Abstract: A tubular handling apparatus for a drilling system, a method for handling tubulars, and a drilling system. The apparatus includes a first trough configured to receive at least a first tubular and a second tubular, a first skate movable along the first trough and configured to engage a first end of the first tubular, and a second skate movable along the first trough and configured to engage a second end of the second tubular. The first and second skates are configured to push a third end of the first tubular into engagement with a fourth end of the second tubular in the first trough. The apparatus also includes a tongs configured to engage the first and second tubulars in the first trough and apply torque thereto.

Abstract: A drilling machine gearbox includes a hollow outer rod drive shaft and an inner rod drive shaft. A break out mechanism is configured to clamp an outer rod of a drill string. A controller communicates via an outer rod drive signal to control rotation of the outer rod drive shaft, communicates via an inner rod drive signal to control rotation of the inner rod drive shaft, and communicates with the gearbox via a gearbox movement signal to control movement of the gearbox along a rack. The controller is operable to apply an oscillating torque of 150 ft-lbs or less to the inner rod drive shaft when the break out mechanism is clamped on the outer rod, and when (1) the outer rod drive signal is signaling rotation of the outer rod drive shaft, or (2) the gearbox movement signal is signaling the gearbox to move along the rack.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method for positioning a rock drilling, and a rock drilling rig is provided. The rock drilling rig includes a mobile drilling platform and a drilling mast connected to the drilling platform. The drilling platform is levelled vertically before initiating drilling. The apparatus determines the needed vertical levelling requirement. The levelling causes displacement of a drilling tool line passing through a drilling tool. The apparatus estimates the displacement and provides aid for the operator to position the drilling platform in order to compensate for the estimated displacement distance.

Abstract: Drilling systems and related methods are disclosed. A drilling system may include a drill bit positioned at an end of a drill string, and one or more sources and receivers positioned on the drill string behind the drill bit. The sources may be configured to emit signals into a medium surrounding a borehole in which the drill string extends, and the signals may cause a response in the medium at one or more predetermined positions ahead of the drill bit, and response signals may be measured by the one or more receivers. A processor may use the measured response signals to iteratively update an estimate of a property of the medium at the predetermined position, which in some embodiments, may be done using a sequential estimation process, as the drill string is advanced into the medium.

Abstract: The invention provides an expanding and collapsing apparatus and methods of use. The apparatus comprises a plurality of elements (52) assembled together to form a ring structure (54) around a longitudinal axis. The ring structure is operable to be moved between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition by movement of the plurality of elements. At least one set of structural elements (56) each having a first end and a second end are operable to move between the expanded condition and the collapsed condition by movement of the first end in an axial direction, and by movement of the second end in a radial dimension. At least one set of elements is operable to be moved by sliding with respect to one another in a direction tangential to a circle concentric with the ring structure.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for drilling hydrocarbon wells based on evaluation of penetrated formation rock that include obtaining historical drilling data for one or more wells, determining a rock type mapping based on the historical drilling data, obtaining current drilling data for a well, determining, based on the current drilling data, a current rock identification (or “ROCKID”), and determining, based on the rock type mapping and the current rock identification, a rock type encountered by a drill bit drilling the well, where drilling parameters can be adjusted based on the rock type.

Abstract: A lockdown sleeve and a running tool that may be used to install the lockdown sleeve within a wellhead in a single trip are provided. The lockdown sleeve, may include two pieces that are rotatably coupled together via threads such that the axial length of the lockdown sleeve can be adjusted by rotation of one portion of the lockdown sleeve relative to the other. The running tool may lower the lockdown sleeve into the wellhead, actuate the lockdown sleeve to lock against an inner wall of the high-pressure wellhead housing and subsequently adjust the length of the lockdown sleeve so that the lockdown sleeve is fully landed on the casing hanger and applying any desired pre-load to the connection.

Abstract: A telemetry method transmits data from a downhole location to a surface location. During transmission an event is detected that makes it desirable to change a transmitted data stream. A downhole processor processes the detected event in combination with a predefined event database and downhole measurement data using a frame building algorithm to compute a digital data stream. Synchronization markers are added to the data stream to obtain a synchronized data stream in which the synchronization markers identify the detected event. The synchronized data stream is transmitted to the surface location using a downhole telemetry tool and received at the surface location to obtain a decoded data stream. A surface processor processes the synchronization markers to identify the detected event and further processes the detected event in combination with a predefined event database and the decoded data stream using the frame building algorithm to obtain the downhole measurements.

Abstract: Isolation plugs may be installed in a wellbore flow control device to temporarily close a flow path therethrough. The isolation plugs may be installed in threaded openings often provided to for access to nozzles or other flow restrictors in the flow control devices. The isolation plugs may initially be locked in a closed configuration while being run in hole and may be unlocked in response to the application of a predetermined activation pressure. Once unlocked, the isolation plug may not immediately move to an open configuration but may continue holding pressure to permit circulation and washdown operations to be conducted. The activation pressure may be reduced to a second predetermined threshold to lock the isolation plug in the open configuration wherein flow is permitted through the flow control device.

Abstract: A system, method, and power control device for powering electronics located in a wellbore intersecting a subterranean earth formation. The system comprises a battery, a turbine generator, an electronic device, and a processor. The battery is locatable in the wellbore and the turbine generator is locatable in the wellbore so as to be in fluid communication with a flow path in the wellbore. The electronic device is locatable in the wellbore and electrically coupled to the battery and the turbine generator. The processor determines if a power condition is satisfied to allow the turbine generator to power the electronic device. The method comprises powering an electronic device located in the wellbore using a battery and opening a closed flow path in communication with a turbine generator. The method also comprises powering the electronic device using the turbine generator if a power condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A solids discharge assembly for disposing of oil and gas well treated solids, the assembly including a discharge eductor and solids valve. The eductor includes a solids inlet, a fluid inlet, and a discharge outlet. Method and system embodiments for disposing of oil or gas well treated solids are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drilling operation can be optimized based on feedback provided by density sensors in a flow pipe. The drilling can be in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation while circulating a drilling fluid. The sensor can be used to detect an actual density of cuttings in the drilling fluid and within a region of the flow pipe. A modelled density of the cuttings can be calculated for the region based on an initial model. The initial model can be based on a comparison of an equivalent circulating density profile to a fracture gradient of the subterranean formation. Based on a comparison of the actual density of the cuttings to the modelled density of the cuttings, the initial model can be adjusted to generate an adjusted model. At least one operational parameter of the drilling can be changed based on the adjusted model.

Abstract: An expandable connection is configured such that a metal-to-metal seal is created upon expansion, even under different expansion ratios. The creation of the metal-to-metal seal can rely on a spring-back effect after expansion. A high pressure rating of the metal-to-metal seal that is created can be achieved with an oversized box face thickness. The expandable connection can also be configured to achieve a high tensile efficiency.

Abstract: A testable indexing plug includes a body having an outer surface, an inner surface defining a flow path, a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end and the second end. A valve chamber extends from the first end into the intermediate portion. A valve member is arranged in the valve chamber. The valve member includes a first end portion, a second end portion including an opening, and an intermediate section including one or more ports fluidically connected with the opening. An indexing system shifts the valve member between a first position, wherein the one or more ports are arranged in the valve chamber and a second position, wherein the one or more ports are exposed outside of the valve chamber following a defined number of pressure applications to the valve member.

Abstract: A diffuser assembly is provided, comprising a diffuser adapted to reside within a conduit, having an upper member mountable within the conduit and having a fluid inlet port, and a lower section having a diffuser screen; a plurality of stationary diffusing members below the fluid inlet port, wherein the diffusing members are radially oriented relative to a central axis of the diffuser; and (c) a centralizing member above the diffuser screen having a diameter greater than the diffuser screen. The diffuser screen is a cylinder having a plurality of diffuser slots formed therein and a bottom cap having a fluid port; and each of the plurality of diffusing members extends substantially parallel to the central axis.

Abstract: A mud motor stall protector including a housing, a piston translationally disposed in the housing, the piston defining a flow passage therein, and a pin positioned relative to the housing to occupy a portion of the flow passage of the piston or leave the flow passage of the piston open depending upon position of the piston relative to the pin.

Abstract: A lubricator system according to which a lubricator defines an internal passage that extends along a curvilinear path. The lubricator is configured to be connected to a wellhead at the top or head of an oil and gas wellbore. A downhole tool is configured to be conveyed through the internal passage of the lubricator and along the curvilinear path in combination with a conveyance string connected to the downhole tool. The downhole tool may be, include, or be part of, for example, a perforating gun.

Abstract: A wireline sealing assembly adapted to seal a line such as wireline or slickline deployed in an oil or gas well has a body to receive a line and a seal adapted to be actuated into sealing engagement with the line to contain wellbore pressure within the well below the actuated seal. The seal comprises first and second seal members, each seal member comprising at least one sealing element, wherein the first and second seal members are formed of different materials. The second seal member may have a greater hardness rating or lower degree of resilience that the first seal member. The first and second seal members may radially deform against the line when the seal is actuated, and the first seal member may radially deform more than the second seal member. The seal may also comprise a third seal member comprising at least one sealing element, wherein the third seal member is formed of a different material to the first and second seal members.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a bidirectional formation protection valve includes: a tubular body having an inner diameter defining a fluid flow path therethrough and being adapted to be sealably disposed within a wellbore; an uphole valve disposed within the inner diameter of the tubular body to control fluid flow therethrough, the uphole valve being biased to close the fluid flow path against a first pressure and adapted to be opened upon receiving a stinger in the inner diameter, and a downhole valve disposed within the inner diameter of the tubular body to control fluid flow therethrough, the downhole valve being biased to close the fluid flow path against a second pressure and adapted to be opened upon receiving a stinger in the inner diameter. The first and second pressures are an uphole pressure from kill fluids and a downhole pressure from formation fluids.

Abstract: A Rotary Steerable System (RSS) includes a flexible collar coupled therein or thereto that permits the stiffness of the RSS to be controlled and permits a desired turning radius to be achieved without sacrificing stability characteristics of the RSS. The flexible collar may be positioned between a steering section and the controller of the RSS. The parameters affecting the geometry, position and stiffness characteristics of the flexible collar and the RSS may be selected strategically to match the requirements of the particular wellbore being drilled. By selecting these parameters strategically, improvements may be achieved related to tool length, bending stiffness, bending stress, torsional stiffness, shear stress due to torsion and increased dogleg severity tolerance.