Abstract: A filter sub for a wellbore drilling system includes a filter having an uphole end for receiving a drilling fluid, and a downhole end opposite the uphole end, the filter defining a plurality of apertures through which the drilling fluid flows out of the filter, each aperture exhibiting a size that retains debris of a predetermined size within the filter, and a flapper pivotably attached to the filter at the downhole end with an actuatable hinge. The flapper is pivotable at the actuatable hinge between a closed position, where the flapper occludes the downhole end and thereby prevents debris accumulated within the filter from escaping the filter, and an open position, where the flapper exposes the downhole end and thereby allows the debris to escape the filter and be discharged from the filter sub.

Abstract: A nozzle for use with a limited entry liner. A limited entry liner can house multiple nozzles and each nozzle can include a barrel and a central, dissolvable region. The dissolvable region is made of a material that has specific properties that allow the central region to withstand pressure and environment in a well up to a certain, known point at which time the central portion will dissolve and allow fluid to pass into the limited entry liner.

Abstract: A landing nose adapted to deploy a sensor package within a tubular string may include one or more fins. The fins may be positioned to extend radially outwardly from the body of the landing nose and extend beyond the end of the landing nose body. The landing nose may be adapted to seat against a landing ring positioned within the tubular string. The fins may be adapted to, when the landing nose is seated, allow fluid to flow between the fins and through a central aperture of the landing ring. The fins may also be adapted to reduce the opportunity for the landing nose and sensor package to catch on any protrusions or features of the tubular string. In operation, the landing nose and sensor package may be run through the tubular string from the surface until the landing nose contacts the landing ring. The sensor package may then survey the wellbore as the tubular string is tripped-out from the wellbore.

Abstract: Apparatus (100) for use in top filling of tubulars comprising an inlet (200) for fluid communication with a top drive for providing top filling fluid, and an outlet (300) for fluid communication with a tubular. The apparatus (100) comprises a filter configuration (120), in fluid communication with the inlet (200) and the outlet (300) and configured to remove debris from a top filling fluid flow flowing from the inlet (200) to the outlet (300) during top filling of a tubular.

Abstract: A drilling fluid delivery system for drilling boreholes with a drill bit, includes a primary flow circuit having a relatively high flow rate for transferring drilling fluid to and from the drill bit. The system also includes a secondary flow circuit having a relatively low flow rate for transferring drilling fluid to and from the primary flow circuit. Furthermore, the system includes a cuttings transfer system, such as a hydrocyclone or a rotating filter, between the primary and secondary flow circuits. When the cutting transfer system is in use, it receives fluid containing cuttings from the primary circuit and separates the fluid into a first stream that contains substantially no cuttings and a second stream containing cuttings. The first stream is returned to the primary flow circuit and the second stream is directed to the secondary flow circuit.

Abstract: A downhole tool for removing debris from fluid flowing through the downhole tool uses a screen member and wiper member, the wiper member having at least one window disposed through the inner and outer wall surfaces of the wiper member. Either the screen member or the wiper member is rotatable such that rotation of the screen member or the wiper member causes debris disposed on the outer wall surface of the screen member to fall-off the screen member. At least one directional port disposed at either the upper end of the screen member or the upper end of the wiper member causes rotation of the screen member or wiper member when fluid flows through the downhole tool.

Abstract: A drill and a separator apparatus and a method of prolonging bearing life are described, the separator apparatus being suitable for separating an air/water mixture into discrete air and water streams during drilling of a blast hole. The separator apparatus includes a separator body which is adapted to be installed at a distal or lower region of a drill string and when installed at the distal or lower region forms one or more separation chambers or reservoirs, each separation chamber or reservoir comprising an inlet adapted to receive the air/water mixture, a first outlet in fluid communication with a drill bit for releasing air thereto and a second outlet in fluid communication with a wall of the blast hole and disposed in the distal or lower region of the drill string to release water separated from the air/water mixture in a region adjacent the drill bit.

Abstract: Milling in casing that is over 4½ inches is done with coiled tubing that is anchored against torque reaction. An improved debris catcher is part of the bottom hole assembly to capture cuttings from the milling. A thruster can be used to maintain weight on the mill during the milling. The coiled tubing supports a mud motor to drive the mill. Return fluid is separated from the cuttings and returned to the surface.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a strainer based upon a four-way, two-position rotary cylindrical plug valve having a hollow plug. The normal entry port for the sealing plug of the plug valve is a circular radial hole passing from the exterior of the plug into the interior cavity of the plug. The normal exit port for the sealing plug is a regular array of small holes across from and coaxial with the normal entry hole. The ports for the valve body are in two pairs positioned at 90° from each other, with the axes of the ports lying in the same transverse plane as the ports of the valve plug.

Abstract: A retrievable drill pipe screen is adapted for releasable connection within a drill pipe string. The screen has a planar support plate for connecting a perforated tubular screen body to a fish neck wherein the plane of the planar support plate is generally parallel to the axis of the screen body. The orientation of the planar support plate provides minimal resistance to fluid flowing into the screen body while also reducing vortex effects that cause wear of screen components. Preferably, a wear distributor sleeve is fit within the screen body for protecting against wear of the screen caused by fluid flow and a retaining rod can secure the bottom of the screen body to the fish neck in the event that a lower portion of the screen body becomes detached.

Abstract: A downhole filter comprises a tubular member having a wall defining a plurality of openings. The openings have an outer width less than an inner width. The parts of the opening defining the smaller width are defined by radially outer parts of the openings, such that particulates or sand prevented from passing through the openings will tend to be retained to the outside of the tubular member. A method comprises providing a tubular string having a non-porous tubular portion and a porous tubular portion, and installing the tubular string within a wellbore such that the porous tubular portion is located adjacent a fluid-producing formation within the wellbore. In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises a drill string comprising a non-porous tubular portion and a porous tubular portion, and an earth removal member operatively connected to a lower end of the drill string.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for filtering down-hole drilling fluids, insertable at any point in the drill string, i.e.: tool joints or within instrument subs. The filter element is a disk insertable between the two threadably connected ends of any two lengths of the drill string or adaptively placed within a tool joint containing down-hole tools such as data gathering instruments. The filter is essentially a disk having a series of expanding concentric radial slots and may be used in combination with an X collar support ring insert, combined with a sleeve having a landing ring or provided with a retrieval means.

Abstract: A downhole device processes particles entrained in a drilling fluid returning up a wellbore. In one embodiment, the device includes a housing having at least one cutting surface formed in a chamber of a housing. A cutting head disposed in the chamber crushes or comminutes the particles entrained in the drilling fluid to a predetermined size. The device is disposed in the wellbore and processes the entrained particles before they enter a selected wellbore device such as a pump. In certain embodiments, the housing has at least two chambers, wherein the entrained particles are reduced to a first predetermined size in the first chamber, a second predetermined size in the second chamber, etc. Also, the housing can include an operator that generates an energy field that reduces the size of the particles entrained in the drilling fluid to a first predetermined size when the particles flow through the energy field.

Abstract: A two stage filter for drilling fluid using downhole tools filters solid materials from the drilling fluid and has a first, outer filter section and a second, inner filter section. A portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the first section is received by the second section, and passed on to the fluid using device of the tool. A flow area of the first filter section is greater than a flow area of the second filter section.

Abstract: A two stage filter for drilling fluid using downhole tools filters solid materials from the drilling fluid and has a first, outer filter section and a second, inner filter section. A portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the first section is received by the second section, and passed on to the fluid using device of the tool. A flow area of the first filter section is greater than a flow area of the second filter section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the drilling, notably by percussion or rotary-percussion drilling, and draining of holes in soil or rock. A drill bit (2, 3) mounted on a drill rod (4) creates a bore hole and a jacket tube (6) is coupled to the drill rod (4) or the drill bit (2, 3). In the area adjacent to the drill bit (2, 3) the jacket tube (6) has at least one through hole which opens into an annular space embodied between the drill rod and the jacket tube. In the end area adjacent to the drill bit (2, 3) the jacket tube (6) is surrounded by at least one filter tube (7) having a plurality of through holes or slits (8) which are distributed especially evenly across its circumference. This allows for correspondingly safe and reliable drainage during boring, using simple measures.

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: Means for collecting and bringing up unwanted material from an oil or gas well, the means thereby comprising a grinder or mill (6) and a coating (8) of a wear resistant material along its front and outer surfaces, the mill (6) being secured to a throughgoing drilling pipe having an inner centric liquid channel (7), the axially leading facing end of the mill (6) comprising a channel (4) extending through the mill (6) and into a junk chamber (3) behind or after the mill (6), the upper end of the means comprising a strainer (2) allowing penetration of liquid, but restraining the material, the rotation of the means from the throughgoing drilling pipe thereby ensuring that junk is brought into the channel (4) and from here into the junk chamber (3).

Abstract: A device for providing fluid cross over in a milling operation is set forth. It is particularly used by connection to a pipe string which supports the milling device for cutting junk from a well. It features an elongate hollow tool body having a central portion which defines a trash receiving chamber. There is a pipe inserted into this chamber from below for introducing return fluid after cutting which is laden with metal shavings, chips, and trash. In this chamber, fluid flows upwardly through the pipe, and trash collects in the chamber by surrounding the pipe falling to the bottom of the chamber by weight. The chamber is limited at the top end by transverse wall which has a number of perforations having an aggregate cross sectional area to prevent fluid flow restriction.

Abstract: A jet rotary drill bit confirming a first strainer element allowing the passage of mud carrying small-sized particles, but preventing relatively coarse particles from passing to the jet nozzles. The first strainer element is self-cleaning and the relatively coarse particles are passed on to a second strainer on which they remain trapped.

Abstract: A strainer is shown for use with a downhole tool through which drilling fluid is circulated during the drilling of deep oil wells and the like. The strainer provides a plurality of narrow slots which prevent the passage of material therethrough that might be entrained with the fluid and which otherwise would plug ports or nozzles or restrict flow passages below the strainer.

Abstract: A roller reamer body is provided with junk receiving pockets that are downward extensions of the body cavities in which the rollers and their shaft mounting blocks are disposed. The slots have upwardly slidably openable or removable outside wall panels so that junk can be dumped from the slots while the reamer is still vertical in the drill string, making it unnecessary to disconnect the reamer to dump the junk.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for preventing buildup of cuttings or debris in underwater oil wells. The apparatus includes a drilling tool in the form of a primary tubular member having an internal diameter a predetermined amount greater than the external diameter of a drill string which is run downwardly through a conventional riser pipe string and underwater wellhead assembly. The drilling tool preferably includes an external shoulder formed on the lower end portion thereof for engagement with a corresponding internal shoulder at the juncture of the riser pipe string and the wellhead assembly for supporting the tool independently of the drill string. An annular resilient seal can be included on the lower end portion of the tool for providing a fluid-tight seal between the lower end portion of the tool and the juncture of the riser pipe string and the wellhead assembly. The tool can include a second tubular member connected at its lower end to the lower end of the primary tubular member.