Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a borehole in an earthen formation has a central axis and a cutting direction of rotation. The bit includes a bit body configured to rotate about the axis in the cutting direction of rotation. The bit body includes a bit face. The bit also includes a blade extending radially along the bit face. In addition, the bit includes a first cutter element mounted to a cutter-supporting surface of the blade and a second cutter element mounted to the cutter-supporting surface of the blade. The first cutter element has a central axis and includes a first forward-facing cutting face including a first cutting tip distal the cutter supporting surface and a first planar surface extending radially from the first cutting tip toward the central axis of the first cutter element. The first planar surface is oriented at a first effective backrake angle measured between the cutter supporting surface and a surface vector of the first planar surface.

Abstract: Described is a tool and apparatus for positioning a blade for a wind turbine the wind turbine including a tower and a rotatable hub on the tower. The tool is mounted on a side of the tower so that the blade is supported on the tower in an initial configuration. The tool includes a first part arranged to be angularly movable relative to a second part for tilting the blade with respect to the tower to position the blade in a position that can allow the blade to be connected to the hub.

Abstract: A pressure pulse system includes a stator, a rotor rotatably positioned in the stator, and a valve assembly configured to induce a pressure pulse in response to rotation of the rotor within the stator, wherein the valve assembly includes a first valve plate coupled to one of the stator and the rotor and including a flow passage, and a second valve plate coupled to the other of the stator or the rotor to which the first valve plate is not coupled and comprising a first flow passage and a second flow passage that is spaced from the first flow passage, wherein the valve assembly provides a first flowpath and a second flowpath between the flow passage of the first valve plate and the second flow passage of the second valve plate.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus includes a moveable seal holder with a cavity and includes a seal assembly disposed at least partially in the cavity. The seal assembly includes a resilient seal member including a fluid-facing end with a fluid-facing end surface, and the seal assembly includes an actuator plate configured to reciprocate between a first and a second position relative to the protective plate. The first actuator plate includes a fluid-facing end surface and a first camming surface. The seal assembly further includes a first protective plate disposed between the seal member and the first actuator plate. The actuator plate is configured to compress the seal member and to move the fluid-facing end surface of the seal member outward from a resting position when the actuator plate is in the second position.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a drill string, a plurality of sensors, and a computing system. The drill string includes a downhole motor. The sensors are coupled to the drill string. The computing system is coupled to the sensors. The computing system is configured to compute, based on measurements provided by the sensors, a motor stall index, and to determine, by comparing the motor stall index to a motor stall threshold, whether the downhole motor has stalled. The computing system is also configured to, responsive to a determination that the downhole motor has stalled, adjust operation of the drill string to restart the downhole motor.

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 a first planar surface and a second planar surface that is circumferentially-spaced from the first planar surface. Each planar surface is positioned at an outer periphery of the cutting face adjacent the radially outer surface of the cutting layer. The cutting face also includes a saddle surface including a crown and a pair of lateral side surfaces that slope down and away from the crown toward the radially outer cylindrical surface of the cutting layer. The crown extends from the first planar surface to the second planar surface.

Abstract: A subplate mounted (SPM) valve includes a valve body having pilot port, a piston configured to be actuated by fluid from the pilot port, a first control chamber and second control chamber each formed in the valve body and fluidicly isolated from the pilot port, a first flow restrictor fluidicly disposed between the first control chamber and the second control chamber and configured to restrict flow in at least one direction between the first control chamber and the second control chamber, a cage coupled to the valve body and having a supply port, a return port, and a work port, and a spool slidably engaged with the cage and configured to selectively restrict flow between the supply port and the return port by actuation of the piston.

Abstract: A non-drive dynamic stabilizer includes a damper and an actuator. The dynamic stabilizer provides multiple states of support to a solar tracker structure. These states may include 1) flexible movement and/or damping during normal operation (i.e. tracking) and/or 2) rigid or locked, whereby the dynamic stabilizer acts as a restraint. The dynamic stabilizer is actuated by a control system according to the real-time demands on the structure. Sensors to provide input to the control system may include wind speed sensors, wind direction sensors, snow sensors, vibration sensors and/or displacement sensors.

Abstract: An articulating flow line connector for connecting two sections or portions of a flow line, which may be a pressurized flow line. The connector may be configured to provide a sealed connection between the two sections or portions of the flow line, and may provide for a rotating or swiveling connection between the two sections. The articulating flow line connector may generally have a seal carrier ring arranged between two flow lines hubs. Each flow line hub may connect to an end of a flow line section. The seal carrier ring may be configured to provide both a sealing surface and at least one bearing surface. The seal carrier ring may have a sealing flange, a bearing flange, and a web portion extending between the flanges. The connector may additionally have a clamp arranged around or over the seal carrier ring and a portion of the two hubs.

Abstract: A torque device for guiding a first torque device member relative to a second torque device member includes the first and second torque device members. Each of the torque device members has an operational axis of rotation and three clamp bodies spaced about the operational axis. The clamp bodies are movable between a retracted passive position and an extended active position. The torque device also includes a guide ring on one of the torque device members. The guide ring includes one or more guide ring sections. In addition, the torque device includes at least two guide elements on the other of the torque device members. Each guide element being movable with one of the clamp bodies of the respective torque device member.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a housing configured to be connected between two tubular members. The housing includes a chamber and a plug assembly is disposed in the chamber and divides the chamber into an up-hole portion and a downhole portion. The plug assembly includes a glass member having a predetermined residual surface compression, at least a first face, and at least one strength-reducing surface feature on the first face. The strength-reducing surface feature is configured to cause the glass member to disintegrate when the glass member is exposed to a pressure in the up-hole portion of a magnitude that creates a tensile stress on the first face that exceeds the predetermined residual surface compression.

Abstract: A connection assembly for a well comprises first and second tubular, one of which is adapted to connect to the well, the first tubular having a bore adapted to receive the second tubular. The first and second tubulars lock together, and have first and second seals compressed between an outer surface of the second tubular and an inner surface of the first tubular to create a fluid chamber. The second seal is axially and radially spaced from the first seal. A hydraulic pressure system is adapted to drive hydraulic fluid into the fluid chamber to urge the second tubular out of the first tubular when the first and second seals are compressed between the first and second tubulars. A method of making connections is also disclosed.

Abstract: An overpressure control apparatus is used to control jets of high-pressure fracking fluid or other stimulation fluid released from a treatment flowline in cases of overpressure. The apparatus includes a collection tank and one or more valves, which can all be mounted on or integrated to a skid. The sizes and weights of the collection tank and the skid may help to keep the apparatus on the ground during an overpressure event. The apparatus can be provided with an offline testing system that allows an operator to close off the communication between the apparatus and the treatment flowline, and instead, pump a clean fluid such as water at high-pressure to test the proper functioning of the valve.

Abstract: Tagging bottom utilizing an automated control system and downhole tools may include determining, by a computer processor, that a drill bit has reached a predetermined distance from a bottom of a wellbore, in response to determining that the bit has reached the predetermined depth, transmitting a rate of penetration set point to reduce a lowering speed of the drill bit, directing the drill bit based on the rate of penetration, determining, by the computer processor, that the rate of penetration is stable, in response to the determining that the rate of penetration has stabilized, automatically taring a surface weight on the drill bit and a differential pressure, and in response to determining that the bit is within a predetermined off bottom range, monitoring for a true bottom based on one or more parameter triggers.

Abstract: A method and system for drilling a wellbore. A method for drilling a wellbore includes: generating a library of defined patterns, each of the defined patterns corresponding to an operational behavior of drilling equipment used to drill the wellbore; collecting, during operation of the drilling equipment, measurements from sensors coupled to the drilling equipment; characterizing the measurements as correlating to one of the defined patterns; detecting the one of the defined patterns in the measurements; extracting a feature from the measurements; determining a condition of the drilling equipment by comparing a value of the feature to a threshold derived from the one of the defined patterns; and activating an actuator coupled to the drilling equipment to adjust operation of the drilling equipment based on the condition.

Abstract: Detecting a breakover event during a friction test includes obtaining a hookload measurement for each of a series of time windows and generating a linear model and a nonlinear model from the plurality of hookload measurements. During run time, from the nonlinear model, an inflection point is identified from the nonlinear model, where the inflection point is determined to have occurred at a particular time window. A hookload value associated with the linear model, and a hookload value associated with the nonlinear model is determined for the particular time window. A breakover event is determined to have occurred at the particular time when the hookload value associated with the linear model at the particular time window exceeds the hookload value associated with the nonlinear model at the particular time window.

Abstract: A smart manifold for frac operations may include a support structure and a fluid management system arranged on the support structure. The fluid management system may be configured for receiving low-pressure frac fluid from a fluid processing system, delivering the low-pressure fluid to a plurality of pressurization units, receiving high-pressure fluid from the plurality of pressurization units, and delivering the high-pressure fluid to a well head. The smart manifold may also include a power management system arranged on the support structure. The power management system may be configured for receiving power for frac operations and for delivering power to each of the plurality of pressurization units.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolytic cell having an anode and a cathode, wherein the cathode comprises a surface layer which is repellent towards inorganic material. Such repellent layer may be employed to prevent formation of scale on an electrolytic cell. Also disclosed is an apparatus for cleaning seawater that employs such electrolytic cell, . and a system for injecting cleaned seawater into a hydrocarbon reservoir, wherein the system comprises tubing, an injection pump, and the seawater cleaning apparatus employing the disclosed electrolytic cell.

Abstract: Reaming tools for reaming a borehole and related systems and methods are described herein. In an embodiment, the tool includes a body having a central axis, and a plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of blades includes an uphole section that extends in a first helical direction, a downhole section that extends in a second helical direction that is opposite the first helical direction, and an arcuate central section that continuously extends from the uphole section to the downhole section. The plurality of blades are eccentric about the central axis such that the reaming tool is configured to pass axially through a first diameter and is configured to ream a borehole to a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter when the tool is rotated about the central axis in a cutting direction.

Abstract: A friction reduction system includes a housing including a central axis and a central passage, a valve disposed in the housing and including a first valve body and a second valve body wherein the first valve body is permitted to rotate relative to the second valve body, and a mandrel coupled to the second valve body and permitted to travel axially relative to the housing, wherein a first net pressure force is applied against the mandrel that corresponds to a drilling fluid pressure of a drilling fluid in response to flowing the drilling fluid through the valve and transitioning the valve from a closed configuration to an open configuration, and wherein a second net pressure force is applied against the mandrel that corresponds to a wellbore fluid pressure in response to flowing the drilling fluid through the valve and transitioning the valve from the open configuration to the closed configuration.