Abstract: A drill bit having a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the drill bit is disclosed. A plane including the longitudinal axis of the drill bit bisects the drill bit and divides the drill bit into first and second sides. The drill bit has a shank defining an interior space and a crown coupled to the shank. The crown has a circumferential outer surface, a cutting face, and at least one bore that extends through the crown from the interior space of the shank to the cutting face. Each bore has an outlet defined by the cutting face. The cutting face defines a face channel that extends to the circumferential outer surface of the crown. The face channel has an outlet where the face channel meets the circumferential outer surface of the crown. The longitudinal axis intersects the face channel. The majority of the perimeter of the outlet of each bore is positioned on the first side of the drill bit. The outlet of the face channel is on the second side of the drill bit.

Abstract: A core barrel head assembly having a longitudinal axis can comprise an elongate tube body having an outer surface, an interior cavity, a proximal end, and a distal end. The elongate tube body can define a helical groove that extends from the interior cavity to the outer surface of the elongate tube body. The helical groove can be configured to allow the elongate tube body to elastically extend and compress. The elongate tube body can define at least one aperture that extends between the interior cavity and the outer surface. The core barrel head assembly can further comprise a valve body that is attached to the elongate tube body and is movable with respect to the proximal end of the elongate tube along the longitudinal axis, as the elongate tube body compresses. When sufficiently compressed, the valve body restricts flow through the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A system can comprise a drill string sub that is configured to couple to a drill rod of a drill string, wherein the drill string sub defines a shoulder and at least one through hole. A plug assembly can be receivable with a bore of the drill. The plug assembly can be releasably coupled to the drill string sub. When decoupled from the drill string, the plug assembly can be configured to be pumped into the drill string. The plug assembly can comprise a distal subassembly that defines a receiver that is configured engage a reverse circulation overshot. A proximal subassembly can be coupled to the distal subassembly. The proximal subassembly can comprise a brake apparatus that is configured to inhibit proximal movement of the plug assembly.

Abstract: A reverse-circulation drilling assembly having an overshot subassembly and a head subassembly. In the event retrieval of the drilling assembly by reverse-circulation fails, the drilling assembly can be retrieved using a secondary overshot.

Abstract: An overshot assembly for operative coupling to a wireline and a head assembly within a drilling system. The overshot assembly has a proximal body portion, a distal body portion, and a spindle received within the distal body portion. The distal body portion is moveable axially relative to the spindle to effect movement of a latching assembly about and between a deployed position in which the latching assembly extends radially outwardly from the distal body portion and a retracted position in which the latching assembly is received within the distal body portion.

Abstract: Infiltrated diamond bodies for use in gripping drill rods and other tubulars. One example of such an infiltrated diamond body is a cast diamond roller having a plurality of pads that are separated by channels. Another example of such an infiltrated diamond body is a cast wrench jaw having at least one raised jaw pad.

Abstract: A reverse-circulation drilling assembly having an overshot subassembly and a head subassembly. In the event retrieval of the drilling assembly by reverse-circulation fails, the drilling assembly can be retrieved using a secondary overshot.

Abstract: A reverse-circulation drilling assembly having an overshot subassembly and a head subassembly. In the event retrieval of the drilling assembly by reverse-circulation fails, the drilling assembly can be retrieved using a secondary overshot.

Abstract: An overshot assembly for operative coupling to a wireline and a head assembly within a drilling system. The overshot assembly has a proximal body portion, a distal body portion, and a spindle received within the distal body portion. The distal body portion is moveable axially relative to the spindle to effect movement of a latching assembly about and between a deployed position in which the latching assembly extends radially outwardly from the distal body portion and a retracted position in which the latching assembly is received within the distal body portion.

Abstract: A cable release system for permitting detachment of a drilling cable from a drill string. The cable release system has a swivel body, a bearing assembly, one or more locking elements, and a release sleeve assembly. The swivel body is coupled to a drilling cable. The bearing assembly has a receptacle body that receives a portion of the swivel body and defines openings that receive a portion of corresponding locking elements. The bearing assembly has an outer sleeve that circumferentially surrounds the receptacle body and has a variable inner diameter such that axial movement of outer sleeve controls the radial position of the locking elements relative to the swivel body. The release sleeve assembly can be moved in a distal direction to engage the outer sleeve of the bearing assembly to move the outer sleeve to an axial position in which the swivel body and drilling cable are detachable from the remainder of the drill string.

Abstract: Infiltrated diamond bodies for use in gripping drill rods and other tubulars. One example of such an infiltrated diamond body is a cast diamond roller having a plurality of pads that are separated by channels. Another example of such an infiltrated diamond body is a cast wrench jaw having at least one raised jaw pad.

Abstract: Implementations described herein include a hoisting device and method for handling, coupling and recovery of tubular members such as drill string components. The hoisting device has a self-energizing gripping means configured to releasably engage a drill string component. In one aspect, the self-energizing gripping means can be operable to increase at least one of a radial biasing force and a contact friction force applied to a drill string component, causing the gripping means to increase the overall gripping force applied to the component with minimal effort exerted by a hoisting device operator.

Abstract: An overshot assembly for operative coupling to a wireline and a head assembly within a drilling system. The overshot assembly has a proximal body portion, a distal body portion, and a spindle received within the distal body portion. The distal body portion is moveable axially relative to the spindle to effect movement of a latching assembly about and between a deployed position in which the latching assembly extends radially outwardly from the distal body portion and a retracted position in which the latching assembly is received within the distal body portion.

Abstract: A reverse-circulation drilling assembly having an overshot subassembly and a head subassembly. In the event retrieval of the drilling assembly by reverse-circulation fails, the drilling assembly can be retrieved using a secondary overshot.

Abstract: A cable release system for permitting detachment of a drilling cable from a drill string. The cable release system has a swivel body, a bearing assembly, one or more locking elements, and a release sleeve assembly. The swivel body is coupled to a drilling cable. The bearing assembly has a receptacle body that receives a portion of the swivel body and defines openings that receive a portion of corresponding locking elements. The bearing assembly has an outer sleeve that circumferentially surrounds the receptacle body and has a variable inner diameter such that axial movement of outer sleeve controls the radial position of the locking elements relative to the swivel body. The release sleeve assembly can be moved in a distal direction to engage the outer sleeve of the bearing assembly to move the outer sleeve to an axial position in which the swivel body and drilling cable are detachable from the remainder of the drill string.

Abstract: Implementations described herein include a hoisting device and method for handling, coupling and recovery of tubular members such as drill string components. The hoisting device has a self-energizing gripping means configured to releasably engage a drill string component. In one aspect, the self-energizing gripping means can be operable to increase at least one of a radial biasing force and a contact friction force applied to a drill string component, causing the gripping means to increase the overall gripping force applied to the component with minimal effort exerted by a hoisting device operator.

Abstract: A cable release system for permitting detachment of a drilling cable from a drill string. The cable release system has a swivel body, a bearing assembly, one or more locking elements, and a release sleeve assembly. The swivel body is coupled to a drilling cable. The bearing assembly has a receptacle body that receives a portion of the swivel body and defines openings that receive a portion of corresponding locking elements. The bearing assembly has an outer sleeve that circumferentially surrounds the receptacle body and has a variable inner diameter such that axial movement of outer sleeve controls the radial position of the locking elements relative to the swivel body. The release sleeve assembly can be moved in a distal direction to engage the outer sleeve of the bearing assembly to move the outer sleeve to an axial position in which the swivel body and drilling cable are detachable from the remainder of the drill string.

Abstract: Implementations described herein include a hoisting device and method for handling, coupling and recovery of tubular members such as drill string components. The hoisting device has a self-energizing gripping means configured to releasably engage a drill string component. In one aspect, the self-energizing gripping means can be operable to increase at least one of a radial biasing force and a contact friction force applied to a drill string component, causing the gripping means to increase the overall gripping force applied to the component with minimal effort exerted by a hoisting device operator.

Abstract: A cable release system for permitting detachment of a drilling cable from a drill string. The cable release system has a swivel body, a bearing assembly, one or more locking elements, and a release sleeve assembly. The swivel body is coupled to a drilling cable. The bearing assembly has a receptacle body that receives a portion of the swivel body and defines openings that receive a portion of corresponding locking elements. The bearing assembly has an outer sleeve that circumferentially surrounds the receptacle body and has a variable inner diameter such that axial movement of outer sleeve controls the radial position of the locking elements relative to the swivel body. The release sleeve assembly can be moved in a distal direction to engage the outer sleeve of the bearing assembly to move the outer sleeve to an axial position in which the swivel body and drilling cable are detachable from the remainder of the drill string.

Abstract: Implementations described herein include a hoisting device and method for handling, coupling and recovery of tubular members such as drill string components. The hoisting device has a self-energizing gripping means configued to releasably engage a drill string component. In one aspect, the self-energizing gripping means can be operable to increase at least one of a radial biasing force and a contact friction force applied to a drill string component, causing the gripping means to increase the overall gripping force applied to the component with minimal effort exerted by a hoisting device operator.