Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide methods and apparatus for forming a tubular-lined wellbore which does not decrease in diameter with increasing depth or length. Methods and apparatus for forming a substantially monobore well while drilling with casing are provided. In one aspect, a portion of a second casing is expanded into a portion of a first casing having a larger inner diameter than the remaining portion of the first casing string. In another aspect, the portion of the second casing is expanded into a portion of the first casing having a compressible member therearound. In another aspect, a lined lateral wellbore may be constructed by forming a lateral wellbore extending from a main wellbore lined with casing. A diameter of at least a portion of the lateral wellbore may be expanded. An expandable tubular element may be run into lateral wellbore and expanded to have an inner diameter equal to or larger than an inner diameter of the main wellbore casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a drilling with casing includes therewith a drill shoe configured for later drilling through thereof in situ, with cutters retainable thereon in response to the forces encountered during borehole drilling, yet moveable from the envelope through which the later drill shoe will pass when cutting through the in situ drill shoe. The drill shoe includes one or more profiles thereon, into which blades carrying the formation drilling cutters are disposed. The profiles include at least one projection thereon, which is received within a mating slot in the blades. The blades also may be configured to have opposed sections which are configured with respect to one another to have an included angle of less than ninety degrees.

Abstract: The present invention relates methods and apparatus for lining a wellbore. In one aspect, a drilling assembly having an earth removal member and a wellbore lining conduit is manipulated to advance into the earth. The drilling assembly includes a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Fluid is flowed through the first fluid flow path, and at least a portion of which may return through the second fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is provided with a third fluid flow path. After drilling has been completed, wellbore lining conduit may be cemented in the wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and methods to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string into a wellbore during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. Additionally, the apparatus and methods can be used to for running in casing, running in wellbore components or for a drill string.

Abstract: A method and system of forming a lateral wellbore in a time and trip saving manner using a mill/drill to locate and place a casing window. In one aspect of the invention, a lateral wellbore is drilled with liner which is subsequently left in the lateral wellbore to line the sides thereof. In another aspect, the mill/drill is rotated with a rotary steerable system and in another aspect, the mill/drill is rotated with a downhole motor or a drill stem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting threaded members while ensuring that a proper connection is made. In one embodiment, the applied torque and/or rotation are measured at regular intervals throughout a pipe connection makeup. When a shoulder contact is detected, a predetermined torque value and/or rotation value is added to the measured torque and/or rotation values, respectively, at shoulder contact and rotation continued until this calculated value(s) is reached.

Abstract: Wellbore apparatus has been invented which, in at least certain aspects, includes a wellbore apparatus having a tubular member with a top end, a bottom end, a hollow portion, and a window therethrough, a sleeve positioned within the hollow portion of the tubular member, the sleeve having a top end and a bottom end, a diverter apparatus within or outside the tubular member and, optionally, below the bottom end of the sleeve, the sleeve movable so that the diverter, and the diverter directs the sleeve to the window and through the window into a bore extending beyond the window, and the window having an edge therearound to which the top end of the sleeve is weldable to sealingly secure the sleeve at the window.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string into a wellbore during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. Additionally, the apparatus and methods can be used for running in casing, running in wellbore components or for a drill string.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus of connecting wellbore tubulars by explosive welding, using a frangible anvil, and reforming a surface of wellbore tubulars at a connection. In one embodiment, a first tubular is aligned proximate a second tubular such that an inside diameter of the first tubular and an outside diameter of the second tubular form an annular space, a frangible anvil is disposed in a bore defined by the tubulars, and an explosive charge placed around the outside surface of the first tubular is detonated. In another embodiment, tubulars are aligned, connected by explosive welding, and then reformed at the connection.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and methods to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string into a wellbore during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. Additionally, the apparatus and methods can be used to for running in casing, running in wellbore components or for a drill string.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods to reduce ECD and pressure associated therewith while drilling with casing. In one aspect, the invention provides an energy transfer assembly locatable at a predetermined location in a casing string. The assembly includes an impeller portion in the interior of the casing to be acted upon by the downward moving fluid in the casing and a pump portion disposed outwardly of the impeller portion and arranged in fluid communication with the upward moving fluid in the annulus between the casing and the borehole, adding energy thereto and reducing pressure in the annulus therebelow. In another aspect, the energy transfer assembly is retrievable to the surface of the wellbore prior to cementing. In a further aspect, fluid ports between the interior and exterior of the casing are remotely sealable prior to cementing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims methods and apparatus for forming an opening or a window in a downhole tubular for the subsequent formation of a lateral wellbore. In one aspect of the invention, a thermite containing apparatus is run into the wellbore on a wire line and a widow is subsequently formed in casing wall. In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a run-in string or drill stem with a drill bit attached to a lower end thereof. A diverter, like a whipstock is attached temporarily to the drill bit with a mechanically shearable connection. At a lower end of the whipstock, a container is formed and connected thereto. The container is designed to house a predetermined amount of exothermic material at one side thereof adjacent the portion of casing where the window or opening will be formed. A telescopic joint extends between the bottom of the container and an anchor therebelow and the telescopic joint is in an extended position when the apparatus is run into a wellbore.

Abstract: A method and system of forming a lateral wellbore in a time and trip saving manner using a mill/drill to locate and place a casing window. In one aspect of the invention, a lateral wellbore is drilled with liner which is subsequently left in the lateral wellbore to line the sides thereof. In another aspect, the mill/drill is rotated with a rotary steerable system and in another aspect, the mill/drill is rotated with a downhole motor or a drill stem.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for connecting tubulars and reforming the connection between the tubulars. In one aspect of the invention, the tubulars are aligned, connected, and then reformed at the connection. In one embodiment, the reforming is accomplished by removing material from the tubular connection. Preferably, a broach is used to remove the material. In another embodiment, a reforming member operatively connected to a telescoping tubular is inserted into the tubulars.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims a system for forming an opening, or window, in a downhole tubular for the subsequent formation of a lateral wellbore. In the system of the present invention, an apparatus is run into the parent wellbore which includes at least a tubular having a drill bit, a diverter such as a whipstock releasably connected to the drill bit, an anchoring device such as a packer, and a milling device. This apparatus allows for the milling of a window in the parent wellbore, and the drilling of a lateral wellbore through that window, in a single trip.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that permits sections of tubulars to be connected to or disconnected from a string of pipe during a drilling operation. The apparatus further permits the sections of drill pipe to be rotated and to be axially translated during the connection or disconnection process. The apparatus further allows for the continuous circulation of fluid to and through the tubular string during the makeup or breakout process. The apparatus defines a rig assembly comprising a top drive mechanism, a rotary drive mechanism, and a fluid circulating device. Rotation and axial movement of the tubular string is alternately provided by the top drive and the rotary drive. Additionally, continuous fluid flow into the tubular string is provided through the circulation device and alternately through the tubular section once a connection is made between an upper tubular connected to the top drive mechanism and the tubular string.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing pressure surges in a wellbore comprising a body having a bore therethrough, the bore providing a fluid path for wellbore fluid between a first and second end of the body, at least one fluid path permitting the wellbore fluid to pass between the bore and an annular area formed between an outer surface of the body and the walls of a wellbore therearound, and a number of closure mechanisms whereby the at least one fluid path is selectively closable to the flow of fluid.

Abstract: An isolation container designed for use with a downhole electric pump assembly commonly used in oil and gas drilling and production operations is disclosed. The isolation container has an annular housing with an axial inlet and outlet bore. A downhole electric pump assembly is centrally located within the pressure isolation container. The downhole electric pump assembly includes an electric pump positioned above and coupled to a motor seal section which is positioned above and coupled to a centrifugal pump, thereby providing a means to power the centrifugal pump. A blind coupling is positioned above the electric motor with a tubular member connected thereto and extending through the inlet of the isolation container. The tubular member connects to a tubing string supplying fluid from the surface. The blind coupling has a plurality of radially disposed ports to allow pressurized fluid from the surface to flow into the annulus between the downhole electric pump and the isolation container.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims methods and apparatus for forming an opening or a window in a downhole tubular for the subsequent formation of a lateral wellbore. In one aspect of the invention, a thermite containing apparatus is run into the wellbore on a wire line and a widow is subsequently formed in casing wall. In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a run-in string or drill stem with a drill bit attached to a lower end thereof. A diverter, like a whipstock is attached temporarily to the drill bit with a mechanically shearable connection. At a lower end of the whipstock, a container is formed and connected thereto. The container is designed to house a predetermined amount of exothermic material at one side thereof adjacent the portion of casing where the window or opening will be formed. A telescopic joint extends between the bottom of the container and an anchor therebelow and the telescopic joint is in an extended position when the apparatus is run into a wellbore.

Abstract: An isolation container designed for use with a downhole electric pump assembly commonly used in oil and gas drilling and production operations is disclosed. The isolation container has an annular housing with an axial inlet and outlet bore. A downhole electric pump assembly is centrally located within the pressure isolation container. The downhole electric pump assembly includes an electric pump positioned above and coupled to a motor seal section which is positioned above and coupled to a centrifugal pump, thereby providing a means to power the centrifugal pump. A blind coupling is positioned above the electric motor with a tubular member connected thereto and extending through the inlet of the isolation container. The tubular member connects to a tubing string supplying fluid from the surface. The blind coupling has a plurality of radially disposed ports to allow pressurized fluid from the surface to flow into the annulus between the downhole electric pump and the isolation container.