A monitoring system operable to monitor an oilfield additive system having multiple components. The oilfield additive system is operable to transfer an additive-containing substance for injection into a wellbore. The monitoring system includes sensors each associated with, and operable to generate information related to an operational parameter of, a corresponding one of the oilfield additive system components. The monitoring system also includes a monitoring device in communication with the sensors and operable to record the information generated by the sensors to generate a database. The database includes information indicative of maintenance aspects of the oil-field additive system and/or the oilfield additive system components.

An improved vacuum device for use with a vacuum assisted post hole digger tool. The improved vacuum device includes two suction providing motors with their suction outlets connected in a parallel fashion directly to a filter box. The dual motor configuration provides significantly improved suction power over existing vacuum devices but is still able to be powered on household 120V AC power. The improved vacuum device is paired with a post hole digger apparatus which includes an elongated hollow tubular tool for transmitting vacuum to the base end of the tube. The base end of the tube further comprises a variety bore heads for breaking up soil. A variety of devices for breaking up soil or removing clogs around the bore head are included: a thrasher bar, a hammer bar and an unclogger bar. Each of these devices are designed to be activated either manually by the user by application of force at the upper end of the tool or by application of rotary force by a motor disposed at the top of the housing.

An improved vacuum device for use with a vacuum assisted post hole digger tool. The improved vacuum device includes two suction providing motors with their suction outlets connected in a parallel fashion directly to a filter box. The dual motor configuration provides significantly improved suction power over existing vacuum devices but is still able to be powered on household 120V AC power. The improved vacuum device is paired with a post hole digger apparatus which includes an elongated hollow tubular tool for transmitting vacuum to the base end of the tube. The base end of the tube further comprises a variety bore heads for breaking up soil. A variety of devices for breaking up soil or removing clogs around the bore head are included: a thrasher bar, a hammer bar and an unclogger bar. Each of these devices are designed to be activated either manually by the user by application of force at the upper end of the tool or by application of rotary force by a motor disposed at the top of the housing.

A method of drilling a wellbore that traverses a formation, the method comprising the steps of inserting a one-stage drilling tool into the wellbore, the one-stage drilling tool comprising a laser head configured to produce a drilling beam, a completion sheath configured to line the wellbore, and a centralizer configured to support the completion sheath within the wellbore, operating the laser head to produce the drilling beam, wherein the drilling beam comprises a laser, wherein the drilling beam has a divergent shape comprising a base at a distance from a front end of the laser head and an apex proximate to the front end of the laser head, wherein a diameter of the base of the drilling beam is greater than a diameter of the one-stage drilling tool, and drilling the formation with the drilling beam, wherein the laser of the drilling beam is operable to sublimate the formation.

A method of drilling a wellbore that traverses a formation, the method comprising the steps of inserting a one-stage drilling tool into the wellbore, the one-stage drilling tool comprising a laser head configured to produce a drilling beam, a completion sheath configured to line the wellbore, and a centralizer configured to support the completion sheath within the wellbore, operating the laser head to produce the drilling beam, wherein the drilling beam comprises a laser, wherein the drilling beam has a divergent shape comprising a base at a distance from a front end of the laser head and an apex proximate to the front end of the laser head, wherein a diameter of the base of the drilling beam is greater than a diameter of the one-stage drilling tool, and drilling the formation with the drilling beam, wherein the laser of the drilling beam is operable to sublimate the formation.

A method for mining narrow vein deposit of ore, the narrow vein deposit having a hanging wall and a foot wall, the method comprising: drilling a pilot hole into the narrow vein deposit along a path substantially centrally between the hanging wall and the foot wall to a depth within the vein; following the pilot hole with a larger diameter drilling assembly to fragment the ore into drill cuttings; circulating the drill cuttings to a wellhead; and collecting the drill cuttings for processing to recover the ore therefrom.

Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method for neutralizing hazardous gases. Indications of a hazardous gas leak occurring in a detected release area are received at a neutralize hazardous gases (NHS) control system from one or more gas sensors of a production facility. In response to receiving the indications of the hazardous gas leak, hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2S) scavengers are sprayed into the detected release areas by scavenger injection nozzles controlled by the NHS control system. An expandable containment fence is launched by the NHS control system. The expandable containment fence includes a membrane net. The expandable containment fence is configured to contain the hazardous gas leak by preventing the hazardous gas leak from spreading horizontally.

Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method for neutralizing hazardous gases. Indications of a hazardous gas leak occurring in a detected release area are received at a neutralize hazardous gases (NHS) control system from one or more gas sensors of a production facility. In response to receiving the indications of the hazardous gas leak, hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2S) scavengers are sprayed into the detected release areas by scavenger injection nozzles controlled by the NHS control system. An expandable containment fence is launched by the NHS control system. The expandable containment fence includes a membrane net. The expandable containment fence is configured to contain the hazardous gas leak by preventing the hazardous gas leak from spreading horizontally.

There is a method for drilling a borehole in a rock formation by bombarding the borehole bottom with a laser beam, which is generated by a laser-beam generator situated outside the borehole and is guided by means of suitable auxiliary devices to a laser-drilling head situated at the borehole bottom. The drilling head is coupled with a drill rod, wherein nitrogen, supplied to the laser-drilling head via the drill rod, is split into a partial stream serving as protective gas, which protects the transmitted laser beam from interfering suspended particles. There is a further partial stream, serving as a conveying-gas stream, which transports the rock material detached from the borehole bottom out of the borehole via an annular space remaining between drill rod and borehole wall. The laser beam is guided to a laser drilling head by extending through a laser guide tube.

There is a method for drilling a borehole in a rock formation by bombarding the borehole bottom with a laser beam, which is generated by a laser-beam generator situated outside the borehole and is guided by means of suitable auxiliary devices to a laser-drilling head situated at the borehole bottom. The drilling head is coupled with a drill rod, wherein nitrogen, supplied to the laser-drilling head via the drill rod, is split into a partial stream serving as protective gas, which protects the transmitted laser beam from interfering suspended particles. There is a further partial stream, serving as a conveying-gas stream, which transports the rock material detached from the borehole bottom out of the borehole via an annular space remaining between drill rod and borehole wall. The laser beam is guided to a laser drilling head by extending through a laser guide tube.