Boring or penetrating the earth inventions 10/06

20060237232 - Sealed barrel: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for recovering a sample from a subterranean formation. The apparatus comprises a receptacle for receiving a sample and at least two seal assemblies disposed on an inner surface of the receptacle. The seal assemblies can be arranged to allow a portion...

20060237233 - Methods of using a laser to spall and drill holes in rocks: Apparatus and methods of using lasers are provided for spalling and drilling holes into rocks. A rock removal process is provided that utilizes a combination of laser-induced thermal stress and laser induced superheated steam explosions just below the surface of the laser/rock interaction to spall the rock into small fragments...

20060237234 - Earth boring tool: An earth boring tool includes two coaxially-aligned, positive displacement motors. One motor turns a pilot bit and the other turns a reamer concentric with the pilot bit. The central bit bores the center of the hole and the reamer enlarges it. The central bit is rotated relatively faster, while rotation...

20060237235 - Cutting element having enhanced cutting geometry: A drill bit that includes a bit body, at least one roller cone attached to the bit body and able to rotate with respect to the bit body, and a plurality of cutting elements disposed on the at least one roller cone is disclosed. At least one of the plurality...

20060237236 - Composite structure having a non-planar interface and method of making same: A composite structure includes a first portion comprising a first metallic material, a monolayer of particles extending into and bonded with the first portion, and a second portion comprising a second material, the second portion bonded with the monolayer of particles and extending into interstices between the particles. A method...

20060231291 - Method and device for drilling into tubulars located within one another: Method and device to increase the feed speed of a drill bit (2) and its associated drilling device (1) when drilling through tubulars (6, 8, 10) located within one another where in the annuli (12, 14) created between the tubulars (6, 8, 10) there is located a material or a...

20060231292 - Pcd face seal for earth-boring bit: An earth-boring bit has a mechanical face seal assembly with PCD faces. The bit has a bearing shaft with a cone rotatably mounted on the bearing shaft. The seal locates between the bearing shaft and the cone for sealing lubricant therein. The seal includes at least one rigid seal ring...

20060231294 - Apparatus for drilling a hole and a method for its application:

20060231293 - Matrix drill bits and method of manufacture: A matrix drill bit and method of manufacturing a matrix bit body from a composite of matrix materials is disclosed. Two or more different types of matrix materials may be used to form a composite matrix bit body. A first matrix material may be selected to provide optimum fracture resistance...

20060225920 - Method and apparatus for downlink communication: The present invention provides a method and system in which signals from the surface are sent by changing flow rate of the drilling fluid supplied to the drill string during drilling of a wellbore. The signals are sent based on a fixed or dynamic time period schemes so that the...

20060225921 - Mapping tool for tracking and/or guiding an underground boring tool: A portable mapping tool for use in a horizontal drilling system and associated methods use a boring tool configured for transmitting a locating signal. The mapping tool also includes at least one electromagnetic field detector which is configured for measuring the locating signal from a fixed position proximate to the...

20060225922 - Vibrational heads and assemblies and uses thereof: A vibrational head for vibrational drilling utilising a tunable hydraulic supply to each end of a shuttle in a housing from which the vibrational output is taken. Valving is by a rotary valve system into and out of the chamber. The system with a drive in/drive out capability enables easy...

20060225923 - Drilling assembly and method for drilling a barehole into geological formations: The invention relates to a drilling assembly for drilling a borehole into geological formations which assembly comprises: a drilling shaft placable in the borehole, which shaft comprises a drilling head; and a pump device placable in the borehole, wherein the pump device comprises sealing means for sealing a first borehole...

20060225924 - Apparatus and method for recovering oil-based drilling mud: Oil-based drilling fluid is prepared for further processing to recover the drilling fluid by pumping the drilling fluid through a flow meter. Surfactant may be added to the drilling fluid by using a dose pump and a flow meter. The drilling fluid and surfactant are then blended by passing them...

20060225925 - Apparatus and method for recovering oil-based drilling mud: Oil-based drilling fluid is prepared for further processing to recover the drilling fluid by pumping the drilling fluid through a flow meter. Surfactant may be added to the drilling fluid by using a dose pump and a flow meter. The drilling fluid and surfactant are then blended by passing them...

20060225926 - Method and conduit for transmitting signals: An expandable tubular sleeve having utility for lining a downhole tubular member includes a tubular body having a portion that is predisposed to initiate expansion thereof under the application of internal fluid pressure. The predisposed portion of the body may be a plastically-deformed portion formed, e.g., by application of mechanical...

20060219438 - Wireless communications in a drilling operations environment: An embodiment includes an apparatus for wireless communications in a drilling operations environment. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an instrument hub that is inline with drill pipe of a drill string. The instrument hub includes a sensor to receive downhole communications from downhole. The instrument hub also includes a...

20060219439 - Stress relief feature on pdc cutter: A cutter having a base portion, an ultrahard layer disposed on the base portion, and at least one relief groove formed on an outer surface of the cutter. The at least one relief groove is configured to form a relief gap between the ultrahard layer and an inside surface of...

20060219440 - Slip grip drilling tool: A directional drilling apparatus for mounting a drill bit on a rotatable drill support comprises a member for transmitting rotation from the drill support to a drill bit, and a body mounted to the member. The body is configurable to offset a portion of the member relative to an axis...

20060219441 - Stabiliser, jetting and circulating tool: A downhole tool (10) for use in oil and/or gas well bores. The tool has a tubular body (20) and a sleeve (22) including stabiliser blades (30). The tool is ball (76), activated, weight activated or hydraulically activated to selectively jet fluid from the body through jetting ports (44A, 44B,...

20060219442 - Earth-boring bit with shear cutting elements: An earth-boring bit has a bit body and at least one cone for rotation relative to the bit body. The cone has a gage surface and a nose area separated by a central area. A nose insert is located in the nose area. The nose insert has a barrel located...

20060219443 - Tool for excavating an object: A Tool for excavating an object, the tool having a jetting system arranged to impinge the object to be excavated with a jetted stream of a drilling fluid mixed with abrasive particles, the jetting system being provided with at least a mixing chamber with a drilling fluid inlet, a second...