Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid through a drill string extending into the wellbore from surface and rotating a drill bit of the drill string. The drill string further includes a circulation sub having a port closed during drilling. The drilling fluid exits the drill bit and carries cuttings from the drill bit. The drilling fluid and cuttings (returns) flow to the surface via an annulus formed between an outer surface of the tubular string and an inner surface of the wellbore. The method further includes after drilling at least a portion of the wellbore: halting drilling; sending a wireless instruction signal from the surface to a downhole portion of the drill string by articulating the drill string, acoustic signal, or mud pulse, thereby opening the port; and injecting drilling fluid through the drill string and into the annulus via the open port.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for running tubulars into and out of a wellbore. A tubular handling system having a tubular gripping apparatus having a gripping mechanism and a sensor adapted to track movement of the gripping mechanism, wherein the sensor sends a signal to a controller when the gripping apparatus is in a position that corresponds to the gripping apparatus being engaged with the tubular.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, and a connector at each longitudinal end thereof; and an arm. The arm is pivotally connected to a first piston and rotationally coupled to the body, is disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and is movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the arm extends outward past an outer surface of the body. The tool further includes the first piston. The first piston is disposed in the body bore, has a bore therethrough, and is operable to move the arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening. The tool further includes a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and a second piston operably coupled to the lock.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a casing bit drive assembly may be used with a casing drilling system. The casing bit drive assembly may include one or more of the following: a retrievable drilling motor; a decoupled casing sub; a releasable coupling between the motor and casing bit; a releasable coupling between the motor and casing; a cement diverter; and a casing bit.

Abstract: An earth removal member for drilling a wellbore with casing or liner includes a tubular body and a head. The head is fastened to or formed with an end of the body, has a face and a side, is made from a high strength material, and has a port formed through the face. The earth removal member further includes a blade. The blade is formed on the head, extends from the side and along the face, and is made from the high strength material. The earth removal member further includes cutters disposed along the blade; and a nozzle adapter. The nozzle adapter has a port formed therethrough, is longitudinally and rotationally coupled to the head, and is made from a drillable material. The earth removal member further includes a nozzle disposed in the adapter port and fastened to the nozzle adapter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to place a conductor pipe and a casing in a subsea environment. In one embodiment, a conductor pipe is jetted or drilled into the subsea floor. Thereafter, a casing drilling assembly comprising a drill casing and a drilling assembly is connected to the drill pipe using a crossover. The drilling assembly urged into the seafloor until a casing latch on the drilling assembly is engaged with a casing profile of the conductor pipe. During drilling, instrumentation in the drilling assembly may be used to measure geophysical data. The measured data may be used to optimize the drilling process. After the drill casing is engaged with the conductor pipe, cementing may be performed to set the drill casing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming a wellbore includes running a liner drilling assembly into the wellbore, the liner drilling assembly having a liner, a conveying member, one or more connection members, and a drilling member. The method includes temporarily suspending the liner at a location below the rig floor; releasing the conveying member and the drilling member from the liner; re-connecting the conveying member to the liner; releasing the liner from its location of temporary suspension; and advancing the liner drilling assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for drilling with casing. In an embodiment, methods and apparatus for deflecting casing using a diverter apparatus are disclosed. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a motor operating system disposed in a motor system housing, a shaft operatively connected to the motor operating system, the shaft having a passageway, and a divert assembly disposed to direct fluid flow selectively to the motor operating system and the passageway in the shaft. In another aspect, methods and apparatus for directionally drilling a casing into the formation are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for measuring the trajectory of a wellbore while directionally drilling a casing into the formation are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates methods and apparatus for lining a wellbore. In one aspect, a drilling assembly having an earth removal member and a wellbore lining conduit is manipulated to advance into the earth. The drilling assembly includes a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Fluid is flowed through the first fluid flow path, and at least a portion of which may return through the second fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is provided with a third fluid flow path. After drilling has been completed, wellbore lining conduit may be cemented in the wellbore.

Abstract: An earth removal member for drilling a wellbore with casing or liner includes a tubular body and a head. The head is fastened to or formed with an end of the body, has a face and a side, is made from a high strength material, and has a port formed through the face. The earth removal member further includes a blade. The blade is formed on the head, extends from the side and along the face, and is made from the high strength material. The earth removal member further includes cutters disposed along the blade; and a nozzle adapter. The nozzle adapter has a port formed therethrough, is longitudinally and rotationally coupled to the head, and is made from a drillable material. The earth removal member further includes a nozzle disposed in the adapter port and fastened to the nozzle adapter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for drilling with casing. In an embodiment, methods and apparatus for deflecting casing using a diverter apparatus are disclosed. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a motor operating system disposed in a motor system housing, a shaft operatively connected to the motor operating system, the shaft having a passageway, and a divert assembly disposed to direct fluid flow selectively to the motor operating system and the passageway in the shaft. In another aspect, methods and apparatus for directionally drilling a casing into the formation are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for measuring the trajectory of a wellbore while directionally drilling a casing into the formation are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to place a conductor pipe and a casing in a subsea environment. In one embodiment, a conductor pipe is jetted or drilled into the subsea floor. Thereafter, a casing drilling assembly comprising a drill casing and a drilling assembly is connected to the drill pipe using a crossover. The drilling assembly urged into the seafloor until a casing latch on the drilling assembly is engaged with a casing profile of the conductor pipe. During drilling, instrumentation in the drilling assembly may be used to measure geophysical data. The measured data may be used to optimize the drilling process. After the drill casing is engaged with the conductor pipe, cementing may be performed to set the drill casing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an earth removal member with features for facilitating drill-through. In one embodiment, an earth removal member for drilling a wellbore with casing or liner includes a tubular body and a head. The head is fastened to or formed with an end of the body, has a face and a side, is made from a high strength material, and has a port formed through the face. The earth removal member further includes a blade. The blade is formed on the head, extends from the side and along the face, and is made from the high strength material. The earth removal member further includes cutters disposed along the blade; and a nozzle adapter. The nozzle adapter has a port formed therethrough, is longitudinally and rotationally coupled to the head, and is made from a drillable material. The earth removal member further includes a nozzle disposed in the adapter port and fastened to the nozzle adapter.

Abstract: The present invention relates methods and apparatus for lining a wellbore. In one aspect, a drilling assembly having an earth removal member and a wellbore lining conduit is manipulated to advance into the earth. The drilling assembly includes a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Fluid is flowed through the first fluid flow path, and at least a portion of which may return through the second fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is provided with a third fluid flow path. After drilling has been completed, wellbore lining conduit may be cemented in the wellbore.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for drilling with casing. In an embodiment, methods and apparatus for deflecting casing using a diverter apparatus are disclosed. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a motor operating system disposed in a motor system housing, a shaft operatively connected to the motor operating system, the shaft having a passageway, and a divert assembly disposed to direct fluid flow selectively to the motor operating system and the passageway in the shaft. In another aspect, methods and apparatus for directionally drilling a casing into the formation are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for measuring the trajectory of a wellbore while directionally drilling a casing into the formation are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for running tubulars into and out of a wellbore.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to place a conductor pipe and a casing in a subsea environment. In one embodiment, a conductor pipe is jetted or drilled into the subsea floor. Thereafter, a casing drilling assembly comprising a drill casing and a drilling assembly is connected to the drill pipe using a crossover. The drilling assembly urged into the seafloor until a casing latch on the drilling assembly is engaged with a casing profile of the conductor pipe. During drilling, instrumentation in the drilling assembly may be used to measure geophysical data. The measured data may be used to optimize the drilling process. After the drill casing is engaged with the conductor pipe, cementing may be performed to set the drill casing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an earth removal member with features for facilitating drill-through. In one embodiment, an earth removal member for drilling a wellbore with casing or liner includes a tubular body and a head. The head is fastened to or formed with an end of the body, has a face and a side, is made from a high strength material, and has a port formed through the face. The earth removal member further includes a blade. The blade is formed on the head, extends from the side and along the face, and is made from the high strength material. The earth removal member further includes cutters disposed along the blade; and a nozzle adapter. The nozzle adapter has a port formed therethrough, is longitudinally and rotationally coupled to the head, and is made from a drillable material. The earth removal member further includes a nozzle disposed in the adapter port and fastened to the nozzle adapter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for running tubulars into and out of a wellbore. A gripping apparatus is activated with an actuator having a primary actuator and a redundant safety feature. The redundant safety feature may include one or more redundant fluid operated pistons. The gripping apparatus may include an integrated safety system adapted to prevent damage to the tubulars while making and breaking out connections between the tubulars and the tubular string.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for drilling with casing. In an embodiment, methods and apparatus for deflecting casing using a diverter apparatus are disclosed. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a motor operating system disposed in a motor system housing, a shaft operatively connected to the motor operating system, the shaft having a passageway, and a divert assembly disposed to direct fluid flow selectively to the motor operating system and the passageway in the shaft. In another aspect, methods and apparatus for directionally drilling a casing into the formation are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for measuring the trajectory of a wellbore while directionally drilling a casing into the formation are also described.