Abstract: Optimizing the operation of a hydraulically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth is described. Drilling optimization is provided measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, determining from the relationships a first more optimal mode of operation, and changing at least one operating parameter to move the operation of the rotor and stator towards the more optimal mode of operation.

Abstract: A reaming tool for enlarging an underground borehole comprises a plurality of cutter assemblies distributed azimuthally around a longitudinal axis of the tool, wherein each cutter assembly includes a supporting structure bearing a sequence of cutters which have hard surfaces exposed and facing in a direction of rotation of the tool. The outer surface of the support structure on each cutter assembly includes zones which each face towards an end of the assembly and is configured such that as it extends circumferentially relative to the tool axis in the direction opposite to rotation of the tool, it also extends away from an end of the assembly.

Abstract: A reamer for enlarging an underground borehole comprises a plurality of cutter assemblies distributed azimuthally around a longitudinal axis of the tool. Each cutter assembly comprises a supporting structure and a plurality of hard faced cutters secured therein with a hard surface of each cutter exposed and facing in a direction of rotation of the tool and extending radially outwards from the tool axis to a radially outward extremity. These cutters are arranged in a sequence extending axially along the tool. In contrast with convention a1 cutter assemblies, the supporting structure comprises at least one radially outward-facing surface which is positioned to follow behind the leading face of at least one cutter as the tool rotates and which is aligned with the radially outer extremity of the cutter at the same radial distance from the tool axis. Thus the surface area available to contact the borehole wall and stabilise the positioning and motion of the rotating reamer is enhanced.

Abstract: A reamer for enlarging an underground borehole comprises a plurality of cutter assemblies distributed azimuthally around a longitudinal axis of the tool, and each cutter assembly comprises a supporting structure and a plurality of hard faced cutters (211-216) embedded therein with a hard face of each cutter exposed and facing in a direction of rotation of the tool. Each cutter assembly includes at least one outward-facing gauge surface (220), at a radial distance from the tool axis which aligns the gauge surface with the radially outer extremity (218) of at least one cutter. This gauge surface (220) extends (221) in the direction of rotation circumferentially ahead of the extremity of the exposed face of the aligned at least one cutter. It may meet the side of the assembly at a curved (222) or bevelled (342) edge and may also extend back from the exposed face of the cutter.

Abstract: A reaming tool for enlarging an underground borehole has a plurality of cutter assemblies distributed azimuthally around a longitudinal axis of the tool. First, second and possibly more cutter assemblies each have an axially extending length comprising supporting structure bearing a sequence of cutters which have hard surfaces facing in a direction of rotation of the tool and are distributed axially along the length. A plurality of the cutters on the second cutter assembly are at axial positions relative to the tool which are intermediate between axial positions of the cutters on the first cutter assembly. Cutters on further assemblies may also be at intermediate axial positions. Cutters in the overall plurality of sequences are positioned at radial distances from the tool axis which increase as axial distance from an end of the tool increases.

Abstract: A reaming tool for enlarging an underground borehole comprises a plurality of cutter assemblies (251, 252, 253) distributed azimuthally around a longitudinal axis of the tool, wherein each cutter assembly comprises support structure bearing a sequence of cutters (211-214) with leading surfaces facing in a direction of rotation of the tool and the sequence of cutters extends axially along the tool from an axial end (202) of the tool with the cutters positioned at radial distances from the tool axis which progressively increase as the sequence extends away from the axial end of the tool. The cutter assemblies include guiding structure (261-264) which is positioned circumferentially ahead of the leading faces of cutters of the sequence on the assembly.

Abstract: A moving cavity motor or pump, such as a mud motor, comprising: a rotor, a stator, and one or more apparatus for constraining (i.e., controlling or limiting) the movement of the rotor relative to the stator, where the apparatus for constraining is operable with the rotor catch.

Abstract: Techniques relate to a moving cavity motor or pump, such as a mud motor, including a rotor, a stator, and one or more apparatus for constraining (i.e., controlling or limiting) the movement of the rotor relative to the stator, where the apparatus for constraining is operable with the rotor catch. The motor may include a top sub, power section having a progressive cavity motor with a stator and rotor, a rotor catch, and an apparatus between a proximal and distal end of the rotor catch shaft. The apparatus may constrain the radial and/or tangential movement of the rotor catch shaft and the rotor.

Abstract: Techniques involve a motor assembly including a rotor and a stator. The stator includes a contact surface for contacting an outer surface of the rotor. The contact surface includes a rigid material. The motor assembly also includes at least one constraint disposed along a length of the motor assembly, where the constraint constrains a radial and/or tangential movement of the rotor relative to the stator. The at least one constraint may be disposed at one or more proximate ends of the motor assembly, and/or along the length of the motor assembly. The contact surface of the stator may have a profile including peaks and valleys, and in some embodiments, the contact surface may be treated to reduce friction and/or wear.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking depth of a drill string. The method includes determining a measured elevation difference between a first position of a sensor and a second position of the sensor, based on measurements taken by an elevation measurement device, determining a calibration elevation difference between the first and second positions based on measurements taken by the sensor using markers positioned at predetermined elevations, and calibrating the elevation measurement device based at least partially on a relationship between the measured elevation difference and the calibration elevation difference.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drilling a wellbore. The method includes measuring a first distance that a drilling device is raised while connected to a drill string, determining a weight-on-bit in the drill string, determining a second distance to lower the drilling device such that a drill bit at a lower extremity of the drill string approaches toward a bottom of the wellbore, based on the first distance and the weight-on-bit, and lowering the drilling device by the second distance.

Abstract: A coiled tubing tractor assembly including a hydraulically powered tractor coupled to a coiled tubing having a fiber optic therethrough to provide communicative means, for example, to a monitor coupled to the tractor. The fiber optic may also be employed to control movement of the coiled tubing tractor. Additionally, a diagnostic tool may be coupled to the tractor wherein the tractor provides a communicative link between the diagnostic tool and the monitoring device.

Abstract: A moving cavity motor or pump, such as a mud motor, comprising: a rotor, a stator, and one or more apparatus for constraining (i.e., controlling or limiting) the movement of the rotor relative to the stator.

Abstract: A system for a drilling rig, a computer-readable medium, and a method for tracking an oilfield tubular. The method includes applying a tag to the oilfield tubular, the tag including a readable tag identifier, determining a physical parameter of the oilfield tubular, storing data representing the physical parameter in association with the tag identifier in a database, reading the tag identifier from the tag applied to the oilfield tubular, prior to deploying the oilfield tubular into a wellbore, and generating a pipe tally comprising data representing a plurality of oilfield tubulars, including the oilfield tubular, connected together and deployed into the wellbore using a drilling rig.

Abstract: A top-drive system and a drilling rig. The top-drive system includes a sheave configured to receive a drilling line, a frame coupled with the sheave and configured to transmit a weight of a tubular string suspended therefrom to the sheave, a controller, and a sensor in communication with the controller. The sensor is configured to directly measure one or more physical parameters of a drilling operation and provide data representing the one or more physical parameters to the controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a drilling rig. The system includes a first layer including a plurality of subsystem controllers coupled with a plurality of rig subsystems, the plurality of subsystem controllers being configured to control operating parameters of the plurality of rig subsystems. The system also includes a second layer configured to receive information from the first layer based on an operation of the plurality of rig subsystems, and to provide control of the plurality of rig subsystems. The system further includes a third layer configured to execute one or more process applications and to provide a task-based command to the second layer.

Abstract: The operation of rotary equipment carried on elongate structure such as coiled tubing extending into a borehole from the Earth's surface is carried out by providing at least one optical fibre extending downhole to the rotary equipment from the surface, using optical time domain reflectometry to operating the optical fibre as a distributed vibration sensor while the rotary equipment is in operation, and thereby observing vibration created by the rotary equipment.

Abstract: A drilling fluid for use when drilling a borehole includes solid polymeric objects as a lost circulation additive. The objects have an overall size extending at least 0.5 mm in each of three orthogonal dimensions have a shape such that each object has one or more edges, points or corners and/or comprises a core portion with a plurality of projections which extend out from the core portion. The objects may be moulded, 3D-printed or chopped from larger pieces of polymer by granulating machinery. Shapes with edges, points, corners or projections assisting the objects in lodging within and bridging a fracture encountered or formed while drilling.

Abstract: A fluid used in a borehole containing suspended solid objects made by an additive manufacturing process. An additive process of solidifying a liquid composition at a succession of selected locations within a workspace, in accordance with a digital design allows a wide variety of shapes to be made. The fluid may be a drilling fluid or a borehole treatment fluid used prior to cementing and the objects may act, possibly in conjunction with other solids, to block loss of fluid into fractures in the formation around the borehole.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a drilling rig. The method includes receiving, at a rig controller, data from a plurality of rig subsystems, and determining, at the rig controller, a first command based at least partially on the data from the plurality of rig subsystems. The first command is related to an operating parameter of a first device of a first one of the plurality of rig subsystems. The method also includes transmitting the first command to a first subsystem controller of the first one of the plurality of rig subsystems. The first subsystem controller is configured to control the first device and implement the command.