Abstract: A well drilling bit for drilling bedrocks includes a columnar bit body, and a drilling fluid flow path formed in the bit body to wash away drilled cuttings from a bottomhole and/or a periphery of the bit body. The flow path is provided with a venturi mechanism including a venturi tube having a reduced-diameter portion where a cross sectional area is reduced and capable of generating a decompression region around a tip of the bit body, the decompression region being more decompressed than a surrounding by the Venturi effect.

Abstract: A siphon pump chimney can be used in a mini-drillstem test to increase formation fluid flow rates. A formation tester can be coupled to a siphon pump chimney via a wet connect assembly to transfer formation fluid from a fluid-bearing formation. The siphon pump chimney can receive the formation fluid through the wet connect and disperse the formation fluid into a drill pipe that is flowing drilling fluid. The siphon pump chimney can include check valves to prevent the drilling fluid from entering the siphon pump chimney. The siphon pump chimney can be configured to have a variable height that can reduce pressure within the siphon pump chimney to a pressure value that can be close to or less than the formation pressure, which can allow a pump to operate at high flow rates or be bypassed in a free flow configuration.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes at least a pilot section, a first expansion section, and a second expansion section. The pilot section has a plurality of cutting elements to cut a pilot hole. Each of the expansion sections has a plurality of cutting elements to successively expand the pilot hole to achieve a final wellbore radius. The pilot section, first expansion section, and second expansion section each have one or more stabilizer pads on respective gages to stabilize the downhole tool during wellbore creation.

Abstract: A borehole tool can include a frangible degradable alloy that includes an oxidizable base element and at least one alloying element.

Abstract: A lateral wellbore access system is used for moving an isolation sleeve relative to a window of a completion sleeve to adjust access through the window. The system includes an actuator having an isolation sleeve coupling mechanism and a driving mechanism. The isolation sleeve coupling mechanism is configured to engage with an isolation sleeve. The driving mechanism is configured to longitudinally reciprocate the isolation sleeve coupling mechanism within a bore of a completion sleeve to longitudinally move an isolation sleeve coupled to the isolation sleeve coupling mechanism within the bore relative to a window of the completion sleeve. Movement of the isolation sleeve adjusts a position of the isolation sleeve relative to the completion sleeve window for permitting or blocking access through the window into the bore.

Abstract: A lateral wellbore access system is used for moving an isolation sleeve relative to a window of a completion sleeve to adjust access through the window. The system includes an actuator having an isolation sleeve engagement mechanism and a driving mechanism. The isolation sleeve engagement mechanism is configured to engage with an isolation sleeve. The driving mechanism is configured to longitudinally reciprocate the isolation sleeve relative to the isolation sleeve engagement mechanism within a bore of a completion sleeve to longitudinally move an isolation sleeve within the bore relative to a window of the completion sleeve. Movement of the isolation sleeve adjusts a position of the isolation sleeve relative to the completion sleeve window for permitting or blocking access through the window into the bore.

Abstract: A method includes spraying acid onto an inner wall of a wellbore formed in a subterranean zone with entrapped hydrocarbons that flow into the subterranean zone. Spraying the acid forms a subterranean cavern within a portion of the wellbore, the subterranean cavern being wider than the wellbore. The entrapped hydrocarbons flow into the subterranean cavern. The entrapped hydrocarbons include liquid hydrocarbons and water. The liquid hydrocarbons and the water separate under gravity within the subterranean cavern. The method also includes drawing the liquid hydrocarbons from the subterranean cavern to a surface of the wellbore.

Abstract: A system and method to protect downhole tools and equipment used in transporting fluids with erosional and/or corrosive characteristics is disclosed according to one or more embodiments. The protection assembly engages with a latch coupling or other surface in need of protection to form a barrier between the latch coupling surface and any erosional or corrosive fluids. The protection assembly comprises a barrier sleeve portion and a support sleeve portion disposed in the barrier sleeve. The support sleeve is moveable between a first and second position within the barrier sleeve. In a first position of the support sleeve, collet fingers in the barrier sleeve may flex to allow movement through the latch coupling while in a second position of the support sleeve, the collet fingers may not flex and the barrier sleeve is engaged and protecting the latch coupling.

Abstract: A rotary steerable drill string (16) employs a drill bit (10) selected to positively contribute to underpressure in a preselected azimuthal segment of the borehole relative to an opposing azimuthal section. Generally, a high flow velocity of drilling fluid in the selected azimuthal segment relative to in other segments will result in a more pronounced underpressure in the selected azimuthal segment. Drill bit designs which locally enhance the drilling fluid flow velocity are proposed to be employed in the present rotary steerable drill string.

Abstract: A method of obtaining geological data pertaining to a bore hole that comprises supporting a ground drill and a separate geological instrument (30) on a vehicle (52), the instrument (30) being capable of acquiring geological data including one or more of geophysical data, petro physical data, mineralogical and compositional data and hole geometry data from within the bore hole; drilling a bore hole using a ground drill, the bore hole having an exposed circumferential wall; moving the ground drill out of the bore hole and subsequently out of alignment with the bore hole; lowering and subsequently retrieving the instrument (30) from the bore hole; and, operating the instrument (30) while in the bore hole to acquire geological data of the ground in which the bore hole is drilled.

Abstract: Disclosed is slick water volumetric fracturing method with large liquid volume, high flow rate, large preflush and low sand ratio, including the following steps: (a) evaluating the reservoir parameters; (b) determining the perforation position and a perforation parameters of a fracturing interval; (c) determining the fracturing parameters; (d) performing a perforation operation on the fracturing interval; (e) injecting acidizing fluids into the perforation; (f) alternately injecting preflush and sand-laden fluids into the fracturing interval several times; (g) injecting displacement fluids into the fracturing interval; wherein the flow rate is not less than 12 m3/min. The beneficial effect of the technical scheme proposed in the present invention is: by using a low viscosity slick water fracturing fluid with high flow rate, the pressure of the fracturing fluid is increased, thereby increasing the stimulated reservoir volume and increasing the fracturing yield.

Abstract: A piston-style drilling mud screen system, comprising: a first assembly having a first drilling mud inlet and outlet, a first body having a second drilling mud inlet and outlet, wherein the first drilling mud outlet of the first assembly is fluidly connected to the second drilling mud inlet of the first body, a second body having a third drilling mud inlet and outlet, wherein the second drilling mud outlet of the first body is fluidly connected to the third drilling mud inlet of the second body, a drilling mud screen, disposed within the first body and the second body between the first drilling mud inlet and the second drilling mud outlet, a union system, comprising: a third body having a first inlet and outlet, a fourth body having a second inlet and outlet; and a fifth body, wherein a second end of the first body is disposed through a first end of the fifth body, wherein the first end of the second body is disposed through a second end of the fifth body, a second assembly having a fourth drilling mud inlet

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of obtaining logging data of subterranean formations and a logging system for doing the same. One example method includes: (1) conveying a logging tool and downhole tractor through a gravity-conveyed section of a borehole, and (2) obtaining logging data from the logging tool during the conveying, wherein the downhole tractor is employed for at least a portion of the obtaining of the logging data. Another example method includes: (1) lowering a logging tool and an open-hole tractor through a gravity conveyed section of an open borehole, (2) raising the logging tool and the open-hole tractor through the gravity conveyed section, (3) obtaining, from the logging tool during the raising, logging data associated with the gravity conveyed section of the open borehole, and (4) employing the open-hole tractor for at least a portion of the raising of the logging tool during the obtaining.

Abstract: A packer assembly includes a tubular having a surface, a gauge ring provided on the surface, a back-up ring positioned adjacent the gauge ring, a packer element arranged adjacent to the back-up ring, an expansion ring arranged adjacent to the gauge ring, the expansion ring including a step portion, and a support ring arranged axially between the back-up ring and the expansion ring. The support ring includes a step feature. The step portion and the step feature are selectively engaged with expansion of the packer element to form an interlock feature that substantially limits rocking of the expansion ring.

Abstract: A method of modifying a slide drill segment while implementing the slide drill segment includes receiving downhole data from a BHA during slide drilling of a slide drill segment. The method also includes calculating, based on the downhole data, a build rate and altering, while performing the slide drill segment, sliding instructions based on the build rate and the downhole data. The method also includes implementing the altered sliding instructions.

Abstract: A high trip rate drilling rig has first handling equipment to transport stands in/out of setback, second handling equipment to deliver stands to/from well center, and a hand-off position to set down stands for exchange between first/second equipment. Second equipment can include a top drive and a delivery arm translatable along the mast past each other, and a clasp on the arm slidable on the stand for constraint below the upper end, which can allow the top drive to engage/disengage the constrained stand above the arm. A high trip rate method transports stands in/out of setback, delivers stands to/from well center, and sets down and hands off stands at hand-off position between the setback transportation and well center delivery. The delivery can include engaging/disengaging the top drive and a stand constrained by the clasp.

Abstract: Methods of using capture gamma-ray spectroscopy for analyzing gravel-packs, frac-packs, and cement are disclosed herein. The methods can include distinguishing particles placed in a borehole region from particles placed in a subterranean formation outside of the borehole region, by utilizing a slurry comprising a liquid, particles, and a thermal neutron absorbing material to place the particles into the borehole region. The methods can also include obtaining first and second data sets by lowering into a borehole traversing the borehole region a pulsed neutron logging tool comprising a pulsed neutron source and a detector, emitting pulses of neutrons from the pulsed neutron source into the borehole region at intervals of one pulse per about 1,000 ?sec for the first data set and about one pulse per about 100 ?sec for the second data set, and detecting capture gamma rays resulting from nuclear reactions in the borehole and the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Electrical submersible pump (ESP) completion in a lateral wellbore includes an ESP installed in a wellbore that includes a vertical wellbore portion and a lateral wellbore portion that is connected to the vertical wellbore portion at a junction. The ESP is installed in the vertical wellbore portion downhole of the junction. The lateral wellbore portion extends to a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir carrying hydrocarbons. Using the ESP, at least a portion of the hydrocarbons is produced through the lateral wellbore portion.

Abstract: A downhole drilling apparatus may comprise a rotatable body with various cutting elements connected thereto, some radially protruding therefrom, some radially extendable therefrom, and some revolvable relative thereto about a common axis. In operation, when the body is rotated, the radially protruding cutting elements may bore a generally cylindrical borehole. The radially extendable cutting elements may be extended during specific portions of the body's rotation to degrade certain areas of an inner wall of the borehole transforming it into a non-cylindrical borehole. At certain times, the revolvable cutting elements may be allowed to slide against the non-cylindrical inner wall while freely revolving to minimize disturbance to the borehole shape. At other times, revolution of these revolvable cutting elements may be restrained to ream the borehole back to a cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A switch assembly adapted for electrically coupling perforating guns and providing improved safety.