Abstract: A drilling rig is adapted to perform drilling and/or other wellbore related activities. The drilling rig includes a drilling tower, a drill floor with a well center, a slip device arranged at the well center, a tubulars connection makeup and breaking device near the well center, and a top drive system. The top drive system includes a traveling carriage that is vertically mobile along one or more vertical rails of the drilling tower by a vertical motion drive. The system also includes a top drive unit supported by said carriage and including a top drive motor and a rotary torque output member. The system further includes a tripping operation elevator that is adapted to be engageable with a drilling tubulars string or drilling tubulars stand, e.g. with the top end thereof, in order to perform tripping operations.

Abstract: A recirculating gravel pack system includes a tubular member having an outer surface, an inner surface defining a flow path, a first opening extending from the inner surface through the outer surface and a second opening, spaced from the first opening extending from the inner surface through the outer surface. A screen is positioned about the tubular member spaced from the outer surface defining a passage that is selectively fluidically connected to the second opening. A return tube extends between the screen and the outer surface running axially along the tubular member. The return tube includes a first end defining an inlet arranged in the passage and a second end defining an outlet positioned in a low-pressure zone outside the passage downhole from the first opening.

Abstract: A baffle system for use in well casing having a plurality of landed subs therein, for progressive injection of a fracking or treating fluid into a hydrocarbon formation via existing or created perforations in the well casing. The baffle members provide a plug seat, and are each frangibly affixed to a conveying tool and have collet finger protuberances thereon. The collet finger protuberances of each baffle are of a different width, and respectively engage only one annular recess of a corresponding width in a respective landing sub. Each annular recess and/or collet finger protuberance on an uphole edge thereof has a chamfer which allows disengagement of the collet finger protuberances and thus removal of the baffle member from the well casing upon upward force being applied to the baffle member. A method of using the baffle system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas mitigation system for controlling the amount of gas that reaches a submersible pumping system deployed in a wellbore includes a well zone isolation device disposed in the wellbore between the submersible pumping system and a gas collecting region. The gas mitigation system further includes a back pressure control module and a gas vent line extending from the gas collecting region through the well zone isolation device to the back pressure control module. A liquid intake line extends from the well zone isolation device to an area of the wellbore upstream from the gas collecting region.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various implementations of a downhole-blower system that can be used to boost production in a wellbore. The downhole-blower system includes a blower and an electric machine coupled to the blower that can be deployed in a wellbore, and that can, in cooperation, increase production through the wellbore.

Abstract: A propulsion unit for a wellbore tool includes a tool body and at least one wheel section disposed along the tool body. The wheel section comprises a tractor pad movably coupled to a tractor housing coupled to the tool body. The tractor pad is movable only in a lateral direction with respect to the tool body. A wheel rotatably is supported in the tractor pad so as to contact a wall of a wellbore when the tractor pad is moved away from the tractor housing. An hydraulic motor is rotationally coupled to the wheel. The hydraulic motor comprises a displacement changing element operable to change displacement of the hydraulic motor. The unit comprises means for moving the tractor pad between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A casing segment comprising a cylinder, a downhole tool, a first channel in the cylinder, a degradable plug wherein the plug degrades when exposed to a degrading fluid, said degrading fluid concurrently not degrading to the cylinder or the downhole tool, and a fluid reservoir that stores the degrading fluid, wherein the fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the plug. A method comprising obtaining a casing segment having a cylinder, a downhole tool, and a fluid reservoir with degrading fluid, said degrading fluid concurrently not degrading to the cylinder or the downhole tool, wherein the cylinder includes a first channel, installing a degradable plug within the first channel, deploying the casing segment downhole, and exposing the degradable plug to the degrading fluid to cause the downhole tool to be in fluid communication with the interior surface of the cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a directional wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a drive for rotating a drill bit, a deflection device that enables a lower section of the drilling assembly to tilt about a member of the deflection device within a selected plane when the drilling assembly is substantially rotationally stationary to allow drilling of a curved section of the wellbore when the drill bit is rotated by the drive and wherein the tilt is reduced when the drilling assembly is rotated to allow drilling of a straighter section of the wellbore, and a tilt sensor that provides measurements relating to tilt of the lower section. A controller determines a parameter of interest relating to the tilt for controlling drilling of the directional wellbore.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tractor for use in a wellbore, an apparatus for use in the tractor and related methods. In one embodiment the apparatus has a body, a drive wheel and a movable arm for supporting drive wheel. The arm may be rotatably movable using an actuator such that the drive wheel can be extracted from the body and brought into engagement with a wall of the wellbore, and may be arranged to be offset from a central region of the apparatus for providing accommodation space for the actuator in the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a directional wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a drive for rotating a drill bit, a deflection device that enables a lower section a drilling assembly to tilt within a selected plane when the drilling assembly is substantially rotationally stationary to allow drilling of a curved section of the wellbore when the drill bit is rotated by the drive and wherein the tilt is reduced when the drilling assembly is rotated to allow drilling of a straighter section of the wellbore, and a sensor that provides measurements relating a direction of the drilling assembly for drilling the wellbore along a desired direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic cleaning tool (100) for removing ferrous debris from within a BOP, riser or wellbore, the tool comprising: a tool body having a longitudinal axis, and one or more magnets (104) configured to rotate around an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis from a first position to a second position. In the first position the one or more magnets attract ferrous debris to a debris gathering surface, and in the second position the one or more magnets do not attract ferrous debris to the debris gathering surface.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for regulating a multi-phase fluid stream flowing from a subterranean geological formation, and related methods are described herein. The system and apparatus generally include a conduit defining a flow path for the fluid stream, the conduit further defining a first restriction having a throat portion, and the conduit further defining a first return path including an inlet positioned downstream of the first restriction and an outlet positioned upstream of the inlet of the first return path. Related methods include placing the apparatus or system within a wellbore conduit defined by a wellbore.

Abstract: A covering for a rig structure has plural segments separably connected together to form a loop to enclose a portion of a rig structure. Segments can be added or removed to adjust the size of the covering. A lower edge of the covering is connected around a containment basin suspended from the rig structure to contain fluids captured by the covering. An upper edge of the covering is connected to an adjustable frame suspended from the rig structure. The frame can be raised after the covering is attached to it to tauten the covering.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a tool body configured to rotate in a wellbore and carrying at least one extendable element. The at least one extendable element is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position projecting radially beyond the tool body. The at least one extendable element has a mating surface. The earth-boring tool includes a support structure located in the tool body and having a support surface that is located and configured to face the mating surface of the at least one extendable element when the at least one extendable element is in the extended position. The support surface of the support structure is configured to bear at least a portion of the tangential forces acting on the extendable element during rotation of the earth-boring tool in the wellbore when the at least one extendable element is in the extended position.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling directional wellbores is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a drive for rotating a drill bit, a deflection device that enables a lower section of a drilling assembly to tilt about a member of the deflection device within a selected plane when the drilling assembly is substantially rotationally stationary to allow drilling of a curved section of the wellbore when the drill bit is rotated by the drive and wherein the tilt is reduced when the drilling assembly is rotated to allow drilling of a straighter section of the wellbore, and at least one seal that isolates at least a surface of the member from outside environment.

Abstract: A technique facilitates use of an inductive coupler assembly with casing, e.g. well casing. An inductive coupler is formed as a female inductive coupler with an inductive coil. The inductive coupler is constructed for sliding movement along an exterior of the casing so that it may ultimately be positioned and secured at a suitable location along the casing. The inductive coupler is designed for connection with an electrical device, e.g. a sensor. The inductive coupler facilitates the transfer of sensor data and/or power signals across the casing. Signal transfer across the casing is further enabled by a male inductive coupler positioned within the casing at a location which allows it to cooperate with the exterior, female inductive coupler.

Abstract: A technique facilitates testing and monitoring of a well. An artificial lift system is operated to produce a well fluid, and data is collected as the artificial lift system is operated at different flow rates. The data collected at the different, e.g. varying, flow rates is used in estimating flow performance and to enable continued monitoring of the well. In some applications, the data may be obtained by utilizing a virtual flow metering technique.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multiple stage operations, and more particularly to systems and methods for performing second stage cementing operations with a stage tool. A stage tool comprises: a mandrel; an opening seat; a closing seat; a plurality of ports; a closing sleeve; and a packer element, wherein the opening seat is attached to an interior surface of the mandrel, wherein the closing seat is attached to the interior surface of the mandrel, wherein the plurality of ports is configured to allow fluid communication between the interior surface of the mandrel and an exterior surface of the mandrel, wherein the closing sleeve is disposed on the exterior surface of the mandrel and coupled to the closing seat, wherein the packer element is disposed on the exterior surface of the mandrel.

Abstract: A steerable sub for controlling an angular orientation of a well tool in a well, the steerable sub including a housing; a steering element attached to the housing and configured (i) to partially extend out of the housing and (ii) to change an orientation relative to the housing; and an actuation mechanism connected to the steering element and configured to change the orientation of the steering element relative to the housing.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various implementations of a downhole-blower system that can be used to boost production in a wellbore. The downhole-blower system includes a blower and an electric machine coupled to the blower that can be deployed in a wellbore, and that can, in cooperation, increase production through the wellbore.