Abstract: A method of drilling includes obtaining historical data for historical wells in a field, determining a set of drilling parameters, and determining a set of hole section sizes defining a wellbore geometry. For each combination of a parameter in the set of parameters and a hole section size in the set of hole section sizes, historical wells having average values of the parameter exceeding a threshold for the hole section size from the historical surface drilling data are selected. An expected output for each of a model to be trained by each of the selected historical wells is derived based on a rate of penetration while drilling. A final model is trained with the selected historical wells and expected outputs. An operating envelope is determined for each of the parameters in the set of parameters from the trained model. The operating envelopes may be used to guide drilling of a well in the field.

Abstract: A perforating gun system with at least one gun. Each of the perforating guns have charges disposed in a gun carrier that are angled to the longitudinal axis of the gun to achieve a predetermined proppant transport profile into clusters within a stage in a well casing. The perforation tunnels may also have burrs on each side of the casing and acts in initially aiding proppant transport during fracture treatment. A method of tuning a cluster to achieve a desired fracturing treatment based on a feedback from another cluster includes selecting a hole diameter, a hole angle for creating an angled opening, a discharge coefficient, and a proppant efficiency. Moreover, a method of improving perforation charge efficiency.

Abstract: System and methods for optimizing parameters for drilling operations are provided. Real-time data including values for input variables associated with a current stage of a drilling operation along a planned well path are acquired. A neural network model is trained to produce an objective function defining a response value for at least one operating variable of the drilling operation. The response value for the operating variable is estimated based on the objective function produced by the trained neural network model. Stochastic optimization is applied to the estimated response value so as to produce an optimized response value for the operating variable. Values of controllable parameters are estimated for a subsequent stage of the drilling operation, based on the optimized response value of the operating variable. The subsequent stage of the drilling operation is performed based on the estimated values of the controllable parameters.

Abstract: A cutting assembly is provided for a rock excavation machine having a frame. The cutting assembly includes a boom, a cutting device, and a plurality of fluid actuators. The boom includes a base portion and a movable portion. The base portion is configured to be supported by the frame, and the movable portion is supported for sliding movement relative to the base portion in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base portion. The boom includes a wrist portion pivotably coupled to the movable portion at a pivot joint. The cutting device is supported on a distal end of the wrist portion. The fluid actuators are coupled between the base portion and the wrist portion. The fluid actuators are operable to move the movable portion and the wrist portion parallel to the longitudinal axis, and are also operable to bias the wrist portion against cutting loads exerted on the cutting device.

Abstract: A debris removal system includes: a drill pipe disposed within a borehole including a threaded portion disposed longitudinally above a bottom hole assembly (BHA). The threaded portion includes at least one spiral notch that wraps around the drill pipe. An outer diameter of the threaded portion of the drill pipe remains constant throughout a longitudinal length of the threaded portion.

Abstract: The invention discloses an induced drilling method for inertial constraint implicated motion, which is characterized by comprising a motion step of separating weight on bit and torque. The induced drilling method of inertial constraint implicating motion comprises the following steps: step 1, model selection of induced drilling; step 2, potential energy storage of induced drilling, wherein step 2 includes: I, uniform cutting induced drilling under a steady condition; II, distribution of induced drilling shock wave propagation under a transient condition; III, potential energy release of torsion spring in induced drilling under the transient condition; IV, constrained buffer for induced drilling under transient conditions; and V, potential energy compensation for induced drilling under transient conditions. The invention also discloses an inertia constraint induced drilling device accompanying the PDC bit.

Abstract: A well pad construction system includes a construction area, surface compaction equipment to compact the construction area, an excavator disposed at the construction area and movable to generate an excavated area, a cellar disposed in the excavated area, controlled low-strength material (CLSM), and backfill equipment disposed around the excavated area. The backfill equipment is moveable over the construction area to pour CLSM into a gap between the cellar and surrounding medium in the excavated area for holding the cellar in place and providing a firm well pad from which a rig may operate.

Abstract: A method is described for determining a measure of geo-mechanical strength of subterranean rock at the cutting surface of a drill bit during drilling using a single measurement related to mechanical power at the drill bit. This measurement in combination with a measure of volumetric rate of rock failure defines an expression for mechanical specific energy (SMSE). SMSE is the mechanical power at the drill bit divided by volumetric rate of rock failure over any time interval. A method is described for predicting geo-mechanical and physical properties (lithology) of subterranean rock at the cutting surface of a drill bit during drilling operations using machine learning (data analytical) model(s). Said models are driven by a set of subterranean measurements related to the structural, physical response of subterranean rock mechanical failure in combination with the measure of SMSE.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for controlling the fluid flow to and from the flow ports of an autonomous inflow control device (AICD). Features may include the addition of a ball check valve to the AICD. A well system may comprise: a production tubing; a flow control device, wherein the flow control device is disposed onto the production tubing; and a ball check valve disposed between the flow control device and the production tubing to restrict flow into the production tubing through a port in the flow control device, wherein the ball check valve comprises a housing and a ball.

Abstract: A downhole sensing device deployment control apparatus (10) includes means to control speed of the sensing device progressing within a borehole associated with a drilling operation. A mechanical, electrically powered and/or hydro-dynamic drag/damping means/device (12) can be provided as part of the control apparatus to control speed of deployment down the borehole. The drag device (12) can have a plurality of wheels or rollers to contact an internal bore of an inner pipe of a drill string. Rotation control means (24), (26) can be provided to control an amount of rotation and/or direction of rotation of the wheels or rollers relative to travel of the sensing device within the borehole. Valving (60) can be provided. A two stage (dual) flow/pressure control valve (100) can be provided. A sensing device (release 216) and downhole position latch (202) can be provided. The sensing device can be pumped into the borehole, such as by compressed air.

Abstract: A permanent completion system is disclosed comprising: an upper ACP installed in the wellbore powered by a first power cable from the surface; a lower ACP installed in the wellbore below the upper ACP, and being powered by a second power cable from the surface and being connected to the upper APC by a spacer tube; and a heating assembly connected to the lower ACP in the wellbore and receiving power from the second power cable, the heating assembly, such as a mineral insulated heater cable, providing heat to the wellbore. The heating assembly preferably is retrievable and can be conveyed to the lower ACP by coil tubing. The coil tubing can be removed after conveying the heating assembly into place to permit further access to the upper ACP, e.g., to permit mechanical and electrical connection of a retrievable ESP assembly to the upper ACP.

Abstract: A downhole tool for engaging a downhole tubular includes a slip assembly. The slip assembly may include a slip body; a slip insert disposed in the slip body, the slip insert comprising a dissolvable metal alloy; and a plurality of gripping elements coupled to the slip insert, the gripping element configured to engage the downhole tubular.

Abstract: A ground drilling device comprising a housing, a lengthwise movable drilling head tip arranged in the housing, and a bearing for supporting the drilling head tip in the housing during its lengthwise movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting a plug in a borehole penetrating a subsurface formation includes a tool mandrel defining a chamber having a port and a power charge disposed in the chamber for emitting a pressurized gas upon ignition. The apparatus also includes an outer sleeve at least partially surrounding the tool mandrel and defining an annulus between the outer sleeve and the tool mandrel where the annulus is in communication with the port. The apparatus further includes a piston disposed in the annulus and having an outer surface facing uphole within the annulus, the piston being in mechanical communication with a setting sleeve of the plug, wherein displacement of the setting sleeve causes setting of a slip and a seal of the plug.

Abstract: A cementing tool has an outer housing defining a central flow passage and a plurality of housing flow ports through a wall thereof. An opening sleeve has first and second opening sleeve faces exposed to housing pressure. The first opening sleeve face has a greater surface area than the second opening sleeve face. The pressure differential created is such that the sleeve will move from a first position to a second position in which flow through the plurality of housing flow ports is permitted. The cementing tool has an opening seat defined on the opening sleeve. The opening sleeve may also be moved from the first to the second position as a result of the engagement of the opening plug with the opening seat and an application of pressure thereabove.

Abstract: A technique facilitates monitoring fluid phases of a multiphase flow during, for example, well fluid production operations. According to an embodiment, data may be obtained from devices, such as chokes and pressure sensors. This data is then processed to identify phases of the multiphase well fluid flow. The use of data from such well related devices effectively establishes a virtual multiphase flowmeter. However, the output from the virtual multiphase flowmeter may be calibrated periodically by taking measurements from an actual multiphase flowmeter. In some embodiments, the data from a plurality of flow meters having differing physical operating principles may be correlated in a manner to obtain additional parameters related to the multiphase well fluid flow.

Abstract: A method of estimating downhole fluid properties includes deploying a borehole string in a borehole in a resource bearing formation, simulating a downhole fluid property distribution along a length of the borehole string using a mathematical hydraulics model, the fluid property distribution related to downhole fluid pressure, measuring a downhole fluid property related to downhole fluid pressure at a selected location along the length of the borehole string to generate a measured fluid property value, and comparing the measured fluid property value to a simulated downhole fluid property at the selected location. The method also includes calculating a correction value based on a difference between the measured fluid property value and the simulated fluid property value at the selected location, correcting an entirety of the fluid property distribution along the length based on the correction value, and controlling a downhole operation based on the corrected fluid property distribution.

Abstract: A cutting assembly is provided for a rock excavation machine having a frame. The cutting assembly includes a boom, a cutting device, and a plurality of fluid actuators. The boom includes a base portion and a movable portion. The base portion is configured to be supported by the frame, and the movable portion is supported for sliding movement relative to the base portion in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base portion. The boom includes a wrist portion pivotably coupled to the movable portion at a pivot joint. The cutting device is supported on a distal end of the wrist portion. The fluid actuators are coupled between the base portion and the wrist portion. The fluid actuators are operable to move the movable portion and the wrist portion parallel to the longitudinal axis, and are also operable to bias the wrist portion against cutting loads exerted on the cutting device.

Abstract: A swivel includes a male segment, a female segment, and a lock pin. The male segment can mate with the female segment, and the lock pin can pass through the female segment and engage with the male segment to prevent relative axial movement of the male segment and the female segment while allowing relative rotational movement of the male segment and the female segment. The male segment includes a first conductive ring configured to couple to a first wire. The female segment includes a second conductive ring configured to couple to a second wire. Contact between the first and second conductive rings establishes an electrical connection between the first and second wires.

Abstract: A centralizer assembly replaces an existing centralizer of a wireline tool so the tool can be used with smaller casing, such as casing smaller than 6-in. The assembly includes first and second centralizer units that replace the existing centralizer on a mandrel. Each unit has a sleeve that fits in a recess of the mandrel, and each unit has slider blocks disposed together in the recess on opposing sides of a divider on the sleeve. Arms hingedly connected to the blocks on each unit connect together at a joint having a roller for engaging in the casing. On each unit, a common pin is disposed through the slider blocks, and biasing elements on the common pin bias the blocks toward one another with different amounts of bias.