Abstract: A method of controlling a direction of drilling of the drill string used to form an opening in a subsurface formation, comprises varying a speed of the drill string during rotational drilling such that the drill string is at a first speed during a first portion of the rotational cycle and at a second speed during a second portion of the rotational cycle wherein the first speed is higher than the second speed, and wherein operating at the second speed in the second portion of the rotational cycle causes the drill string to change the direction of drilling.

Abstract: A method of automatically placing a drill bit used to form an opening in a subsurface formation on a bottom of the opening being formed comprises a) increasing a flow rate in a drill string to a target flow; b) controlling a flow rate of fluid into the drill string to be substantially the same as a flowrate of fluid out of the opening; c) allowing a fluid pressure to reach a relatively steady state; and d) automatically moving the drill bit toward the bottom of the opening at a selected rate of advance until an increase in measured differential pressure indicates that the drill bit is at the bottom of the opening.

Abstract: A method of automatically placing a drill bit used to form an opening in a subsurface formation on a bottom of the opening being formed comprises a) increasing a flow rate in a drill string to a target flow; b) controlling a flow rate of fluid into the drill string to be substantially the same as a flowrate of fluid out of the opening; c) allowing a fluid pressure to reach a relatively steady state; and d) automatically moving the drill bit toward the bottom of the opening at a selected rate of advance until an increase in measured differential pressure indicates that the drill bit is at the bottom of the opening.

Abstract: A method of controlling a direction of drilling of the drill string used to form an opening in a subsurface formation, comprises varying a speed of the drill string during rotational drilling such that the drill string is at a first speed during a first portion of the rotational cycle and at a second speed during a second portion of the rotational cycle wherein the first speed is higher than the second speed, and wherein operating at the second speed in the second portion of the rotational cycle causes the drill string to change the direction of drilling.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for picking up a drill bit off the bottom of an opening in a subsurface formation. The method includes setting a predetermined level of differential pressure across a mud motor at which pickup of the drill bit is to be initiated, and monitoring the differential pressure across the mud motor. The method also includes allowing differential pressure across the mud motor to decrease to the predetermined level, and when the predetermined level is reached, automatically picking up the drill bit.

Abstract: A method of assessing hole cleaning effectiveness of drilling comprises a) determining a mass of cuttings removed from a well wherein determining the mass of cuttings removed from a well comprises: i) measuring a total mass of fluid entering a well; ii) measuring a total mass of fluid exiting the well; and iii) determining a difference between the total mass of fluid exiting the well and total mass of fluid entering the well; b) determining a mass of rock excavated in the well; and c) determining a mass of cuttings remaining in the well wherein determining the mass of cuttings remaining in the well comprises: determining a difference between the determined mass of rock excavated in the well and the determined mass of cuttings removed from the well.

Abstract: A system for forming a subsurface wellbore includes a rack and pinion system including a chuck drive system. The chuck drive system operates a drilling string. An automatic position control system includes at least one measurement sensor coupled to the rack and pinion system. The automatic position control system controls the rack and pinion system to determine a position of the drilling string.

Abstract: A method of controlling a direction of a toolface of a bottom hole assembly for slide drilling, comprises a) synchronizing the toolface wherein synchronizing the toolface comprises determining a relationship between the rotational position of the down hole toolface with a rotational position at the surface of the formation for at least one point in time, b) stopping rotation of the drill string coupled to the bottom hole assembly, c) controlling torque at the surface of the drill string to control a rotational position of the toolface, and d) commencing a slide of the drill string.

Abstract: A method of assessing hole cleaning effectiveness of drilling comprises a) determining a mass of cuttings removed from a well wherein determining the mass of cuttings removed from a well comprises: i) measuring a total mass of fluid entering a well; ii) measuring a total mass of fluid exiting the well; and iii) determining a difference between the total mass of fluid exiting the well and total mass of fluid entering the well; b) determining a mass of rock excavated in the well; and c) determining a mass of cuttings remaining in the well wherein determining the mass of cuttings remaining in the well comprises: determining a difference between the determined mass of rock excavated in the well and the determined mass of cuttings removed from the well.

Abstract: A method of steering a drill bit to form an opening in a subsurface formation, comprises a) determining a distance from design of a well, and b) determining an angle offset from design of the well wherein angle offset from design is the difference between the inclination and azimuth of the hole and the inclination and azimuth of plan, c) wherein at least one distance from design and at least one angle offset from design are determined in real time based, at least in part, on a position of the hole at the last survey, a position at a projected current location of the bit, and a projected position of the bit.

Abstract: A method of controlling a direction of drilling of the drill string used to form an opening in a subsurface formation, comprises varying a speed of the drill string during rotational drilling such that the drill string is at a first speed during a first portion of the rotational cycle and at a second speed during a second portion of the rotational cycle wherein the first speed is higher than the second speed, and wherein operating at the second speed in the second portion of the rotational cycle causes the drill string to change the direction of drilling.

Abstract: A system for forming a subsurface wellbore includes a rack and pinion system including a chuck drive system. The chuck drive system operates a drilling string. An automatic position control system includes at least one measurement sensor coupled to the rack and pinion system. The automatic position control system controls the rack and pinion system to determine a position of the drilling string.