Abstract: A drilling system for use in drilling a wellbore including a driving mechanism and a separation device disposed upstream of the driving mechanism. The separation device filters at least a portion of any solids from drilling media flowing through a filter flow path of the separation device. The separation device flushes at least a portion of the filtered solids through a flush flow path, through a flush outlet on an outer surface of the separation device, and into an annulus between the outer surface of the separation device and the wellbore. Optionally, the drilling system includes a second driving mechanism and a second separation device disposed above the second driving mechanism.

Abstract: Provided are a system and method for actively recovering thermal energy, hydrocarbons, and other energy resources from a formation. In one example, multiple fluid conduits are inserted into a borehole. Combustion fluid is injected into the formation via one of the conduits. The combustion fluid is used to ignite and maintain a combustion zone by burning fuel in the formation. To extract thermal energy, cool fluid is circulated through the borehole via another conduit and heated by the thermal energy in the combustion zone. Thermal energy may be recovered from the heated fluid or other processing may be performed for various types of energy recovery. A fluid flow and composition of the combustion fluid and a fluid flow rate of the cool fluid may be individually controlled for purposes such as regulating heat transfer, balancing thermal energy recovery with enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and regulating temperature and pressure for safety.

Abstract: Provided are a system and method for actively recovering thermal energy, hydrocarbons, and other energy resources from a formation. In one example, multiple fluid conduits are inserted into a borehole. Combustion fluid is injected into the formation via one of the conduits. The combustion fluid is used to ignite and maintain a combustion zone by burning fuel in the formation. To extract thermal energy, cool fluid is circulated through the borehole via another conduit and heated by the thermal energy in the combustion zone. Thermal energy may be recovered from the heated fluid or other processing may be performed for various types of energy recovery. A fluid flow and composition of the combustion fluid and a fluid flow rate of the cool fluid may be individually controlled for purposes such as regulating heat transfer, balancing thermal energy recovery with enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and regulating temperature and pressure for safety.

Abstract: An integrated milling and production device. The device includes a production housing, a connector, a motor, and a milling bit. The production housing has a central bore with at least one flapper valve pivotally disposed therein and an actuator. Upon completion of milling operations, the connector may be disengaged from the production housing. The production housing may be repositioned in the well. Activation of the actuator permanently opens the flapper valve to permit the flow of production up the production housing to the well surface. The actuator may be a piston.

Abstract: Provided are a system and method for actively recovering thermal energy, hydrocarbons, and other energy resources from a formation. In one example, multiple fluid conduits are inserted into a borehole. Combustion fluid is injected into the formation via one of the conduits. The combustion fluid is used to ignite and maintain a combustion zone by burning fuel in the formation. To extract thermal energy, cool fluid is circulated through the borehole via another conduit and heated by the thermal energy in the combustion zone. Thermal energy may be recovered from the heated fluid or other processing may be performed for various types of energy recovery. A fluid flow and composition of the combustion fluid and a fluid flow rate of the cool fluid may be individually controlled for purposes such as regulating heat transfer, balancing thermal energy recovery with enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and regulating temperature and pressure for safety.

Abstract: A downhole drilling motor includes a motor housing having an inner bore and an outer surface. A power section includes a stator elastomer at least partially disposed within the inner bore of the motor housing. A bearing section includes an upper bearing at least partially disposed within the inner bore of the motor housing. The motor housing further includes an opening extending from the inner bore to the outer surface to provide a bypass fluid path for a fluid in the inner bore. The opening is disposed on the motor housing between a lower end of the stator elastomer and an upper end of the upper bearing. The bypass fluid path allows the downhole drilling motor to accommodate a higher flow rate of a fluid through the stator elastomer of the power section than through the upper bearing of the bearing section.

Abstract: A bit saver assembly having an inner valve sleeve that actuates upon the weight-on-bit (WOB) of the drill bit exceeding a threshold value to overcome the countervailing force provided by a spring contained within the bit saver assembly and the internal flow pressure of the drilling fluid at the area of the inner valve sleeve. Actuation of the inner valve sleeve opens a fluid passage to the wellbore annulus resulting in a reduction of drilling fluid flow pressure and the stretch of the drill string thereby reducing WOB of the drill bit without operator assistance.

Abstract: A flow rate control system includes a housing and a valve assembly slidingly disposed within a housing inner bore. The housing includes bypass openings. The valve assembly includes a valve and an orifice disposed in a valve inner bore. The valve includes a plurality of valve bypass bores extending axially through a valve collar. The valve assembly slides between closed and fully open positions. A spring biases the valve assembly toward the closed position in which the valve closes the housing bypass openings. In the open position, a bypass fluid path is formed including the valve bypass bores and the housing bypass openings. The valve assembly is flow rate controlled in the closed position and pressure controlled in the open position. The valve assembly may slide within a sleeve assembly including sleeve bypass openings, which connect the valve bypass bores and housing bypass openings in the bypass fluid path.

Abstract: A flow rate control system includes a housing and a valve assembly slidingly disposed within a housing inner bore. The housing includes bypass openings. The valve assembly includes a valve and an orifice disposed in a valve inner bore. The valve includes a plurality of valve bypass bores extending axially through a valve collar. The valve assembly slides between closed and fully open positions. A spring biases the valve assembly toward the closed position in which the valve closes the housing bypass openings. In the open position, a bypass fluid path is formed including the valve bypass bores and the housing bypass openings. The valve assembly is flow rate controlled in the closed position and pressure controlled in the open position. The valve assembly may slide within a sleeve assembly including sleeve bypass openings, which connect the valve bypass bores and housing bypass openings in the bypass fluid path.

Abstract: A bit saver assembly having an inner valve sleeve that actuates upon the weight-on-bit (WOB) of the drill bit exceeding a threshold value to overcome the countervailing force provided by a spring contained within the bit saver assembly and the internal flow pressure of the drilling fluid at the area of the inner valve sleeve. Actuation of the inner valve sleeve opens a fluid passage to the wellbore annulus resulting in a reduction of drilling fluid flow pressure and the stretch of the drill string thereby reducing WOB of the drill bit without operator assistance.

Abstract: An apparatus for boring a wellbore, including a bit body having a first end, an inner cavity, and a second end. The first end is connected to a workstring that is configured to deliver a rotational force to the bit body. The inner cavity contains a profile having a first radial cam surface. The second end includes a working face containing a cutting member. The apparatus also includes a pilot bit rotatively connected within the inner cavity. A second radial cam surface is contained on a first end of the pilot bit. The first and second radial cam surfaces are operatively configured to deliver a hammering force. A second end of the pilot bit may include an engaging surface configured to engage a formation surrounding the wellbore. The bit body rotates relative to the pilot bit.

Abstract: A mechanically locking hydraulic jar device includes an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve partially disposed in an inner bore of the outer sleeve, and a mechanical lock engaging the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve in a default position to axially secure the inner sleeve to the outer sleeve. Activation of the hydraulic jar disables the mechanical lock to allow axial movement of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve, which generates an impact force when the inner sleeve reaches an activated position. The hydraulic jar device also includes an upward block and a downward block configured to limit the upward and downward axial movement, respectively, of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve when the mechanical lock is disabled.

Abstract: A drilling assembly includes a power section with a housing that rotates in a first direction at a drill string rotation rate. An output rotates a drill bit through a transmission shaft in the first direction at a rotor rotation rate relative to the housing. A bent housing between the power section and the drill bit rotates in a second direction at a variable rotation rate relative to the power housing. The transmission shaft extends through the bent housing. A mechanical brake system adjusts the bent housing's variable rotation rate. The bent housing rotates relative to the wellbore in a rotary mode, but not in a sliding mode. The sliding mode maintains the drill bit's direction and inclination while the drill string rotates. In all modes, the drill bit's rotation rate is the sum of the drill string rate and the rotor rate relative to the power housing.

Abstract: An integrated milling and production device. The device includes a production housing, a connector, a motor, and milling bit. The production housing has a central bore with at least one flapper valve pivotally disposed therein and an actuator. Upon completion of milling operations, the connector may be disengaged from the production housing. The production housing may be repositioned in the well. Activation of the actuator permanently opens the flapper valve to permit the flow of production up the production housing to the well surface. The actuator may be a piston.

Abstract: An integrated bearing section includes a mandrel partially disposed within a housing. The bearing section includes spherical members disposed between the mandrel's outer surface and the housing's inner surface. A radial bearing portion is formed by spherical members disposed partially within grooves and engaging a flat profile opposing surface. The grooves may be in the mandrel's outer surface, an outer surface of a mandrel sleeve, the housing's inner surface, or an outer radial bearing's inner surface. The flat profile opposing surface may be on an outer radial bearing's inner surface, the housing's inner surface, the mandrel's outer surface, or a mandrel sleeve's outer surface. A thrust bearing portion is formed by spherical members disposed partially within grooves in two opposing surfaces, such as the mandrel's outer surface or a mandrel sleeve's outer surface, and the housing's inner surface or an outer thrust bearing's inner surface.

Abstract: A mud-lubricated bearing section including a seal assembly for directing a fluid flowing through a mud-lubricated bearing into a central bore of a mandrel. At least one mud-lubricated bearing is positioned in an annular space between the mandrel and a housing. The seal assembly directs the fluid from the annular space through a mandrel fluid port into the mandrel central bore. The seal assembly seals the annular space, and includes a piston, a plug, and a chamber between the piston and the plug. The piston is configured for axial movement relative to the mandrel and the housing, while the plug is axially fixed relative to the mandrel and/or the housing. The chamber is configured to contain a lubricating fluid. The piston includes inner and outer seals. The plug includes a lower seal and a passage allowing the fluid from the chamber to reach the lower seal for lubrication.

Abstract: A vibration assembly includes a valve above a rotor and stator. The rotor rotates within the stator as fluid flows therethrough. The valve includes a rotating valve segment, which rotates with the rotor, and a non-rotating valve segment each including at least one fluid passage. In an open position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are aligned and a fluid flows through the valve. In a restricted position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are partially or completely unaligned, thereby creating a pressure pulse that is transmitted through the drill string or coiled tubing above the valve. The valve may further include an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the non-rotating valve segment. The inner and outer sleeves allow axial sliding but prevent rotation of the non-rotating valve segment. The assembly may further include a lower thrust bearing at a lower end of the rotor.

Abstract: An integrated milling and production device includes a production housing having a central bore, one or more flapper valves pivotally disposed within the central bore, and an actuator disposed within the central bore. The flapper valves are closed in a default position. Activation of the actuator permanently opens the one or more flapper valves. A connector is selectively secured below the production housing, a motor is secured below the connector, and a milling bit is secured below the motor. The motor rotates the milling bit. Activating the connector disconnects the connector from the production housing. The actuator may be a piston disposed above the flapper valves in a milling position and disposed through the flapper valves in a production position to open the flapper valves. In the production position, a fluid may flow from the wellbore through the production housing's central bore and to the surface for collection.

Abstract: An apparatus including a rotating segment having a first radial surface, a non-rotating segment having a second radial surface, a housing disposed around the first and second radial surfaces, and one or more rolling elements disposed between and in contact with the first and second radial surfaces for transferring the non-rotating segment in an axial direction upon rotation of the rotating segment. The non-rotating element may be a second rotating element that rotates at a different rotational rate than the rotating element. Each rolling element moves 360 degrees along a circular path relative to the first radial surface and the second radial surface. The first or second radial surface has a tapered section.

Abstract: A downhole vibration assembly includes a valve positioned above a rotor that is disposed at least partially within a stator. The rotor is operatively suspended within an inner bore of a housing and configured to rotate within the stator as a fluid flows through the vibration assembly. The valve includes a rotating valve segment and a stationary valve segment each including at least one fluid passage. The rotating valve segment rotates with a rotation of the rotor. In an open position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are aligned and a fluid flows through the valve. In a restricted position, the fluid passages of the valve segments are partially or completely unaligned, thereby temporarily restricting the fluid flow through the valve to create a pressure pulse. The unobstructed pressure pulse is transmitted through the drill string or coiled tubing above the valve.