Abstract: A system and method for environmental sampling and analysis system are described. The system and method provide for concurrent collection and sampling of subsurface materials and sensing of one or more subsurface environmental conditions. In particular, the system and method provide for high resolution environmental site characterization.

Abstract: A sample bottle assembly. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are apparatuses including a first drill collar that includes: a first outer surface; a pocket accessible through an aperture in the first outer surface; a bottle assembly disposed within the pocket; a first end-clamp coupled within a first recess disposed at an upper end of the pocket to at least partially retain the bottle assembly in the pocket; and a second end-clamp coupled within a second recess disposed at the lower end of the pocket to at least partially retain the bottle assembly in the pocket. The bottle assembly further includes: a sample bottle having an axial length; and a sleeve comprising a bore, the sample bottle received within the bore, and the sleeve has an axial length substantially the same as the sample bottle.

Abstract: A MWD/LWD hard line communication system and method includes for the system a cartridge capable of deploying wire in a borehole, a screen attachable to the cartridge and positionally retainable in the borehole, and a communications connector operably associable with the cartridge; and for the method, deploying hardline from a cartridge, attaching the cartridge to a screen, and attaching the cartridge to a communications connector. Another method includes pumping fluid downhole, urging a wire nest into a screen, and compacting the nest into the screen with the fluid until the fluid is pumpable past the nest through an unobstructed portion of the screen.

Abstract: A casing-while-drilling bottom hole assembly is releasably connected with a casing string. A retrieval tool is run into the casing string and latched to the bottom hole assembly. Slips are mounted to the retrieval tool, the slips being retracted during running in. Differential pressure moves the retrieval tool and bottom hole assembly upward, and the slips engage the casing string to prevent downward movement if the pressure differential drops too low. A flow passage extends through the retrieval tool and the bottom hole assembly. A check valve in the retrieval tool allows downward flow through the flow passage but prevents upward flow, so that fluid may be circulated through the retrieval tool and bottom hole assembly while suspended with the slips.

Abstract: A bit retention apparatus for the use of retrieving the hammer bit in cases of shankage. The apparatus incorporates a dual sleeve design that fits over the chuck and the extended head section of the hammer bit. The first, “inner” sleeve has two or more ring pieces that fit onto the chuck and have the retention ring fitted into the lower section of the sleeve. The second, “outer” sleeve fits onto the chuck over the inner sleeve to provide protect to the inner sleeve while pulling the shanked bit out of the well bore. Attachment to the bit is accomplished by collars, knobs, or threads on the interior of the sleeves that correspond with holding bands, retention rings, or threads on the bit and chuck.

Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation of a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. Different physically alterable bonding materials may be substituted for cement. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambient hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.

Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation of a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. Methods of operation are described wherein at least one geophysical parameter is measured with a geophysical parameter sensing member located within the drill string. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambient hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.

Abstract: Equipment and methods which may be used in conjunction with an underbalanced well completion. In a described embodiment, a valve for use in a subterranean well in conjunction with a tool conveyed through the valve in a container is provided. The valve includes a passage formed longitudinally through the valve, a closure assembly which selectively permits and prevents flow through the passage, and an engagement device which engages the container as the tool is conveyed through the passage. The closure assembly permits flow through the passage when the container is conveyed into the passage, and the closure assembly prevents flow through the passage when the container is removed from the passage. Engagement between the container and the engagement device separates the tool from the container.

Abstract: A rod extractor for ground drill rods having a drill rod (20) with a plurality of rod threads (23) at its upper portion, about which an extraction collar (30) with internal threads rotates slidably with said rod threads. A guide sleeve (51) having a sleeve opening is attached perpendicular to a ground plate (50) which rests on a ground surface. Said rod travels through said sleeve opening into the ground, upon which an extraction tool (40) rotates said collar about said rod resulting in downward travel of said collar in relation to said rod and sleeve until said collar contacts said sleeve. Further rotation of said collar results in upward force upon said rod, extracting it from the ground.

Abstract: A product, system and method for treating a well bore using a concentrated treatment composition enclosed in a soluble container. The composition-filled container is deposited in the well, preferably through the drill string, followed by a solvent, such as drilling mud or water, to form a circulating solution characterized by the ability to circulate through the well. Most of the circulating solution is recovered at the surface using a mud tank, for example. In a well “sweeping” operation a partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide powder in a soluble tube is dropped down the drill string. The well bore is then flushed with water or drilling mud to form the liquified polymer down hole. The well is flushed with more water or mud to sweep the cuttings and polymer solution from the well bore.

Abstract: An assembly for extracting discrete soil samples from subsurface soil at a lurality of selected depths includes an elongated outer tubular housing, and a soil sample tube for disposal in the outer tubular housing. The soil sample tube is movable axially in the outer tubular housing and provided with a feature thereon for locking the soil sample tube in the outer tubular housing in a fully inserted position in the outer tubular housing. The replaceable soil sample tube defines a sample chamber proximate a distal end thereof. The assembly further includes a cone tip assembly including a cone tip member and a cone tip rod, the cone tip member being fixed to a distal end of the cone tip rod. The cone tip rod is movable axially in the soil sample tube, the cone tip member having a locking feature thereon for locking the cone tip member at the distal end of the soil sample tube with a cone portion of the cone tip member extending distally beyond a distal end of the outer tubular housing.

Abstract: A retractable drill bit system 10 comprises a drive sub 18 which is adapted for connection to a lower end of a drill 12, a tool 20 for installing and retracting drill bit segments 22 from the drive sub 18; and an insert 24 for selectively locking the bit segments 22 to an end of the drive sub 18 and releasing the bit segments 22. A plurality of recesses 5B are formed about an inner circumferential wall at one end of the drive sub 18 and a landing seat 32 formed about the inner wall upstream of the recesses 58. The area of the interior wall between the landing seat 32 and recesses 58 is profiled with a series of tapered and level surfaces. The tool 20 includes a slidable cradle 176 extending from one end about which the bit segments 22 are held during installation and retrieval. The bit segments 22 being held in place about the cradle by an elastic band 198.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus serve to take and analyze level determined samples of pore gas/liquid, e.g. water from a subterranean formation, in which a borehole is drilled and pore gas/liquid samples are conveyed at a desired depth into a cavity in the drill string(1). The samples are analyzed in two steps, where they are first analyzed in a sample chamber (18) which is detachably mounted in the drill string during drilling, and which contains a plurality of probes for in situ analysis of the samples and transmission of the analysis results to the surface of the ground where they are recorded. The samples themselves are then pumped up to the surface of the ground by means of a pump assembly (20). The samples are now analyzed at the surface of the ground for further components, e.g. organic and toxic substances, just as the in situ analyses in the sample chamber are repeated at the surface of the ground.

Abstract: Pipe-driving apparatus used to create a pipe line of small diameter uses a pressing station in an access trench to drive in pipe sections one by one. A boring head and conveyor worm operates at the front of the pipe line in a working pipe section on which a cutting shoe is swivably mounted. The worm is a spiral flight on a drive shaft which runs within an open fronted container on which a drive unit for the boring head and the worm is mounted. Hydraulic bracing units mounted to the container can be swung out and engaged with stops in the working pipe section to brace the container during the filling operation. Projections on the container engage with the shoe and the bracing units can be used to steer the shoe. When the container is filled the bracing units re stowed and the container is withdrawn back down the pipe line to the access trench for discharging the material.

Abstract: An earth drilling device for extracting earth samples including a rotatable drill tube and means for rotating said drill tube, a drill bit supported by said rotatable drill tube, said drill bit and said drill tube defining an inner shoulder, a hollow probe movably disposed within said drill tube and adapted to be supported by said inner shoulder, an exchangeable plastic sleeve disposed within said hollow probe, and means for extracting said hollow probe and associated plastic sleeve containing an earth sample without removing the drill tube from the earth.

Abstract: A carrier and contained well instrument which are light enough to float in the fluid in a well are forced downwardly in the well to a predetermined test zone by downward movement of the fluid. After performance of a testing operation by the instrument, the buoyant carrier and instrument are permitted to float upwardly within the fluid to the surface of the earth for retrieval.