Abstract: Systems and methods for drilling a wellbore include delivering electrical energy to a downhole end of the wellbore. A tapered drill string, with larger drill pipes connected in an up-hole portion with a turbine and an electrical generator and a smaller drill pipes coupled in downhole portion may be used to deliver the electrical power. A turbine and generator may be sufficiently sized to harvest the necessary hydraulic energy and safely operated in a subterranean environment. An electrode carried by the downhole portion of the drill string is electrically coupled to the generator through the downhole portion of the drill string.

Abstract: A method for controlling a drilling trajectory of a wellbore includes receiving a target trajectory reference of a drill bit within a wellbore from a formation model. The method also includes receiving real-time formation evaluation measurements from at least one sensor positioned within the wellbore and computing a target trajectory set-point change based on the real-time formation evaluation measurements. Further, the method includes generating a target trajectory from the target trajectory reference and the target trajectory set-point change and steering the drill bit using the target trajectory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drilling a wellbore include delivering electrical energy to a downhole end of the wellbore. A tapered drill string, with larger drill pipes connected in an up-hole portion with a turbine and an electrical generator and a smaller drill pipes coupled in downhole portion may be used to deliver the electrical power. A turbine and generator may be sufficiently sized to harvest the necessary hydraulic energy and safely operated in a subterranean environment. An electrode carried by the downhole portion of the drill string is electrically coupled to the generator through the downhole portion of the drill string.

Abstract: A drilling system for drilling a wellbore that includes a drill string rotatable in a first direction. The system also includes a bottom hole assembly (BHA) that includes: a drill bit, a housing with a bore, a first fluid-driven motor in fluid communication with the bore and connected with and configured to rotate a portion of the BHA in a second direction opposite the first direction, a second fluid-driven motor in fluid communication with the bore and connected with and configured to rotate the drill bit, a valve in fluid communication with a vent including a flow path arranged to direct fluid away from any one or both of the fluid-driven motors, and a controller in communication with and configured to adjust a drilling parameter of the BHA by controlling the valve to adjust a flow rate of the fluid output from the valve into the vent.

Abstract: A method for controlling a drilling trajectory of a wellbore includes receiving a target trajectory reference of a drill bit within a wellbore from a formation model. The method also includes receiving real-time formation evaluation measurements from at least one sensor positioned within the wellbore and computing a target trajectory set-point change based on the real-time formation evaluation measurements. Further, the method includes generating a target trajectory from the target trajectory reference and the target trajectory set-point change and steering the drill bit using the target trajectory.

Abstract: A drilling system for drilling a wellbore that includes a drill string rotatable in a first direction. The system also includes a bottom hole assembly (BHA) that includes: a drill bit, a housing with a bore, a first fluid-driven motor in fluid communication with the bore and connected with and configured to rotate a portion of the BHA in a second direction opposite the first direction, a second fluid-driven motor in fluid communication with the bore and connected with and configured to rotate the drill bit, a valve in fluid communication with a vent including a flow path arranged to direct fluid away from any one or both of the fluid-driven motors, and a controller in communication with and configured to adjust a drilling parameter of the BHA by controlling the valve to adjust a flow rate of the fluid output from the valve into the vent.

Abstract: Control valves can allow for a steering assembly of a drill string. An exemplary control valve can include a first valve element including a first orifice, the first valve element being movable by actuation by a motor, and a second valve element including an orifice, wherein flow passing through the first valve element orifice passes through the second orifice and into a flow channel to be in fluid communication with a piston bore to exert pressure against a piston movable within the piston bore, the piston being coupled to a steering pad for applying force against the wellbore wall to steer a direction of the drill string. The first valve element is movable with respect to the second valve element to change flow through the first valve element orifice and the second valve element orifice to modify fluid pressure within the flow channel that is exerted against the piston.

Abstract: Control valves can allow for a steering assembly of a drill string. An exemplary control valve can include a first valve element including a first orifice, the first valve element being movable by actuation by a motor, and a second valve element including an orifice, wherein flow passing through the first valve element orifice passes through the second orifice and into a flow channel to be in fluid communication with a piston bore to exert pressure against a piston movable within the piston bore, the piston being coupled to a steering pad for applying force against the wellbore wall to steer a direction of the drill string. The first valve element is movable with respect to the second valve element to change flow through the first valve element orifice and the second valve element orifice to modify fluid pressure within the flow channel that is exerted against the piston.

Abstract: Latchable casing while drilling systems and methods are disclosed. Some system embodiments include a casing string including an upper latch apparatus and a lower latch apparatus. The system also includes a bottom hole assembly (BHA) latched into the lower latch apparatus for steerable drilling, the BHA configured to latch into the upper latch apparatus for enlarging a rat hole.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include energy harvesting devices, methods to operate the energy harvesting devices, and downhole power generating systems. In one embodiment, an energy harvesting device includes an outer stator having a first cavity formed therein. The energy harvesting device further includes a rotor disposed within the first cavity, the rotor including a second cavity, at least one radial slot, and a helical slot extending from a first end of the rotor towards a second end of the rotor. The energy harvesting device further includes an inner stator disposed within the second cavity. The energy harvesting device further includes an armature adjacent to the rotor, the armature coupled to at least one winding coupled to an electrical component to provide an electrical current to power the electrical component. The energy harvesting device further includes a housing coupled to the outer stator.

Abstract: An example method includes polling a plurality of reference nodes distributed along one or more reference wells. The method also includes steering a bottomhole assembly in another well based at least in part on information obtained from said polling. A related system includes a plurality of reference nodes distributed along one or more reference wells. The system also includes a bottomhole assembly in another well. The system also includes a surface controller. The surface controller polls the plurality of reference nodes to obtain position information regarding the bottomhole assembly and directs a steering module of the bottomhole assembly based on the obtained position information.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include energy harvesting devices, methods to operate the energy harvesting devices, and downhole power generating systems. In one embodiment, an energy harvesting device includes an outer stator having a first cavity formed therein. The energy harvesting device further includes a rotor disposed within the first cavity, the rotor including a second cavity, at least one radial slot, and a helical slot extending from a first end of the rotor towards a second end of the rotor. The energy harvesting device further includes an inner stator disposed within the second cavity. The energy harvesting device further includes an armature adjacent to the rotor, the armature coupled to at least one winding coupled to an electrical component to provide an electrical current to power the electrical component. The energy harvesting device further includes a housing coupled to the outer stator.

Abstract: A well drilling system can include a drilling tool with at least one component which is displaced by a material that changes shape. The material can be a shape memory material. The material may change shape in response to a temperature change. The component can be a drill bit cutter, a depth of cut control surface, a gauge surface or a stabilizer surface. A method of controlling a drilling operation can include configuring a drilling tool with a material which changes shape, and the material displacing at least one component of the drilling tool during the drilling operation. Displacement of the component can be controlled downhole to maintain drilling parameters (such as torque, vibration, steering performance, etc.) in desired ranges.

Abstract: A system for drilling at least one well of interest proximate a reference well comprises at least one sensor in a drill string in the at least one well of interest to detect at least one parameter of interest related to a distance and a direction to the reference well. A controller is operatively coupled to the at least one sensor to determine the distance and the direction from the sensor to the reference well based at least in part on the at least one detected parameter of interest. A steerable assembly is operatively coupled to the controller to receive commands from the controller to adjust the path of the at least one well of interest being drilled based at least in part on the distance and direction from the sensor to the reference well.

Abstract: Latchable casing while drilling systems and methods are disclosed. Some system embodiments include a casing string including an upper latch apparatus and a lower latch apparatus. The system also includes a bottom hole assembly (BHA) latched into the lower latch apparatus for steerable drilling, the BHA configured to latch into the upper latch apparatus for enlarging a rat hole.

Abstract: A method and system for steering a rotary steerable tool in a borehole. A method includes determining an azimuthal angle between a reference direction and a reference point on a direction determination component of a tool string. The direction control component is remote from the rotary steerable tool. The azimuthal angle and a time at which the angle was determined are communicated to a rotary steerable tool direction control system. A steerable shaft of the rotary steerable tool is deflected based on the azimuthal angle and the time at which the angle was determined, thereby directing the rotary steerable tool in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A system and method for providing redundant wired pipe-in-pipe telemetry is described. In one embodiment, a system includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe disposed within the outer pipe. The outer pipe axially supports the inner pipe using a collar of the inner pipe. A first conductive element is coupled to the inner pipe and disposed at least partially within an annulus between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. A second conductive element is disposed within the outer pipe. A wired path controller is coupled to the collar of the inner pipe, and also coupled to the first conductive element and the second conductive element. A connector is coupled to the collar of the inner pipe, which coupled the second conductive element to the wired path controller.

Abstract: A method and system for directional drilling while conveying a liner, with latching parking capabilities for multiple trips, is disclosed. As the wellbore is drilled, each casing and liner is installed having upper and lower interior latch couplings. A liner to be installed below a parent casing includes an exterior latch assembly dimensioned for connection to the interior latch couplings of the parent casing. A bottom hole assembly may include upper and lower exterior inner string latch assemblies for connection to the upper and lower interior latch couplings of the liner to be installed. Such arrangement allows the liner to be conveyed and installed with the bottom hole assembly while directional drilling and for the liner to be temporarily hung from the parent casing for bottom hole assembly change-out while drilling. Float plugs dimensioned to be landed at lower liner interior latch couplings may be provided for cementing operations.

Abstract: A system and method for automatic weight-on-bit sensor calibration automatically compensate the measurements of a weight-on-bit sensor based on one or more of mass, hole inclination, buoyancy, drag, and mud flow, resulting in a more accurate axial force measurement below the weight-on-bit sensor at various hole inclinations. This measurement is observed by removing some of the effects masking the actual force being applied to the axial face of the drill bit.

Abstract: A method and system for directional drilling while conveying a liner, with latching parking capabilities for multiple trips, is disclosed. As the wellbore is drilled, each casing and liner is installed having upper and lower interior latch couplings. A liner to be installed below a parent casing includes an exterior latch assembly dimensioned for connection to the interior latch couplings of the parent casing. A bottom hole assembly may include upper and lower exterior inner string latch assemblies for connection to the upper and lower interior latch couplings of the liner to be installed. Such arrangement allows the liner to be conveyed and installed with the bottom hole assembly while directional drilling and for the liner to be temporarily hung from the parent casing for bottom hole assembly change-out while drilling. Float plugs dimensioned to be landed at lower liner interior latch couplings may be provided for cementing operations.