Abstract: Some implementations of the present disclosure provide a laser drilling tool assembly comprising: (i) a body that includes: a first segment configured to receive an input beam from a laser source and couple the input beam to provide an irradiation beam to irradiate a downhole target, and a second segment housing one or more purging pipes; and (ii) a tool head that includes: a retractable nozzle; and one or more optical sensing elements mounted on the retractable nozzle, wherein when the downhole target is being irradiated by the irradiation beam, the retractable nozzle is extended towards the downhole target such that the one or more optical sensing elements are positioned closer to the downhole target.

Abstract: A control system for a tong for a drilling rig includes a tong motor control valve that is selectively actuatable to cause rotation of the tong in a first direction or in a second direction, a run/pull mode selector configured to actuate between a first configuration for running tubulars into a well and a second configuration for pulling tubulars from the well, a rotation speed selector configured to actuate between a high-speed setting configured to cause the tong to be driven to rotate at a first speed, and a low-speed setting configured to cause the tong to be driven to rotate at a second speed, and a rotation change control device configured to selectively prevent or permit actuation of the tong motor control valve based on the configuration of the run/pull mode selector and the setting of the rotation speed selector.

Abstract: An engineered composite system designed to be passive or inert under one set of conditions, but becomes active when exposed to a second set of conditions. This system can include a dissolving or disintegrating core, and a surface coating that has higher strength or which only dissolves under certain temperature and pH conditions, or in selected fluids. These reactive materials are useful for oil and gas completions and well stimulation processes, enhanced oil and gas recovery operations, as well as in defensive and mining applications requiring high energy density and good mechanical properties, but which can be stored and used for long periods of time without degradation.

Abstract: A safety catch assembly design to prevent loss of drilling components during downhole operation is disclosed. The safety catch assembly can include a lower inner radial bearing comprising a catch ring retention zone. The safety catch assembly can also include one or more catch rings removably disposed in the catch ring retention zone, including a first catch ring having one or more ridges about its inner diameter and a second catch ring having one or more ridges about its inner diameter. In a locked position, the catch rings can retain the drilling components during a failure event.

Abstract: A test tool attached to test string comprising a fluid conduit is deployed to a test position within a wellbore. The deployment includes hydraulically isolating a portion of the wellbore proximate the test tool to form an isolation zone containing the test position. A fluid inflow test is performed within the isolation zone and an initial formation property and a fluid property are determined based on the fluid inflow test. A fluid injection test is performed within the isolation zone including applying an injection fluid through the test string into the isolation zone, wherein the flow rate or pressure of the injection fluid application is determined based, at least in part, on the at least one of the formation property and fluid property.

Abstract: A wireline system includes an operations cabin with a plurality of electrical devices, and a winch that includes an electric winch motor operable to drive a drum to manipulate a wireline cable. A first engine and a first electric generator are each arranged within the operations cabin and generate electrical power, a second electric generator driven by a second engine via a power takeoff to generate electrical power, and an umbilical extends from the operations cabin to an external energy source to provide electrical power. A battery pack is arranged within the operations cabin and includes rechargeable batteries communicably coupled to the electric generators and the umbilical, wherein the battery pack solely provides electrical power to the electric winch motor and the electrical devices, and wherein the electric generators and the external energy source provide electrical power to recharge the rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: A linkage assembly for a drilling machine includes a first arm, a second arm, an actuation member, and a connector assembly. A first end of the first arm is pivotally coupled to a positioning member at a first pivot joint. A first end of the second arm is pivotally coupled to a feed table at a second pivot joint. A first end of the actuation member is pivotally coupled to the feed table at a third pivot joint. The connector assembly is fixedly coupled to a second end of the first arm, and pivotally coupled to a second end of the second arm and a second end of the actuation member. The linkage assembly is adapted to pivot the feed table relative to the positioning member about a pivot axis based on movement of the actuation member between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in maintaining a desired orientation of an implement is provided. The apparatus includes orientation sensing equipment operable to sense the orientation of the implement, and an orientation indicator operable to be mounted relative to the implement, the orientation indicator having a plurality of indication portions, and when the orientation indicator is mounted relative to the implement, the indication portions are positioned so as to be visible from different locations around the implement. In use, when the orientation of the implement deviates from the desired orientation, one or more indication portions provide a visible indication of a direction in which the implement has deviated from the desired orientation.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes sucker rod strings, pipe protectors, and tool joints having polycrystalline diamond elements positioned thereon to interface engagement with other surfaces in downhole applications. The polycrystalline diamond elements can be positioned on sucker rod guides, sucker rod couplers, pipe protectors, and tool joints.

Abstract: A partially dissolvable plug is to be deployed in a position in a wellbore formed in a subsurface formation. The partially dissolvable plug comprises a first portion comprising a dissolvable material that is to dissolve over time after exposure to a downhole ambient environment in the wellbore and a second portion comprising a non-dissolvable material that is to create a flow restriction as the flow of fluid passes through the partially dissolvable plug. The first portion is to prevent a flow of fluid from downhole to a surface of the wellbore until at least a portion of the dissolvable material is dissolved. A flow rate is to be determined based on a detected change in a downhole attribute that is to change in response to the flow of fluid passing through the partially dissolvable plug after at least a portion of the partially dissolvable plug is dissolved.

Abstract: A pulse power drilling system includes a pulse power drill string to be positioned in a borehole formed in a subsurface formation. The pulse power drill string is to drill the borehole based on periodic pulsing of an electrical discharge into the subsurface formation. The pulse power drill string includes a generator to generate electrical power, an electrode to emit the electrical discharge out to the subsurface formation based on the electrical power, and a controller communicatively coupled to the generator and the electrode. The controller is to control at least one discharge parameter of the electrical discharge to encode a data communication within the electrical discharge.

Abstract: An automated drilling-fluid additive system and method for on-site real-time analysis and additive treatment of drilling fluid to be injected into a well. The drilling fluid includes returned drilling fluid intended to be re-used, which has a variety of viscosity and other qualities resulting from its various preceding use. The target drilling fluid will have a variety of viscosity and other qualities depending upon and changing with various phases of drilling operations and various conditions encountered. The drilling fluid is analyzed in real time as it flows into the automated drilling-fluid additive system, and various additives are added to and thoroughly blended with the drilling fluid as needed to achieve the desired result. The blended drilling fluid is discharged from the automated drilling-fluid additive system in the proper condition for injection into a well.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a bit condition in a drilling operation comprises a processor unit and a non-transitory computer-readable memory communicatively coupled to the processing unit and comprising computer-readable program instructions executable by the processing unit for: obtaining signals representative of at least vibrations of a drilling mast having at least one bit during a drilling operation; interpreting the signals into vibration values; continuously monitoring the vibration values in real time; and assessing and outputting a condition of the bit as a function of the continuous monitoring of the vibration values.

Abstract: A system is provided for providing power and/or communication to/from a downhole device by inductively coupling a coupling conductor within a receiver to a core conductor of a tubing encased conductor (TEC). The receiver has an elongated housing arranged physically proximate or touching an outer surface of the TEC. A coupling conductor is disposed within the housing, extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing, and further extends longitudinally and in close proximity to a core conductor housed within the TEC when the housing is arranged physically proximate or touching the outer surface of the TEC. This exposes the coupling conductor to a magnetic field formed externally to the TEC to excite a current in the coupling conductor. In one or more embodiments, the receiver further includes a coupling to electrically couple the downhole device to the coupling conductor and deliver the current to the downhole device.

Abstract: An anti-jam control system for mobile drilling machines is disclosed. The anti-jam control system may include a method for automatically clearing a jam during an automatic drilling mode of a mobile drilling machine including a drill bit mounted on a drill string. The method may include: monitoring a feed rate of the drill bit during the automatic drilling mode; and automatically initiating an anti-jam operation when the feed rate is below a predetermined feed rate threshold.

Abstract: A method comprises determining a measure of drilling efficiency, such as a friction factor or mechanical specific energy, of a drill bit used in a drilling operation of a wellbore and performing video analytics of at least one video that includes a substantially complete view of the wear surfaces of a drill bit to determine drill bit wear of the drill bit that is a result of the drilling operation of the wellbore. The method includes determining a cause of the drill bit wear based on the measure of drilling efficiency and the drill bit wear determined by performing video analytics. Based on correlation or modeling of drill bit wear and the measure of drilling efficiency, drill bit wear can be predicted and some types of drilling dysfunction mitigated in subsequent drilling runs.

Abstract: Layered coating applications for sensing telemetry are provided. An example method can include depositing an optical waveguide on an inner surface of a wellbore tool, the optical waveguide including a first layer of low refractive-index material, a second layer of high refractive-index material applied to a first surface of the first layer, and a third layer of low refractive-index material applied to a second surface of the second layer; configuring non-uniformities at one or more locations of the optical waveguide, the non-uniformities configured to reflect or scatter light at angles relative to a site of interaction between the light and the non-uniformities; determining a reflection and/or transmission pattern of light propagated through the optical waveguide and reflected or scattered by the non-uniformities; and based on the reflection and/or transmission pattern of the light, determining one or more conditions associated with of the wellbore tool.

Abstract: A backup ring for a seal assembly including a body having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface, an opening in the body extending from the radially outer surface toward the radially inner surface, the opening being receptive to a line to guide and protect the line. A wellbore system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string disposed in the borehole, a seal system disposed in the string, the system including a backup ring comprising a body having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface and an opening in the body extending from the radially outer surface toward the radially inner surface, the opening being receptive to a line to guide and protect the line and a method for running a line along a seal system.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a method used in drilling wells. A three-dimensional (3D) uncertainty cube is generated for a subsurface geological structure containing a well target for drilling operations of a well. The 3D uncertainty cube defines an uncertainty of a geological position relative to a 3D structural model. The 3D uncertainty cube is dynamically updated in real time while drilling the well, including parameterizing the 3D uncertainty cube for a distance ahead of a drill bit. A probability that the well target will be hit is determined using the 3D uncertainty cube. The drilling operations of the well are dynamically re-planned and re-steered based on the updated 3D uncertainty cube, including updating a direction of the drilling operations of the well using the 3D uncertainty cube and the probability. Drilling and acquiring new information are continued to iteratively continue dynamic updates and continued drilling.

Abstract: A waveform energy generation system, the system including at least one joint of production casing, and one or more energy generators residing along the joint of production casing. The energy generators are configured to be in substantial mechanical contact with a subsurface formation within a wellbore. The energy generators may include either explosive devices or a piezo-electric material. The system also includes a signal transmission system. The signal transmission system is used to send control signals from the surface down to the energy generators for activation at the formation's resonant frequency. Methods of enhancing the permeability of a rock matrix within a subsurface formation using the wellbore as an energy generator are also provided.