Processes Patents (Class 175/57)
  • Publication number: 20120128432
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ice worthy jack-up rig that may extend the drilling season in shallow water off shore Arctic or ice prone locations. The inventive rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig and the hull is lowered into the water into an ice defensive configuration. The hull is specifically shaped with an ice-bending surface to bend and break up ice that comes in contact with the hull while in the ice defensive configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Peter G. Noble, Randall S. Shafer, Dominique P. Berta
  • Publication number: 20120128429
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ice worthy jack-up rig that may extend the drilling season in shallow water off shore Arctic or ice prone locations. The inventive rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig and the hull is lowered into the water into an ice defensive configuration. The hull is specifically shaped with an ice-bending surface to bend and break up ice that comes in contact with the hull while in the ice defensive configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Peter G. Noble, Randall S. Shafer, Dominique P. Berta, Michael B. Winfree
  • Publication number: 20120128427
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ice worthy jack-up rig that may extend the drilling season in shallow water off shore Arctic or ice prone locations. The inventive rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig and the hull is lowered into the water into an ice defensive configuration. The hull is specifically shaped with an ice-bending surface to bend and break up ice that comes in contact with the hull while in the ice defensive configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Peter G. Noble, Randall S. Shafer, Dominique P. Berta, Michael B. Winfree
  • Publication number: 20120128428
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ice worthy jack-up rig that may extend the drilling season in shallow water off shore Arctic or ice prone locations. The inventive rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig and the hull is lowered into the water into an ice defensive configuration. The hull is specifically shaped with an ice-bending surface to bend and break up ice that comes in contact with the hull while in the ice defensive configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Peter G. Noble, Randall S. Shafer, Dominique P. Berta, Michael B. Winfree
  • Publication number: 20120128434
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ice worthy jack-up rig with a conical piled monopod working together to drill wells and produce hydrocarbons in ice prone locations. The inventive rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig. Both the hull and conical piled monopod are shaped with ice-bending surfaces to bend and break up ice that comes into contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Randall S. Shafer, Peter G. Noble, Ravi P. Aurora, Thomas E. Ramsey, Ted H. Westerman, Dominique P. Berta
  • Publication number: 20120128431
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ice worthy jack-up rig that may extend the drilling season in shallow water off shore Arctic or ice prone locations. The inventive rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig and the hull is lowered into the water into an ice defensive configuration. The hull is specifically shaped with an ice-bending surface to bend and break up ice that comes in contact with the hull while in the ice defensive configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Peter G. Noble, Randall S. Shafer, Dominique P. Berta
  • Patent number: 8185365
    Abstract: A method for designing a drill bit in an earth formation, including defining parameters for a simulation of the drill bit drilling in earth formation, where the parameters comprise at least bit design parameters; executing the defined simulation; obtaining radial forces resulting from the executing of the defined simulation; applying a criterion to the obtained radial forces; and adjusting one of the at least bit design parameters in response to the applying of the criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Prabhakaran K. Centala, Mohammed Boudrare, Sujian Huang
  • Patent number: 8185366
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for modeling the performance of a fixed cutter bit drilling an earth formation. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a drill bit and an earth formation to be represented as drilled, simulating the bit drilling the earth formation, displaying the simulating, and adjusting at least one parameter affecting the performance. The method of design is used to make a fixed cutter drill bit. In another embodiment the method includes numerically rotating the bit, calculating bit interaction with the earth formation during the rotating, and determining the forces on the cutters during the rotation based on the calculated interaction with earth formation and empirical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujian J. Huang, Peter Thomas Cariveau
  • Publication number: 20120118641
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for adjusting spring preloading in a downhole tool. In one embodiment, a mechanism includes a nut and a piston. The nut is configured to axially compress a spring in the downhole tool. The piston is coupled to the nut. Extension of the piston causes the nut to rotate and compress the spring. The nut is configured to maintain compression of the spring after the piston retracts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark SHEEHAN, Jonathan PRILL, Jeffery CLAUSEN
  • Publication number: 20120118642
    Abstract: Method of making an earth-boring tool comprise forming a body comprising a face including a plurality of radially extending blades thereon and a cone region, a nose region, and a shoulder region. A plurality of cutting elements may be disposed on the blades at least in the cone region, the nose region, and the shoulder region. Some of the cutting elements may be configured to form kerfing pairs comprising at least two cutting elements disposed on different blades of the plurality of radially extending blades at least substantially at the same radial position from a central axis of the body. At least one of the blades and orientations and exposures of the plurality of cutting elements may be configured so that a summation of a lateral drilling force generated by each cutting element of the plurality of cutting elements is directed toward a lateral side of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Chaitanya K. Vempati, Jack T. Oldham, Suresh G. Patel, Danielle M. Fuselier
  • Publication number: 20120118640
    Abstract: A drilling apparatus is adapted for connection to a drill string such that the drill string rotates the drilling apparatus in a rotational cutting motion. The drilling apparatus includes a sonde housing having a distal end and a proximal end. The sonde housing includes a top platform positioned adjacent the distal end of the sonde housing and further includes a tongue positioned on the top platform. The drilling apparatus further includes a rotary cutting tool mounted to the distal end of the sonde housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Randy R. Runquist, Keith A. Hoelting
  • Patent number: 8179278
    Abstract: A downhole communication device comprises a first energy harvesting device; a downhole transceiver in communication with the first energy harvesting device; an accumulator in communication with the energy harvesting device; and a microcontroller. The microcontroller manages communication between the first energy harvesting device, transceiver, and accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Fred Shakra, Phil Louden, Spyro Kotsonis
  • Publication number: 20120111634
    Abstract: An earth boring apparatus includes a drill rod, a source for a drill fluid, and a voltage source. The drill rod has a hollow rod casing provided for throughflow of the drill fluid, and a conductor located within the rod casing, with the voltage source being connected with the conductor and the rod casing. The voltage source is so connected as to prevent the electric conductor to act as anode in the event the drill fluid establishes an electrically conductive connection between the rod casing and the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Tracto-Technik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Schauerte
  • Patent number: 8172007
    Abstract: A system and method for releasing a marker within a wellbore. The system and method includes a sensor that detects movement or a position of the marker within the wellbore. The marker may be released in drilling fluid, for example, and may travel from the surface to the drill bit and return to the surface with cuttings. As an example, the markers are used to determine the flow of cuttings within the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: IntelliServ, LLC.
    Inventors: Lee Dolman, Louise Bailey, Ashley B. Johnson, Alistair Oag
  • Patent number: 8172008
    Abstract: A rotary drilling apparatus and method for drilling subterranean formations, including a body being provided with at least one cutter thereon exhibiting reduced, or limited, exposure to the formation, so as to control the depth-of-cut of the at least one cutter, so as to control the volume of formation material cut per rotation of the drilling apparatus, as well as to control the amount of torque experienced by the drilling apparatus and an optionally associated bottomhole assembly regardless of the effective weight-on-bit are all disclosed. The exterior of the drilling apparatus may include a plurality of blade structures carrying at least one such cutter thereon and including a sufficient amount of bearing surface area to contact the formation so as to generally distribute an additional weight applied to the drilling apparatus against the bottom of the borehole without exceeding the compressive strength of the formation rock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark W. Dykstra, William Heuser, Michael L. Doster, Theodore E. Zaleski, Jr., Jack T. Oldham, Terry D. Watts, Daniel E. Ruff, Rodney B. Walzel, Christopher C. Beuershausen
  • Publication number: 20120103691
    Abstract: Methods of coupling a bearing assembly to a downhole tool include forming at least a portion of a downhole component from a diamond-enhanced material, applying a metal material to a surface of the downhole component using an ultrasonic molten metal process, and coupling at least a portion of the surface of the downhole component to at least another component of the downhole tool. Downhole tools include at least one component of a bearing assembly that is configured to move relative to a portion of the downhole tool. The at least one bearing component comprises a diamond-enhanced material and is coupled to a portion of the downhole tool by an ultrasonic molten metal process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Redd H. Smith, James Andy Oxford, Alan J. Massey
  • Publication number: 20120103690
    Abstract: A drill bit made according to one embodiment includes a first member including one of a magnet and a coil, and a second member that moves relative to the first member, the second member including the other of the magnet and the coil, wherein the relative motion causes the generation of an electrical charge in the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Clifton N. B. Triplett
  • Publication number: 20120103692
    Abstract: A system and method of drilling. The method may generally include providing a drilling system including a rotary motor operable to rotationally drive a drill bit and providing a supply of compressible drill fluid, the supply producing an operating volumetric flow rate of fluid in a normal operating condition. The rotary motor operates at a rotational operating speed under a first volumetric flow rate of fluid, and the supply provides a volumetric flow rate of fluid greater than the first volumetric flow rate of fluid. The method further includes supplying the first volumetric flow rate of fluid from the supply to the rotary motor, and diverting a portion of fluid flow from the supply through a jet sub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: ATLAS COPCO SECOROC LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. WHITE, Dale Richard Wolfer
  • Patent number: 8167059
    Abstract: A casing bit, which may comprise a composite structure, for drilling a casing section into a subterranean formation, and which may include a portion configured to be drilled therethrough, is disclosed. Cutting elements and methods of use are disclosed. Adhesive, solder, electrically disbonding material, and braze affixation of a cutting element are disclosed. Differing abrasive material amount, characteristics, and size of cutting elements are disclosed. Telescoping casing sections and bits are disclosed. Aspects and embodiments are disclosed including: at least one gage section extending from a nose portion, at least one rotationally trailing groove formed in at least one of a plurality of blades, a movable blade, a leading face comprising superabrasive material, at least one of a drilling fluid nozzle and a sleeve, grooves for preferential failure, at least one rolling cone affixed to the nose portion, at least one sensor, discrete cutting element retention structures, and percussion inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack T. Oldham, L. Allen Sinor, Eric E. McClain, Robert A. Laing, Evan C. Turner, Mark W. Dykstra, Eric C. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20120097451
    Abstract: An anti-stall tool in an oil well drilling assembly that controls reciprocation of the drill bit by an electrical controller that alters weight-on-bit (WOB) depending upon measured downhole pressure or torque at the downhole motor. The electrical controller receives preset high and low working pressure limits for the downhole motor and activates a hydraulic valve system to keep the drill bit rotating by maintaining WOB during normal drilling operations, increasing WOB if sensed working pressure indicates that drill bit loading or torque is undesirably low, and reversing WOB by retracting the drill bit if excessive working pressure or torque is sensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Philip Wayne Mock
  • Publication number: 20120097454
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for handling rod-shaped elements on drilling gear. The safety is inter alia increased by a device and a method wherein rod-shaped elements are placed on a placement device in defined positions and under defined conditions, the rod-shaped elements are separated on the placement device while being monitored, their safe support on a gripper is checked and once the elements are handed over to an elevator this action is confirmed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Rupert Kockeis, Hans-Peter Murr, Tobias Stadler, Andreas Beck, Markus Heckendorf, Werner Gluck, Georg Streicher, Marco Winter
  • Patent number: 8162077
    Abstract: A drill bit made according to one embodiment includes a bit body and at least one preloaded sensor in the bit body. In one aspect, the sensor may include a sensor element on a sensor body having a first end and a second end and wherein the sensor is preloaded after placing the sensor body in the bit body. In another aspect, the sensor may be preloaded outside the bit body and then placed in the bit body in a manner that enables the sensor to retain the preloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Keith Glasgow, Sorin Gabriel Teodorescu, Eric Sullivan, Tu Tien Trinh, Daryl Pritchard, Xiaomin Cheng
  • Patent number: 8162081
    Abstract: A force balanced asymmetric drilling reamer comprising a plurality of blades, each blade having at least one cutter section and a gage section. The cutter section is designed to have a plurality of cutting devices for cutting through swelling formations and cutting free sloughing formations. The gage section has a full bore diameter with gage elements flushly coupled to gage section's outer surface. The blades may be curve/concave shaped or boomerang/chevron shaped, which thereby agitate the cutting beds. At least a portion of the drilling reamer's diameter is incrementally force balanced, starting from the outermost diameter, so that the net radial force is less than 10% of weight on bit with respect to the center of rotation. This balancing allows a greater cutter longevity and provides for a better wellbore condition. Optionally, at least a portion of the drilling reamer's surface may be treated by nitriding for repelling the cuttings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Varel International Ind., L.P.
    Inventors: Brian D. Ballard, William W. King
  • Publication number: 20120090895
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reinforcing a structure (10) having an elongate hole (14) or drilling the hole having an open proximal end (11) and a closed distal end (16). The method comprises the steps of inserting into the open end of the hole an elongate reinforcement core (20) carrying over at least part of its length an expandable sock (30), introducing a settable liquid (40), such as grout, into the sock at a first pressure so as to cause expansion of the sock toward the wall (18) of the hole (14), the sock being formed from a material which is permeable to the grout so as to allow the liquid to seep through the sock, reducing the pressure in the hole by means of a vacuum tube (23), whilst said introducing step is taking place, to at least a second pressure lower than the first pressure so as to encourage the grout to seep through the sock, to substantially fill the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Peter James
  • Publication number: 20120090894
    Abstract: Latching device for a drilling device comprising a latching body mountable in an outer tube, an unlatching tube slidably mountable around the latching body, two latches attached to the latching body and pivotable between a deployed position in which the latch cooperates with the outer tube in order to latch the latching body to said outer tube and a retracted position for unlatching the latching body from the outer tube, a piston sliding around the latching body and secured to the unlatching tube, and a compression spring mechanism pressing the piston towards the latches in order to maintain the latches in their deployed position, a pulling force exerted on the unlatching tube compressing the spring mechanism to prevent the piston from pressing against the latches which position themselves in their retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Raymond Laplante
  • Publication number: 20120090896
    Abstract: An auger for digging holes that minimizes the amount of loose dirt excavated in and around the dug hole. The auger comprises an elongated shaft body whose axial longitudinal center is disposed in a parallel offset position from the axial engagement line of orientation with the driving source for rotationally driving the auger. The shaft body of the auger revolves in an eccentric lateral orbit as the auger rotates which digs the hole by pushing and widening the dirt in the hole rather than cutting and scraping. The distal end of the auger has a tapered configuration for initial penetration into the ground. The eccentric movement of the shaft body of the auger helps to compact the walls of the hole being dug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: DANUSER LLC
    Inventor: Gary J. NIEKAMP
  • Publication number: 20120090893
    Abstract: A control apparatus for use in controlling the fluid pressure in a borehole during drilling of the borehole, the apparatus including an inlet suitable for connection to a pump, a main outlet suitable for connection to a drill pipe, and an overflow outlet suitable for connection to a fluid reservoir, the inlet being connected to the main outlet by a main flow conduit, and the overflow outlet being connected to the main flow conduit by means of an overflow conduit, wherein the overflow conduit is provided with a pressure regulator by means of which the pressure of fluid in the main flow conduit may be maintained at or around a predetermined pressure value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Managed Pressure Operations Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Christian Leuchtenberg
  • Publication number: 20120085581
    Abstract: A system for damping vibration in a drill string can include a magnetorheological fluid valve assembly having a supply of a magnetorheological fluid. A remanent magnetic field is induced in the valve during operation that can be used to provide the magnetic field for operating the valve so as to eliminate the need to energize the coils except temporarily when changing the amount of damping required The current to be supplied to the coil for inducing a desired magnetic field in the valve is determined based on the limiting hysteresis curve of the valve and the history of the magnetization of the value using a binary search methodology. The history of the magnetization of the valve is expressed as a series of sets of current and it resulting magnetization at which the current experienced a reversal compared to prior values of the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: APS Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ellsworth Wassell, Daniel E. Burgess, Jason R. Barbely, Fred Lamar Thompson
  • Publication number: 20120085529
    Abstract: A system for recovering a fluid from a subterranean formation, including a production wellbore having a substantially horizontal production length extending through the formation, and a trench extending through the formation. A method of constructing a trench section in a subterranean formation, including providing within the formation an access wellbore having a substantially horizontal access wellbore length, introducing a trench cutting tool into the access wellbore, and advancing and retracting the trench cutting tool through the access wellbore in order to cut slots in the formation in a trench direction away from the access wellbore, repeatedly until a number of slots required to complete the trench section has been cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: ALBERTA INNOVATES - TECHNOLOGY FUTURES
    Inventors: Cathal TUNNEY, Techien CHEN, Douglas A. LILLICO, Justo NEDA
  • Patent number: 8151905
    Abstract: A downhole telemetry system for use in a wellbore including borehole fluid. The system includes a stator including flow channels though the stator and a rotor including flow channels though the rotor. The rotor is rotatable on a drive shaft by the force of the borehole fluid flowing through the rotor. The rotation of the rotor creates pressure variations in the borehole fluid related to the movement of the rotor channels relative to the stator channels, thus forming a carrier wave. A regulating system adjusts the amount of fluid force on the rotor for a given flow rate of borehole fluid to maintain the frequency of the carrier wave within a range of a target frequency. Also, an alternator drivable by the rotation of the drive shaft provides power to the system. The system also includes an encoder capable of adjusting the rotation of the rotor to modulate the carrier wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: HS International, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Haoshi Song
  • Patent number: 8151904
    Abstract: A drilling system includes a downhole well control device that can be used to control out-of-norm wellbore conditions. The downhole well control device can control one or more selected fluid parameters. The well control device in cooperation or independent of surface devices exerts control over one or more drilling or formation parameters to manage an out-of-norm wellbore condition. An exemplary well control device hydraulically isolates one or more sections of a wellbore by selectively blocking fluid flow in a pipe bore and an annulus. The control device also selectively flows fluid from the pipe bore to the annulus. A communication device provides on-way or bidirectional signal and/or data transfer between the controller(s), surface personnel and the well control device. Exemplary application of the well control device include controlling a well kick, controlling drilling fluid being lost to the formation and controlling a simultaneous kick and loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sven Krueger, Jens Uwe Bruns
  • Publication number: 20120080183
    Abstract: An expandable apparatus may comprise a tubular body, a valve piston and a push sleeve. The tubular body may comprise a fluid passageway extending therethrough, and the valve piston may be disposed within the tubular body, the valve piston configured to move axially downward within the tubular body responsive to a pressure of drilling fluid passing through a drilling fluid flow path and configured to selectively control a flow of fluid into an annular chamber. The push sleeve may be disposed within the tubular body and coupled to at least one expandable feature, the push sleeve configured to move axially responsive to the flow of fluid into the annular chamber extending the at least one expandable feature. Additionally, the expandable apparatus may be configured to generate a signal indicating the extension of the at least one expandable feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, Chad T. Jurica, Li Li, Timothy Miller, Marcus Oesterberg, Khoi Q. Trinh
  • Publication number: 20120080231
    Abstract: An expandable apparatus may comprise a tubular body, a valve piston and a push sleeve. The tubular body may comprise a fluid passageway extending therethrough, and the valve piston may be disposed within the tubular body, the valve piston configured to move axially within the tubular body responsive to a pressure of drilling fluid passing through the fluid passageway and configured to selectively control a flow of fluid into an annular chamber. The push sleeve may be disposed within the tubular body and coupled to at least one expandable feature, the push sleeve configured to move axially responsive to a flow of fluid into the annular chamber extending the at least one expandable feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, S. Richard Gentry, Johannes Witte
  • Publication number: 20120080230
    Abstract: Bearings for downhole tools including a first bearing member and a second bearing member, at least one of the first and second bearing members having a channel formed therein. Methods of cooling bearings of downhole tools comprise flowing a fluid within a channel formed in at least one bearing member. Heat is transferred from at least the at least one bearing member to the fluid. The fluid is flowed away from the at least one bearing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicants: ELEMENT SIX LIMITED, BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Alejandro Flores, Aaron J. Dick, Chih Lin, John F. Bradford, Louise F. van Staden, Gregory B. Swanepoel, Clement D. van der Riet, Siu-Wah Wai, Dragan Vukovic, Klaus Tank
  • Publication number: 20120080232
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an emulsion, consisting of an oil phase and an aqueous phase and comprising as emulsion components (?1) 15 to 40% by weight of at least one water-immiscible organic solvent as solvent of the oil phase, (?2) 15 to 40% by weight of water as solvent of the aqueous phase, (?3) 10 to 40% by weight of at least one surfactant, (?4) 10 to 40% by weight of an alkoxylated fatty alcohol and (?5) 0 to 25% by weight of at least one other additive, wherein the quantities by weight of the components (?1) to (?5) are each relative to the total weight of the emulsion, and together add up to 100% by weight. The invention further relates to a method for producing an emulsion, to the emulsion which can be obtained from said method, to the use of an emulsion, to a method for cleaning the surfaces of well holes, drilling devices or drillings, to a method for producing a well bore, and to a method for producing an oil or a gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Heinz Müller, Diana Mäker
  • Publication number: 20120080228
    Abstract: A status indicator for determining a position of an extendable member in an expandable apparatus. The status indicator is configured to decrease a cross-sectional area of a portion of a fluid path extending through an expandable causing a pressure of a fluid within the fluid path to increase when an extendable member of the expandable apparatus is in an extended position. By determining the pressure of the fluid within the fluid path, one can determine the position of the status indicator within the fluid path and thereby determine whether the extendable member of the expandable apparatus is in the extended or a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, Khoi Q. Trinh
  • Patent number: 8146683
    Abstract: A drilling assembly for drilling two or more casing sections into a subterranean formation includes a first casing bit and a second casing bit, each casing bit of different diameter affixed to a respective casing section of different diameter, at least two casing bits and the two or more casing sections arranged in a telescoping relationship. The second casing bit includes a bit body having a face on which two different types of cutting elements are disposed, the first type being cutting elements for drilling at least one subterranean formation and the second type being cutting elements for drilling through the first casing bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric E. McClain, John C. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120073877
    Abstract: Taught is an auger having a working head (15), a ratcheting T-handle (50), and a shaft (20) attached there between forming a hand-powered ratcheting auger for drilling holes near the ground surface. Shaft (20) may include one or more lengths of extension shaft parts to control the length of the shaft. Working head (15) contains a drill-bit (14), semi-circular non-planar cutting blades (12), a working head shaft part (22), with the drill-bit and cutting blades fixedly attached to the working head shaft part and shaft part (22) detachably attached to shaft (20). The auger may also include an air induction unit 66 including an air-receiving opening in the T-shaped handle; an air-line 60 positioned within a hollow of the shaft connecting the air-receiving opening with air exhaust openings so as a jet of the air can blow out of said auger to break up and blow away the drilling detritus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Anthony K. Jakubczak, Christopher Schifferli, Brent L. Miller, Andrew R. Janik
  • Publication number: 20120073813
    Abstract: A drilling fluid, spacer fluid and cementing compositions for use in subterranean wells are disclosed along with methods for making using same, where the compositions include a weighting system having an effective amount of a metal silicon alloy, mixtures of metal silicon alloys, or mixtures of metal silicon alloys and conventional weighting agents, to produce compositions having a desired high density, while retaining other fluid properties such as pumpability, gas tight sealing, low tendency to segregate, and reduced high temperature cement strength retrogression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: CLEARWATER INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Zamora, Marilyn J. Bramblett, Mario B. Hernandez, Sarkis R. Kakadjian, Ron Powell, Olusegun Matthew Falana
  • Publication number: 20120073876
    Abstract: In an aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore includes a tubular and a drilling assembly configured to carry a drill bit at an end thereof, wherein the drilling assembly is configured to be positioned within the tubular, wherein the tubular and drilling assembly are configured to be run in the wellbore together. The apparatus also includes an actuation device in the tubular configured to selectively extend the drilling assembly from and retract the drilling assembly into the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Sven Krueger
  • Publication number: 20120061145
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for drilling a large diameter hole in the ground. The present invention comprises a hammer drill (40) installed at the bottom of a rod (104) assembled in multi-stages at support means on the ground comprising a pilot hammer drill (44, 48, 49) and a reamer hammer drill (41, 46, 47) coupled to each other through a key structure (42, 43) formed in the vertical direction so as to allow simultaneous rotation and up-and-down movement relative to each other, wherein in a drilling operation, a repetition is made such that the hammer drill (40) is made to rotate and the pilot hammer drill (44, 48, 49) is lowered to drill a pilot hole of small diameter (w) to a predetermined depth (d) and is lifted up to original position, and then the reamer hammer drill (41, 46, 47) is lowered to enlarge the hole to a large diameter (W) down to the predetermined depth (d).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: CORE GEOTECHNICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sun Keun Park
  • Publication number: 20120061087
    Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid into a top of a tubular string disposed in the wellbore at a first flow rate and rotating a drill bit. The tubular string includes: the drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof, tubular joints connected together, a longitudinal bore therethrough, a port through a wall thereof, and a sleeve operable between an open position where the port is exposed to the bore and a closed position where a wall of the sleeve is disposed between the port and the bore. The method further includes moving the sleeve to the open position; and injecting drilling fluid into the port at a second flow rate while adding a tubular joint(s) to the tubular string. The injection of drilling fluid into the tubular string is continuously maintained between drilling and adding the joint(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: David Iblings, Thomas F. Bailey, R. K. Bansal, Adrian Steiner, Michael Lynch, Simon J. Harrall
  • Publication number: 20120061144
    Abstract: A drill rig (10) comprises a tower (12) and a drill head (14) that is able to travel linearly up and down the tower (12). The drill head (14) provides torque to a drill string (16) attached to the drill head (14) ad thus to a drill bit (18) coupled to a distal end of the drill string (16). The drill head (14) is traversed along the tower (12) by a plurality of rams (22a, 22b) and (22c) (hereinafter referred to in general as “rams 22”). The rams (22) provided hold back and pull down for the drill bit (18) via the drill head (14). The rams (22) are selectively operable to enable the hold back and pull down applied to the drill bit to be selectively varied. Thus for example a first of the rams (22a) is selected to operate when drilling to a first depth, then the rams (22b) and (22c) are selected to operate when drilling to a second greater depth; and finally all three rams (22a, 22b) and (22c) are selected to operate when drilling to a third greater depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: STRANGE INVESTMENTS (WA) PTY LTD
    Inventor: Warren Strange
  • Publication number: 20120061142
    Abstract: A drilling apparatus including a hydraulically powered hammer having a piston to impact a drill bit; a shuttle valve to control reciprocation of the piston; and an accumulator for hydraulic fluid; at least one drill rod having a first connection valve for connection of the drill rod to the connection valve of the hammer; and a second connection valve for connection of the drill rod to the first connection valve of a like drill rod or to a rotation device. The piston and shuttle valve are positioned substantially in-line to the axis of movement of the hammer. The accumulator is positioned proximate to the shuttle valve; and the first connection valve, and second connection valve having at least one poppet valve positioned proximate to a corresponding valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: John Kosovich
  • Publication number: 20120061143
    Abstract: A managed bulk drilling system that employs a guide wire for ranging and crosswell telemetry. Some system embodiments include multiple drilling assemblies operating in the vicinity of a reference well that contains an electrical cable. The electrical cable is coupled to a surface control system. The control system uses the electrical cable as part of an antenna to receive uplink signals from the drilling assemblies and to broadcast down-link signals to the drilling assemblies. The uplink signals can include position data and the downlink signals can include individual steering commands to adjust the trajectories of each drilling assembly. The cable can also generate a guidance field for the drilling assemblies to detect and follow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard T. Hay
  • Patent number: 8132631
    Abstract: There is provided a method for drilling a hole into the ground and installing a geothermal transfer loop. A drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus, such as a sonic drill, for rotating and vibrating a hollow drill string into the ground. The hollow drill string having an inner space. A hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the hollow drill string into the ground while discharging fluid into the inner space of the hollow drill string. The fluid forming a fluid column in the inner space of the drill string. The fluid column impedes entry of ground materials into the inner space of the drill string and is vibrated to create a water hammer for adding an additional drilling force. A geothermal transfer loop is lowered into the inner space of the hollow drill string and the drill string is removed from the ground. The method may also include discharging grouting material into the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Raymond J. Roussy
  • Publication number: 20120055713
    Abstract: A drill bit according to one embodiment includes a center member configured to rotate at a first speed and an outer member disposed outside the center member, wherein the outer member is configured to rotate at a second speed. The drill bit also includes a first cutter disposed on the center member and a second cutter disposed on the outer member, wherein the first speed and second speeds are configured to control a resultant side force of the drill bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Wolfgang E. Herberg, Matthias Meister
  • Publication number: 20120055714
    Abstract: An under-reamer includes a body and extendable cutters mounted on the body. The under-reamer is configured to be cycled between a first configuration in which the cutters are retracted and a second configuration in which the cutters are movable between retracted and extended positions. A control mechanism is provided and is configurable to prevent the under-reamer cycling between the first and second configurations and thus maintains the under-reamer in a selected one of the first and second configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: ANDERGAUGE LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark Adam
  • Publication number: 20120055715
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system includes a first motor, a second motor, a pump operatively associated with the first motor, a first coupling valve operatively associated with the second motor, first parallel valves operatively associated with the second motor, and a first switching valve operatively associated with the first coupling valve and the first parallel valves. The first switching valve is configured to switch the first coupling valve between a first coupling state and a second coupling state opposite the first coupling state and to switch the first parallel valves between a first parallel state and a second parallel state opposite the first parallel state. While the first parallel valves are in the first parallel state a portion of the output of the first motor drives the second motor while the first parallel valves are in the second parallel state, the output of the pump drives the second motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: LONGYEAR TM, INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Wrede, Chrisof Kruse
  • Publication number: 20120055712
    Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a wellbore (10) is disclosed, the apparatus comprising a lowermost pilot drill bit (16) having a diameter less than that of the diameter of wellbore (12) drilled by the apparatus, above which is a reamer, having an adjustable drill diameter from a first diameter less than that of the pilot drill to a second diameter greater than that of the pilot drill, above which is a body portion (24) having a lower diameter less than that of the pilot drill and an upper diameter greater than that of the pilot' drill but less than the second diameter of the reamer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Peter Jeffryes, Ashley Bernard Johnson