Abstract: A method for identifying anomalous mud flow includes determining an operating rate of a mud pump discharging to a pipe string in a wellbore. Mud returned from the wellbore is moved to a first metering tank. Mud is moved from the first transfer tank to a mud storage tank using a first pump having a flow rate directly related to an operating rate thereof. A first parameter related to volume of mud in the first metering tank is measured. Anomalous mud flow is identified by detecting changes in the operating rate of the first pump wherein the operating rate is adjusted to maintain the first parameter substantially constant.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a ram in a well pressure control apparatus includes an actuator rod coupled to a ram. The actuator rod is movable within a housing to extend the ram into a through bore in the housing. A drive screw is rotationally coupled to the actuator rod. The drive screw is oriented transversely to the actuator rod. At least one motor is rotationally coupled to the drive screw.

Abstract: A method for excavating a well cellar includes lowering an excavating apparatus having a cellar liner therein to a bottom of a body of water. The well cellar is excavated while contemporaneously lowering the cellar liner into the well cellar until a top of the cellar liner is substantially level with the bottom of the body of water. A pilot well is excavated below a bottom of the cellar. A well head support pipe is inserted into the pilot well. The bottom of the well cellar and a top of the cellar liner are covered.

Abstract: A fluid containment system for a riser slip joint includes a fluid container sealingly engaged to a fixed part of the slip joint. A movable part of the slip joint is axially movably engaged with the fixed part. An annular seal is disposed between the fixed part and the movable part. A body of fluid disposed in the fluid container has a level selected to submerge the annular seal and at least a portion of the movable part. The system includes means for maintaining a level of the body of fluid substantially constant.

Abstract: A tender barge for a drill ship includes a hull internally segmented into compartments. The compartments are for storing wellbore drilling consumables and wellbore drilling waste. The hull has an opening therein for positioning under a moon pool of a drill ship. The barge hull further includes a support structure for contacting a bottom of a hull of a drill ship when the drill ship is positioned over the barge hull. The barge has a mooring system having capacity to either hold the barge in position or hold both the barge and the drill ship when the drill ship is fully supported by the barge out of the water over a wellbore location.

Abstract: A method for capping a subsea wellbore having a failed blowout preventer proximate the bottom of a body of water includes lowering a replacement blowout preventer system into the water from a vessel on the water surface. The replacement blowout preventer system includes an hydraulic pressure source disposed proximate well closure elements on the replacement blowout preventer system. The replacement blowout preventer system is coupled to the failed blowout preventer. The well closure elements on the replacement blowout preventer system are actuated using the hydraulic pressure source.

Abstract: A method for capping a subsea wellbore having a failed blowout preventer proximate the bottom of a body of water includes lowering a replacement blowout preventer system into the water from a vessel on the water surface. The replacement blowout preventer system includes an hydraulic pressure source disposed proximate well closure elements on the replacement blowout preventer system. The replacement blowout preventer system is coupled to the failed blowout preventer. The well closure elements on the replacement blowout preventer system are actuated using the hydraulic pressure source.

Abstract: A method for preparing to move a floating structure away from a wellbore drilled below the bottom of a body of water includes filling a riser extending from the bottom of the body of water to the floating structure with water. The water in the riser is displaced to a selected first depth below the water surface. The riser is sealed at a second selected depth shallower than the first selected depth. The portion of the riser above the second selected depth is withdrawn onto the floating structure.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a rotary steerable tool includes a drive shaft configured to be coupled to a drill string at an upper end thereof and configured to be coupled to a drilling tool at a lower end thereof. A middle portion of the drive shaft is disposed axially between the upper and lower ends and has a smaller diameter than each of the upper and lower ends. The drive shaft further includes a housing rotatably coupled externally to the drive shaft and at least one housing module coupled to a respective opening in the housing at an axial location corresponding to the middle portion of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A method of and system for directional drilling alternate between rotary drilling and sliding drilling with the bit remaining in continuous contact with the bottom of the bore hole.

Abstract: An automatic drilling system is disclosed which includes an electric servo motor operatively coupled to a winch brake control, a servo controller operatively coupled to the servo motor, and a drum position encoder rotationally coupled to a winch drum. The controller is adapted to operate the servo motor in response to measurements of position made by the encoder so that a selected rate of rotation of the drum is maintained.

Abstract: An automated method and system for determining the state of a drilling or other suitable well operations includes storing a plurality of states for the well operation. Mechanical and hydraulic data is received for the well operation. Based on the mechanical and hydraulic data, one of the states is automatically selected as the state of the well operation. Process evaluation may be performed based on the state of the well operation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for power generation inside a steering tool includes a drive system having a drive shaft disposed within a wall of the steering tool, a rotating shaft rotatably coupled to a non-rotating sleeve of the steering tool, and a spline coupled to the rotating shaft. The spline is operable to indirectly drive the drive shaft by directly coupling to an idler gear of the drive system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a saver sub for a steering tool includes a main body having an external thread portion adapted to threadably couple to a box end of the steering tool and an internal thread portion adapted to threadably couple a drill bit thereto and a thread shoulder having an outside perimeter and an inside perimeter disposed around a perimeter of the main body. The thread shoulder includes a curved portion associated with the inside perimeter and a tapered portion extending from the curved portion to the outside perimeter and tapering toward the external thread portion.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a rotary steerable tool includes a drive shaft having an upper portion configured to be coupled to a drill string and a lower portion configured to be coupled to a drilling tool. The drive shaft has a middle portion disposed between the upper and lower portions, the middle portion having a smaller diameter than each of the upper and lower portions. The tool further includes a housing rotatably coupled externally to the drive shaft at an axial location corresponding to the middle portion of the drive shaft, the housing formed from at least two housing segments configured to be coupled to each other substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: A seismic energy source for use while drilling a wellbore is disclosed. The source includes a drive shaft adapted to be coupled in a drill string, and a housing rotatably supported outside the drive shaft. At least one contact member is disposed on an exterior of the housing and is selectively urged into contact with a wall of a wellbore surrounding the housing. The source includes means for selectively controlling a force applied to the at least one contact member.

Abstract: An automated method and system for recognizing a well control event includes determining a state of drilling operations. When drilling operations are in a circulating state, a benchmark for a relative flow value. The relative flow value is based on a flow of drilling fluid into a well bore and a flow of drilling fluid out of the well bore. A limit on variation of the relative flow value is determined from the benchmark. A cumulative sum for the relative flow value is determined over time in response to the relative flow value exceeding the limit. A well control event is recognized based on the cumulative sum.

Abstract: A method of and system for optimizing bit rate of penetration while drilling substantially continuously determine an optimum control variable value necessary to achieve an optimum bit rate of penetration based upon measured conditions and maintains control variable value at the optimum control variable value. As measured conditions change while drilling, the method updates the determination of optimum control variable value.

Abstract: A method of and system for optimizing bit rate of penetration while drilling substantially continuously determine an optimum weight on bit necessary to achieve an optimum bit rate of penetration based upon measured conditions and maintains weight on bit at the optimum weight on bit. As measured conditions change while drilling, the method updates the determination of optimum weight on bit.

Abstract: A method of and system for increasing the efficiency of drillers in performing drilling operations measures performance parameters of drilling events performed by drillers, stores measurements of the performance parameters in a database, and displays a measurement of a selected performance parameter for a selected driller.