Abstract: A system for use in excavating a wellbore that includes a drill string and attached drill bit that has nozzles that are in fluid communication with the drill string. The system receives pressurized slurry of fluid and impactor particles and directs the slurry at a subterranean formation from the nozzles to form the wellbore. Discharge streams are formed from the slurry exiting the nozzles, the discharge streams impact and fracture the formation to remove material. The nozzles are oriented so that the streams excavate in the middle and periphery of the borehole bottom. The nozzles can be oriented to form frusto-conical spray patterns when the bit is rotated, wherein the spray patterns can intersect or overlap.

Abstract: A system and method for excavating a subterranean formation, according to which a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors are passed between a drill string to a body member for discharge from the body member to remove at least a portion of the formation. The flow of the suspension between the drill string and the body member is controlled by an ultra shearing drilling mud in order to prevent the impactors from settling near the bottom of the formation.

Abstract: A particle impact drilling system and method are described. In several exemplary embodiments, the system and method may be a part of, and/or used with, an apparatus or system, methods, to excavate a subterranean formation. The system can including, for example, removing near-borehole damage, casing, window milling, fishing, drilling with casing, under reaming, coring, perforating, effective circulatory density management, assisted annular flow, and directional control. Embodiments of associated systems and methods are also included.

Abstract: A particle impact drilling system and method are described. In several exemplary embodiments, the system and method may be a part of, and/or used with, an apparatus or system, methods, to excavate a subterranean formation. The system can including, for example, removing near-borehole damage, casing, window milling, fishing, drilling with casing, under reaming, coring, perforating, effective circulatory density management, assisted annular flow, and directional control. Embodiments of associated systems and methods are also included.

Abstract: A particle impact drilling system and method are described. In several exemplary embodiments, the system and method may be a part of, and/or used with, an apparatus or system, methods, to excavate a subterranean formation. The system can including, for example, removing near-borehole damage, casing, window milling, fishing, drilling with casing, under reaming, coring, perforating, effective circulatory density management, assisted annular flow, and directional control. Embodiments of associated systems and methods are also included.

Abstract: A system and method for excavating a formation according to which at least one vessel that is selectively pressurized from a first pressure to second pressure to inject a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors into a formation to remove at least a portion of the formation.

Abstract: A method and system for excavating a subterranean formation including pumping a fluid through a nozzle such that an exit velocity of the fluid is greater than an entrance velocity of the fluid. A plurality of solid material impactors may be circulated with the fluid through the nozzle. A substantial portion by weight of the solid material impactors has a mean diameter of approximately 0.100 inches or less. The substantial portion by weight of solid material impactors exit the nozzle, contact the formation and rebound into a junk slot.

Abstract: A particle impact drilling system and method are described. In several exemplary embodiments, the system and method may be a part of, and/or used with, an apparatus or system, methods, to excavate a subterranean formation. The system can including, for example, removing near-borehole damage, casing, window milling, fishing, drilling with casing, under reaming, coring, perforating, effective circulatory density management, assisted annular flow, and directional control. Embodiments of associated systems and methods are also included.

Abstract: A particle impact drilling system and method are described. In several exemplary embodiments, the system and method may be a part of, and/or used with, an apparatus or system, methods, to excavate a subterranean formation. The system can including, for example, removing near-borehole damage, casing, window milling, fishing, drilling with casing, under reaming, coring, perforating, effective circulatory density management, assisted annular flow, and directional control. Embodiments of associated systems and methods are also included.

Abstract: An injection system and method is described. In several exemplary embodiments, the injection system and method may be a part of, and/or used with, a system and method for excavating a subterranean formation. In at least one example, an apparatus is provided that includes a source of impactors comprising at least some ferritic material capable of influence by magnetic fields. An injector is coupled to the source and includes a screw extruder, a screw positioned within a barrel, and at least one magnetic circuit is positioned outside of the barrel.

Abstract: An excavation system for forming a wellbore through a subterranean formation, the system employing pressurized drilling fluid with impactors mixed therein. The pressurized fluid with impactors is directed to a drill string having a drill bit with nozzles on its lower end. The fluid impactor mixture is discharged from the nozzles and against the formation, wherein the impactors contact, compress, and fracture the formation to excavate through the formation. The system includes an impactor injection system that injects impactors into a stream of pressurized drilling fluid to form the mixture. The injection system operates at substantially the same pressure as the pressurized drilling fluid.

Abstract: A method and system of subterranean excavating that estimates a buoyancy force applied to a downhole excavating system from drilling fluid. The estimated buoyancy force is used to derive a true weight on bit (WOB) at the borehole bottom. The derived realized WOB is compared to a target WOB to obtain a change in WOB. Based on the change in WOB, the excavating system is adjusted so the realized WOB approximates the target WOB. The excavating system adjustment includes applying a compensating force to the string. Compensating forces can be produced by manipulating a block assembly or deploying a thruster device in the string.

Abstract: A system and method for excavating a subterranean formation, according to which a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors is introduced into at least one cavity formed in the body member. The suspension is discharged from a nozzle disposed in the cavity towards the formation so that the impactors remove at least a portion of the formation.

Abstract: A system for use in excavating a wellbore that includes a drill string and attached drill bit that has nozzles that are in fluid communication with the drill string. The system receives pressurized slurry of fluid and impactor particles and directs the slurry at a subterranean formation from the nozzles to form the wellbore. Discharge streams are formed from the slurry exiting the nozzles, the discharge streams impact and fracture the formation to remove material. The nozzles are oriented so that the streams excavate in the middle and periphery of the borehole bottom. The nozzles can be oriented to form frusto-conical spray patterns when the bit is rotated, wherein the spray patterns can intersect or overlap.

Abstract: A system and method according to which at least one vessel injects a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors into a formation to remove at least a portion of the formation.

Abstract: A system and method for excavating a wellbore through a subterranean formation that includes a drill string having an inner passage for flowing a suspension of fluid and impactors. The drill string includes a flow control device to block flow in the drill string passage or in the annulus formed between the drill string and the wellbore inner wall from lowing into the bit when flow is reduced or stopped. The flow can take place due to fluid density differences resulting from impactors being in suspension in the fluid. The flow control device includes a selectively openable and closable valve. Valve embodiments include valves having flapper elements, a plurality of cables suspended in an annular configuration, and whisker elements.

Abstract: A system and method according to which at least one vessel injects a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors into a formation to remove at least a portion of the formation.

Abstract: A system and method according to which at least one vessel injects a suspension of liquid and a plurality of impactors into a formation to remove at least a portion of the formation.

Abstract: An injection system and method is described. In several exemplary embodiments, the injection system and method may be a part of, and/or used with, a system and method for excavating a subterranean formation. The system and method include a low density material injection to lower the circulating fluid equivalent circulating density.