Abstract: A system for drilling a borehole according to the present invention includes a drill rig and a control system. The drill rig includes a drill, an air injection system and a water injection system. The control system, which is operatively associated with the drill rig, receives information from the drill rig that relates to at least one drill parameter. The control system processes information relating to the drill parameter, determines whether the drill parameter is within a predetermined specification for the monitored drill parameter, chooses a hole defect mitigation routine based on the monitored drill parameter when the monitored drill parameter is outside the predetermined specification, and controls the drill rig to implement the chosen hole defect mitigation routine.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus having a drive section and a bearing section axially distal to the drive section. The bearing section includes a unitary bearing housing defining a bearing housing bore, a driveshaft received within the bearing housing bore and rotatable relative to the bearing housing, and a bearing assembly radially interposed between the bearing housing and the driveshaft for rotatably supporting the driveshaft within the bearing housing bore. The unitary bearing housing may be connected directly with a transmission housing. An axis intersection point between a primary axis of the drilling apparatus and the driveshaft axis may be axially located between a proximal bearing housing end and a distal bearing housing end. One or more stationary bearing components may be non-rotatably engaged with one or more sleeves which are non-rotatably engaged with the bearing housing.

Abstract: Cutting elements include a volume of superabrasive material. The volume of superabrasive material comprises a front-cutting surface, an end-cutting surface, a cutting edge, and lateral side surfaces extending between and intersecting each of the front-cutting surface and the end-cutting surface. An earth-boring tool may comprise a bit body and at least one cutting element attached to the bit body. Methods of forming cutting elements comprise forming a volume of superabrasive material comprising forming a front-cutting surface, an end-cutting surface, a cutting edge, and lateral side surfaces extending between and intersecting each of the front-cutting surface and the end-cutting surface. Methods of forming earth-boring tools comprise forming a cutting element and attaching the cutting element to an earth-boring tool.

Abstract: Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (“MEMS”) tags having high and low resonant frequencies are used to detect the cured or uncured state of wellbore cement. The MEMS tags may be added to wellbore cement, and pumped downhole. An interrogation tool emits a signal at one or both of the resonant frequencies which, in turn, interacts with the MEMS tags to produce a response signal. Since uncured cement has a high attenuation, only the lower resonant frequency response signal is sensed by an interrogation device, thus indicating the cement remains uncured. When the cement cures, its conductivity drops and the attenuation of the higher resonant frequency response signal drops also, thus allowing that signal to be detected by the interrogation device and indicating the cement has cured.

Abstract: A diverter valve housing is secured to an upper end of a pump. A shuttle in the diverter valve housing moves between an upper closed position and a lower open position. A floating ring has an exterior band that abuts an upper end of the shuttle to move the shuttle downward. The floating ring moves upward when the pump operates. A bushing abuts an upward facing shoulder in the floating ring and is adhered within the bushing by a layer of adhesive. The shuttle has upper and lower seals separated by upper and lower spacer rings. A stop ring between the spacer rings limits downward movement of the upper spacer ring and also limits upward movement of the lower spacer ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes positioning a completion string that has an internal passageway and that has an external surface that at least partially defines an external region within a wellbore; isolating a zone of the external region from a wellbore hydrostatic pressure; measuring a pressure within the external region of the isolated zone; determining whether the pressure within the external region of the isolated zone is within a predetermined pressure range; and operating a valve that controls a flow of a fluid through a flow path from the internal region to the external region of the isolated zone when the pressure within the external region is outside of the predetermined pressure range.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus having a drive section and a bearing section axially distal to the drive section. The bearing section includes a bearing housing having a bearing housing bore defining a bearing housing bore axis, a sleeve assembly received within the bearing housing bore, the sleeve assembly having a sleeve assembly bore defining a sleeve assembly bore axis, a driveshaft received within the sleeve assembly bore, and a bearing assembly for rotatably supporting the driveshaft within the sleeve assembly bore. The sleeve assembly includes a plurality of axially arranged sleeve sections. The sleeve assembly bore axis is oblique to the bearing housing bore axis. The sleeve sections may be received within the bearing housing bore so that they maintain a fixed angular position relative to each other and relative to the bearing housing, and so that they maintain a fixed axial position relative to the bearing housing.

Abstract: A downhole plug having a plug body which includes (i) a base cylinder with a first outward facing locking surface and a central bore formed there through, (ii) a single set of circumferentially spaced slip ramps formed on the base cylinder, and (iii) slip guides positioned between the slip ramps, the slip guides having a second inward facing locking surface. The plug includes a single set of slips which a plurality of slip wedges with each slip wedge engaging a slip ramp. A slip compression cap is configured to urge the slip wedges along the slip ramps and the slip compression cap includes a locking ring having a third outward facing locking surface. A compression shoulder is configured to move a ratchet ring into contact with the first locking surface on the base cylinder and the ratchet ring includes a fourth inward facing locking surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes an elongated base pipe having an external surface at least partially defining an external region and an internal surface at least partially defining an internal region; and a pressure maintenance device disposed in the base pipe and comprising: a flow path that extends between the internal region and the external region; and a valve having a gas charged chamber, the valve allowing the flow of a fluid from the internal region to the external region through the first flow path when a pressure differential between a pressure associated with the internal region and a pressure associated with the gas charged chamber is less than a maximum pressure threshold and when a pressure differential between the external region and the pressure associated with the gas charged chamber is greater than a minimum pressure threshold.

Abstract: A method for fracturing a wellbore in a formation, including positioning one or more bidirectional rotary sleeves on tubular members into the wellbore; engaging a unidirectional rotary source in a first position with a first bidirectional rotary sleeve of the one or more bidirectional rotary sleeves; operating the unidirectional rotary source to rotate the first bidirectional rotary sleeve in a first rotational direction to open at least one port in the first bidirectional rotary sleeve for providing an open fluid pathway between the first bidirectional rotary sleeve and the formation; pumping fluid through the tubular members and through the opened port to fracture the formation; engaging the unidirectional rotary source in a second position with the first bidirectional rotary sleeve; and operating the unidirectional rotary source to rotate first bidirectional rotary sleeve in a second rotational direction to close the at least one port in the first bidirectional rotary sleeve.

Abstract: Locating while drilling systems and methods are disclosed. Some method embodiments include drilling a borehole with a bottom-hole assembly (BHA attached to a drill bit, pausing the drilling to determine a survey position of the bit, obtaining measurements with BHA sensors while drilling, processing the BHA sensor measurements with a model while drilling to track a current position of the bit relative to the survey position, the model accounting for deformation of the BHA, and steering the BHA based on the current position of the bit.

Abstract: A through-casing formation monitoring system may include a casing string positioned within a wellbore, a power source electrically coupled to the casing string, a voltage sensor electrically coupled to an inner surface of the casing string such that the voltage sensor allows a continued operation of the wellbore, a fiber optic cable coupled to an electro-optical transducer within the voltage sensor, and an optical interrogation system configured to measure an electric potential applied to the electro-optical transducer via the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: Electrically-operated downhole tools are run into a wellbore on a coiled tubing string which includes tube-wire that is capable of carrying power and data along its length. During operation, a downhole tool is provided power from surface using the tube-wire. Downhole data is provided to the surface via tube-wire.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a method includes detecting a first parameter indicative of lateral movement of a top drive system with respect to a rotational axis of the top drive system with a first plurality of sensors and detecting a second parameter indicative of lateral movement of the top drive system with respect to the longitudinal axis of the top drive system with a second plurality of sensors. The first parameter is different from the second parameter. The method also includes transmitting the first parameter and the second parameter to a monitoring system and comparing the first parameter to a first threshold value and comparing the second parameter to a second threshold value with the monitoring system. Detecting the first parameter and the second parameter includes detecting lateral movement of a mud saver valve configured to flow mud through a sealed passage.

Abstract: A downhole fluid flow control system includes a fluid control module having an upstream side, a downstream side and a main fluid pathway in parallel with a secondary fluid pathway each extending between the upstream and downstream sides. A valve element disposed within the main fluid pathway has open and closed positions. A viscosity discriminator including a viscosity sensitive channel forms at least a portion of the secondary fluid pathway. A differential pressure switch operable to open and close the valve element includes a first pressure signal from the upstream side, a second pressure signal from the downstream side and a third pressure signal from the secondary fluid pathway. The magnitude of the third signal is dependent upon the viscosity of the fluid flowing through the secondary fluid pathway such that the viscosity of the fluid operates the differential pressure switch, thereby controlling fluid flow through the main fluid pathway.

Abstract: A resilient backup ring is shaped for insertion with a sealing ring into an annular groove in at least one of two close fitting members in order to limit extrusion of the sealing ring. The backup ring is split by a cut permitting the backup ring to be contracted in diameter for seating of the backup ring in the annular groove. The cut defines respective shapes in two ends of the backup ring that engage each other for latching the backup ring in a contracted diameter configuration. At least one of the two ends has a cavity for receiving a tool for applying force to move the two ends apart and unlatch the backup ring from the contracted diameter configuration and expand the diameter of the backup ring for removal of the sealing ring from the annular groove.

Abstract: A ball for sealing a plug in a well, the ball including a body; an actuation mechanism located inside the body and configured to break the body into parts; and a sensor connected to the actuation mechanism and configured to measure a parameter outside the body. The actuation mechanism includes a first timer that is triggered by a first measured value of the parameter, and also includes a second timer that is triggered by a second measured value of the parameter.

Abstract: A method includes rotating a rotary drill bit about a central axis in a rotational direction. The rotary drill bit includes a bit body having a forward end and a rearward end and a plurality of cutting elements coupled to the bit body. Each of the plurality of cutting elements includes a substrate, polycrystalline diamond bonded to the substrate, a substantially planar, substantially semi-circular cutting face, a cutting edge adjacent the cutting face, and a side surface that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cutting face. The method also includes moving the rotary drill bit in an axially forward direction while rotating the rotary drill bit such that the plurality of cutting elements cut into a formation and removing debris generated by the plurality of cutting elements.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a modular insert float system and method that can be inserted into a casing and attached to the casing internal surface by internal slips and sealing components. The system is modular in that three main components: an upper valve assembly, a lower valve assembly, and a pair of casing anchor and seal assemblies along with top and bottom shoes form a kit that can be used for virtually any casing of a given size regardless of the threads, casing material grades, length of joint, or other variations. Further, the system allows for insertion of the casing into the wellbore without damaging the formation from forcing wellbore fluid into the formation and causing the loss of wellbore fluid in the wellbore.