Abstract: An apparatus for measuring strain on a downhole component includes: at least one strain sensitive device disposed proximate to a surface of a component of a drilling assembly or disposed within a material forming the component; and a processor in operable communication with the at least one strain sensitive device, the processor configured to detect changes in the at least one strain sensitive device and detect at least one of erosion, crack formation and crack propagation in the component surface. An apparatus for measuring strain on a downhole component includes: at least one strain gauge deposited on a surface of a drive shaft or disposed within a material forming the drive shaft; and a processor in operable communication with the at least one strain gauge, the processor configured to detect changes in the at least one strain gauge and detect conditions affecting operation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring rotary power to a consumer in a wellbore includes a rotary power source positioned along a conveyance device and a drive train connected to the rotary power source. The drive train transfers torque from the rotary power source to a consumer. The drive train includes at least two torque transmitting members connected by a multi-start thread connection.

Abstract: An apparatus uses well devices, both downhole and at the surface, to control at least one condition in a wellbore. The downhole equipment includes flow restriction devices that modulate fluid flow along a wellbore annulus, flow bypass devices that selectively bypass fluid flow from wellbore tubular bore to the wellbore annulus, and downhole sensors that generate information relating to a selected parameter of interest. The surface equipment includes a pump that circulates a drilling fluid in the wellbore. Controllers, which may be downhole and/or at the surface, use sensor information to generate advice parameters or signals that may be used to control the flow restriction devices, the flow bypass devices, and/or the fluid circulation pump.

Abstract: In one aspect, a drilling apparatus is provided, where the drilling apparatus includes a fluid pump disposed in a main wellbore, a lateral well in fluid communication with the fluid pump and a drilling assembly disposed in the lateral well, wherein the drilling assembly is configured to receive a fluid from the fluid pump to power the drilling assembly and to transport cuttings from the drilling assembly to the main wellbore. The drilling apparatus further includes a sealing mechanism disposed in the main wellbore, the sealing mechanism being configured to direct the cuttings in the fluid downhole of the sealing mechanism.

Abstract: In an aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus for use downhole. In one aspect the apparatus includes a rotor with lobes disposed in stator with lobes, wherein at least one of the contours of the rotor lobe and the contour of the stator lobe is asymmetric.

Abstract: In aspects, the disclosure provides a drilling motor that includes a lubricating unit that selectively supplies a lubricant to the drilling fluid before the drilling fluid passes through the drilling motor so as to lubricate the stator and/or the rotor to reduce friction between the stator and the rotor and to reduce wear of the motor.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for determining an internal profile of a measured device is provided, which method in one embodiment may include: a housing having a first axis, a measuring device configured to emit a light beam along a second axis offset from the first axis; a deflection device configured to direct the emitted light beam to an inner surface of the measured device; and a driver configured to rotate the measuring device about the first axis.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for determining an internal profile of a measured device is provided, which method in one embodiment may include: a housing having a first axis, a measuring device configured to emit a light beam along a second axis offset from the first axis; a deflection device configured to direct the emitted light beam to an inner surface of the measured device; and a driver configured to rotate the measuring device about the first axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring strain on a downhole component includes: at least one strain sensitive device disposed proximate to a surface of a component of a drilling assembly or disposed within a material forming the component; and a processor in operable communication with the at least one strain sensitive device, the processor configured to detect changes in the at least one strain sensitive device and detect at least one of erosion, crack formation and crack propagation in the component surface. An apparatus for measuring strain on a downhole component includes: at least one strain gauge deposited on a surface of a drive shaft or disposed within a material forming the drive shaft; and a processor in operable communication with the at least one strain gauge, the processor configured to detect changes in the at least one strain gauge and detect conditions affecting operation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that in one embodiment may include a rotor having an outer lobed surface disposed in a stator having an inner lobed surface, wherein the inner lobed-surface or the outer-lobed surface includes a sealing material on a first section thereof and a metallic surface on a second section thereof.

Abstract: In an aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus for use downhole. In one aspect the apparatus includes a rotor with lobes disposed in stator with lobes, wherein at least one of the contours of the rotor lobe and the contour of the stator lobe is asymmetric.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus for use downhole that in one configuration includes a stator including a housing having an inner contour and a liner lining the inner contour of the stator housing, wherein thickness of the liner is non-equidistant around the inner contour of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus uses well devices, both downhole and at the surface, to control at least one condition in a wellbore. The downhole equipment includes flow restriction devices that modulate fluid flow along a wellbore annulus, flow bypass devices that selectively bypass fluid flow from wellbore tubular bore to the wellbore annulus, and downhole sensors that generate information relating to a selected parameter of interest. The surface equipment includes a pump that circulates a drilling fluid in the wellbore. Controllers, which may be downhole and/or at the surface, use sensor information to generate advice parameters or signals that may be used to control the flow restriction devices, the flow bypass devices, and/or the fluid circulation pump.

Abstract: In aspects, the disclosure provides a drilling motor that includes a lubricating unit that selectively supplies a lubricant to the drilling fluid before the drilling fluid passes through the drilling motor so as to lubricate the stator and/or the rotor to reduce friction between the stator and the rotor and to reduce wear of the motor.

Abstract: A drilling system for drilling a borehole includes a drill string including a bottom hole assembly and a telemetry system coupled together and a communication device coupled to the drillstring configured to transmit sensor data to and receive control data from a control unit located at a surface location through the telemetry system. The system also includes a sensor coupled to the drillstring, the sensor providing the sensor data to the communication device and a downhole safety device coupled to the drill string and in operable communication with the communication device, the downhole safety device configured to actuate after receiving an activation signal initiated by the control unit.

Abstract: In one aspect, a drilling apparatus is provided, where the drilling apparatus includes a fluid pump disposed in a main wellbore, a lateral well in fluid communication with the fluid pump and a drilling assembly disposed in the lateral well, wherein the drilling assembly is configured to receive a fluid from the fluid pump to power the drilling assembly and to transport cuttings from the drilling assembly to the main wellbore. The drilling apparatus further includes a sealing mechanism disposed in the main wellbore, the sealing mechanism being configured to direct the cuttings in the fluid downhole of the sealing mechanism.

Abstract: Gas from a tight gas formation may be produced using a drain hole having a juncture to a main wellbore and a terminal end at a depth higher than the juncture. The terminal end may be positioned in the tight gas formation.

Abstract: One exemplary APD Device is used with a liner drilling assembly to control wellbore pressure. The APD Device reduces a dynamic pressure loss associated with the drilling fluid returning via a wellbore annulus. Another exemplary APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when deploying wellbore equipment, including running, installing and/or operating wellbore tools. The APD Device is set to reduce a dynamic pressure loss associated with a circulating fluid. The APD Device can also be configured to reduce a surge effect associated with the running of the wellbore equipment. Still another APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when completing or working over a well. Exemplary completion activity can include circulating fluid other than a drilling fluid, such as a gravel slurry. The APD Device can reduce the dynamic pressure loss associated with circulation of both drilling fluid and non-drilling fluid.

Abstract: An APD Device provides a pressure differential in a wellbore to control dynamic pressure loss while drilling fluid is continuously circulated in the wellbore. A continuous circulation system circulates fluid both during drilling of the wellbore and when the drilling is stopped. Operating the APD Device allows wellbore pressure control during continuous circulation without substantially changing density of the fluid. The APD Device can maintain wellbore pressure below the combined pressure caused by weight of the fluid and pressure losses created due to circulation of the fluid in the wellbore, maintain the wellbore at or near a balanced pressure condition, maintain the wellbore at an underbalanced condition, reduce the swab effect in the wellbore, and/or reduce the surge effect in the wellbore. A flow restriction device that creates a backpressure in the wellbore annulus provides surface control of wellbore pressure.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling fluid flow through a borehole in an earth formation is disclosed. The system includes: a downhole tool configured to be movable within the borehole; and a plurality of interchangeable modules disposed within the downhole tool, the plurality of interchangeable modules including at least a sensor module for detecting a property change in the borehole and a packer module for sealing a portion of the borehole in response to the property change. Each of the plurality of interchangeable modules includes a connection configuration, the connection configuration of one of the modules being removably engageable with at least another of the modules. A method of monitoring and controlling fluid flow through a borehole in an earth formation is also disclosed.