Abstract: A system for and method of limiting and controlling the unintended subsurface release of an exploration or production riser system is provided including one or more means for anchoring the riser or casing stack at one or more pre-determined points upon the length of the riser, and/or on the housing of an associated buoyancy chamber or the like, and/or on a particular portion of the riser as dictated by the operational environment, and/or on an anchor portion secured in the sea floor; and a network of restraining members disposed on the anchoring means. A lower anchoring portion includes one or more anchors disposed in communication with a wellhead, or with the sea floor or below the sea floor mud line, or with a well casing portion. A network of restraining members forms an essentially continuous connection from the buoyancy member portion to said bottom anchor portion.

Abstract: A system and method of establishing an offshore exploration and production system is disclosed, in which a well casing is disposed in communication with an adjustable buoyancy chamber and a well hole bored into the floor of a body of water. A lower connecting member joins the well casing and the chamber, and an upper connecting member joins, the adjustable buoyancy chamber and a well terminal member. The chamber's adjustable buoyancy enables an operator to vary the height or depth of the well terminal member, and to vary the vertical tension imparted to drilling and production strings throughout exploration and production operations. Also disclosed is a system and method of adjusting the height or depth of a wellhead while associated vertical and lateral forces remain approximately constant. A variety of well isolation members, lateral stabilizers and anchoring means, as well as several methods of practicing the invention, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for monitoring auxiliary operations on a drilling unit includes at least one sensor configured to measure a parameter related to a start time and a stop time of at least one auxiliary operation on the drilling unit. The system includes a data acquisition device configured to determine a start time and a stop time of the at least one auxiliary operation from measurements made by the at least one sensor. The data acquisition device includes a data recorder for recording elapsed time between the start time and the stop time.

Abstract: Drilling a bore hole comprises rotary drilling at a first rotation rate until a first target value is substantially met, changing the first rotation rate to a second rotation rate when a trigger is substantially met, and then drilling at the second rotation rate until a second target value is substantially met. Preferably, the second rotation rate is substantially zero, so the drilling at the second rotation rate is slide drilling. Finally, the steps of rotary drilling at a first rotation rate, changing the rotation rate to a second rotation rate, and drilling at the second rotation rate are repeated.

Abstract: A system for and method of limiting and controlling the unintended subsurface release of an exploration or production riser system is provided including one or more means for anchoring the riser or casing stack at one or more pre-determined points upon the length of the riser, and/or on the housing of an associated buoyancy chamber or the like, and/or on a particular portion of the riser as dictated by the operational environment, and/or on an anchor portion secured in the sea floor; and a network of restraining members disposed on the anchoring means. A lower anchoring portion includes one or more anchors disposed in communication with a wellhead, or with the sea floor or below the sea floor mud line, or with a well casing portion. A network of restraining members forms an essentially continuous connection from the buoyancy member portion to said bottom anchor portion.

Abstract: A method of and system for directional drilling alternate between rotary drilling and sliding drilling with the bit remaining in continuous contact with the bottom of the bore hole.

Abstract: A method of and system for directional drilling reduces the friction between the drill string and the well bore. A downhole drilling motor is connected to a drilling rig at the surface by a drill string. The drilling motor is oriented at a selected tool face angle. The drill string is rotated at the surface in a first direction until a first torque magnitude is reached without changing the tool face angle. The drill string is then rotated in the opposite direction until a second torque magnitude is reached, again without changing the tool face angle. The drill string is rotated back and forth between the first and second torque magnitudes. Pressure inside the drill string is measured, and the first and second torque magnitudes are adjusted in response to changes in the pressure.

Abstract: A method of and system for directional drilling alternate between rotary drilling and sliding drilling with the bit remaining in continuous contact with the bottom of the bore hole.

Abstract: A method of and system for directional drilling reduces the friction between the drill string and the well bore. A downhole drilling motor is connected to the surface by a drill string. The drilling motor is oriented at a selected tool face angle. The drill string is rotated at said surface location in a first direction until a first torque magnitude without changing the tool face angle. The drill string is then rotated in the opposite direction until a second torque magnitude is reached, again without changing the tool face angle. The drill string is rocked back and forth between the first and second torque magnitudes.

Abstract: A method of and system for directional drilling reduces the friction between the drill string and the well bore. A downhole drilling motor is connected to a drilling rig at the surface by a drill string. The drilling motor is oriented at a selected tool face angle. The drill string is rotated at the surface in a first direction until a first torque magnitude is reached without changing the tool face angle. The drill string is then rotated in the opposite direction until a second torque magnitude is reached, again without changing the tool face angle. The drill string is rotated back and forth between the first and second torque magnitudes. Pressure inside the drill string is measured, and the first and second torque magnitudes are adjusted in response to changes in the pressure.

Abstract: A method of and system for directional drilling reduces the friction between the drill string and the well bore. A downhole drilling motor is connected to the surface by a drill string. The drilling motor is oriented at a selected tool face angle. The drill string is rotated at said surface location in a first direction until a first torque magnitude without changing the tool face angle. The drill string is then rotated in the opposite direction until a second torque magnitude is reached, again without changing the tool face angle. The drill string is rocked back and forth between the first and second torque magnitudes.