Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling drilling operations including Sliding With Indexing For Toolface (SWIFT) and Variable Weight Drilling (VWD) techniques. The methods and systems may include systems and devices for controlling the drilling operations, including systems and devices capable of automatically determining drilling parameters and setting operating parameters for drilling in a wellbore. The systems and methods may also determine a change in weight on bit and/or toolface, determine a timeframe for a weight on bit to be delivered to the bit, and/or determine a spindle change to modify the toolface. The systems and methods may also send control signals to apply the spindle change and/or block velocity change to correct any detected or anticipated toolface error.

Abstract: Described is a system for connecting a lifting device to a load to be lifted. The system includes a first connector member and a second connector member. The first connector member includes at least one pin. The second connector member includes an indexer mechanism defining a track that includes at least one track opening. At least a portion of the second connector is receivable in at least a portion of the first connector. At least a portion of the at least one pin is receivable in the track via the at least one track opening. The first connector member is reversibly coupleable to the second connector member via the pin and the indexer mechanism in response to a first series of longitudinal movements of the first or second connector members.

Abstract: Systems and methods of surface steering control of drilling may be used together with systems and methods for planning one or more wells before drilling, planning a well path during drilling and/or updating that well plan and/or other well plans during the drilling of a well. The methods and systems may include planning a field, comprising a plurality of wells to be drilled and/or a plurality of pads from which a plurality of wells are to be drilled, planning a pad from which a plurality of wells are to be drilled, and planning a well both before and during drilling of the well.

Abstract: A drogue capable of being inserted into a water pipe and comprising a flexible bar in which are a pressure sensor, a battery pack, an electronics assembly and a magnetometer. The bar is surrounded by a bladder with an inlet valve at the front and an outlet valve at the rear. The drogue is attached to a suitable cable so that electrical signals can be conveyed to a computer to enable leaks within the water pipe to be identified and the position of the drogue identified. Also presented is a corresponding method which derives signals relating to volumetric flow for a series of locations in a conduit, in order to detect leakage and determine locations of such leakage, by measuring flow effects around a (moveable) large body and also measuring flow effects around a (moveable) small body at each location (the two bodies capable of being moved together thru the conduit at a set distance apart).

Abstract: A magnetic observatory device is deployed at a fixed location such as the sea bed to provide data measuring variations in the local earth magnetic field. This data is used to correct information from magnetic direction sensors, for example in a measurement-while-drilling system of a drill string. Also described is a reference apparatus for initial calibration of the device or for marine magnetic mapping purposes.