Abstract: An anchoring system for a tool in a borehole is provided. The anchoring system comprising a tool body, anchoring members which are operable to extend from the tool body so as to deploy an anchor portion into contact with the borehole wall such that when deployed. The anchoring members act to support the tool body in a central region of the borehole. Moreover, the anchoring members are connected to an operating mechanism which links deployment of the anchoring members so as to distribute the anchoring force and position of the anchoring members in a controlled manner.

Abstract: Apparatus and the methods for deploying a sensor in the formation down a borehole. The apparatus comprises a downhole drilling system which is connected at a first end to the surface and is connected at a second end to a flexible drilling string downhole in the borehole. At least a portion of the flexible drilling string is locatable in a lateral hole of the borehole, and at least one downhole sensor is connectable to the portion of the drilling string that is locatable in the lateral hole.

Abstract: A method of forming a tubular conduit in a borehole, wherein the borehole is closed by means of a pressure barrier capable of sustaining a borehole pressure and having at least one pressure sealable inlet, comprises: introducing a substantially flat, elongate flexible member into the borehole; and forming the flexible member into a tubular form to define the conduit inside the borehole below the pressure barrier. An apparatus for forming a tubular conduit in a borehole closed by a pressure barrier capable of sustaining a borehole pressure and having at least one pressure sealable inlet, comprises: a supply of a substantially flat, elongate flexible member; a feed system for introducing the member into the borehole; and a former below the pressure barrier for forming the flat member into a substantially tubular conduit in the borehole.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit is provided comprising a bit body, which includes a connecting portion for connection to a conveyance and a drilling portion. The drilling portion includes a plurality of cutting elements each having at least one cutting surface, the drilling portion being operable in at least two different drilling orientations, and the drilling surface being rotatable in one of two opposing directions, being a first direction and an opposing second direction.

Abstract: A drilling system for drilling a borehole in an underground formation, comprises a rotary drill bit, a drilling drive mechanism that is capable of applying both rotating the drill bit and applying an axial force to the drill bit, and a control system that is capable of controlling the drive mechanism so as to control rotation of the drill bit and the axial force applied to the drill bit in order to control the depth of cut created by the drill bit when drilling through the formation. A method of drilling a borehole in an underground formation with a rotary drill bit, comprises applying rotation and an axial force to the drill bit and controlling the rotation and axial force so as to control the depth of cut created by the drill bit when drilling through the formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving tubing through a borehole is disclosed. The apparatus includes a surface injector assembly and a downhole injector assembly with a driving mechanism to move the tubing through the borehole, an anchoring system for securing the downhole injector assembly downhole to a cased portion of a borehole wall and connections for receiving a power supply form the surface. A method of moving tubing through a borehole is also disclosed. The method involves attaching a downhole injector assembly to a cased portion of a borehole wall sufficiently downhole such that the downhole injector assembly can supply weight to a drilling assembly, and injecting tubing through the borehole using the downhole injector assembly.

Abstract: A drilling system, comprising a non-rotating conveyance system; a tool connected to the non-rotating conveyance system and including anchors by which the tool can be anchored in position when located in a borehole; a drill bit connected to the tool; a motor for rotating the drill bit; and a directional control system interposed between the tool and the drill bit; wherein, in use, whit the drilling system located in a borehole, the directional control system can be operates so as to displace the drill bit away from the axis of the borehole.

Abstract: An anchoring system for a tool in a borehole is provided. The anchoring system comprising a tool body, anchoring members which are operable to extend from the tool body so as to deploy an anchor portion into contact with the borehole wall such that when deployed. The anchoring members act to support the tool body in a central region of the borehole. Moreover, the anchoring members are connected to an operating mechanism which links deployment of the anchoring members so as to distribute the anchoring force and position of the anchoring members in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A method of forming a tubular conduit in a borehole, wherein the borehole is closed by means of a pressure barrier capable of sustaining a borehole pressure and having at least one pressure sealable inlet, comprises: introducing a substantially flat, elongate flexible member into the borehole; and forming the flexible member into a tubular form to define the conduit inside the borehole below the pressure barrier. An apparatus for forming a tubular conduit in a borehole closed by a pressure barrier capable of sustaining a borehole pressure and having at least one pressure sealable inlet, comprises: a supply of a substantially flat, elongate flexible member; a feed system for introducing the member into the borehole; and a former below the pressure barrier for forming the flat member into a substantially tubular conduit in the borehole.

Abstract: A drilling system is presented for use in drilling lateral boreholes from a main borehole. The drilling system generally comprises a drilling machine, a drill string connected to the drilling machine so as to be driveable in an axial direction, and a guide connected to the drilling machine such that when the drill string is driven axially by the drilling machine, it interacts with the guide so as to be directed in a predetermined radial direction. A method of drilling a lateral borehole from a main borehole is also presented, comprising the steps of: positioning the drilling system in the main borehole; anchoring the guide in the borehole; operating the drilling machine to drive the drill string in an axial direction; and deflecting the drill string, by means of the guide, in a radial direction into the wall of the main borehole to drill the lateral borehole.

Abstract: A drilling system for drilling a borehole. The system comprising a drilling assembly including a drilling motor; a drill bit mounted on the drilling assembly to be rotated by the drilling motor, an axial drive mechanism connected to the drilling assembly for moving the drilling assembly through the borehole and operable to provide weight on the bit (WOB) during drilling, and a drill string connected to the drilling assembly. The drill string is a flexible conduit to convey fluid between the surface and the drilling assembly and the WOB and torque on bit (TOB) are provided downhole by the drilling assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for borehole cleaning comprises a tubular conveyance extending from the surface into a borehole to a region to be cleaned, a motor mounted at the end of the tubular conveyance that in use is introduced into the borehole, a pump connected to the motor and having a nozzle, and a power cable extending trough the tubular conveyance from the surface to provide power to the motor, The pump is arranged such that, when positioned in the borehole and operated by the motor, the pump withdraws material from the borehole through the nozzle and pumps it into the tubular conveyance to the surface.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for drilling a wellbore. The wellbore is formed with a drilling tool that cuts through a formation. A pumping system removes cuttings from the drilling tool and also transports the cuttings along at least a portion of the wellbore formed behind the drilling tool.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit is provided comprising a bit body, which includes a connecting portion for connection to a conveyance and a drilling portion. The drilling portion includes a plurality of cutting elements each having at least one cutting surface, the drilling portion being operable in at least two different drilling orientations, and the drilling surface being rotatable in one of two opposing directions, being a first direction and an opposing second direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and the methods for deploying a sensor in the formation down a borehole. The apparatus comprises a downhole drilling system which is connected at a first end to the surface and is connected at a second end to a flexible drilling string downhole in the borehole. At least a portion of the flexible drilling string is locatable in a lateral hole of the borehole, and at least one downhole sensor is connectable to the portion of the drilling string that is locatable in the lateral hole.

Abstract: A method and downhole tool are presented herein for driving completion equipment in a borehole. The method comprises the steps of positioning the completion equipment in the borehole; and moving the completion equipment along the borehole by operation of a downhole driving tool connected to the completion equipment. Operation of the driving tool comprises accumulating energy in the driving tool and releasing the energy to force a moveable member against an impact surface in the driving tool to provide a driving force which is applied to the completion equipment to move the completion equipment in the borehole, wherein the step of accumulating energy in the driving tool comprises providing energy to the driving tool by means of an energy source located at the surface selected from the group consisting of an electrical energy source provided by a wireline cable, a hydraulic energy source provided by a pipe, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a drilling system for use in a borehole through an underground formation, comprising: a drilling assembly including a drill bit for drilling through the formation and a drilling drive; conveyance means including a conveyance drive connected to the drilling assembly and operable to move the drilling assembly through the borehole, wherein the conveyance drive is operable to move the drilling assembly along the borehole into a drilling position and the drilling drive is operable to urge the drill bit into contact with the formation when drilling takes place in the drilling position.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving tubing through a borehole comprises an injector assembly with a driving mechanism to move the tubing through the borehole; wherein the apparatus comprises an anchoring system for securing the injector assembly downhole to a cased portion of a borehole wall and connections for receiving a power supply from the surface.

Abstract: A drilling system, comprising: a non-rotating conveyance system; a tool connected to the non-rotating conveyance system and including anchors by which the tool can be anchored in position when located in a borehole; a drill bit connected to the tool; a motor for rotating the drill bit; and a directional control system interposed between the tool and the drill bit; wherein, in use, with the drilling system located in a borehole, the directional control system can be operates so as to displace the drill bit away from the axis of the borehole.

Abstract: Apparatus for borehole cleaning, comprises: a tubular conveyance for extending from the surface into a borehole to a region to be cleaned; a motor mounted at the end of the tubular conveyance that in use is introduced into the borehole; a pump connected to the motor and having a nozzle; a power cable extending trough the tubular conveyance from the surface to provide power to the motor; the pump being arranged such that, when positioned in the borehole and operated by the motor, the pump withdraws material from the borehole through the nozzle and pumps it into the tubular conveyance to the surface.