Abstract: A modular mobility platform has extendable and retractable tractor treads for engaging the walls of a downhole environment. The extendable and retractable tractor treads allow the platform to successfully navigate longitudinally through the downhole environment. The platform is composed of a plurality of different modules removably interconnected together longitudinally. Each module has at least one specific function, such as sensing, navigation, mobility, control, communication, power, or a combination thereof. The platform has longitudinally-directed detectors for detecting the forward or reverse direction through which the platform is to travel. A front end of the platform having a sensor at the forward end thereof articulates to navigate the mobility platform laterally through splits in the downhole environment. A system and method use the modular mobility platform.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly to directionally drill a subterranean formation includes a drill bit, a stabilizer assembly located proximate to and behind the drill bit, a drilling assembly comprising a drive mechanism and a directional mechanism, and a flex housing integral with the drilling assembly.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining stretch or compression of a drill string is disclosed. Sensors are positioned along the drill string for collecting data for determining the stretch or compression. The stretch or the compression of the drill string may be used to calculate depths at which measurements are obtained by tools associated with the drill string.

Abstract: A device is provided, the device comprising a downhole tool comprising a wire comprising at least one strand comprising a low thermal expansion material. The low thermal expansion material may have a low electrical resistance material disposed thereon.

Abstract: A subpart of a drill string is described having an outer circumferential surface which is contoured and adapted to engage the wall of the borehole with a small angle of attack while exerting during rotary drilling operations an compacting pressure on mud cake and/or cuttings present in the annulus between the drill string and the borehole.

Abstract: The rig (10) is provided for electively inserting either coiled tubing or a threaded tubular through a rig floor and into a well. The rig includes a coiled tubing injector (16) supported on a mast (14) when in an operative position to insert coiled tubing into the well, and a top drive (18) movable along an axis of the mast when in an operative position to insert the threaded tubular into the well. The rack or support (20) is secured to the mast for receiving a plurality of substantially vertical threaded tubular joints therein when the mast is in an operative position. Tubular joints may be moved between the top drive and the tubular support when running threaded tubulars into or out of the well.

Abstract: A pulling tool for use in the placing of equipment and acquisition of data from pipes and boreholes used in the production of oil and gas. For this purpose the tool is constructed round a central, elongate, cylindrical main element (1) to which there are arranged radially movable links (2), (4) and (5) with chains (3) arranged thereto, running in grooves (11). Radial movement of the links is provided by subjecting a terminal element (9) for the links (5) to an axial movement by means of an actuator (24). The chains (3) are rotated by an electric motor (8) transferring, through the axle (9) connected to the bevel gears (18) and (17), propulsive force to the chain wheel (15) on which the chains (3) are running.

Abstract: A downhole tractor is provided that may be used in open or cased wells, and is also designed for use in open holes having a variety of soil/formation consistencies (e.g., soft, firm, rigid, etc.), varying diameters and non-uniform and irregular bore profiles. The tractor may include a track assembly including a plurality of idler wheels and a continuous track rotatably disposed around the idler wheels. A motor may be adapted to rotate the track around the idler wheels. Upper and lower arms may be pivotally connected to opposite ends of the track assembly and pivotally connected to a tractor housing. An actuator arm or link assembly may be provided to impart an outward force to the track assembly to move the track assembly outwardly into an open position and a retracting force to retract the track assembly into a closed position. A rotatable screw may be connected to a second motor, or a rod may be connected to a hydraulic system, to actuate the actuator arm or link assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for the directional drilling of a bore hole through a solid substrate includes a main bore head mounted for rotation on a flexible drive shaft and a pilot bore head for weakening a region of substrate in advance of the main bore head, the weakened region being eccentrically located relative to the main bore head. The apparatus further includes structure for enabling the drilling access of the main bore head, during subsequent drilling of the bore hole, to become substantially aligned with the weakened region of substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for curving a vertical borehole laterally towards the horizontal by anchoring a diverter downhole in the bore-hole near the formation to be produced. A special cantaloupe shaped drilling mill is attached to the end of a rigid drill string to form an opening through the casing wall in proximity of the formation to be produced. Then a special concave cutting device enlarges the opening into a window of a size to accommodate a flexible drill string that subsequently is attached to the rigid drill string. A bit attached to the flexible drill string is extended through the window where it drills a curved borehole towards the horizontal and continues laterally through the formation. The flexible drill string has a central fluid passageway and is formed of resilient material which surrounds an inner spring member to form a flexible, longitudinally extending, torque transferring drilling string.

Abstract: A chain saw for cutting slots in a wellbore casing and the surrounding formation comprises a pair of cutting chain assemblies (37) rotatably mounted on a body and moveable from a storage position in which the axis of the cutting chain assemblies are parallel to the axis of the tool to a position at right angles to the storage position. The chains are driven by a mud-motor, step-up gearbox, drive shaft (20) and bevel gear (34). The position of the chain arms is controlled by a mud operated piston (44) which is connected by rods (41A) to racks (41) which mesh with pinions provided on the arms of the chain assemblies (37). Pressurization of the drillstring upon which the tool is mounted will cause rotation of the motor to drive the cutting chains and simultaneous downward displacement of the piston (44) to bring the cutting chains into engagement with the casing.

Abstract: Apparatus for positively retaining drill pipe tongs at a desired position horizontally displaced from a center of a rig floor. The apparatus includes a latch connected to a removable stand which places the latch at a desired height above the rig floor and a desired horizontal displacement from the center of the rig floor. The latch includes a jaw having an elongated channel. A retainer arm is rotatably attached to the jaw and is spring biased between a first closed position, where the retainer arm obstructs the channel, and a second open position, where the retainer arm does not obstruct the channel. A catch piece, including a generally vertically disposed tubular member sized to fit in the retainer arm, is attached to a set of tongs. The tongs are pushed away from the center of the rig floor, and the catch piece is guided into the channel of the jaw, displacing the retainer arm from the first closed position and permitting the catch piece to move toward the terminus of the channel.

Abstract: Controllable drill head containing an elongated body of which one end is attached to a bore pipe and a spout element is mounted in a turnable manner on the other, foremost end of the body, in and opposite to an opening in this body, wherein the head contains an elongated, elastic, bendable element which at one end carries the spout element and which has been mounted in the body in such a manner that when being in a rest position the movable element stretches out in the longitudinal direction of the body, but which is elastically bendable in the cross direction of the body so as to alter the direction of the spout element through bending, a mechanism for (3) stopping the foremost end of the bendable element with the spout element in the forward direction without the element bending through and to keep the spout element from changing direction, and a mechanism for exerting forward pressure on a part of the bendable element which is situated further away from the foremost end of the body than the foremost end th

Abstract: A process is disclosed for cutting rock by means of discharging a medium under high pressure from a nozzle head at a fixed oscillating angle. A nozzle head on the end of the pressure hose is set in a freely pulsating movement through the discharge of a medium under high pressure. The movement of the nozzle head is controlled by a guide with stops. An apparatus for carrying out this process is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises a suitable nozzle head on a delivery line 1 for discharging a medium under high pressure and with a fixed oscillating angle and a guide 6 with stops 4. A flexible high-pressure hose is used as the delivery line 1.