Abstract: An operating system, rock drilling rig and method for operating an electrically operated rock drilling rig. The operating system includes an electric system connected to an electric supply source and having one or more electric motors controlled by electric control devices. The system further includes a hydraulic system having one or more hydraulic pumps and hydraulic control devices. There are hydraulic tramming actuators connected to closed loop hydraulic circuits and hydraulic drilling actuators connected to either open or closed loop circuits.

Abstract: An activation control module utilizes gravity and/or centrifugal acceleration to move a mechanical element that controls, activates or deactivates a mechanical or hydraulic mechanism, for use with a downhole tool such as a drilling tool or reamer in a wellbore. In embodiments, the activation control module described herein may utilize a combination of centrifugal acceleration and/or gravity due to an inclination of the downhole tool to move a valve, which turns off pressure to a hydro-mechanical system. The activation control modules may be utilized in applications where very little space is available for larger mechanisms. Further, the activation control modules do not require expensive and complex electro-mechanical systems, reducing or eliminating the need for batteries, wiring, electronics, motors, pumps and the like. Moreover, the activation control modules described herein do not require the use of a turbine, a centrifugal clutch or a linear actuator.

Abstract: A spindle with a mechanism for transferring axial force from an inner drive assembly to an outer drive assembly. The spindle's inner drive shaft is connected to an inner member of a dual-rod pipe by a drive rod having a sliding sleeve. The sleeve is fixed rotationally with the drive shaft, but not axially. When axial force drives the drive rod toward the drive member of the spindle, the sleeve contacts a stop member which is paired to the outer drive assembly. The stop member may be a pair of dowel pins. Axial force is thereby transferred from the inner member to the outer member, allowing such forces to be absorbed by the outer member's larger drive components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole valve device for providing access to a hydrocarbon reservoir, comprising a tubular element having a wall, an inner face and an outer face, the tubular element having a first through-bore and a plurality of second through-bores in the wall extending from the inner face to the outer face, and a sleeve abutting the inner face and being displaceable along the inner face between a first state in which the sleeve covers the first and second through-bores and a second state in which the sleeve uncovers the first and second through-bores, wherein a burst element is arranged in the first through-bore and an acid-dissolvable plug is arranged in each second through-bore. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a downhole completion system for completing a well in low pressure zone and a downhole completion method for completing a well.

Abstract: A drilling device for geotechnical engineering investigation is provided, including an outer supporting ring seat, where a center of the outer supporting ring seat is rotatably connected with a middle supporting ring seat through a first supporting shaft rod; a center of the middle supporting ring seat is rotatably connected with an inner supporting ring seat through a second supporting shaft rod; the first supporting shaft rod and the second supporting shaft rod are vertically crossed; a second rotating motor is fixedly installed at one end of the first supporting shaft rod on an outer surface of the outer supporting ring seat; a pow output end of the second rotating motor is fixedly connected with the first supporting shaft rod, an other end of the first supporting shaft rod is provided with a first locking mechanism for position limitation.

Abstract: An automated system (100) and method for removing and installing drill bits or tricone bits that is safe, with low energy consumption and adaptable to existing drilling systems (1) and break-out wrenches (2), comprising: a base structure (101) that is attached to the drilling system (1); a mobile table (102) that moves on a base structure (101) for replacing tricone bits (103); a handling system (104) located on the base structure (101) for moving the tricone bits (103) from the mobile table (102) to the drilling system (1); control (200) that define the movement and synchronise the mobile table (102), the handling system (104) and the break-out wrench (2); and sensors, that supply data to the control means (200) on the location of the mobile table (102), the handling system (104), the hoisting claw (105) and the break-out wrench (2).

Abstract: Provided is a keyed running tool for use with a slotted orientation apparatus. The keyed running tool, in one aspect, includes a housing, and two or more keys extending from the housing, the two or more keys movable between a radially retracted state and a radially extended state, wherein adjacent ones of the two or more keys are laterally offset from each other and radially offset from each other by Y degrees, wherein Y is 180 degrees or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary device (101) for a down-the-hole hammer (1), which rotary device is accommodated in a rotation motor housing (3) and mounted behind a drill housing (2) for transferring a torque to a drill bit (8) and a pressurized drive fluid (22) to a striking mechanism (4) for the drill bit. The rotary device includes a cam curve with a plurality of drive lobes (28:1-28:3) and working chambers (30:1, 30:2, 30:3) along a circumference in the rotation motor housing (3), a rotor disc (38) carrying a plurality of radially movable vanes (40:1-40:12), which are accommodated in piston tracks (41:1-41:12) in the rotor disc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a civil engineering device with an undercarriage with a crawler chassis, an upper carriage, which is arranged on the undercarriage, and a mast, which is mounted vertically oriented on the upper carriage. According to the invention it is provided that arranged on an upper area of the mast is at least one camera, by which an image of the civil engineering device and its surroundings can be recorded.

Abstract: A cutter element for a drill bit includes a base portion having a central axis, a first end, and a second end. In addition, the cutter element includes a cutting layer fixably mounted to the first end of the base portion. The cutting layer includes a cutting face distal the base portion. The cutting face includes a first planar surface and a second planar surface that is circumferentially-spaced from the first planar surface. Each planar surface is positioned at an outer periphery of the cutting face adjacent the radially outer surface of the cutting layer. The cutting face also includes a saddle surface including a crown and a pair of lateral side surfaces that slope down and away from the crown toward the radially outer cylindrical surface of the cutting layer. The crown extends from the first planar surface to the second planar surface.

Abstract: A sequestration injection valve including a housing, a flow valve disposed in the housing, an injector assembly, the assembly having a ported inner sleeve and a ported outer sleeve, the inner sleeve and outer sleeve moveable relative to one another to more align or more misalign the ports in the inner sleeve and outer sleeve. A method for injecting sequestration fluid into a borehole including applying pressure to a flow valve in an injection valve, moving an inner sleeve of an injector assembly with the pressure, and automatically maintaining pressure differential at the injector assembly. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a sequestration injection valve disposed within or as a part of the string.

Abstract: A coordinated control method for electric vehicles having independent four-wheel driving and steering, comprising the steps of: calculating to obtain a desired value of yaw velocity according to the steering angle and the current vehicle driving speed, and limiting the desired value of yaw velocity according to the current road adhesion condition; constructing an optimization problem according to the current vehicle motion state and the desired value of yaw velocity, and solving the optimization problem to obtain a desired active rear wheel steering angle control variable and a desired additional yaw moment control variable; calculating to obtain an additional torque of each wheel according to a desired additional yaw moment control variable, obtaining a desired active rear wheel steering angle, and sending the additional torque of each wheel and the desired active rear wheel steering angle to an executor of the vehicle for performing a coordinated control.

Abstract: An open hole tieback completion pressure activated backpressure valve including a housing, a flapper articulated to the housing, a lock out sleeve axially movably disposed within the housing and operatively disposed in relation to the flapper, a seat operatively connected to the sleeve, and a profile that locks the sleeve in place after axial movement of the sleeve. A borehole system including an intervention-less closed lower completion system having delayed opening activation valves with a wellbore isolation valve uphole of a float shoe, and a casing tie-back completion including the valve. A method for completing an open hole including landing an object on a seat of an open hole tieback completion pressure activated backpressure valve, locking out the valve, releasing the object, and landing the same object on a well isolation valve of a lower completion.

Abstract: A downhole cleaning tool (120) for use in a drilled bore, such as an oil and gas well (100). The tool (120) comprises a tubular body (130) defining an internal bore (136) and at least one radially extending blade (148) defining a pocket (152) having sides and a base. A cam-activated radially extendable cleaning element (154) is mounted in the pocket (152) and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. Multiple pockets (152) and cleaning elements (154) may be provided. The activating cam may be in the form of a pipe, which may be a single unitary part or may be in multiple parts. The parts of the multiple-part pipe may be axially spaced and may activate the cleaning elements in a staggered or sequential manner.

Abstract: In a blowout preventer body having a central bore a method of reducing the size and weight of the blowout preventer body while maintaining an acceptable stress level at working pressure comprising machining a portion of the blowout preventer body to proximate the final dimensions, pressuring the blowout preventer body to a higher pressure than the working pressure of the blowout preventer body to yield high stress areas of the blowout preventer body, and relieving the higher pressure from the blowout preventer body such that when the blowout preventer body returns to the non-pressured state the high stress areas will retain compressive stresses and when the blowout preventer body is then pressurized to the working pressure of the blowout preventer body the stresses will be at an acceptable stress level.

Abstract: The disclosure presents processes to determine the direction and magnitude of tubing eccentricity along the length of a tube inserted within a borehole. The tubing can be a wireline, a drill string, a drill pipe, or tubing capable of allowing fluid or other material to flow through it. As borehole operations proceed, the tubing can move toward the side of the borehole. This eccentricity can cause excess wear and tear on the tubing, on the casing of the borehole, or on the inner surface of the subterranean formation. The eccentricity can be measured using acoustic signals that are collected downhole covering the azimuthal angles 0° to 360° at a location in the borehole. The collected signals can be filtered, transformed, and analyzed to estimate the tubing eccentricity. Other processes and systems can use the results to obtain cement bond evaluations through tubing and to determine preventative or restorative actions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for an integrated and comprehensive hydraulic, environmental, and mechanical tubular design analysis workflow and simulator for complex well trajectories. An example method can include obtaining data defining a configuration of a wellbore having a complex well trajectory, one or more operations to be performed at the wellbore, and one or more loads associated with the wellbore; calculating environmental conditions associated with a set of wellbore components along the complex well trajectory based on the data defining the configuration of the wellbore, the one or more operations, and the one or more loads; calculating stress conditions associated with the set of wellbore components based on the environmental conditions and the data defining the configuration of the wellbore, the one or more operations, and the one or more loads; and presenting the environmental conditions and the stress conditions via a graphical user interface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying downhole dynamics in a drilling system are provided. Acceleration-detecting sensors are mounted at multiple locations near to a drill bit, such as at a drill collar. The sensors may be spaced 90° apart along a circumference of the drill collar. The sensors detect acceleration measurements in a plane orthogonal to the drill string's axis of rotation, with respect to a first reference frame that moves with the drill string. The acceleration measurements are received by a processor and processed to determine rotational and revolution positions of the drill string within the wellbore with respect to a static reference frame. Whirl dynamics may, in particular, be determined based on the results in real time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole tool and method suitable for geosteering within a lateral formation. The downhole tool includes a gamma sensor for monitoring gamma radiation within the lateral formation. The method provides for monitoring of the location of the drill bit or a RSS within a borehole and correcting the angle of inclination to maintain the drill bit or RSS within the target zone of the lateral formation.

Abstract: A multi-activation reamer optionally includes modular activation and pulse confirmation blocks for activating the reamer and confirming activation. A reamer activation signal may be communicated downhole, optionally using an activation sequence of drill string flow and rotation detectable by downhole sensors. An on-board controller receives the activation signal and opens an activation flow path in the activation block to hydraulically actuate the reamer arms. A pulse flow path is also opened in the pulse confirmation block, optionally using pressure from the activation flow path. Flow along the pulse flow path is modulated to generate a flow pattern detectable uphole of the reamer to confirm activation of the reamer.

Abstract: A pigging tool may include a housing positionable in a pipeline. The housing may define a bypass channel that extends along an axis that is nonparallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing. An energy generation device can be positioned in the bypass channel of the housing such that fluid is receivable by the energy generation device to generate energy for the pigging tool. Further, an energy storage device may store energy generated from the energy generation device. The energy storage device may provide the pigging tool with energy to perform one or more operations in the pipeline.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a downhole power system that includes a combination of different power sources, which includes downhole power generators and rechargeable batteries that can be recharged downhole, a downhole bus and a bus power controller that manages the distribution of power from the different power sources to downhole tools connected to the downhole bus, such as tools of a BHA. The different power sources can be strategically positioned along the downhole bus/BHA. An example of a downhole distributed power system includes: (1) a downhole bus, (2) different power sources connected to and strategically positioned on the downhole bus, and (3) one or more controllers to perform operations that includes managing distribution of power, from the different power sources, to downhole tools connected to the downhole bus, wherein the different power sources include one or more power generators and one or more rechargeable batteries that are chargeable downhole.

Abstract: A drilling tool has an upstream drilling string, a downstream drilling bit, and a percussive device connected between the upstream drilling string and the downstream drilling bit. In a first state, the upstream drilling string is generated with elastic compression by the percussive device, and in a second state, the upstream drilling string releases the elastic compression to apply impacts on the downstream drilling bit through the percussive device. The drilling tool has a prolonged service life and can effectively reduce the drilling cost.

Abstract: A tubular defines a central flow passage. A camera has an aperture and attached to an outer surface of the tubular with the aperture oriented away from the outer surface of the tubular. A lost circulation media reservoir is circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the outer surface of the tubular. The lost circulation media reservoir is adjacent to the camera. The lost circulation media reservoir includes actuable gates along a periphery of the lost circulation media reservoir. A trigger is communicably coupled with the actuable gates and configured to actuate the actuable gates.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”), methods of fabricating PDCs, and applications for such PDCs. In an embodiment, a method includes providing an at least partially leached polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) body. A residual amount of acid may remain in and/or on the at least partially leached PCD body. The method further includes removing and/or neutralizing at least some of the residual amount of acid from the at least partially leached PCD body and/or a substrate to which the at least partially leached PCD body is attached.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for geosteering in directional drilling based on water detection. An exemplary method includes determining a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for an electromagnetic communication between devices on a bottom hole assembly, and determining a distance to water based, at least in part, on the SNR. Adjustments to geosteering vectors for the bottom hole assembly are determined based, at least in part, on the distance to water.

Abstract: A downhole assembly to mitigate high frequency torsional oscillation, in particular the high frequency torsional oscillation which can occur in a drilling operation for geothermal energy or for oil and gas. The downhole assembly has a rotary steerable tool and a high frequency torsional oscillation mitigation tool, the high frequency torsional oscillation mitigation tool having a one-way coupling, the high frequency torsional oscillation mitigation tool being located above the rotary steerable tool. Also relates to an oscillation mitigation tool suitable for use in a downhole assembly.

Abstract: A technique facilitates control over packers and/or other well tools actuated downhole. The technique utilizes a valve connectable into a well string. The valve is shiftable between a plurality of modes so as to control flow of fluid in a downhole environment. Additionally, an actuator system is connectable into the well string and operatively coupled with the valve. The actuator system is electronically controlled to cause the valve to shift to a desired mode of the plurality of modes. This approach enables electronic control over the actuation of specific downhole tools, e.g. packers, and/or other well related operations.

Abstract: A reaming tool for use in a wellbore has an elongated tubular body with an outer surface. There are at least first and second reamer sections formed on the tubular body, with the first and second reamer sections (i) being positioned circumferentially opposite one another, and (ii) each having at least two blades. The first reamer section includes at least one rounded dome insert and a majority of cutting tooth inserts, while the second reamer section includes a majority of rounded dome inserts.

Abstract: A jet flow adjustment method for rotary steerable downhole release includes steps of: defining a diversion ratio p of a jet nozzle by a ground control system; and sending the diversion ratio p of the jet nozzle to a control unit of a downhole rotary steerable system; and determining an opening areas of the jet nozzle by the control unit according to the diversion ratio p of the jet nozzle and an equivalent channel area S of a drilling tool; controlling an adjustable bypass valve by the control unit of the downhole rotary steerable system according to the calculated opening area s of the jet nozzle, so as to control an overlapping area between sector holes of a rotor end and a stator end, thereby opening the jet nozzle for release. The present invention has simple control and strong release ability.

Abstract: A drilling system having retractable wings and method of using same. The system includes at least one wing, which can extend from the system once it engages in a casing and abuts against an abutment ring at the bottom end of the casing. When the system starts drilling a hole into the ground, the casing is installed down the hole. In one configuration, the at least one wing is at least partially retracted into the drilling system and locked in this position. In another configuration, the at least one wing extends from the drilling system and locks into an extended position. The system can be connected to a down-the-hole hammer, a top-hammer drilling rod, or any other suitable rock drilling tool/apparatus, and can be used with a single and a dual rotary drilling tool/apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods of forming a seal employ a robust metal sealing unit for tubulars used in rotary drilling. Specifically, eutectic alloy is used to seal a tubular to a wellbore after drilling. A downhole heater melts the alloy, allowing the alloy to expand and drain before it cools and solidifies between the wellbore and tubular, forming a gas tight seal.

Abstract: An augmenting controller for augmenting control of an actuator by a component controller. The actuator is operable to change an operational parameter of a component of a drilling rig. The component controller is configured for communicating control signals to the actuator to control the actuator and thereby control operation of the component. The augmenting controller is operable to augment the control signals.

Abstract: A downhole device is configured as a selectable hole trimmer. The selectable hole trimmer comprises an upper sleeve affixed inside a body via a stop. A charge sleeve is slidable inside the upper sleeve to provide a pressure to a pressurized volume. A catch sleeve is slidable inside the charge sleeve to align a bypass port and a return port with a drilling mud volume. An actuator is fluidly connected to the pressurized volume via a port. The actuator is configured to provide a pressure to a selectable hole cutter of the body via an actuation port in the transfer sleeve and actuate the selectable hole cutter piston of the selectable hole cutter to move relative to the body, wherein the cutter piston comprises one or more cutters. A manual controller configured to operate the actuator in response to a dropped activation ball.

Abstract: A high-frequency composite impactor including a high-frequency axial and a torsional impact assembly is disclosed. The high-frequency axial impact assembly includes an upper self-excited oscillation cavity, a lower self-excited oscillation cavity, an adjustment block and a lock nut. The torsional impact assembly includes an upper end cover, a reversing switch, a pendulum, a lower shell, a lower end cover, a nozzle, a connecting block and a retaining ring. The high-frequency axial impact assembly converts the flowing drilling fluid into a pulsed jet to achieve a high-frequency axial impact. The torsional impact assembly enables a torsional impact through a shunt, and finally enables a high-frequency composite impact, which can effectively reduce the stick-slip of the drill string, jump drilling and other downhole accidents. By reducing the friction between the drill string and the borehole wall, the impactor can reduce WOB loss, increase the ROP, and improve the drilling efficiency.

Abstract: An agitator deployable in a wellbore includes a housing including a central axis and a central passage, a valve including a first valve body having a first contact face and a second valve body permitted to rotate relative to the first valve body and having a second contact face configured to contact the first contact face, a first valve adapter including a first receptacle which receives at least a portion of the first valve body to couple the first valve adapter to the first valve body, and a flexible valve configured to permit the first valve body to flex relative to the first valve adapter whereby an angular misalignment may form between a central axis of the first valve body and a central axis of the first valve adapter.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a transmission line within a drill string component includes a drill string component comprising a bore having an internal diameter. A slot having a shoulder is formed in the internal surface to receive an electromagnetic transmission line. A tension anchor is configured to be attached to the electromagnetic transmission line. The tension anchor comprises an inner sleeve configured to be crimped onto an outer diameter of the electromagnetic transmission line, and an outer sleeve configured to be coupled with the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve comprises an electrical connector device configured to be electrically coupled with the electromagnetic transmission line. The tension anchor is further configured to be received in the slot in engagement with the shoulder.

Abstract: The force modulation system for a drill bit includes a cutter, a blade cap, a cap retention device, and a first force member. The cutter or cutters fit in the blade cap, and the blade cap fits to the drill bit. The cap retention device exerts a cap retention force in a first direction. The first force member exerts a first force in a second direction. The cutting profile of the force modulation system is now variable in more than one direction so as to avoid excessive forces from more than one direction for each cutter on the blade cap. There can also be a second force member to exert a second force in the first direction for more variability of the cutting profile in the first direction and a third force member to exert a third force in an opposite second direction.

Abstract: A rotary steerable tool may include a tool body with an upper end and a lower end. Additionally, the tool body may include at least one steering assembly extending from the tool body and includes at least one steering actuator configured to extend beyond other portions of the steering assembly. Furthermore, at least one cutter may be disposed on the rotary steerable tool a distance from the at least one steering actuator.

Abstract: A downhole displacement impact method and an impact drilling tool are provided, which relates to the field of drilling tools. The downhole displacement impact drilling tool includes a flow passing sleeve, a first main shaft, an impact-bearing seat, and a second main shaft that are all formed by annular structures and are connected in sequence from top to bottom. A vibration sleeve, a vibration starting seat, and an impact head are connected in sequence from top to bottom on the impact-bearing seat. The vibration sleeve is connected and fixed to the impact head through a connecting sleeve. The vibration starting seat synchronously rotates with the impact-bearing seat through a spline connection therebetween. The vibration starting seat generates an up-down periodic displacement along an axial direction of the vibration starting seat during rotating.

Abstract: A drilling tip includes a tip main body that has a posterior end portion having a columnar or disk shape centered on a tip center line and a distal end portion and is made of a cemented carbide and a hard layer that coats the distal end portion and is made of a polycrystalline diamond sintered body. The distal end portion has a convex portion, and a concave portion. A diameter D of the posterior end portion is 8 mm to 20 mm. A ratio r1/D of a radius r1 of the convex portion is 0.1 to 0.65, and a ratio r2/D of a radius r2 of the concave portion is 0.05 to 3.0. An angle formed by a straight line that connects a tangent point which the convex portion tangents to the concave portion and a center of the convex portion to each other is 20° to 90°.

Abstract: The invention is a land drilling rig (10) having a drilling mast (12), a top drive (14) movable in the drilling mast (12) along the vertical axis of the drilling mast (12), and a crown bearing (18) at an upper end (16) of the drilling mast (12), the crown bearing (18) being movable by means of a positioning device (24), and a method of operating such a drilling rig (10) and a method of operating a top drive (14) in the drilling mast (12) of such a drilling rig (10).

Abstract: The force modulation system for a drill bit includes a cutter, a holder, a holder retention device, and a first force member. The cutter fits in the holder, and the holder fits in the drill bit. The holder retention device exerts a holder retention force in a first direction. The first force member exerts a first force in a second direction. The second direction is angled offset to the first direction so as that the cutting profile of the force modulation system is now variable in the second direction, according to the first force. There can also be a second force member to exert a second force in the first direction for more variability of the cutting profile in the first direction. The second force member can be made integral with the first force member.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for systems and methods for controlling fluid flow into a power generation section of a tool string. In one aspect, multiple flow kits are fluidly coupled with a turbine, and flow of fluid into the turbine is regulated by selectively opening valves coupled with the flow kits. In another aspect, a valve is fluidly coupled with the turbine, and flow of fluid through the valve and into the turbine is regulated by opening, partially opening, closing, or partially closing the valve in response to measured operational parameter data.

Abstract: A location of a cut and an amount of force to be used in a pull operation for a plug & abandonment (P&A) operation can be determined. Measurements of at least one characteristic of fluids and solids disposed in an annulus defined between a casing and a wall of a wellbore can be received. A total fluid and solid friction force drag can be determined using hydrostatic force that is determined from the measurements. A mechanical friction force drag can be determined based on a weight of the casing. The mechanical friction force drag and the total fluid and solid friction force drag can be used to determine a friction factor. The friction factor can be used to determine a depth location at which to cut the casing and a pull force for pulling the casing from the wellbore in the P&A operation.

Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for directional drilling through hydrocarbon bearing formations using a downhole laser tool. The technologies can be used to steer or direct a drill bit or drill string to a new drilling direction in the formation through controlled activation of a laser beam discharged from a laser head mounted on a drill string or drill bit.

Abstract: A variety of methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed, including, in one embodiment a method of steering a drilling bit including: determining at least one control command to a drilling system, wherein the control command includes a combination of one or more nominal control commands output from a feedforward controller and one or more control command error values output from a feedback controller operating in an error space; and directing the drill bit of the drilling system in the wellbore based on at least the control command to extend the wellbore towards a planned depth-based wellbore trajectory.

Abstract: Proteinaceous enhanced oil recovery operates on the principle that proteins can be denatured using chemicals to break them down into a viscous polymeric mixture that exhibits an EOR effect. In one or more embodiments, the proteins in question are sourced from an algae (spirulina) meal, which could be obtained as a waste product from wastewater treatment or bioprocessing operations, including biofuel production where the lipids are extracted for fuel but the large volumes of proteins are considered a waste material with little or negative value. In other embodiments, other biomasses are used, especially edible biomasses, thereby mitigating public resistance to drilling operations due to concerns of perceived toxicity of chemicals. This also mitigates legal liability from the use of chemicals that are known to be toxic. Additionally, the agents are denatured biomasses that have not undergone expensive purification or separation steps. This will make these agents highly cost competitive.

Abstract: A portable mast assembly is comprised of a skid assembly having a horizontally oriented frame having longitudinally extending support surfaces and a mast assembly having at least two vertically extending column assemblies that are supported upon one or more longitudinally extending mast supports. A means for moving the one or more mast supports along the extending support surfaces of the frame is provided.

Abstract: A solid-state hydrophone may include a piezoelectric rod positioned between at least two electrodes. The piezoelectric rod may be disposed within a metallic housing to shield the piezoelectric rod and its connections from acoustic and electromagnetic waves. The piezoelectric rod and the electrodes may be potted in the mechanical housing using a potting material that may be positioned adjacent to the piezoelectric rod. At least a layer of the potting material may be positioned between the piezoelectric rod and the metallic housing to physically separate the piezoelectric rod from the metallic housing.