Abstract: A rotational continuous circulation system and methods includes a circulation sub having an internal bore extending along a central axis. The circulation sub has an uphole body having a reduced outer diameter along a downhole length of the uphole body. A central valve selectively opens and closes the uphole internal bore. At least one check valve is located within a sidewall of the uphole body to selectively allow fluid to flow into the uphole internal bore through the at least one check valve. A downhole body has an uphole portion circumscribing a downhole portion of the uphole body. A sleeve assembly circumscribes the reduced outer diameter of the uphole body. The uphole body and the downhole body are configured to rotate about the central axis independently from the sleeve assembly. A side-entry port of the sleeve assembly provides a fluid flow path from an exterior of the sleeve assembly to the at least one check valve.

Abstract: A method of plugging a section of a wellbore wall includes sending a plug injection tool to a downhole location proximate the section of the wellbore wall, setting a first seal below the section of the wellbore wall using the plug injection tool, and setting a second seal above the section of the wellbore wall using the plug injection tool. A plugging material is pumped between the first and second seals and held there until it solidifies.

Abstract: A rotational continuous circulation system and methods includes a circulation sub having an internal bore extending along a central axis. The circulation sub has an uphole body having a reduced outer diameter along a downhole length of the uphole body. A central valve selectively opens and closes the uphole internal bore. At least one check valve is located within a sidewall of the uphole body to selectively allow fluid to flow into the uphole internal bore through the at least one check valve. A downhole body has an uphole portion circumscribing a downhole portion of the uphole body. A sleeve assembly circumscribes the reduced outer diameter of the uphole body. The uphole body and the downhole body are configured to rotate about the central axis independently from the sleeve assembly. A side-entry port of the sleeve assembly provides a fluid flow path from an exterior of the sleeve assembly to the at least one check valve.

Abstract: A system for deploying a fabric liner in a wellbore includes a free-to-fall sub and a shoe track. The free-to-fall sub includes a weighted compartment that is filled with a first fluid that increases the weight of the free-to-fall sub and at least one stabilizing wheel that centralizes the free-to-fall sub within the wellbore. The shoe track incudes a plurality of orifices that release a second fluid into the fabric liner. The fabric liner retains the second fluid between the shoe track and the fabric liner. The free-to-fall sub is rigidly fixed to a downhole end of the fabric liner such that the fabric liner supports the free-to-fall sub within the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of cementing a casing in a wellbore extending from an Earth's surface into a subsurface includes providing a tube having a bi-frustoconical shape. The bi-frustoconical shape is defined by an upper tube part having an inverted frustoconical shape, a lower tube part having a frustoconical shape, and a waist intermediate between the upper tube part and the lower tube part. The tube is positioned in an annulus formed between the casing and a wall of the wellbore from a surface opening of the annulus. The tube is urged in a direction down the annulus and along the casing until the tube lands on a collar radially projecting from an outer surface of the casing into the annulus.

Abstract: A downhole drilling motor assembly includes a first motor, a second motor aligned coaxially with the first motor, and a clutch assembly aligned coaxially with the first and second motors. The clutch assembly independently and selectively actuates each of the first and second motors to rotationally drive a drill bit. A related method includes: mounting a drill bit at a distal end of a drill string at a well site; and providing a downhole drilling motor assembly which rotationally drives the drill bit. The clutch assembly is controlled to independently and selectively actuate the first and second motors, and the drill bit is rotationally driven via the independent and selective actuation of the first and second motors.

Abstract: A method of deploying a flexible cable in a wellbore includes carrying, by a tubular assembly, a cable spool cartridge into the wellbore. The cable spool cartridge is attached to an exterior of the tubular assembly and contains the flexible cable. A first end of the flexible cable is attached to a buoyancy device, and the buoyancy device is releasably attached to the cable spool cartridge. A fluid is flowed by the tubular assembly in a downhole direction through an interior of the tubular assembly and in an uphole direction within an annulus at least partially defined by the exterior of the tubular assembly. The fluid has a greater density than the buoyancy device. The buoyancy device is released by the cable spool cartridge, and the buoyancy device is configured to travel after release in the uphole direction with the fluid and thereby pull the flexible cable from the cable spool cartridge and into the annulus.

Abstract: A rotational power slips system includes a static base comprising at least one circular opening; a rotating ring disposed within the static base and including a circular outer surface interfacing with the static base; at least one slips wedge disposed within the rotating ring and including a radially inner grip surface for gripping at least one component of a drilling string; and at least one wedge actuator disposed on the rotating ring and rotatably coupled to both the rotating ring and the slips wedge, thereby causing the slips wedge to move while the component of a drilling string is rotating.

Abstract: A method of deploying a flexible cable in a wellbore includes carrying, by a tubular assembly, a cable spool cartridge into the wellbore. The cable spool cartridge is attached to an exterior of the tubular assembly and contains the flexible cable. A first end of the flexible cable is attached to a buoyancy device, and the buoyancy device is releasably attached to the cable spool cartridge. A fluid is flowed by the tubular assembly in a downhole direction through an interior of the tubular assembly and in an uphole direction within an annulus at least partially defined by the exterior of the tubular assembly. The fluid has a greater density than the buoyancy device. The buoyancy device is released by the cable spool cartridge, and the buoyancy device is configured to travel after release in the uphole direction with the fluid and thereby pull the flexible cable from the cable spool cartridge and into the annulus.

Abstract: A differential iron roughneck for making or breaking a pipe connection includes: at least one first gripping cylinder for delivering torque to a first pipe; at least one second gripping cylinder for delivering and receiving torque to and from a second pipe; and a differential gearbox including: a primary shaft delivering torque to the at least one first gripping cylinder; and a secondary shaft receiving torque from the at least one second gripping cylinder, where the primary shaft and the secondary shaft rotate at different speeds.

Abstract: Provided is a system for emplacing an electrically activated lost circulation material within a wellbore. The system may comprise a bottom hole assembly connected to a drill string, with an activation tool that may be provided along the bottom hole assembly. The system may comprise an activation tool with a non-conductive isolation sleeve having an inner bore, electrodes exposed to an outer surface of the isolation sleeve, conductive cables electrically connecting the electrodes to one of an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, and a seat extending into the inner bore. Further provided is a method for plugging a loss zone in a wellbore that may use at least one activation tool. The method may include circulating an electrically activated lost circulation material to the loss zone and delivering electricity from a power source to electrodes of the activation tool to solidify the electrically activated lost circulation material.

Abstract: Provided is a system for emplacing an electrically activated lost circulation material within a wellbore. The system may comprise a bottom hole assembly connected to a drill string, with an activation tool that may be provided along the bottom hole assembly. The system may comprise an activation tool with a non-conductive isolation sleeve having an inner bore, electrodes exposed to an outer surface of the isolation sleeve, conductive cables electrically connecting the electrodes to one of an anode terminal and a cathode terminal, and a seat extending into the inner bore. Further provided is a method for plugging a loss zone in a wellbore that may use at least one activation tool. The method may include circulating an electrically activated lost circulation material to the loss zone and delivering electricity from a power source to electrodes of the activation tool to solidify the electrically activated lost circulation material.

Abstract: A method of plugging a section of a wellbore wall includes sending a plug injection tool to a downhole location proximate the section of the wellbore wall, setting a first seal below the section of the wellbore wall using the plug injection tool, and setting a second seal above the section of the wellbore wall using the plug injection tool. A plugging material is pumped between the first and second seals and held there until it solidifies.

Abstract: A method of cementing a casing in a wellbore extending from an Earth's surface into a subsurface includes providing a tube having a bi-frustoconical shape. The bi-frustoconical shape is defined by an upper tube part having an inverted frustoconical shape, a lower tube part having a frustoconical shape, and a waist intermediate between the upper tube part and the lower tube part. The tube is positioned in an annulus formed between the casing and a wall of the wellbore from a surface opening of the annulus. The tube is urged in a direction down the annulus and along the casing until the tube lands on a collar radially projecting from an outer surface of the casing into the annulus.

Abstract: A rotational power slips system includes a static base comprising at least one circular opening; a rotating ring disposed within the static base and including a circular outer surface interfacing with the static base; at least one slips wedge disposed within the rotating ring and including a radially inner grip surface for gripping at least one component of a drilling string; and at least one wedge actuator disposed on the rotating ring and rotatably coupled to both the rotating ring and the slips wedge, thereby causing the slips wedge to move while the component of a drilling string is rotating.

Abstract: A differential iron roughneck for making or breaking a pipe connection includes: at least one first gripping cylinder for delivering torque to a first pipe; at least one second gripping cylinder for delivering and receiving torque to and from a second pipe; and a differential gearbox including: a primary shaft delivering torque to the at least one first gripping cylinder; and a secondary shaft receiving torque from the at least one second gripping cylinder, where the primary shaft and the secondary shaft rotate at different speeds.