Abstract: Automated control of a drillstring in a borehole, which is not in continuous rotation, the drillstring comprising an angled component (a bent sub or the like) and a downhole means of rotating the bit, such as a motor or turbine, which rotates the bit independently of drillstring rotation. Near the distal end of the drillstring are measurement devices, at least one and in some aspects two or more, which are used to measure the orientation of the drillstring/bent sub/bottomhole assembly/drill bit with respect to a geophysical field of the earth, such as magnetism (magnetic toolface) or gravity (gravitational toolface). These measurement devices may be connected to a communications module which transmits the downhole toolface information to the surface. The drillstring is controlled to provide that based upon the downhole measurements the drilling system drills the borehole in a desired trajectory.

Abstract: A drillstring comprising a length of drillpipes and a bottomhole assembly disposed at a downhole end of the length of drillpipes. The bottomhole assembly comprises a transition section proximal to the end of the length of drillpipes to reduce vibration of the bottomhole assembly during drilling. The transition section varies gradually in acoustic impedance between the acoustic impedance of the drillstring above the transition section and the acoustic impedance of the bottomhole assembly below the transition section. The transition section forms at least thirty percent (30%) of the total length of the bottomhole assembly.

Abstract: Optimizing the operation of a hydraulically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth is described. Drilling optimization is provided measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, determining from the relationships a first more optimal mode of operation, and changing at least one operating parameter to move the operation of the rotor and stator towards the more optimal mode of operation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of optimizing the rate of penetration of a hydraulically or pneumatically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth, the method comprising: (a) measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the weight applied to the drill bit, the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, (b) generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, (c) determining the rate of penetration for the first period of time from measurements of weight applied to the bit and rotation speed of the bit, (d) determining whether any other combination of weight applied to bit and rotation speed of bit, provided by the relationships determined in step (b) are capable of providing a greater rate of penetration, and (e) adjusting at least one operating parameter to move the weight applied t

Abstract: A seismic vibrator receives a pilot signal having a predetermined waveform. The pilot signal causes vibrational actuation of at least one moveable element of the seismic vibrator. A continuous seismic signal having content in a first frequency bandwidth of multiple frequencies is generated by the seismic vibrator.

Abstract: The invention relates to downhole motors for rotating drill bits. The downhole motors may comprise stators, turbines or the like. The drilling motor may comprise a drilling apparatus comprising a drill bit connected to a rotor rotatably housed within a stator (or a turbine rotor in a housing), the rotor comprising at least one magnetic field source or magnetic field detector, and the stator comprising at least one magnetic field source if the rotor comprises a magnetic field detector or comprising at least one magnetic field detector if the rotor comprises a magnetic field source, thereby allowing the rotation speed of the rotor relative to the stator to be measured.

Abstract: Injection of gas into a managed pressure drilling system to provide for operation of the drilling system in a downhole pressure window defined by the pore pressure of a formation being drilled and a fracture pressure of the formation. Gas injection being controlled so as to produce the desired downhole pressure without causing large oscillations in borehole pressure.

Abstract: A drillstring comprising a length of drillpipes and a bottomhole assembly disposed at a downhole end of the length of drillpipes. The bottomhole assembly comprises a transition section proximal to the end of the length of drillpipes to reduce vibration of the bottomhole assembly during drilling. The transition section varies gradually in acoustic impedance between the acoustic impedance of the drillstring above the transition section and the acoustic impedance of the bottomhole assembly below the transition section. The transition section forms at least thirty percent (30%) of the total length of the bottomhole assembly.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for drilling a wellbore including a rotary drill bit with a bit body having a plurality of mechanical cutters to cut away formation material as the wellbore is formed; and a directed energy mechanism to direct energy into the formation such that energy from the directed energy mechanism causes fracturing of surrounding material to facilitate drilling in the direction of the directed energy. The energy from the directed energy mechanism is used to enhance the cutting of the mechanical cutters by fracturing surrounding material to facilitate drilling in the direction of the directed energy.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes simultaneous drive signals whose respective phase angle offset(s) varies over a portion or duration of the simultaneous sweeps. Other embodiments are discussed herein.

Abstract: Resuming communication along a wellbore after a drilling stand or other occurrence that reduces the flow rate of the drilling fluid into a borehole being drilled in a drilling procedure or causes perturbations in the pressure of the drilling fluid in the borehole by measuring a first flow rate of drilling fluid being pumped into the drillstring during the drilling procedure before adding a section of drill pipe to the drillstring or before the pressure perturbation and increasing the flow rate of the drilling fluid being pumped into the drillstring above the first flow rate after the section of drill pipe has been added to the drillstring or the pressure perturbation has occurred.

Abstract: A downhole tool for drilling a sidetracked borehole. The downhole tool includes a body having an axial bore formed at least partially therethrough. At least one magnetometer is within the body. The magnetometer is configured to measure a magnetic field. A processor may be in communication with the at least one magnetometer. The processor may be configured to receive measurements from the at least one magnetometer, determine an orientation of the downhole tool based upon the received measurements, and selectively maintain the orientation of the downhole tool or change the orientation of the downhole tool based upon the determined orientation.

Abstract: Injection of gas into a managed pressure drilling system to provide for operation of the drilling system in a downhole pressure window defined by the pore pressure of a formation being drilled and a fracture pressure of the formation. Gas injection being controlled so as to produce the desired downhole pressure without causing large oscillations in borehole pressure.

Abstract: Optimising the operation of a hydraulically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth is described. Drilling optimization is provided measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, determining from the relationships a first more optimal mode of operation, and changing at least one operating parameter to move the operation of the rotor and stator towards the more optimal mode of operation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of optimising the rate of penetration of a hydraulically or pneumatically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth, the method comprising: (a) measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the weight applied to the drill bit, the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, (b) generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, (c) determining the rate of penetration for the first period of time from measurements of weight applied to the bit and rotation speed of the bit, (d) determining whether any other combination of weight applied to bit and rotation speed of bit, provided by the relationships determined in step (b) are capable of providing a greater rate of penetration, and (e) adjusting at least one operating parameter to move the weight applied t

Abstract: The invention relates to downhole motors for rotating drill bits. The downhole motors may comprise stators, turbines or the like. The drilling motor may comprise a drilling apparatus comprising a drill bit connected to a rotor rotatably housed within a stator (or a turbine rotor in a housing), the rotor comprising at least one magnetic field source or magnetic field detector, and the stator comprising at least one magnetic field source if the rotor comprises a magnetic field detector or comprising at least one magnetic field detector if the rotor comprises a magnetic field source, thereby allowing the rotation speed of the rotor relative to the stator to be measured.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for drilling a wellbore using a rotary drill bit with a bit body having a plurality of mechanical cutters to cut away formation material as the wellbore is formed; and a directed energy mechanism to direct energy into the formation. The energy from the directed energy mechanism is used to enhance the cutting of the mechanical cutters by fracturing surrounding material to facilitate drilling in the direction of the directed energy.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes deploying at least one sensing device in the well and during a leak off test, communicating a signal that is indicative of a measurement that is acquired by the sensing device(s) over a wired infrastructure of a drill string. The technique includes controlling the leak off test based at least in part on the communication.

Abstract: A method to control borehole fluid flow includes detecting a drilling condition and operating at least one valve in the drill string to place an exterior of the drill string in fluid communication with an interior of the drill string in response to detecting the drilling condition.

Abstract: The present invention recites a method, system and apparatus, wherein said method, system and apparatus comprises a gauge pad for a rotary component received within a borehole, the gauge pad comprising an exterior surface dimensioned for rotation in close proximity to the borehole, a pocket extending through the exterior surface, the pocket in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source, and wherein the exterior surface is dimensioned such that when a pressurized fluid is discharged through the pocket, the velocity of the fluid through a gap between the exterior surface and borehole creates a pressure drop sufficient to pull the rotary component toward the gauge pad.