Abstract: A downhole intelligent Circulating Sub controller detects the difference between rotary drilling and sliding drilling, responds appropriately and quickly to multiple changes between rotary drilling and sliding drilling that may occur several times each stand of pipe. Additional controls prevent actuation of the Circulating Sub at inappropriate times. In one embodiment, a separate modular control sub is disclosed that may be utilized with and/or removably secured to a Circulating Sub and/or other types of downhole tools.

Abstract: A measured electrical property may be used to control operation of a downhole device, which may be at least partially supported by additional downhole measurements consumed by the downhole device. For example, a downhole device may include an electrical sensor that measures an electrical property of electrical power provided to the downhole device. A processor of the downhole device may convert the measured electrical property to a quantized electrical property and determine a command or control action that corresponds to the quantized electrical property. The command or control action may be implemented to control operation of the downhole device.

Abstract: A system can include a bottom hole assembly, a wireline and a capillary tube connected to the bottom hole assembly, and a dual pack-off assembly that seals about the wireline and the capillary tube. A method can include connecting a bottom hole assembly to a wireline and a capillary tube, deploying the bottom hole assembly into a wellbore, and increasing pressure in the capillary tube, thereby setting a packer of the bottom hole assembly. A dual pack-off assembly can include a lubricator connector, pack-offs configured to seal about a capillary tube and a wireline, and pipes connected between the respective pack-offs and the lubricator connector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining a shape of a component within a subterranean well with an impression tool includes the impression tool having a top sub. The top sub is an elongated member having a central axis and a downhole facing surface. A threaded recess of the top sub extends axially from the downhole facing surface. A bottom body section has a block body, a lead impression block positioned at a downhole side of the block body, and a threaded member located at an uphole side of the block body. The threaded member of the bottom body section threadingly engages the threaded recess of the top sub. The bottom body section is operable to be selectively threaded to, and unthreaded from, the top sub.

Abstract: A casing running tool is provided, including one or more sensors built into the casing running tool; an electronics housing that includes one or more power sources for powering the one or more sensors; one or more circuit boards for converting sensor data for transmission and transmission means for transmitting sensor data. The one or more sensors sense tool status and operational parameters of the casing running tool. A system is also provided for detection, processing and transmission of one or parameters of tool status and operational status of a casing running tool or associated tools in a casing installation or casing while drilling operation. The system includes a casing running tool; and a processor for receiving sensor data for processing and transmitting processed data in real-time for viewing by an operator. A method is further provided for performing a casing installation or casing while drilling operation.

Abstract: A drilling system having retractable wings and method of using same. The system includes at least one wing, which can extend from the system once it engages in a casing and abuts against an abutment ring at the bottom end of the casing. When the system starts drilling a hole into the ground, the casing is installed down the hole. In one configuration, the at least one wing is at least partially retracted into the drilling system and locked in this position. In another configuration, the at least one wing extends from the drilling system and locks into an extended position. The system can be connected to a down-the-hole hammer, a top-hammer drilling rod, or any other suitable rock drilling tool/apparatus, and can be used with a single and a dual rotary drilling tool/apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods of forming a seal employ a robust metal sealing unit for tubulars used in rotary drilling. Specifically, eutectic alloy is used to seal a tubular to a wellbore after drilling. A downhole heater melts the alloy, allowing the alloy to expand and drain before it cools and solidifies between the wellbore and tubular, forming a gas tight seal.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism is disclosed for coupling a wireless communication device to a locating profile in a wellbore. The coupling mechanism comprises a coupling body arranged for connection to the wireless communication device, and an anchoring unit. The coupling body includes a conical portion with a tapered outer surface. The anchoring unit has a tapered inner surface arranged to oppose the tapered outer surface of the coupling body. The coupling body and the anchoring unit are configured for relative movement to cause the anchoring unit to expand radially to grip the locating profile.

Abstract: Asphaltene onset pressure of a formation fluid is determined by subjecting the fluid to a plurality of tests where depressurization is conducted at a different depressurization rate for each test while optically monitoring the fluid for asphaltene flocculation. The pressures at which asphaltene flocculation are detected in each test are fit to a curve as a function of depressurization rate, and the curve is extrapolated to a pressure (e.g., 0 psi) to provide the asphaltene onset pressure.

Abstract: Quality factors associated with formation pressure measurements at various depths in the geologic formation are determined based on one or more well logs of formation properties in a geologic formation. A formation testing tool with two or more probes is positioned in a borehole of the geologic formation based on the quality factors. The two or more probes in the borehole perform respective formation pressure measurements, where each formation pressure measurement is performed at a different depth. The formation pressure measurements and the given distance between the two or more probes indicate a formation pressure gradient.

Abstract: A mill bit and a well system are covered. The mill bit, in one aspect, includes a tubular having an uphole end and a downhole end. The mill bit, in accordance with this aspect, further includes a first cutting section having one or more first cutting surfaces disposed about the tubular, the first cutting section having a first material removal rate and configured to engage with wellbore casing disposed within a wellbore. The mill bit, in accordance with this disclosure, further includes a second cutting section having one or more second cutting surfaces disposed about the tubular, the second cutting section having a second material removal rate less than the first material removal rate and configured to engage with a whipstock disposed within the wellbore.

Abstract: A modular reamer for use in a wellbore comprises an uphole end member, a center member, and a downhole member, with reamer sleeves that removably slides over a sleeve mounting portion of the center member or one of the end members, and are held between the end members and the center members when assembled into a downhole tool. The reamer sleeves may be positioned at any desired rotational angle relative to each other and are prevented from rotational movement relative to the center member by spines or keys formed on the mating surfaces of the reamer sleeves and corresponding members of the modular eccentric reamer.

Abstract: A device for transporting a sensor assembly along a bore comprises an axle extending through a body of the device and mounted to rotate on a rotational axis perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the device. A wheel fixed to each end of the axle. The device has a conduit through the body for accommodating an electrical conductor to extend through the device from end-to-end. The conduit comprises a non-linear portion extending around the axle between the ends of the device.

Abstract: A downhole device is configured as a selectable hole trimmer. The selectable hole trimmer comprises an upper sleeve affixed inside a body via a stop. A charge sleeve is slidable inside the upper sleeve to provide a pressure to a pressurized volume. A catch sleeve is slidable inside the charge sleeve to align a bypass port and a return port with a drilling mud volume. An actuator is fluidly connected to the pressurized volume via a port. The actuator is configured to provide a pressure to a selectable hole cutter of the body via an actuation port in the transfer sleeve and actuate the selectable hole cutter piston of the selectable hole cutter to move relative to the body, wherein the cutter piston comprises one or more cutters. A manual controller configured to operate the actuator in response to a dropped activation ball.

Abstract: An instrumented wiper dart configurable at the wellsite comprising any combination of a sealing member, a sensor sub, an electronics package, and a communication system; wherein the sealing member is cylindrical in shape, releasably coupled to the wiper assembly, and configured to sealingly engage the inner surface of a workstring. The sensor sub is release releasably coupled to the wiper assembly, and includes one or more sensors to measure a property of the wellbore environment. The electronics package is releasably coupled to the wiper assembly, configured to receive one or more data sets from the sensor sub, and transmit one or more data sets to the communication sub. The communication sub is configured to transmit the one or more data sets; and wherein the instrumented wiper plug is displaced down the workstring in response to a volume of fluid pumped from surface.

Abstract: A combination of a pullback adaptor and a drill bit includes a pullback adaptor having a first end, a second end, a body extending between the first end and the second end, and a protrusion extending from the body adjacent the second end. The protrusion has a threaded aperture defining an adaptor mounting axis, and the protrusion defines an annular planar mount surface generally perpendicular to the adapter mounting axis. A drill bit has a body with a steering surface, an aperture extending through the body at the steering surface, and an adaptor mount surface adjacent the aperture. The pullback adaptor is mounted to the drill bit with a fastener that extends through the aperture in the drill bit and into the threaded aperture of the pullback adaptor such that the annular planar mount surface of the protrusion engages the mount surface of the drill bit.

Abstract: A compensating rig elevator is provided to eliminate set-down weight from threaded connectors during make-up of a pipe stand and thereby provide an ability to reduce the risk of thread galling and cross-threading. The elevator may comprise one or more hoist assemblies with bail arms that deflect as the compensating rig elevator is suspended by the bail arms and a tubular is placed in the compensating rig elevator. The bail arms actuate a locking mechanism to secure the compensating rig elevator in a closed position around the tubular. The compensating rig elevator can also have compensating rams and a slip system to positively engage the tubular and bear the weight of multiple tubulars.

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 reamer for drill string pullback of a horizontal directional drill includes a shaft portion defining a central axis and a first end configured for attachment with a drill string of the horizontal directional drill. A plurality of vanes extend radially from an outer periphery of the shaft, each of the plurality of vanes defining an outer peripheral tooth base surface. On each of the plurality of vanes, a plurality of cutter teeth are individually and removably secured along the outer peripheral tooth base surface thereof, each one of the plurality of cutter teeth including a body and a PDC insert manufactured separately from the body and joined therewith. Each cutter tooth of the plurality is coupled to the respective one of the plurality of vanes by a removable fastener extending at least partially through the cutter tooth and at least partially through the one of the plurality of vanes.

Abstract: An inductive coupler and method for a downhole tool such as a drill pipe comprising an electrically conductive ingot cast into a magnetically conducting electrically insulating (MCEI) annular mold. The MCEI mold may comprise an annular channel comprising a first perforation and one or more second perforations. The ingot may comprise first and seconds with sockets proximate the respective ends. The first perforation may comprise an electrical connection to a ground pin in the downhole tool. The one or more second perforations may comprise electrical connections to a similarly configured ingot within the downhole tool and to electrical equipment within the drill pipe. The ingot may further comprise cleats and flutes. The ingot may comprise an annular passageway around the interior of the ingot. The ingot may be sealed within the channel and each of the perforation may comprise a seal insolating the electrical connections from the downhole environment.