Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for wet shoe applications in cementing tubing in a wellbore. A wet shoe tool has a seat and an insert in a flow bore of the tool. A first wiper plug is deployed down the tubing at least behind the cement and seats on the insert, which can then be moved in the flow bore to a bypass position allowing for fluid flow through the tool to produce a wet shoe track. A second plug is deployed down the tubing behind the second plug and seats on the seat in the flow bore of the tool. The seated second plug isolates applied pressure from passing downhole end of the tool so the integrity of the tubing can be tested. The second plug is self-removable (e.g., dissolvable) in the tool to reestablish fluid communication through the flow bore of the tool.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for wet shoe applications in cementing tubing in a wellbore. A wet shoe tool has a seat and an insert in a flow bore of the tool. A first wiper plug is deployed down the tubing at least behind the cement and seats on the insert, which can then be moved in the flow bore to a bypass position allowing for fluid flow through the tool to produce a wet shoe track. A second plug is deployed down the tubing behind the second plug and seats on the seat in the flow bore of the tool. The seated second plug isolates applied pressure from passing downhole end of the tool so the integrity of the tubing can be tested. The second plug is self-removable (e.g., dissolvable) in the tool to reestablish fluid communication through the flow bore of the tool.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a system for liner drilling in a wellbore that includes a drill bit, a mud motor, a reamer, a drill pipe work string including an expandable liner hanger running tool, and a thruster coupled to an expandable liner hanger and liner. A release pin may be provided in the expandable liner hanger running tool that can be sheared to de-couple the expandable liner hanger from the expandable liner hanger running tool allowing the drill pipe work string to be removed from the borehole while the liner remains in place. A latch coupling is also provided for coupling the expandable liner hanger running tool to the expandable liner hanger when the drill pipe work string is tripped back into the borehole so the liner drilling can be performed using the thruster until the thruster is at full stroke.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a system for liner drilling in a wellbore that includes a drill bit, a mud motor, a reamer, a drill pipe work string including an expandable liner hanger running tool, and a thruster coupled to an expandable liner hanger and liner. A release pin may be provided in the expandable liner hanger running tool that can be sheared to de-couple the expandable liner hanger from the expandable liner hanger running tool allowing the drill pipe work string to be removed from the borehole while the liner remains in place. A latch coupling is also provided for coupling the expandable liner hanger running tool to the expandable liner hanger when the drill pipe work string is tripped back into the borehole so the liner drilling can be performed using the thruster until the thruster is at full stroke.

Abstract: A safety joint that allows disconnection from a downhole section of a drill string without rotating the drill string. In an example class of embodiments, the innovative safety joint includes a sleeve with a j-slot that fits to a lug attached to the mandrel. A piston is attached to the sleeve. The safety joint is disconnected by first pulling up on the string to shear a set of shear pins, the upward movement also lifting the sleeve and piston. As the piston lifts, a passage through a part of the piston allows fluid to move from an upper chamber to a lower chamber. A valve prevents fluid from moving back up into the upper chamber, so that the lower chamber acts as a stop to prevent the piston and sleeve from lowering again. Downward pressure on the drill string forces a lug against the j-slot, causing the sleeve to rotate until the lug is aligned with a vertical slot of the j-slot.

Abstract: A method of operating a safety joint that allows disconnection from a downhole section of a drill string without rotating the drill string. In an example class of embodiments, the innovative safety joint includes a sleeve with a j-slot that fits to a lug attached to the mandrel. A piston is attached to the sleeve. The safety joint is disconnected by first pulling up on the string to shear a set of shear pins, the upward movement also lifting the sleeve and piston. As the piston lifts, a passage through a part of the piston allows fluid to move from an upper chamber to a lower chamber. A valve prevents fluid from moving back up into the upper chamber, so that the lower chamber acts as a stop to prevent the piston and sleeve from lowering again. Downward pressure on the drill string forces a lug against the j-slot, causing the sleeve to rotate until the lug is aligned with a vertical slot of the j-slot.