Boring or penetrating the earth inventions 09/06

20060207794 - Reversible penetrating machine with a springless pneumatically loaded differential air distributing mechanism: The invention represents a reversible penetrating machine with a springless pneumatically loaded differential air distributing mechanism (90) having increased efficiency, reliability, and reduced manufacturing cost and maintenance. In the new design, the role of the springs is taken over by the compressed air used in the operation of the machine....

20060207795 - Method of dynamically controlling open hole pressure in a wellbore using wellhead pressure control: A method of dynamically controlling open hole pressure within a wellbore having a drill string positioned therein. The method comprising the steps of pumping a fluid down the drill string, into an annulus formed by the drill string and the interior of the wellbore, and then subsequently up the annulus...

20060207796 - Multi-function downhole tool: A multi-function downhole apparatus is described which comprises a tubular main body having at least one recess formed in its outer surface. The recess is adapted to receive any of a set of interchangeable tool elements, which include stabiliser blades of different radial sizes, cleaning elements, roller reaming tool elements,...

20060207797 - Selectively actuatable expandable underreamer/stabilizer: An expandable downhole tool comprises a tubular body having an axial flowbore extending therethrough, at least one moveable arm, and a selectively actuatable sleeve that prevents or allows the at least one moveable arm to translate between a collapsed position and an expanded position. A method of expanding a downhole...

20060207798 - Steerable drilling system: A steerable drilling system comprises a bias unit 10, the bias unit 10 having at least one actuator 14 operable by pressurised drilling fluid or mud, in use, and a separator 20 arranged to remove particulate matter from the supply of pressurised drilling fluid or mud to the or each...

20060207799 - Drilling tool for drilling web of channels for hydrocarbon recovery: Hydrocarbons can be recovered from a subterranean reservoir by drilling an injection well bore having an outlet in the reservoir and drilling a production well bore spaced apart from the injection well bore and having an inlet in the reservoir. A drilling tool is capable of being inserted into a...

20060207800 - Rotary percussive drilling device: The device has a drill body, of generally cylindrical shape, connected by a flexible pipe to a high-pressure water pump placed on a low-height carrying vehicle. A striking piston is mounted movably, and is resiliently returned, in the drill body, and is subjected to a pulsed high water pressure so...

20060207801 - Technique for drilling straight bore holes in the earth: A stabilizer assembly is at least 12′ long and preferably at least 14′ long and is used to drill a straight bore hole in the earth. A central passage through the assembly closely follows a centerline as may be determined by measuring the wall thickness of the tube at a...

20060207803 - Bit leg and cone hardfacing for earth-boring bit: An earth-boring bit has a bit body, and a bit leg depending from the bit body with a circumferentially extending outer surface, a leading side and a trailing side. A cone is rotatably mounted on a cantilevered bearing shaft depending inwardly from the bit leg. A first layer of a...

20060207802 - Thermally stable polycrystalline diamond cutting elements and bits incorporating the same: Cutting elements are provided having substrates including end surfaces. TSP material layers extend over only a portion of the end surfaces or extend into the substrates below the end surfaces. Bits incorporating such cutting elements are also provided....

20060201712 - Cutter for maintaining edge sharpness: A cutter comprising a base portion, an ultrahard layer disposed on said base portion, and at least one recessed region on an outer surface of the cutter. A start of the recessed region disposed a selected distance behind a cutting face....

20060201711 - Methods and apparatus for cementing drill strings in place for one pass drilling and completion of oil and gas wells: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for...

20060201713 - Deviated drilling method for water production: Method for drilling horizontal or deviated water wells through hard and fragmented rock formations that are prone to caving, such as Hawaiian basalts. The method may be used to drill into basal aquifers directly underlain by salt water, compartmented aquifers, and perched aquifers. The method uses deviated drilling and may...

20060201715 - Drilling normally to sub-normally pressured formations: A system and method for drilling a substantially horizontal well bore in a normally to sub-normally pressured formation. The normally to sub-normally pressured formation is an unconventional reservoir. The well bore is drilled over-balanced with a drilling fluid including a fluid loss agent. The fluid loss agent is operable to...

20060201714 - Well bore cleaning: A system and method for drilling a substantially horizontal well bore in a normally to sub-normally pressured formation. The normally to sub-normally pressured formation is an unconventional reservoir. The well bore is drilled over-balanced with a drilling fluid having a density at least about the density of the cuttings produced...

20060201716 - Gripper assembly for downhole tools: A gripper assembly for anchoring a tool within a downhole passage and for possibly assisting movement of the tool within the passage. The gripper assembly includes an elongated mandrel and flexible toes that can be radially displaced to grip onto the surface of the passage. The toes are displaced by...

20060201717 - Gap sub assembly: The gap sub assembly comprises a pair of electrically conductive subs. Each sub has a threaded pin and box. A pin and box are threaded together to form a connection. An electrically insulating, woven fabric overlies and conforms with the threads of the connection pin. An electrically insulating, annular washer...

20060201718 - High-strength/high toughness alloy steel drill bit blank: Drill bit reinforcing members or blanks of this invention are formed from high-strength steels having a carbon content less than about 0.3 percent by weight, a yield strength of at least 55,000 psi, a tensile strength of at least 80,000 psi, a toughness of at least 40 CVN-L, Ft-lb, and...

20060196693 - Perforating apparatus, firing assembly, and method: A firing assembly for activating a perforating device comprising a module having a first chamber and a second chamber. The firing assembly comprises a firing head for transferring ballistic energy to the perforating device, said firing head having a detonator and a plurality of ballistic charges, said detonator coupled to...

20060196694 - Electrically sequenced tractor: A downhole drilling tractor for moving within a borehole comprises a tractor body, two packerfeet, two aft propulsion cylinders, and two forward propulsion cylinders. The body comprises aft and forward shafts and a central control assembly. The packerfeet and propulsion cylinders are slidably engaged with the tractor body. Drilling fluid...

20060196695 - Deep water drilling with casing: Methods and apparatus are provided to place a conductor pipe and a casing in a subsea environment. In one embodiment, a conductor pipe is jetted or drilled into the subsea floor. Thereafter, a casing drilling assembly comprising a drill casing and a drilling assembly is connected to the drill pipe...

20060196696 - Electrically sequenced tractor: A downhole drilling tractor for moving within a borehole comprises a tractor body, two packerfeet, two aft propulsion cylinders, and two forward propulsion cylinders. The body comprises aft and forward shafts and a central control assembly. The packerfeet and propulsion cylinders are slidably engaged with the tractor body. Drilling fluid...

20060196697 - Stabilizing system and methods for a drill bit: A drill bit stabilizing system comprising a body member having an axis and at least one recess formed in the body member housing at least one stabilizing member when in a first retracted position. The stabilizing member is positionable along a diagonal angle with the axis to a second extended...

20060196698 - Apparatus, system and method for directional degradation of a paved surface: An apparatus, system and method for directionally degrading a paved surface. A substantially cylindrical rotary tool may include cutting inserts embedded within its cylindrical surface. The tool may be rotated about a rotational axis extending from a top end of the tool to its cutting head and may contact a...

20060196699 - Modular kerfing drill bit: A modular kerfing rock drilling bit (10) is presented. Drill bit (10) comprises a bit body (12) having a connection (14) for attachment to a drill string member. A base portion (16) below the connection (14) has an outer portion (18) and a bottom (20). Slots (22) are formed in...

20060196693 - Perforating apparatus, firing assembly, and method: A firing assembly for activating a perforating device comprising a module having a first chamber and a second chamber. The firing assembly comprises a firing head for transferring ballistic energy to the perforating device, said firing head having a detonator and a plurality of ballistic charges, said detonator coupled to...

20060196694 - Electrically sequenced tractor: A downhole drilling tractor for moving within a borehole comprises a tractor body, two packerfeet, two aft propulsion cylinders, and two forward propulsion cylinders. The body comprises aft and forward shafts and a central control assembly. The packerfeet and propulsion cylinders are slidably engaged with the tractor body. Drilling fluid...

20060196695 - Deep water drilling with casing: Methods and apparatus are provided to place a conductor pipe and a casing in a subsea environment. In one embodiment, a conductor pipe is jetted or drilled into the subsea floor. Thereafter, a casing drilling assembly comprising a drill casing and a drilling assembly is connected to the drill pipe...

20060196696 - Electrically sequenced tractor: A downhole drilling tractor for moving within a borehole comprises a tractor body, two packerfeet, two aft propulsion cylinders, and two forward propulsion cylinders. The body comprises aft and forward shafts and a central control assembly. The packerfeet and propulsion cylinders are slidably engaged with the tractor body. Drilling fluid...

20060196697 - Stabilizing system and methods for a drill bit: A drill bit stabilizing system comprising a body member having an axis and at least one recess formed in the body member housing at least one stabilizing member when in a first retracted position. The stabilizing member is positionable along a diagonal angle with the axis to a second extended...

20060196698 - Apparatus, system and method for directional degradation of a paved surface: An apparatus, system and method for directionally degrading a paved surface. A substantially cylindrical rotary tool may include cutting inserts embedded within its cylindrical surface. The tool may be rotated about a rotational axis extending from a top end of the tool to its cutting head and may contact a...

20060196699 - Modular kerfing drill bit: A modular kerfing rock drilling bit (10) is presented. Drill bit (10) comprises a bit body (12) having a connection (14) for attachment to a drill string member. A base portion (16) below the connection (14) has an outer portion (18) and a bottom (20). Slots (22) are formed in...