Abstract: A transportable drilling rig having a self-elevating drill floor includes a base structure comprising multiple base towers that can be transported to a wellsite and positioned around an intended wellbore location. A horizontal base frame is installed between lower regions of the towers to form a stable rig base structure, and a drill floor can then be constructed over the base frame and between the base towers. A suitable rig mast can then be erected on the drill floor. Floor-lifting cables are anchored to upper regions of the base towers and disposable around corresponding sheave assemblies associated with the drill floor. The free ends of the floor-lifting cables can be engaged by the traveling block in the rig mast, whereupon the rig's drawworks can be actuated to elevate the drill floor and mast as required and then locked to the base towers.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a housing and a mandrel glidingly arranged within the housing, wherein the mandrel is formed as a piston. The flange is acting on a spring arranged around the mandrel. In a first position of the mandrel, a fluid flow can run 100% through the tool via a first nozzle at a first end of the housing, the inside of the mandrel and a second nozzle at a second end of the housing. At a predetermined flow rate and with the help of a passage arranged in the housing wall and connecting the first side of the tool with the space or ring room on the non-spring side of the mandrel and a side port in the mandrel on its spring side, the mandrel will be moved towards the second nozzle due to sufficient force acting on a flange of the mandrel thus overcoming the spring resistance.

Abstract: Gripping apparatus includes a body, a pair of legs extending from the body and separated by a gap, and a gripping head opposite the legs. A magnet or other adhering fastener is supported on an inwardly facing surface of the legs. The legs straddle an extendable member of a chuck device, the adhering fastener retaining the body on the extendable member. The gripping head includes teeth or another gripping surface for engaging a tubular member that is disposed in the chuck.

Abstract: A multi-position tool for use at a downhole end of a conveyance string for operation in a casing string is provided. The tool comprises a mandrel connected to the conveyance string; an actuation housing slidably shiftable axially along the mandrel between an uphole position, at least one intermediate position and a downhole position; an uphole device operable between an activated position when the actuation housing is in the uphole position, and a deactivated position; and a downhole device operable between an activated position when the actuation housing is in the downhole position, and a deactivated position. Both the uphole and downhole devices are in their deactivated positions when the actuation housing is in the at least one intermediate position. The tool has a J-slot mechanism operable between the actuator housing and the mandrel for shifting the actuator housing between the uphole, at least one intermediate, and downhole positions.

Abstract: A system for supporting and transporting a drilling rig. The system may have a pair of rails, wherein each rail has a plurality of rail segments and a plurality of connections between the segments. Moreover, each connection may have a plurality of interlocking lugs secured with a shear pin and opposing abutment faces, such that each connection may be configured to transfer moment and shear forces between adjacent rail segments. In some embodiments, the each rail segment may be configured to support a point load of up to 1000 kips. In some embodiments, each rail segment may have a protruding connector and a receiving connector, and each connection may include the protruding connector of a first segment and the receiving connector of a second segment. In some embodiments, a portion of each connection may be configured for tension loading and another portion may be configured for compression loading.

Abstract: A downhole rotational rate control apparatus is disclosed, adapted for coupling to the lower end of a drill string, and includes a progressive cavity (PC) pump or motor, multiple fluid flow paths, and a flow control valve for controlling fluid flow in the flow paths. Drilling mud flowing downward through the drill string is partially diverted to flow through the PC pump or motor and, in turn, the PC pump or motor speed is controlled by the flow control valve. The control valve can be actuated by a control motor in response to inputs from a sensor assembly in an electronics section. The PC pump or motor drives a controlled downhole device at a specific zero or non-zero rotational rate. By varying the rotational rate of the PC pump or motor relative to the rotational rate of the drill string, the tool face orientation or non-zero rotational speed of the controlled device in either direction can be varied in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A downhole motor has a bearing mandrel rotatably disposed within a housing, plus an impact adapter disposed above and connected to the bearing mandrel and rotatable therewith. The impact adapter has upwardly-projecting teeth engageable with downwardly-projecting teeth on a drive mandrel disposed above and coaxially aligned with the impact adapter. The drive mandrel is both rotatable and axially movable within the housing, and relative to the impact adapter. By means of a cam assembly and a helical spring (or other energy storage means) associated with the drive mandrel, rotation of the drive mandrel causes upward movement of the drive mandrel within the housing, thus compressing the spring. Further rotation causes instantaneous dropping of the drive mandrel, releasing energy stored in the spring, and causing the application of rotational and/or axial impacts to the bearing mandrel, and thus to a drill bit connected to the bearing mandrel.

Abstract: A flow-actuated pressure equalization valve, for use with a downhole tool such as a treatment tool, for use in stimulating a subterranean formation. The equalization valve allows the pressure of treatment fluid above and below an isolation device to be equalized so the treatment tool can be moved. The valve can be closed when fluid flow exceeds a certain threshold and the treatment tool is set in the wellbore. While running in or pulling out of hole, the valve will not close regardless of the rate of fluid flow. The valve can be opened by stopping fluid flow and then bleeding off pressure above the isolation device, or by pulling up on the treatment tool.

Abstract: A wellbore dart or pill is provided with a lock such that upon reaching a corresponding key, dogs are extended radially outward to engage with a tool within the wellbore. Typically the dart will include a lock section having a number of pins wherein each pin must be depressed a proper amount where the amount includes not being depressed to allow a tumbler within the dart to move either rotationally or axially walking a dog in an outward condition.

Abstract: In at least one aspect, the disclosure relates to a vibration assembly for a downhole tool positionable in a subterranean formation. The vibration assembly includes a vibration race positioned in the downhole tool, the vibration race having a non-planar engagement surface. The vibration assembly also includes an additional race positioned in the downhole tool a distance from the vibration race, the additional race having another engagement surface facing the non-planar engagement surface of the vibration race. The vibration assembly also includes a cage positioned between the vibration race and the additional race and rollers positionable in the cage, the rollers rollably engageable with the non-planar engagement surface and the another engagement surface to vary the distance between the vibration race and the additional race whereby axial movement is provided in the downhole tool.

Abstract: A thread profile for rotary shouldered threaded connections uses different thread root radii for the pin thread and the box thread in order to optimize stress distribution and maximize thread contact area. The thread profile may be adapted for use in double-shouldered, two-start, taper-threaded connections to replace currently-used threaded connections such as the rotor-to-adapter connection in a downhole motor. The thread profile may incorporate an undercut buttress design.

Abstract: A downhole rotational rate control apparatus, adapted for coupling to the lower end of a drill string, includes a progressive cavity pump or motor, a mud flow control valve, and an electronics section. Drilling mud flowing downward through the drill string is partially diverted to flow through the pump or motor, with the mud flow rate and, in turn, the pump or motor speed being controlled by the mud flow control valve. The control valve is actuated by a control motor in response to inputs from a sensor assembly in the electronics section. By varying the rotational rate of the pump or motor relative to the rotational rate of the drill string, the tool face orientation or non-zero rotational speed of the controlled device in either direction can be varied in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A method of stimulating a subterranean formation using a tubular member with one or more burst disks therein.

Abstract: A drilling rig may include a pair of main beams supportable by a pair of rails, a substructure, an A-frame secured to the main beams, and a mast pivotably secured to the main beams and configured to lay down in a pre-erected stage. The substructure may include a plurality of pivoting legs, a drill floor having a plurality of spreaders pivotably supported by the plurality of pivoting legs, and a plurality of drill floor subassemblies supported by the plurality of spreaders. The plurality of pivoting legs supporting the spreaders may be configured to lay down in a pre-erected stage as well.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the relative angular orientation between two coaxial components includes a housing, a mandrel disposed in the housing, a lower ratchet member disposed around the mandrel, wherein a lower engagement interface between the lower ratchet member and the mandrel restricts relative rotation between the lower ratchet member and the mandrel, an upper ratchet member disposed around the mandrel, wherein an upper engagement interface between the upper ratchet member and the mandrel restricts relative rotation between the upper ratchet member and the mandrel, and a central sleeve disposed around the mandrel, wherein an outer engagement interface between the central sleeve and the housing restricts relative rotation between the central sleeve and the housing, wherein the central sleeve has an upper position configured to transmit torque between the upper ratchet member and the housing and a lower position configured to transfer torque between the lower ratchet member and housing.

Abstract: A transportable drilling rig having a self-elevating drill floor includes a base structure comprising multiple base towers that can be transported to a wellsite and positioned around an intended wellbore location. A horizontal base frame is installed between lower regions of the towers to form a stable rig base structure, and a drill floor can then be constructed over the base frame and between the base towers. A suitable rig mast can then be erected on the drill floor. Floor-lifting cables are anchored to upper regions of the base towers and disposable around corresponding sheave assemblies associated with the drill floor. The free ends of the floor-lifting cables can be engaged by the traveling block in the rig mast, whereupon the rig's drawworks can be actuated to elevate the drill floor and mast as required and then locked to the base towers.

Abstract: A downhole rotational rate control apparatus, adapted for coupling to the lower end of a drill string, includes a progressive cavity pump or motor, a mud flow control valve, and an electronics section. Drilling mud flowing downward through the drill string is partially diverted to flow through the pump or motor, with the mud flow rate and, in turn, the pump or motor speed being controlled by the mud flow control valve. The control valve is actuated by a control motor in response to inputs from a sensor assembly in the electronics section. By varying the rotational rate of the pump or motor relative to the rotational rate of the drill string, the tool face orientation or non-zero rotational speed of the controlled device in either direction can be varied in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A downhole rotational rate control apparatus, adapted for coupling to the lower end of a drill string, includes a progressive cavity (PC) motor, a driveshaft, a mud flow control valve, and an electronics section. Drilling mud flowing downward through the drill string is partially diverted to flow upward through the PC motor and out into the wellbore annulus, with the mud flow rate and, in turn, the PC motor speed being controlled by the mud flow control valve. The control valve is actuated by a control motor in response to inputs from a sensor assembly in the electronics section. The PC motor drives the driveshaft and a controlled downhole device at a specific zero or non-zero rotational rate. By varying the rotational rate of the PC motor relative to the rotational rate of the drill string, the tool face orientation or non-zero rotational speed of the controlled device in either direction can be varied in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A downhole rotational rate control apparatus is disclosed, adapted for coupling to the lower end of a drill string, and includes a progressive cavity (PC) pump or motor, multiple fluid flow paths, and a flow control valve for controlling fluid flow in the flow paths. Drilling mud flowing downward through the drill string is partially diverted to flow through the PC pump or motor and, in turn, the PC pump or motor speed is controlled by the flow control valve. The control valve can be actuated by a control motor in response to inputs from a sensor assembly in an electronics section. The PC pump or motor drives a controlled downhole device at a specific zero or non-zero rotational rate. By varying the rotational rate of the PC pump or motor relative to the rotational rate of the drill string, the tool face orientation or non-zero rotational speed of the controlled device in either direction can be varied in a controlled manner.