Abstract: A down-the-hole drill hammer is provided that includes a housing, a solid core piston mounted within the housing, a seal located between the solid core piston and the housing, and a backhead configured to exhaust working fluid volumes about a proximal end of the DHD hammer. The backhead includes a check valve assembly having a plug seal that can be moved to a closed seal position by gravity. A DHD hammer having a segmented chuck assembly is also provided. The segmented chuck assembly includes a plurality of chuck segments forming a cylindrical chuck assembly.

Abstract: A system for conducting earth borehole operations comprising a first support; a mast attached to the first support, a top drive carried by the mast and longitudinally movable therealong, a second support, a skid carried by the second support, a CT injector carried by the skid, the skid being movable from the first support to the second support and a reel of CT for supplying CT to the CT injector.

Abstract: A system for forming a subterranean oriented fissure in a target zone by utilizing a connection between two well bores and a flexible linear cutting device, such as a segmented diamond wire saw, to form the fissure beginning at the connection of the well bores and extending along a specified the length of the well bores.

Abstract: A drilling rig for drilling an underground borehole (5) into a seam (4) uses coiled metal tubing (8) fed by a tractor unit (11) from a drum (7) to provide a thrust force to a drilling head. The drilling head has a bent-sub assembly giving an angle of deviation which is controlled by rotating the coiled metal tubing in the borehole by way of rotation of the drum (7) in the frame (12) about the axis of the tube in the borehole (5).

Abstract: A system and method for increasing hydrocarbon production from a subsurface reservoir and/or sequestering waste material such as carbon dioxide by utilizing a connection between two well bores and a flexible linear cutting device, such as a segmented diamond wire saw, to form a fissure beginning at the connection of the well bores and extending along a specified the length of the well bores. Methods and systems relate to hydrocarbon production and/or waste sequestration, including for extracting or recovering oil or gas from coal beds or tar sands.

Abstract: A technique for securing drilling riser joints in a drilling riser string is presented. The drilling riser joints have a tubular housing that has a box configuration on one end and a pin configuration on the other end. The drilling riser string is assembled by connecting the pin end of one drilling riser joint to the box end of an adjoining drilling riser joint. A moveable ring is used to connect adjoining drilling riser joints. The moveable ring is used to drive a fastener, such as a dog, of one drilling riser joint against the adjoining drilling riser joint. The moveable ring is driven axially from a first position, where the fastener is not engaged against the adjoining drilling riser joint, to a second position where the fastener is engaged against the adjoining drilling riser joint. A latch is used to prevent the moveable ring from moving inadvertently from the second position. This prevents the drilling riser joints from disconnecting inadvertently.

Abstract: Mobile drilling rig 10 includes a carrier frame 14 and a mast 12 supported on the frame. A top drive 16 is supported on the mast when in an operative position, and a coil tubing injector 20 is supported on the mast when in an operative position. A first dolly assembly 22 and a second dolly assembly 60 are provided each for supporting a portion of the carrier frame, and include a first plurality of wheels on a first plurality of axles. Each dolly assembly is adaptive for selective attachment to and detachment from the carrier frame, so that the dolly assemblies may be changed out for compliance with regulations and road conditions.

Abstract: A system for controlling solids within a wellbore of a well includes a pump positioned within a substantially horizontal portion of the wellbore. A first tubing string is operatively connected between the pump and a surface of the well for removing liquid from the wellbore that is pumped by the pump. A second tubing string may also be operatively connected to the pump and extends downhole of the pump. Either or both of the first and second tubing string includes a longitudinal axis that is offset from an axis of rotation about which the second tubing string is capable of being rotated.

Abstract: The invention provides a coiled tube drilling rig (1) for drilling boreholes. The rig includes a drum (2) mounted about a longitudinal axis (B-B) and adapted for receiving a length of semi-rigid tubing (4) wound onto the drum. An injector unit (10) is provided for deploying the tubing (4) along a tubing deployment axis (A-A) and into a borehole, the deployment axis (A-A) being generally orthogonal to and intersecting the drum rotation axis (B-B). An indexing guide (11), confines the tubing in a indexing zone, between a moveable tangential separation point (14) on the drum and the deployment axis (A-A), to a deployment plane (X). The plane being defined by the location of the deployment axis and the separation pint (14). The drum is configured to pivot with respect to the deployment plane around an axis (C-C) substantially collinear with said deployment axis (A-A).

Abstract: A drilling rig for drilling an underground borehole (5) into a seam (4) uses coiled metal tubing (8) fed by a tractor unit (11) from a drum (7) to provide a thrust force to a drilling head. The drilling head has a bent-sub assembly giving an angle of deviation which is controlled by rotating the coiled metal tubing in the borehole by way of rotation of the drum (7) in the frame (12) about the axis of the tube in the borehole (5).

Abstract: The earth drilling and boring system for drilling bore holes in the earth has a drilling rig with a power source attached to a rotateable pipe container. There is a flexible drill pipe or tubing attached to end retained in the pipe container that has an opening through which an end of the drill pipe or tubing having a drill bit attached may be extended and retrieved. A drive mechanism is positioned adjacent to the opening for receipt and movement of the drill pipe or tubing to be used in boring.

Abstract: A flexible hose assembly for horizontal well drilling is provided. The flexible hose assembly has a number of spaced thruster couplings along its length to impart drilling force to a nozzle blaster at an end of the flexible hose. The thruster couplings have rearwardly oriented holes which impart a forward drilling force upon the exit of high pressure water through the holes. A method of horizontal well drilling using the above-described flexible hose is also provided. The method is particularly useful for shallow wells, such as 50-2000 feet.

Abstract: A downhole tool for engaging a borehole wall of a well, with outwardly displacing gripping elements to engage the borehole wall in such a way as to prevent rotation of the tool relative to the borehole wall, thereby preventing a downhole motor from imposing a reactive torque on the workstring uphole from the tool. The gripping elements can have one or more rolling elements, such as wheels, to roll longitudinally along the borehole wall in either the uphole or downhole direction, or both, while preventing transmission of reactive torque to the workstring. The gripping elements can also be configured to prevent longitudinal motion of the tool, such as blades. Displacement of the gripping elements can be hydraulically actuated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drilling, completion, well workovers and well control, combining an integrated lifting unit and a coiled tubing unit, the method and apparatus permit running jointed pipe and coil tubing in combination, and standing multiple joints of pipe near the unit. The invention combines a hydraulic pipe hoisting system, pipe handling systems and pipe racking containment apparatus. A hydraulic workover jack is combined with a multifunction injector head and a standpipe for fluid circulation. The invention may also include a rotary table for rotating pipe and/or a rotating power swivel to allow fluid circulation during pipe rotation. Also included are a gin pole, a winching system for jointed pipe, and a traveling head with traveling slips and stationary slips to allow pipe movement in the well. Hydraulic systems allow insertion and extraction of tools in a work string.

Abstract: A continuous chain bit for hard rock drilling is capable of downhole cycling. A drill head assembly moves axially relative to a support body while the chain on the head assembly is held in position so that the bodily movement of the chain cycles the chain to present new composite links for drilling. A pair of spring fingers on opposite sides of the chain hold the chain against movement. The chain is held in tension by a spring-biased tensioning bar. A head at the working end of the chain supports the working links. The chain is centered by a reversing pawl and piston actuated by the pressure of the drilling mud. Detent pins lock the head assembly with respect to the support body and are also operated by the drilling mud pressure. A restricted nozzle with a divergent outlet sprays drilling mud into the cavity to remove debris.

Abstract: A self-propelled boring type mining machine includes a mobile frame and a pair of spaced apart drive shafts that extend forwardly from a gear box mounted on the frame. A pair of rotary boring heads are nonrotatably connected to the pair of drive shafts and are operable to cut a pair of bores in a mine face to dislodge the mine material. Cusps formed at the mine roof and floor are dislodged by upper and lower cutter chains that are carried by upper and lower cutter bars movably positioned on the front end of the frame. Cutter bar extensions are movably positioned on both sides of the upper and lower cutter bars by control links pivotally connected to the extensions and the mobile frame. The upper and lower cutter bars are vertically extended and retracted by piston cylinder assemblies. Movement of the cutter bars is transmitted to the cutter bar extensions which are guided on the respective cutter bars along combined horizontal and vertical paths.

Abstract: The invention concerns a machine for cutting earth formations, of the type comprising a vehicle body, and a power driven rotary cutter mounted on the body. The cutter includes a wheel assembly and a cutter chain mounted in circular fashion around the wheel assembly. The cutter chain comprises a plurality of links connected together by transverse pins, and cutter-receiving sockets carried by the links. The wheel assembly comprises a peripheral surface for supporting the pins, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses in the surface, the quantity and spacing of the recesses corresponding to the quantity and spacing of the transverse pins in the chain such that the pins can be positioned in the recesses. The recesses are of sufficient depth to support the chain in a slackened condition when the pins are positioned in the recesses.

Abstract: A trenching chain arranged with links and pivot pins and with scoop members staggered laterally of the longitudinal direction of the chain and therealong. The scoop members have cup-shaped or curved scoop surfaces which are generally faced in the direction of movement of the chain for scooping earth or the like from the trench. Also, tooth picks or bars are mounted on the chain adjacent the scoop members and extend near the scoop surfaces and are articulated on the chain in a manner different from the movement or articulation of the scoop members themselves, and thus the picks clear the scoop members of dirt or the like when the chain is articulated or moved around a sprocket or the like.

Abstract: A drive chain for transmitting power to a rotatable cutter head of a mining machine. The mining machine is of the type having a rotary cutter drum mounted at the forward end of the mining machine frame. The cutter drum has helical auger flights with cutter bits mounted on their periphery. Electric motors are provided on either side of the mining machine to provide power for rotating the cutter drum. A drive and cutter chain transmits the power from each electric motor to the rotary drum. The drive chain comprises roller chain links with offset sidebars. Each drive chain is relatively narrow having but a single row of links. Some of the links are cutter links which carry cutter bits. Selected portions of the cutter links and the sprockets are cut away to prevent entrapment and build up of foreign matter.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drilling, completion, well workovers and well control, combining an integrated lifting unit and a coiled tubing unit, the method and apparatus permit running jointed pipe and coil tubing in combination, and standing multiple joints of pipe near the unit. The invention combines a hydraulic pipe hoisting system, pipe handling systems and pipe racking containment apparatus. A hydraulic workover jack is combined with a multifunction injector head and a standpipe for fluid circulation. The invention may also include a rotary table for rotating pipe and/or a rotating power swivel to allow fluid circulation during pipe rotation. Also included are a gin pole, a winching system for jointed pipe, and a traveling head with traveling slips and stationary slips to allow pipe movement in the well. Hydraulic systems allow insertion and extraction of tools in a work string.