Abstract: A method can include increasing a pressure differential from an interior to an exterior of a packer, thereby deactivating a lock that prevents setting of the packer, and applying a compressive load to a tubular string, thereby setting the packer. A packer can include an annular seal that extends radially outward in response to a compressive load applied to opposite ends of the packer, and a lock that prevents relative longitudinal displacement between sections of the packer, the lock including a radially displaceable piston. In another packer, an inner mandrel can have circumferentially spaced apart engagement structures that are engageable with other circumferentially spaced apart engagement structures, displacement of one packer section relative to another packer section in a longitudinal direction being prevented when the engagement structures are engaged, and such displacement being permitted when the engagement structures are rotationally misaligned.

Abstract: A method can include increasing a pressure differential from an interior to an exterior of a packer, thereby deactivating a lock that prevents setting of the packer, and applying a compressive load to a tubular string, thereby setting the packer. A packer can include an annular seal that extends radially outward in response to a compressive load applied to opposite ends of the packer, and a lock that prevents relative longitudinal displacement between sections of the packer, the lock including a radially displaceable piston. In another packer, an inner mandrel can have circumferentially spaced apart engagement structures that are engageable with other circumferentially spaced apart engagement structures, displacement of one packer section relative to another packer section in a longitudinal direction being prevented when the engagement structures are engaged, and such displacement being permitted when the engagement structures are rotationally misaligned.

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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to emulsion compositions for starting a reformer of a fuel cell system. In particular, the invention includes oil-in-water-in-oil (O/W/O) emulsion compositions comprising hydrocarbon fuel, water, alkoxylated alkyl alcohol, alkoxylated alkyl ester and alkyl polyglycerol surfactants for starting a reformer of a fuel cell system.

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: An apparatus for use in a wellbore. The apparatus includes a body and a blade assembly. The blade assembly is movable between a collapsed position whereby the expandable apparatus has a smaller outer diameter and an expanded position whereby the expandable apparatus has a larger outer diameter. The apparatus further includes a pressure activated member for selectively allowing the blade assembly to move from the closed position to the open position. A method for using the apparatus, wherein a drill string with an expandable bit at the end thereof is lowered into the wellbore. Thereafter, the pressure activated member is activated to allow the cutting members to move from the collapsed position to the expanded position. Subsequently, the expandable bit is rotated to form a portion of the wellbore. Next, the expandable bit is deactivated and the cutting members are moved from the expanded position to the collapsed position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a top drive system for drilling with casing is provided with an access tool to retrieve a downhole tool. The top drive system for drilling with casing comprises a top drive; a top drive adapter for gripping the casing, the top drive adapter operatively coupled to the top drive; and an access tool coupled to the top drive and adapted for accessing a fluid passage of the top drive system. In another embodiment, a method for retrieving a downhole tool through a tubular coupled to a top drive adapter of a top drive system is provided. The method comprises coupling an access tool to the top drive system, the access tool adapted to provide access to a fluid path in the top drive system and inserting a conveying member into the fluid path through the access tool.

Abstract: A drilling assembly and an eccentric, adjustable diameter reamer are disclosed. The reamer includes cutter elements mounted on at least a first fixed blade for reaming a previously-formed borehole or for forming a borehole of increased diameter beneath an existing cased borehole. The method and apparatus provide for stabilizing the drilling assembly so that the reamer may be used in back reaming the hole. Retainer means, such as shear pins or spring-biased reciprocating latch members, are provided to prevent premature extension of the reamer's moveable members, including blades and pistons. The shear pins are preferably accessible from the outer surface of the reamer housing so as to expedite field replacement of the shear pins without requiring disassembly of the reamer. The spring-biased latching members repeatedly latch and unlatch so that field replacement is not required, and so that the movable members may be extended and contracted multiple times while the reamer is downhole.

Abstract: The drilling system includes a work string supporting a bottom hole assembly. The work string including lengths of pipe having a non-metallic portion. The work string preferably includes a composite coiled tubing having a fluid impermeable liner, multiple load carrying layers, and a wear layer. Multiple electrical conductors and data transmission conductors may be embedded in the load carrying layers for carrying current or transmitting data between the bottom hole assembly and the surface. The bottom hole assembly includes a bit, a gamma ray and inclinometer instrument package, a steerable assembly, an electronics section, a transmission, and a power section for rotating the bit. It may or may not include a propulsion system. The drilling system may be a gravity based drilling system that does include a propulsion system. Various motive means may be provided, such as gravity, to apply weight on the bit.

Abstract: A steering assembly includes upper and lower tubular housings connected by a universal joint. An angle cam is disposed on the end of the lower housing and projects into the upper housing. A plurality of wedge members extend axially from the upper housing and into engagement with the angle cam. Drive trains are connected to the wedge members to move the wedge members toward and away from the angle cam so as to pivot the lower housing at the universal joint and change the angle and azimuth of the lower housing with respect to the upper housing. The lower housing is connected to a bearing pack supporting a drill bit such that upon changing the angle and azimuth of the lower housing, the direction of the drilling of the drill bit is also changed. The steering assembly being connected to composite tubing having conductors in the wall thereof for conducting data and commands between the steering assembly and a processor at the surface and for providing power to the steering assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for reducing drilling vibration during drilling with casing. In one embodiment, an apparatus for reducing vibration of a rotating casing includes a tubular body disposed concentrically around the casing, wherein tubular body is movable relative to the casing. Preferably, a portion of the tubular body comprises a friction reducing material. In operation, the tubular body comes into contact with the existing casing or the wellbore instead of the rotating casing. Because the tubular body is freely movable relative to the rotating casing, the rotating casing may continuously rotate even though the tubular body is frictionally in contact with the existing casing.

Abstract: A preferred novel circulating sub includes an electric motor, hydraulic intensifier, connecting rod, valve sleeve, valve plug, and angled nozzles. Upon activation of the circulating sub the electric motor drives the valve sleeve over the valve plug, causing a flow of drilling fluid to exit the angled nozzles. Upon deactivation of the circulating sub, the electric motor removes the valve sleeve from the valve plug, allowing the flow of drilling fluid to once again flow to the drill bit. Because the electric motor is reversible, the circulating sub can be repeatedly activated and deactivated.

Abstract: A preferred novel circulating sub includes an electric motor, hydraulic intensifier, connecting rod, valve sleeve, valve plug, and angled nozzles. Upon activation of the circulating sub the electric motor drives the valve sleeve over the valve plug, causing a flow of drilling fluid to exit the angled nozzles. Upon deactivation of the circulating sub, the electric motor removes the valve sleeve from the valve plug, allowing the flow of drilling fluid to once again flow to the drill bit. Because the electric motor is reversible, the circulating sub can be repeatedly activated and deactivated.

Abstract: A preferred novel circulating sub includes an electric motor, hydraulic intensifier, connecting rod, valve sleeve, valve plug, and angled nozzles. Upon activation of the circulating sub the electric motor drives the valve sleeve over the valve plug, causing a flow of drilling fluid to exit the angled nozzles. Upon deactivation of the circulating sub, the electric motor removes the valve sleeve from the valve plug, allowing the flow of drilling fluid to once again flow to the drill bit. Because the electric motor is reversible, the circulating sub can be repeatedly activated and deactivated.

Abstract: The bottom hole assembly of the present invention includes a drill bit driven by a positive displacement drilling motor, the motor being constructed of tubular housings, one of said housings having a bend so as to cause the bit to drill directionally, another housing containing a rotor and stator to generate power, and a flexible section between the power generation housing and the bend. A stabilizer is disposed on one end of the flexible section for engaging the wall of the borehole and the housing with the bend includes a wear pad for engaging the lower side of the borehole. The bottom hole assembly contacts the borehole at three contact points, namely at the stabilizer, the wear pad, and the drill bit, for producing the necessary build-up rate, along with the bend, and thus the curvature of the borehole being drilled.