Abstract:
A method of degassing a coal seam by djrectionally drilling a borehole in a rock formation that is adjacent the coal seam, or between two different coal seams. The borehole is then pressurised to fracture the adjacent coal seam(s) to enhance the permeability thereof and allow fluids to flow from the coal seam to the borehole and be extracted from the coal seam.
Abstract:
Sand in unconsolidated subterranean formations causes problems in oil recovery, which can be overcome by a method of consolidating sand in a subterranean formation, which method comprises: (i) contacting said sand in a first location in the presence of water with a slurry in a liquid medium of cement of average particle size less than 10 microns to produce in said medium a mixture comprising sand, water and some of the cement, and a remainder comprising the rest of the cement, (ii) preferably separating from said location said remainder from said mixture, (iii) which mixture is allowed to set to give permeable consolidated sand.
Abstract:
A steering collar for deflecting a drill string in a borehole to cause the borehole to be drilled in a different direction. The steering collar surrounds a hollow drive shaft which is driven by the drill string. During normal drilling operations, the steering collar does not rotate with the drive shaft. The steering collar has three sets of pistons operated by the pressure of the drilling fluid, one set of which is pressure relieved. Drill fluid that is pumped down the drill string flows into the hollow drive shaft and through ports to activate the pistons which thereby force corresponding pads outwardly into contact with the sidewall of the borehole. Since the one set of pistons is pressure relieved, it does not force its pad against the borehole sidewall with as much pressure as the other two sets of pistons force their pads against the sidewall of the borehole. Accordingly, the steering collar is deflected laterally in the borehole so that the drill bit is also steered laterally to cause drilling in a different direction. In order to reorient the steering collar in the borehole, the steering collar can be locked to the drive shaft so that when the drill string is rotated, the steering collar is also rotated so that it is moved to a new angular position in the borehole.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for cementing a zone of borehole casing using an external casing packer (ECP). The method involves sealing the base of the ECP with a ball dropped in a seat, and then pressurising the casing to inflate an elastomeric packer sleeve through a one-way valve. When a design differential pressure is reached across the casing and elastomeric sleeve, a grout valve In the upper part of the packer opens to limit the sleeve inflation pressure and to provide a one-way valve through which cement grout passes to permit grouting of the annulυs between the casing and the borehole.
Abstract:
A pumping system in which a pump (5) is controlled by a programmed controller (22) is response to input signals from an inlet pressure transducer (3) and an outlet pressure transducer (15) and in certain circumstances inputs from various flow sensors (4, 19). The controller (22) can be programmed to allow the pump (5) to prematurely operate before an outlet pressure reaches a low pressure threshold, when usage of the liquid is high. The controller (22) can be programmed to detect a lack of prime of the pump (5), to restore prime once the pump (5) has lost prime, and to prevent successive on/off pump cycles when the outlet flow is continuous and at a moderate or low level.
Abstract:
A mining system for extracting ore using directional drilling techniques to obtain access to the orebody. Spaced-apart roadways are formed in the ore formation, with a downhill roadway being lower in elevation than the other roadway, and the downhill roadway having a ditch therein draining downhill. A borehole is formed between roadways in the ore formation using the directional drill bit, and then the end of the drill string is equipped with a jetting nozzle. The jetting nozzle is moved within the borehole to erode the formation and mine the ore. In one embodiment, a slurry of mined ore and jetting fluid flows as a slurry down the intersection of the mined face and the floor towards a ditch formed in the downhill roadway. In another embodiment, a slurry of the mined ore and the jetting fluid flows down the borehole, and then down the ditch formed in the downhill roadway. In each case, the ore flows down the downhill roadway to a sump. From the sump, the ore is carried to the surface for transportation and eventual refining or use.
Abstract:
A gas analysis system for determining the gas content of subterranean strata. A boring operation is commenced to form a borehole into or through a subterranean formation, such as a coal or shale formation to determine the gas content thereof. The drill fluid, cuttings and any desorbed gas is carried from the downhole location to surface analysing equipment in a closed system, so that the desorbed gases are not exposed to the air. The drill stem is capped or sealed at the surface, as well as the wellbore annulus to effectively seal the drill liquid, cuttings and desorbed gasses. The drill fluid, cuttings and desorbed gasses from the formation are coupled from the wellhead apparatus to the gas processing equipment via a closed system so that the constituents and volume of the gas can be determined.
Abstract:
The invention is a separator designed to separate an incoming stream of liquid, gas, and some particulate matter into a separate gas stream, and a separate liquid stream containing the particulate matter. This is achieved through cyclonic action and the use of a float to operate internal valves within the cyclone. The float is mounted on a shaft which is rotated by the motion of the incoming fluid stream and this motion is used to agitate the solids in the liquid so as to prevent the outlet port from becoming jammed. The outlet port also has an auger contained therein that removes particulate matter.
Abstract:
A water supply system that supplies water to a plumbing system from either a mains supply, or an auxiliary supply. In a default state, a shuttle valve is pressure balanced and couples water from the mains supply to the plumbing system via mains inlet port and outlet port, and in another state the shuttle valve is pressure unbalanced and moved so that auxiliary water is coupled to the plumbing system via an auxiliary inlet port and the outlet port of the shuttle valve. Water is drawn from an auxiliary tank and coupled to the plumbing system when two conditions exist, namely when water is demanded, as sensed by flow sensor, and when water is available from the auxiliary supply, as sensed by float system. Water pressure at the auxiliary inlet port causes the shuttle to move from the default state and couple water from the auxiliary inlet port to the outlet port and thus to the plumbing system. When either of the two conditions are not met, the shuttle valve remains in the default state and couples mains water from the mains inlet port to the outlet port and thus to the plumbing system.
Abstract:
A personal mobility vehicle comprising a platform (10) on which a user of the vehicle can stand, ground-engaging wheels (14, 15, 16) on which the platform (10) is supported, motor drive means, motor control means (20), a column (11) extending upwards from the platform (10) and a leg or thigh support rest (18) mounted on the column.