Abstract: A washpipe assembly for a rotational device includes a gland assembly, a washpipe positioned within the gland assembly, and a seal assembly positioned about the washpipe within the gland assembly. The seal assembly includes a plurality of ring seals, a plurality of annular chambers positioned between the ring seals along the washpipe, and a pressure manifold fluidly coupled to the plurality of annular chambers. The pressure manifold is configured to receive a first fluid pressure and is configured to apply a plurality of pressures to the annular chambers, and the plurality of pressures are each less than the first fluid pressure.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system can include valve apparatuses that control the delivery of fluid to high-pressure pumps that supply the fluid to a wellhead. The valve apparatuses can receive electronic signals from a control system to regulate the flow rate of the fluid to the high-pressure pumps. In one or more examples, the flow rate of the fluid can be controlled such that proppant in the fluid remains in solution.

Abstract: A connection assembly and a method comprises first and second connector portions having a preload mechanism comprising a plurality of bores and threaded fixings circumferentially spaced around the axis, wherein the preload mechanism is arranged to apply an axial load between shoulders on the first and second connector portions when torque is applied to the threaded fixings. An annular sealing member is compressed between the first and second portions, and the axial load applied between the first and second shoulders by the preload mechanism exceeds a peak hydrodynamic load urging the first and second connector portions in a direction along the axis. The axial force applied by the preload mechanism advantageously reduces the fatigue damage experienced by the connection, for example, by cyclic pressure changes within the connector portions typically caused by pumps operating at high pressures.

Abstract: A hoisting system for hoisting a load includes: i) a main winch system having a main rope with an end connector mounted to an end of the main rope, ii) an auxiliary winch system having an auxiliary rope having at least one rope connector of which at least one is a splitable rope connector, the auxiliary rope comprising a first section and a second section connected to the first section via the splitable rope connector, wherein the splitable rope connector comprises at least two connector parts that are releasably connected with each other for allowing quick disconnection and reconnection between the second section and the first section, wherein the connector parts (are configured for releasably connecting with the end connector of the main rope, and iii) a hang-off point placed and configured for at least temporarily holding a respective rope connector of the auxiliary rope for transferring the load to the hang-off point. The system may include two auxiliary winch systems.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for a solar array includes a top hat assembly including an outer top hat having a longitudinally extending first rail configured to contact a solar module of the solar array, and an inner top having a longitudinally extending second rail also configured to contact the solar module, an actuator arm assembly comprising a pair of actuator arms which extend from the top hat assembly and which form an opening configured to receive a tubular member of the solar array, and a fastener assembly configured to connect the pair of actuator arms and secure the mounting bracket to both the solar module and the tubular member.

Abstract: A downhole motor for directional drilling includes a driveshaft assembly including a driveshaft housing and a driveshaft rotatably disposed within the driveshaft housing, a bearing assembly including a bearing housing and a bearing mandrel rotatably disposed within the bearing housing, wherein the bearing mandrel is configured to couple with a drill bit, a bend adjustment assembly including a first position that provides a first deflection angle between a longitudinal axis of the driveshaft housing and a longitudinal axis of the bearing mandrel, and a second position that provides a second deflection angle between the longitudinal axis of the driveshaft housing and the longitudinal axis of the bearing mandrel that is different from the first deflection angle, and one or more hydraulic pumps configured to actuate the bend adjustment assembly between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A coiled tubing injector including two or more drive chains each carrying a plurality of grippers for engaging coiled tubing within a grip zone defined between the two or more drive chains, a drive system including at least one hydraulic motor connected to a drive line and a return line forming a drive circuit for fluidly powering the at least one hydraulic motor, and a tension system including at least one hydraulic cylinder for tensioning the two or more drive chains. The tension system can include a reactive chain tension circuit for automatically tensioning the two or more drive chains by maintaining a pressure differential between a fluid pressure within the drive line and a fluid pressure within the at least one hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A particle impact drill bit for a well system includes a central axis, a longitudinal first end, a longitudinal second end opposite the first end, and a feed passage extending into the drill bit from the first end, a pilot section located at the second end, the pilot section including one or more converging nozzles in fluid communication with the feed passage, and a reamer section located between the first end and the second end and including one or more reamer blades extending radially outwards from the central axis of the drill bit, and wherein the reamer section defines a maximum width of the drill bit.

Abstract: A downhole motor includes a driveshaft assembly including a driveshaft housing and a driveshaft rotatably disposed within the driveshaft housing, and a bearing assembly including a bearing housing and a bearing mandrel rotatably disposed within the bearing housing, wherein the bearing mandrel is configured to couple with a drill bit, wherein the bearing assembly is configured to provide a first flowpath extending into a central passage of the bearing mandrel from an annulus formed between the bearing mandrel and the bearing housing and a second flowpath separate from the first flowpath, that extends through a bearing of the bearing assembly that is disposed radially between the bearing mandrel and the bearing housing, wherein a plurality of rotary seals are positioned radially between the bearing mandrel and the bearing housing to form an sealed chamber that is spaced from the bearing of the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A friction reduction system disposable in a wellbore includes a first valve member including an inner surface which includes a valve seat; and a second valve member rotatable concentrically about a central axis of the first valve member and including a radial port coverable by the valve seat of the outer valve member, wherein the friction reduction system includes an open configuration that provides a maximum flow area through a valve of the friction reduction system including the second valve member and the first valve member, wherein the friction reduction system includes a closed configuration that provides a minimum flow area through the valve which is less than the maximum flow area, and wherein the friction reduction system is configured to generate a pressure pulse in a fluid flowing through the friction reduction system in response to the friction reduction system transitioning from the open configuration to the closed configuration.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for automated drill pipe handling operations, such as trip in, trip out, and stand building operations. A pipe handling system of the present disclosure may include a lifting system for handling a load of a pipe stand, a pipe handling robot configured for engaging with the pipe stand and manipulating a position of the pipe stand, and a feedback device configured to provide information about a condition of the pipe stand, the lifting system, or the pipe handling robot. In some embodiments, the pipe handling robot may be a first robot configured for engaging with and manipulating a first end of the pipe stand, and the system may include a second pipe handling robot configured for engaging with and manipulating a second end of the pipe stand.

Abstract: A valve lock for a linear valve system includes a housing including a passage configured to receive a rod of a linearly extendable valve member of the linear valve system, and a collet assembly received in the housing, wherein the collet assembly has a central axis extending parallel the rod of the valve member, a radially inner configuration with respect to the central axis of the collet assembly, and a radially outer configuration relative to the central axis of the collet assembly, wherein the lock includes an unlocked configuration associated with the radially outer configuration of the collet assembly, and a locked configuration associated with the radially inner configuration of the collet assembly and which locks against the rod of the valve member and thereby prevent the rod from travelling in at least one axial direction.

Abstract: A drilling fluid conditioning system for a well system includes a return conduit configured to receive drilling fluid recirculated from a wellbore of the well system, a drilling fluid pre-chilling system in fluid communication with and downstream from the return conduit, wherein the drilling fluid pre-chilling system includes a cooler configured to transfer heat from the drilling fluid to a heat sink, and a solids control system in fluid communication with and downstream from the drilling fluid pre-chilling system, wherein the solids control system is configured to separate at least some solids from the drilling fluid.

Abstract: A blowout preventer includes a housing including a longitudinal passage and a pair of ram passages extending from the longitudinal passage, a first ram assembly disposed in a first of the pair of ram passages and including first ram block assembly, and a second ram assembly disposed in a second of the pair of ram passages and including a second ram block assembly, wherein the first ram block assembly is configured to include a first configuration in which it sealingly engages an outer surface of a tubular member extending through the longitudinal passage of the housing when the blowout preventer is in a closed position, and a second configuration in which it sealingly engages the second ram block assembly when the blowout preventer is in the closed position.

Abstract: A blowout preventer including a housing including a central passage and a first aperture, and a first ram assembly slidably disposed in the first aperture, wherein the first ram assembly includes a ram block and an actuator configured to rotate the ram block when the ram block is disposed in the first aperture of the housing.

Abstract: A utility umbilical module may include an expandable frame, a plurality of extendable fluid lines arranged on the expandable frame and configured for fluid coupling between a utility plant and a drill rig, an expandable and retractable electrical system configured for electrically coupling a utility plant to a drill rig, and a ground engaging portion configured for over-the-road transport of the module.

Abstract: A rig control interface includes a plurality of interface systems. Each of the interface systems is configured to manipulate a rig control based on a signal received from an automated rig control system. The interface systems includes a mechanical control interface. The mechanical control interface includes an actuator configured to mechanically move a control handle from a first position to a second position responsive to the signal.

Abstract: A cutter element for a drill bit includes a base portion having a central axis, a first end, and a second end. In addition, the cutter element includes a cutting layer fixably mounted to the first end of the base portion. The cutting layer includes a cutting face distal the base portion. The cutting face includes an elongate raised ridge having a first end at a radially outer surface of the cutting layer and a second end at the radially outer surface of the cutting layer. The raised ridge defines a maximum height of the cutter element measured axially from the second end of the base portion to the cutting face. The cutting face also includes a first planar lateral side surface and a second planar lateral side surface. Each planar lateral side surface extends from the raised ridge to the radially outer surface of the cutting layer.

Abstract: An end effector for gripping and spinning a pipe includes a head portion including a first connection interface for connecting the end effector to a robotic arm. In addition, the end effector includes a pair of jaws rotatably connected to the head portion between an open position and a gripping position. Further, the end effector includes a spinner for spinning a pipe held by the pair of jaws in the gripping position around a spinning axis generally corresponding to a longitudinal centre axis of the pipe. The first connection interface has a normal which is substantially parallel to the spinning axis. There is also disclosed a robot including an end effector as well a robot assembly and a drilling installation including such as robot.

Abstract: A system includes a wellbore that extends from a surface into a subterranean formation. In addition, the system includes a power generation assembly including a fluid circuit that is in fluid communication with the wellbore wherein the power generation assembly is configured to generate electricity in response to a flow of a working fluid through the fluid circuit. Further, the system includes a bubble pump positioned within the wellbore that is configured to circulate the working fluid between the fluid circuit of the power generation assembly and the wellbore via a thermosiphon effect.