A reversible pipe ramming tool used in horizontal pipe replacement operations. The tool is powered by a pneumatic hose attached to a rear end of the tool. The tool has forward and rearward fluid paths, which can either communicate with one another or stand in isolation. Fluid flow along the forward fluid path, when it is maintained in isolation from the reverse fluid path, causes the tool to move in a forward direction. Fluid flow along the forward fluid path, when it is maintained in communication with the reverse fluid path, causes the tool to move in a rearward direction. The tool is switched between forward and reverse by flowing fluid through a pilot fluid path in fluid communication with a valve. Movement of a shuttle within the valve selectively isolates the forward fluid path from the reverse fluid path.

A fracbot for fracturing a formation includes a drill bit; a rotary swivel configured to rotate the drill bit; a motor; a battery; and a coating encompassing the fracbot. The motor is configured to induce vibrations that create a spiral movement of the fracbot. The spiral movement of the fracbot allows the fracbot to traverse existing fractures in the formation including a first fracture and a second fracture. The battery is configured to power the fracbot. The coating is configured to dissolve at a predefined temperature. The fracbot is configured to create a channel that connects the first fracture and the second fracture.

A fracbot for fracturing a formation includes a drill bit; a rotary swivel configured to rotate the drill bit; a motor; a battery; and a coating encompassing the fracbot. The motor is configured to induce vibrations that create a spiral movement of the fracbot. The spiral movement of the fracbot allows the fracbot to traverse existing fractures in the formation including a first fracture and a second fracture. The battery is configured to power the fracbot. The coating is configured to dissolve at a predefined temperature. The fracbot is configured to create a channel that connects the first fracture and the second fracture.

A self-propelled drilling head for drilling in soil by means of a multi-stage method comprises the drilling head having a housing and a drilling head tip arranged in the housing, and a spacer provided on the drilling head tip, by means of which the drilling head tip is in contact with the housing in order to change the multi-stage method to a method with a reduced number of stages.

Provided in some embodiments is a well torpedo system that includes a torpedo adapted to be advanced in a wellbore of a subterranean well. The torpedo including an integrated spool adapted to hold a fiber-optic (FO) umbilical including a FO line adapted to couple to a surface component, and an engine adapted to combust solid propellant to generate thrust to propel advancement of the torpedo in the wellbore.

Provided in some embodiments is a well torpedo system that includes a torpedo adapted to be advanced in a wellbore of a subterranean well. The torpedo including an integrated spool adapted to hold a fiber-optic (FO) umbilical including a FO line adapted to couple to a surface component, and an engine adapted to combust solid propellant to generate thrust to propel advancement of the torpedo in the wellbore.

A sensor assembly supported on a horizontal directional drilling machine adjacent a magazine. The magazine includes a plurality of vertical columns configured to store a plurality of pipe sections. The sensor assembly comprises an elongate tower that suspends a rigid support structure above the plurality of columns. The rigid support structure includes a sensor housing that carries a plurality of proximity sensors. The proximity sensors correspond with the columns in one-to-one relationship. The proximity sensors measure values indicative of the number of pipe sections contained within each column and transmit the measured values to a processor included in the drilling machine.

A sensor assembly supported on a horizontal directional drilling machine adjacent a magazine. The magazine includes a plurality of vertical columns configured to store a plurality of pipe sections. The sensor assembly comprises an elongate tower that suspends a rigid support structure above the plurality of columns. The rigid support structure includes a sensor housing that carries a plurality of proximity sensors. The proximity sensors correspond with the columns in one-to-one relationship. The proximity sensors measure values indicative of the number of pipe sections contained within each column and transmit the measured values to a processor included in the drilling machine.

Geotechnical apparatus comprising at least one rod provided with a probe, which rod has a longitudinal bore extending along its body which is in fluid communication with one or more lubricating openings behind the probe for introducing lubricant along the rod's superficial area, wherein the apparatus further comprises a drive unit for the at least one rod for pushing said rod into the ground or pulling it from the ground.

Geotechnical apparatus comprising at least one rod provided with a probe, which rod has a longitudinal bore extending along its body which is in fluid communication with one or more lubricating openings behind the probe for introducing lubricant along the rod's superficial area, wherein the apparatus further comprises a drive unit for the at least one rod for pushing said rod into the ground or pulling it from the ground.