casing to slide between blocking and release positions with respect to the by-pass port. The slidable member may be moved to the release position by the dart to bring ports in the slidable member into registry with the by-pass port. This slidable member may also return to its blocking position and thereby cause the tool to revert to its inactive mode upon wireline retrieval of the dart.

Abstract: A fluid flow actuated downhole tool is configurable in at least a first tool configuration and a second tool configuration. The tool comprises a tubular housing and an activating sleeve, the housing being adapted to catch the sleeve when the sleeve is dropped from surface and the engagement of the sleeve with the housing permitting actuation.of the tool between the first and second tool configurations. A flow restriction is provided for permitting fluid flow actuation of the tool when the activating sleeve has been caught in the body.

Abstract: An improved drill bit is provided with a sensor for monitoring an operating condition during drilling. A fastener system is provided for securing an erodible ball in a fixed position relative to a flow pathway until a predetermined operating condition is detected by the sensor, and for releasing the erodible ball into the flow pathway to obstruct the flow through at least one bit nozzle.

Abstract: A hydraulic technique for applications with inflatable packers keeps the inflatable packer in a stretched-out condition despite the forces imposed on the packer by circulating fluids. This prevents the inflatable packer from swabbing due to the force of circulating fluids.

Abstract: A tool or sub for use in a well bore is adapted to manipulate the circulation path of fluid through a drill string or work string in which the tool is connected. The apparatus has a body member defining an axial flow path with one or more radial outlets that may be opened or closed by respective valve members in use.

Abstract: Stopper, for cable passages or conduits, having a first chamber placed in said passage, said chamber comprising at least one bearing surface placed in this passage and adapted to cooperate with a closure element, a second chamber opening into the first chamber, said closure element being housed in said second chamber in a first position of the stopper, and means for moving the closure element in the first chamber to a second position of the stopper, where the cable is withdrawn from the passage, further comprising a separating member, situated between said first chamber and said second chamber, this member being adapted for controlling the movement of the closure element from the second chamber to the first chamber.

Abstract: An annulus access valve system having a plurality of valves installed in, and forming a part of, a drill string in a well bore whereby fluid may be pumped into the annulus through the valves individually or in combination as desired. Each valve has a valve body connected to the drill string in which defines a longitudinal opening therethrough and a transverse port therein interconnecting the longitudinal opening with the annulus. A longitudinally slidable valve seats on a replaceable valve seat defining a closed position of the transverse port in the valve. The valve sleeve is biased in the closed position by a spring. An actuator, uniquely sized for a specific valve in the drill string, is utilized to engage the valve sleeve and move it to an open position by hydraulic pressure applied thereabove so that fluids may be pumped down the drill string through the transverse port into the annulus. A flow control valve is positioned in the actuator so that some fluid may be directed therebelow as desired.

Abstract: An underreamer having a plurality of drilling arms hingedly attached to a tubular body for movement between a retracted position and an extended position for drilling. The underreamer includes a central wash pipe for delivering drilling mud to remove cuttings and debris from the hole during drilling and an alternate flow path, generally through the body for delivering drilling fluid to the vicinity between the arm and the body to flush debris therefrom which would prevent the arms from retracting to their normal position for withdrawal from the borehole.

Abstract: An arrangement for full hole drilling, wherein a drilling bit having a passage for drilling fluid is attached to a drill pipe string. A hole wall former is provided above the bit for closing the space between the hole walls and the drill pipe string. A container containing a plugging material is provided in the interior of the drill pipe string immediately above the bit, which is adapted to let drilling fluid between the walls of said container and said drill pipe string. The bit has an axial bore of a diameter which is greater than the inside diameter of the container and which is adapted to receive the lower end of said container.

Abstract: A multipurpose fluid flow assisted downhole tool that is adapted for attachment to the lower end of a pipe string to be extended into a well bore and which is capable of cutting sample cores from subsurface earth formations and removing the cores for evaluation. The tool is also capable of removing ferrous metal objects from the bottom of the well bore by both mechanical and magnetic means in conjunction with object movement assistance that is provided by flowing fluid in the vicinity of the bottom of the well bore. The well servicing tool includes an internal mechanism that has the capability of achieving reverse circulation of fluid in the vicinity of the bottom of the well bore which causes fluid flow from the annulus between the tool and the well bore, upwardly into an internal object collection chamber defined by the well tool and then outwardly of the well tool and upwardly through the annulus between the pipe string and the well bore to the surface.

Abstract: A well drilling tool is disclosed as having a reservoir for supplying lubricant to a bearing chamber to replace that which is lost during operation of the tool, and a means for indicating to an operator at surface level when a predetermined volume of such lubricant has been lost.

Abstract: An improved impact tool being attached to a drill stem about ten (10) or more feet above the drill bit, and in drilling mud flows through the impact tool to the drill bit when the well is being drilled. When the drill becomes stuck, plunger means is inserted through the drilling mud passage way from the ground level and is forced down to the impact tool by pressure of the drilling mud, and on reaching the impact tool, it engages a lip forming surface at the upper end of the impact tool and seals off the flow of drilling mud. The pressure placed on the drilling mud flowing from ground level forces a set of sleeves to move downward against the force of a helical spring, causing the drilling mud to flow through a jet contoured nozzle for directing the drilling mud toward the stuck drilling bit for thereby dislodging the drilling bit.

Abstract: Coring apparatus for obtaining core samples which may comprise: an outer barrel assembly, the lower end of which is adapted for connection to a core bit, the upper end of which is adapted for connection to a drill string; an inner barrel assembly concentrically disposed within the outer barrel assembly and having first and second axially spaced and fluid communicating chambers therein; and valve means carried by the inner barrel assembly and movable from an open position, in which a core sample may be received by the first chamber, to a closed position, sealingly enclosing the core sample within the first chamber.

Abstract: A turbo drill which is connected to a string of drill pipe as a rotating shaft for driving a drill bit which may be a rotary bit or a high speed solid head diamond bit. The turbine section has rotor and stator blades which are cresent shaped in cross section with each blade having an exit angle of 14.degree. - 23.degree. for maximum turbine efficiency. The bearing shaft is provided with chevron rotary seals positioned below the rotary bearings carrying both radial and vertical thrust. Fluid lubricant fills the space from the rotary seals to a predetermine level above the bearings. A piston seals the lubricant chamber and is pressurized by drilling fluid (i.e. mud) flowing through the tool. A layer of lubricant fluid overlies the first piston and has a second piston covering said fluid and transmitting pressure from the drilling fluid to the lubricant fluid surrounding the bearings.

Abstract: A turbo drill which is connected to a string of drill pipe as a rotating shaft for driving a drill bit which may be a rotary bit or a high speed solid head diamond bit. The turbine section has rotor and stator blades which are crescent shaped in cross section with each blade having an exit angle of 14.degree.- 23.degree. from maximum turbine efficiency. The bearing shaft is provided with chevron rotary seals positioned below the rotary bearings carrying both radial and vertical thrust. Fluid lubricant fills the space from the rotary seals to a predetermined level above the bearings. A piston seals the lubricant chamber and is pressurized by drilling fluid (i.e., mud) flowing through the tool. A layer of lubricant fluid overlies the first piston and has a second piston covering said fluid and transmitting pressure from the drilling fluid to the lubricant fluid surrounding the bearings.

Abstract: A turbo drill which is connected to a string of drill pipe as a rotating shaft for driving a drill bit which may be a rotary bit or a high speed solid head diamond bit. The turbine section has rotor and stator blades which are cresent shaped in cross section with each blade having an exit angle of 14.degree. - 23.degree. for maximum turbine efficiency. The bearing shaft is provided with chevron rotary seals positioned below the rotary bearings carrying both radial and vertical thrust. Fluid lubricant fills the space from the rotary seals to a predetermined level above the bearings. A piston seals the lubricant chamber and is pressurized by drilling fluid (i.e. mud) flowing through the tool. A layer of lubricant fluid overlies the first piston and has a second piston covering said fluid and transmitting pressure from the drilling fluid to the lubricant fluid surrounding the bearings.

Abstract: An improved junk basket comprises a tool body having a longitudinally extending passageway therethrough and a magnet assembly disposed in the passageway. A retainer is cooperative between the magnet assembly and the tool body to retain the magnet assembly in a lower position in the passageway and selectively releasable to permit longitudinal movement of the magnet assembly to an upper position in the passageway whereby core cutting apparatus and/or an improved reverse circulation system, also included in the tool, may be employed.

Abstract: A vibrating apparatus connected with a member insertable into a well bore including an insertable and retrievable member enabling the vibrating apparatus to be selectively actuated. The vibrating apparatus includes a rotatable, eccentric weight forming a rotor having selectively closable through passage means and bypass means oriented to impart rotation of the eccentric weight when the through passage is closed and pressurized fluid is required to pass through the bypass for discharge in offset relation to the axis of rotation for rotating the eccentric weight thereby vibrating the apparatus and the well bore member to which it is attached. In one embodiment of the invention, the through passage is closed by a ball valve which can be inserted into the flow passage at ground surface for movement into engagement with a valve seat by gravity together with a magnet insertable into the flow passage for retrieving the ball valve which is subject to magnetic attraction.