Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, and a connector at each longitudinal end thereof; and an arm. The arm is pivotally connected to a first piston and rotationally coupled to the body, is disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and is movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the arm extends outward past an outer surface of the body. The tool further includes the first piston. The first piston is disposed in the body bore, has a bore therethrough, and is operable to move the arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening. The tool further includes a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and a second piston operably coupled to the lock.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for conveying and operating tools into a wellbore. In one aspect, a method of performing a downhole operation in a wellbore is provided. The method includes pushing a continuous rod into the wellbore, wherein the continuous rod includes a member disposed therein. The method further includes positioning the continuous rod proximate at a predetermined location in the wellbore and performing the downhole operation. In yet another aspect, a system for performing a downhole operation in a wellbore is provided.

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 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 involves a method and apparatus for monitoring conditions downhole and/or manipulating downhole tools by placing electrical wire on a casing string while drilling with casing. Wire is inserted into a groove within the casing string while drilling with the casing string into a formation. The wire connects downhole equipment to surface equipment. Multiple casing strings may be drilled into the formation while wire is simultaneously inserted into a groove therein.

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 provides methods and apparatus for determining the location of an apparatus in a wellbore. The method includes lowering the apparatus with a conveying member and measuring a parameter associated with the conveying member. Thereafter, the measured parameter is used to determine the location of the apparatus as well as other conditions in the wellbore. The apparatus includes a conveying member operatively connected to an object released downhole. The apparatus may also include a dispensing apparatus coupled to one end of the conveying member. Preferably, the conveying member is a fiber optics line capable of transmitting optical signals. Other types of conveying members include a wire, a tube, and a cable. Additionally, a sensor may be disposed on the object and connected to the conveying member.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for expanding a tubular body in a wellbore. In one aspect, a method includes running the tubular body into the wellbore, the tubular body having a deformed portion. The method further includes reforming the deformed portion and positioning a two-position expander in the reformed portion. Additionally, the method includes shifting the expander to a second, larger diameter position and then expanding the reformed portion by urging the expander therethrough. In another aspect, a method for completing a wellbore is provided. In yet another aspect, a formable launcher section is provided. In a further aspect, a two-position expander tool is provided. In yet another aspect, an expansion system for use in completing a wellbore is provided.

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 provides a method and apparatus for deforming a tubular body, running the tubular body through a restriction in a wellbore, reforming the tubular body, and expanding at least a portion of the tubular body past its elastic limit. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for forming a substantially monobore well involving deforming a tubular body, running the tubular body below a restricted inner diameter portion, reforming the tubular body, and expanding at least a portion of the tubular body past its elastic limit. The restricted inner diameter portion may comprise a casing string previously disposed within the wellbore or a casing patch. The at least the portion of the tubular body expanded past its elastic limit may be a lower portion of the tubular body. Subsequent tubular bodies may be reformed and expanded below previous tubular bodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for controlling and/or powering downhole components without the need for control and/or power lines extending from the components to the surface of the well and without the need for power or control lines to be inserted into the wellbore along with the components. In one aspect of the invention, a borehole is lined with a casing, the casing having at least one aperture disposed. Adjacent the aperture, on the outer surface of the casing, is a docking station, which is permanently attached to the casing and includes a socket. After the casing is installed in the borehole, a downhole component can be lowered into the wellbore. The downhole component is equipped with a connector extending from an outer surface thereof. The connector assembly is disposable through the aperture in the casing and, the connector assembly can be connected to the socket of docking station.

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 involves a method and apparatus for monitoring conditions downhole and/or manipulating downhole tools by placing electrical wire on a casing string while drilling with casing. Wire is inserted into a groove within the casing string while drilling with the casing string into a formation. The wire connects downhole equipment to surface equipment. Multiple casing strings may be drilled into the formation while wire is simultaneously inserted into a groove therein.

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 involves a method and apparatus for monitoring conditions downhole and/or manipulating downhole tools by placing electrical wire on a casing string while drilling with casing. Wire is inserted into a groove within the casing string while drilling with the casing string into a formation. The wire connects downhole equipment to surface equipment. Multiple casing strings may be drilled into the formation while wire is simultaneously inserted into a groove therein.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a plurality of tubing sections. Each tubing section has substantially cylindrical end portions initially of a first diameter for coupling to end portions of adjacent tubing sections. The end portions are expandable to a larger second diameter. Each tubing section also has an intermediate folded wall portions initially in a folded configuration. The intermediate folded wall portions are unfoldable to define a substantially cylindrical form of a third diameter.

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 provides a method and apparatus for deforming a tubular body, running the tubular body through a restriction in a wellbore, reforming the tubular body, and expanding at least a portion of the tubular body past its elastic limit. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for forming a substantially monobore well involving deforming a tubular body, running the tubular body below a restricted inner diameter portion, reforming the tubular body, and expanding at least a portion of the tubular body past its elastic limit. The restricted inner diameter portion may comprise a casing string previously disposed within the wellbore or a casing patch. The at least the portion of the tubular body expanded past its elastic limit may be a lower portion of the tubular body. Subsequent tubular bodies may be reformed and expanded below previous tubular bodies.

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 provides methods and apparatus for determining the location of an apparatus in a wellbore. The method includes lowering the apparatus with a conveying member and measuring a parameter associated with the conveying member. Thereafter, the measured parameter is used to determine the location of the apparatus as well as other conditions in the wellbore. The apparatus includes a conveying member operatively connected to an object released downhole. The apparatus may also include a dispensing apparatus coupled to one end of the conveying member. Preferably, the conveying member is a fiber optics line capable of transmitting optical signals. Other types of conveying members include a wire, a tube, and a cable. Additionally, a sensor may be disposed on the object and connected to the conveying member.