Abstract: The downhole tool may include an electrical power source, a positive and a negative electrode, and at least one sensor. The positive and negative electrodes may be configured to generate an electric field between the positive and the negative electrode with an electrical charge from the electrical power source and discharge the electric charge through a downhole formation. The at least one sensor may be configured to detect quantum particles dislocated by at least one of the electric field and the discharged electrical charge to determine downhole information from at least one of a travel time of the quantum particles, a composition of the quantum particles, a quantity of the quantum particles, and a charge of the quantum particles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are signal-transparent and actuator-transparent tubulars for use with downhole tubular strings are. The signal-transparent tubulars include a tubular connector configured to engage with and connect to a different downhole tubular, the tubular connector formed from metal, a signal-transparent portion connected to the tubular connector, the signal-transparent portion formed from a composite material, and at least one of a sensor, an actuator, and a transmitter arranged within the signal-transparent portion and at least partially surrounded by the composite material, wherein the composite material of the signal-transparent portion is selected to be transparent to a characteristic of a signal that is detectable by or transmitted by the at least one sensor, actuator, and/or transmitter.

Abstract: The downhole tool may include an electrical power source, a positive and a negative electrode, and at least one sensor. The positive and negative electrodes may be configured to generate an electric field between the positive and the negative electrode with an electrical charge from the electrical power source and discharge the electric charge through a downhole formation. The at least one sensor may be configured to detect quantum particles dislocated by at least one of the electric field and the discharged electrical charge to determine downhole information from at least one of a travel time of the quantum particles, a composition of the quantum particles, a quantity of the quantum particles, and a charge of the quantum particles.

Abstract: A method for drilling a borehole penetrating an earth formation includes: drilling a first section of the borehole; notching a wall of the borehole in one or more selected locations with a selected type of notch using a notcher for defined local weakening of the formation; performing a local induced break-out test and/or local fracturing operation on an annulus section of the first section of the borehole between the drill string and a wall of the borehole using a test tool comprising a packer to provide formation stress-state data. The one or more locations is based on the formation stress-state data. The method further includes deriving stress-state of the formation and a fracturing parameter of the formation using the formation stress-state data and drilling a second section of the borehole using the derived stress-state and the fracturing parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a borehole formed in an earthen formation includes a flex sub having a reduced diameter flex section connecting a first end to a second end, the flex section having a surface radially recessed from an outer surface of the first end and a second end and a shell disposed around the radially recessed surface. The shell is more flexible than the flex section. The shell includes at least one module that has at least one sensor embedded in the shell that estimates a selected parameter of interest. The apparatus may also include a positioning module connected to the flex sub, the positioning module having a plurality of independently extendable ribs configured to selectively laterally position the flex sub in the borehole.

Abstract: A system for performing a wellbore operation while a fluid circulates in a wellbore may include a string, a fluid circulation system, a control device, The string may include at least a first tubular section and a second tubular section. The a fluid circulating system has a first fluid path and a second fluid path, wherein only one of the first fluid path and the second fluid path circulate the fluid into the string at a specified time.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly includes a drill bit body, an insulating layer disposed on an end of the drill bit body and that defines a drill bit face and two electrodes formed such that they both extend from the drill bit face. The two electrodes form a spiral on the drill bit face and are equidistant from each other at all locations of the drill bit face.

Abstract: A system for increasing the detecting degradation of a wellbore. The system comprises a computer memory configured for storing computing instructions and a processor operably coupled to the computer memory. The system comprises a sensor operably coupled to the computer memory and is configured to determine the presence of at least one chemical species indicative of degradation of the wellbore in a fluid exiting the wellbore. Methods of monitoring a wellbore for corrosion or other degradation of one or more components of wellbore equipment are disclosed as are methods of increasing the lifetime of a wellbore.

Abstract: A bottomhole assembly (BHA) has a first section, a second section, and a drilling motor disposed along the second BHA section. The first BHA section is connected to the second BHA section with a flex sub. A steering assembly positioned along the BHA includes a first steering unit and an axially spaced apart second unit. Each steering unit has at least one pad. During operation, the first steering unit generates a force in a first direction and the second steering unit generates a force in a second direction different from the first direction. The first and the second steering units thereby cooperate to axially misalign the first BHA section and the second BHA section at the flex sub.

Abstract: A method for drilling a borehole penetrating an earth formation includes: drilling a first section of the borehole; notching a wall of the borehole in one or more selected locations with a selected type of notch using a notcher for defined local weakening of the formation; performing a local induced break-out test and/or local fracturing operation on an annulus section of the first section of the borehole between the drill string and a wall of the borehole using a test tool comprising a packer to provide formation stress-state data. The one or more locations is based on the formation stress-state data. The method further includes deriving stress-state of the formation and a fracturing parameter of the formation using the formation stress-state data and drilling a second section of the borehole using the derived stress-state and the fracturing parameter.

Abstract: A process for hardening tubulars and increasing their surface area for heat transfer can be performed in place in a borehole or on the surface. A pattern is applied to an interior wall with at laser, electron beam or radiation source that is remotely controlled to apply the hardening pattern to the inside or outside wall as inert gas or clean fluid is applied. Pressure differential is applied to the wall so that the non-hardened portions or the negative of the hardened pattern plastically or elastically deform to increase surface area and enhance load resistance of tubular or sheets. Alternatively, wall differential pressure is applied with an insert having a raised pattern on its exterior surface causing the spaces where the pattern is absent to plastically deform to enhance surface area. When done in a borehole annulus pressure or stand pipe pressure is applied or a vacuum is pulled inside the tubular to generate differential pressure for hydro-forming or switching dents in an opposite stable condition.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for forming a wellbore in a subterranean formation includes forming a drill string that has a drill bit at a distal end, a drilling motor configured to rotate the drill bit with a drive shaft; a joint coupled to the drive shaft; and an actuator assembly displacing the drive shaft between a first and a second deflection angle, the drive shaft being movable at each of the deflection angles until a predetermined weight is applied to the bit. The method also includes conveying the drill bit through the wellbore and fixing the drive shaft in at least one of the first and the second deflection angles by applying a predetermined weight on the bit.

Abstract: A hydraulic tool includes a stator and a rotor rotatably disposed within the stator. At least one of at least an inner portion of the stator and at least an outer portion of the rotor includes an insert comprising a hard material. A method of forming a hydraulic tool includes attaching at least one insert comprising a hard material to a surface of a stator or a surface of a rotor. A downhole motor or pump includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes at least one insert comprising a hard material disposed over at least a portion of an interior surface thereof and a matrix material at least partially surrounding the at least one insert. The rotor includes at least one insert disposed over at least a portion of an exterior surface thereof and a matrix material at least partially surrounding the at least one insert.

Abstract: A system for increasing the detecting degradation of a wellbore. The system comprises a computer memory configured for storing computing instructions and a processor operably coupled to the computer memory. The system comprises a sensor operably coupled to the computer memory and is configured to determine the presence of at least one chemical species indicative of degradation of the wellbore in a fluid exiting the wellbore. Methods of monitoring a wellbore for corrosion or other degradation of one or more components of wellbore equipment are disclosed as are methods of increasing the lifetime of a wellbore.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for forming a wellbore in a subterranean formation includes forming a drill string that has a drill bit at a distal end, a drilling motor configured to rotate the drill bit with a drive shaft; a joint coupled to the drive shaft; and an actuator assembly displacing the drive shaft between a first and a second deflection angle, the drive shaft being movable at each of the deflection angles until a predetermined weight is applied to the bit. The method also includes conveying the drill bit through the wellbore and fixing the drive shaft in at least one of the first and the second deflection angles by applying a predetermined weight on the bit.

Abstract: An electrical pulse cutting device is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a pair of electrodes that generate electrical pulses inside an object to disintegrate a section of the object into cuttings, and at least one flow passage in at least one of the electrodes to provide a passage for a fluid under pressure to move the cuttings away from the at least one of the electrodes.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly includes a drill bit body, an insulating layer disposed on an end of the drill bit body and that defines a drill bit face and two electrodes formed such that they both extend from the drill bit face. The two electrodes form a spiral on the drill bit face and are equidistant from each other at all locations of the drill bit face.

Abstract: A process for hardening tubulars and increasing their surface area for heat transfer can be performed in place in a borehole or on the surface. A pattern is applied to an interior wall with at laser, electron beam or radiation source that is remotely controlled to apply the hardening pattern to the inside or outside wall as inert gas or clean fluid is applied. Pressure differential is applied to the wall so that the non-hardened portions or the negative of the hardened pattern plastically or elastically deform to increase surface area and enhance load resistance of tubular or sheets. Alternatively, wall differential pressure is applied with an insert having a raised pattern on its exterior surface causing the spaces where the pattern is absent to plastically deform to enhance surface area. When done in a borehole annulus pressure or stand pipe pressure is applied or a vacuum is pulled inside the tubular to generate differential pressure for hydro-forming or switching dents in an opposite stable condition.

Abstract: Tubulars are joined for subterranean borehole use in the production of hydrocarbons by a technique of magnetically impelled arc butt (MIAB) welding. Large casing can be accommodated and the weld quality is maintained with control over the pattern of arc movement on the end walls by virtue of relative movements of the tubulars as the arc is generated and the magnetic field is applied. One or both tubulars can be manipulated relatively in a variety of direction to control the movements of the arc as the magnetic field induces circular arc movement along the end walls of the tubulars to heat up the ends to the temperature needed to effectively fuse the wall ends together. Movement can be rotational or axial about a fixed axis or lateral with respect to the axes both with and without skewing of the axes. The movements can be combined to obtain the desired track.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a wellbore in a subterranean formation includes a drill bit, a connector connected to the drill bit and configured to transmit torque and thrust to the drill bit, and a drilling motor energized by a pressurized fluid. The drilling motor may include a stator and a rotor disposed in the stator and having a torque transmitting connection to the connector. The apparatus may also include a thrust generator associated with the rotor and having a pressure face in pressure communication with a fluid flowing through the drilling motor and a force application assembly selectively anchoring the stator to a wellbore wall. A related method uses the apparatus to drill a wellbore.