Abstract: A vortex-controlled variable flow resistance device ideal for use in a backpressure tool for advancing drill string in extended reach downhole operations. The characteristics of the pressure waves generated by the device are controlled by the growth and decay of vortices in the vortex chamber(s) of a flow path. The flow path is designed to produce alternating primary and secondary vortices—one clockwise and one counter-clockwise—where the primary vortex is stronger and produces higher backpressure than the secondary vortex. This in turn generates alternating weak and strong pressure pulses in the drill string. The weak pulses may be barely perceptible so that the effective frequency of the pulses is determined by the stronger primary vortices.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring underground drilling in which vibration is monitored by creating a model of the drill string using finite element techniques or finite difference techniques and (i) predicting vibration by inputting real time values of operating parameters into the model, and then adjusting the model to agree with measured vibration data, (ii) predicting the weight on bit and drill string and mud motor speeds at which resonance will occur, as well as when stick-slip will occur, so that the operator can avoid operating regimes that will result in high vibration, (iii) determining vibration and torque levels along the length of the drill string based on the measured vibration and torque at one or more locations, (iv) determining the remaining life of critical components of the drill string based on the history of the vibration to which the components have been subjected, and (v) determining the optimum drilling parameters that will avoid excessive vibration of the drill string.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of modeling a downhole drilling tool is disclosed. The method may include obtaining microseismic data corresponding to a treatment of a subterranean region, the microseismic data including a microseismic event time for each of a plurality of microseismic events, and a microseismic event location for each of the plurality of microseismic events. The method may additionally include calculating a plurality of fracture planes based upon the microseismic event times, and calculating a closed boundary enclosing a first subset of the plurality of fracture planes. The method may further include identifying a microseismic supported stimulated reservoir volume (?SRN) for the treatment based on the closed boundary.

Abstract: A power generation system for a drilling tool includes a turbine, an alternator, a converter and a first active rectifier control (ARC). The turbine is adapted to be driven by a fluid flow in a well. The alternator is coupled to the turbine and generates an alternative current (AC). The converter converts the AC to direct current (DC) and carries out active rectification. The first active rectifier control (ARC) controls the active rectification of the converter.

Abstract: In a method to degrade filtercake in a hydrocarbon reservoir using downhole in-situ heat generation, a filtercake breaker, configured to degrade filtercake at a temperature, is mixed with a drilling fluid. The drilling fluid mixed with the filtercake breaker is flowed through a hydrocarbon reservoir in which a wellbore is being drilled. A filtercake forms in a portion of the hydrocarbon reservoir responsive to flowing the drilling fluid. A temperature of the portion of the hydrocarbon reservoir is less than the temperature at which the filtercake breaker is configured to degrade filtercake. Multiple filtercake chemicals are flowed to the portion of the hydrocarbon reservoir. The multiple filtercake chemicals, when mixed, are configured to react in an exothermic reaction to release heat to increase the temperature of the portion of the hydrocarbon reservoir to at least the temperature at which the filtercake breaker is configured to degrade filtercake.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a top drive system includes a quill; a motor operable to rotate the quill; a gripper operable to engage a joint of casing; a connector bi-directionally rotationally coupled to the quill and the gripper and longitudinally coupled to the gripper; and a compensator longitudinally coupled to the quill and the connector. The compensator is operable to allow relative longitudinal movement between the connector and the quill.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, assemblies, and methods for facilitating fluid flow during/after landing of logging tools in a bottom hole assembly. In operation, a memory logging tool is lowered through a longitudinal bore of a drill pipe string and landed in a bottom hole assembly disposed at the end of the drill pipe string. Drilling fluid is pumped behind the logging tool to assist with downward movement of the tool. As the logging tools land, partial fluid flow path is blocked by the logging tools. The fluid pressure can rise in response to the narrowing of the fluid flow path. Facilitating fluid flow through and/or around the logging tools can put the rising fluid pressure in a proper range for powering the logging tools to land and monitoring purposes.

Abstract: A rock drilling system comprising a rock drill adapted to hold a drill steel to which a drill bit is connected, a drill feed rail for slidably supporting a drill feed that displaces the rock drill along the drill feed rail, a stinger-supported centralizer assembly for centralizing the drill steel, wherein the stinger-supported centralizer assembly has a centralizer base made of an elastomeric material, and a travelling cradle centralizer assembly slidable over the drill feed rail for centralizing the drill steel, wherein the travelling cradle centralizer assembly has a cradle made of an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A control system for actuating a drill pipe rack is provided. The drill pipe rack moves between a first position and a second position. The control system includes a first actuator to actuate a top end of the drill pipe rack and a second actuator to actuate a bottom end of the drill pipe rack. The control system includes a pump to supply pressurized fluid to the first actuator and the second actuator. The control system further includes at least one volumetric flow divider in fluid communication with the pump. The volumetric flow divider is configured to supply equal volumetric quantity of the pressurized fluid to the first actuator and the second actuator, and subsequently move the drill pipe rack between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A subterranean support-bolt drill bit has a bit body rotatable about a central axis, the bit body having a forward end and a rearward end axially spaced away from the forward end. The support-bolt drill bit includes at least one bit cutting element coupled to the bit body, the at least one bit cutting element including a cutting edge. The support-bolt drill bit also includes a central pilot projecting from the bit body beyond the at least one bit cutting element in an axially forward direction, the central pilot including a pilot cutting edge.

Abstract: A downhole component including a first portion; a second portion; a controlled failure structure between the first portion and second portion. A method for improving efficiency in downhole components.

Abstract: A seal stem anchor assembly of the present disclosure includes: a tubular portion having body lock threads disposed about an external portion; and an anchor assembly including an activation module about the tubular portion and proximate the body lock threads, a cone, one or more anchor slips extending between the activation module and the cone, and a helical spring positioned and biased so as to push the activation module away from the cone.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a drilling assembly is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a flow control device that further includes: a fluid flow path having an inlet and an outlet; an electromagnetic circuit that includes a closing member made from a soft magnetic or magnetic material as a part of the electromagnetic circuit, wherein the closing member moves from a first open position to a second closed position to close the fluid flow path to produce a pressure pulse in a fluid flowing through the fluid flow path when the electromagnetic circuit is formed.

Abstract: Sucker rods include end fittings having an outer wedge portion proximate to an open end, an inner wedge portion proximate to a closed end, and an intermediate wedge portion between the outer and inner wedges. Each wedge includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an angle between the leading and trailing edges. The triangular configuration, length of the leading edge, the length of the trailing edge, and size of the angle in each wedge portion cause distribution of force, such that compressive forces distributed to the rod proximate the closed end exceed compressive forces distributed to the rod proximate the open end.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a control system that monitors operating parameters so as to protect the drilling machine from damage and increases drilling operation efficiency. A method of using a hydraulic system of a percussive drill as a sensing system includes sensing a drill bit blow-out event by measuring changes in the operating hydraulic fluid pressure in the hydraulic system used to operate the percussive drill.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for testing and pumping through a well servicing system are provided. The apparatus includes a drive mechanism and an actuation system. The actuation system is coupled to the drive mechanism for selectively engaging the drive mechanism to a drive train of the well servicing system's pumping equipment for pressure testing and low rate pumping of the well servicing system without using the primary mover of the pumping equipment. A method for hydrostatic pressure testing of the well servicing system includes putting a transmission of the drive train into neutral and containing the well servicing system, then engaging the drive mechanism to the drive train and activating the drive mechanism to drive the drive train for pumping and compressing test fluid into the well servicing system without using the primary mover.

Abstract: A downhole mud motor is formed of plural housings containing at least a drive section and a transmission section. At least a housing of the plural housings has a longitudinal axis and incorporates a reaming section with one or more rotary reamers. Each of the one or more rotary reamers is mounted in a respective pocket for rotation about a transverse axis relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Abstract: A seal for a blind shear ram is configured to extend between a first carrier and a second carrier of the blind shear ram. The seal includes an outer layer configured to contact at least one of the first carrier and the second carrier to seal a wellbore when the blind shear ram is in a closed position. The outer layer has a first stiffness. The seal also includes an inner layer spaced from the outer layer. The inner layer has a second stiffness. The seal further includes an anti-extrusion structure extending between the inner layer and the outer layer. The anti-extrusion structure has a third stiffness greater than the first stiffness and the second stiffness. The outer layer covers the anti-extrusion structure.

Abstract: An assembly of a drill string element adapted to be held by the drill pipe rams of a blowout preventer (BOP) to enable the drill string to be disconnected at the BOP and a detachable driving element is described. The drill string element comprises a housing portion defining a longitudinal bore along a longitudinal axis X-X of the housing portion. At least one recess is arranged in the longitudinal bore, said at least one said recess (8) being arranged to engage at least one lug of a detachable driving element arranged to be disposed in the longitudinal bore to rotationally lock the housing portion and detachable driving element together.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for use in directional drilling, which apparatus comprises: (a) a drill bit; (b) at least one steering actuator capable of exerting a longitudinal force on the drill bit, so as to change the direction of drilling; and/or (c) at least one drill bit steering insert, capable of extending and retracting so as to change the cutting characteristics of the drill bit and thereby change the direction of drilling. Further provided is a method of directional drilling, employing the apparatus of the invention.