Abstract: A technique provides an actuation system employed to actuate a tool, such as a downhole tool. The tool is actuated by an actuator element, e.g. a ball, which is selectively releasable from a remote location for interaction with the tool. A carrier is used to hold the actuator element at the remote location until its desired release for interaction with the tool. The carrier may comprise an electro-mechanical actuator mechanism positioned to control release of the actuator element upon receipt of an appropriate control signal.

Abstract: A method for reducing friction between a coiled tubing and a wellbore includes: generating a periodic pressure wave; coupling the periodic pressure wave to a coiled tubing in a wellbore; and propagating the periodic pressure change in the coiled tubing wherein a friction force between the coiled tubing and the wellbore is reduced. The shape of the periodic pressure wave can be modulated to a form similar to that of a sinusoidal waveform.

Abstract: A technique provides an actuation system employed to actuate a tool, such as a downhole tool. The tool is actuated by an actuator element, e.g. a ball, which is selectively releasable from a remote location for interaction with the tool. A carrier is used to hold the actuator element at the remote location until its desired release for interaction with the tool. The carrier may comprise an electro-mechanical actuator mechanism positioned to control release of the actuator element upon receipt of an appropriate control signal.

Abstract: A system and method facilitate directional drilling. The technique employs an orienting tool which may be connected into a coiled tubing drilling system to selectively orient a drilling assembly. The orienting tool is able to cause relative rotation of an outer housing to orientate a tool face. The relative rotation is facilitated by utilizing floating members, such as a floating piston and a floating nut, in the internal orientation assembly. The floating member or members are decoupled in a radial direction to better facilitate the relative rotation of the housing with respect to components of the internal orientation assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coiled tubing unit. The coiled tubing unit may include coiled tubing with a cable disposed within the coiled tubing. Further, the coiled tubing unit may include a spool about which at least a portion of the coiled tubing is wound, an injector header configured to move the coiled tubing, and a cable slack monitoring feature. The cable slack monitoring feature may be configured to detect an accumulation of cable slack in a portion of the coiled tubing.

Abstract: A method for reducing friction between a coiled tubing and a wellbore includes: generating a periodic pressure wave; coupling the periodic pressure wave to a coiled tubing in a wellbore; and propagating the periodic pressure change in the coiled tubing wherein a friction force between the coiled tubing and the wellbore is reduced. The shape of the periodic pressure wave can be modulated to a form similar to that of a sinusoidal waveform.

Abstract: A system and method facilitate directional drilling. The technique employs an orienting tool which may be connected into a coiled tubing drilling system to selectively orient a drilling assembly. The orienting tool is able to cause relative rotation of an outer housing to orientate a tool face. The relative rotation is facilitated by utilizing floating members, such as a floating piston and a floating nut, in the internal orientation assembly. The floating member or members are decoupled in a radial direction to better facilitate the relative rotation of the housing with respect to components of the internal orientation assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coiled tubing unit. The coiled tubing unit may include coiled tubing with a cable disposed within the coiled tubing. Further, the coiled tubing unit may include a spool about which at least a portion of the coiled tubing is wound, an injector header configured to move the coiled tubing, and a cable slack monitoring feature. The cable slack monitoring feature may be configured to detect an accumulation of cable slack in a portion of the coiled tubing.

Abstract: A releasable connection between the lower end of a running string and a well tool that is subject to being stuck in a well includes inner and outer members movable telescopically between contracted and extended positions, a tension sleeve connecting the members in the contracted position and being disrupted by a predetermined pull to allow telescoping movement, a stop nut to limit such movement in the extended position of the members, and a mechanism responsive to a certain number of cycles of telescoping movement for disabling the stop nut to allow complete release and separation of the members.

Abstract: A deflecting tool or whipstock is oriented and anchored in a well casing during a single trip of a running string so that a window can be formed in the wall of the casing at a selected azimuth. The angular orientation of the deflecting tool is measured, and signals representative thereof are transmitted to the surface. When the desired orientation is obtained, the anchor is actuated to prevent movement of the deflecting tool, and the orientation adjusting and measurement and transmission tools are released from the whipstock and removed from the casing by withdrawing the running string which preferably is coiled tubing. Then a downhole motor and milling bit are run into the casing on coiled tubing and operated to form a window through the wall thereof opposite the deflection surface of the whipstock so that a new borehole can be drilled outside the casing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a window through the wall of a well casing to enable a new borehole to be drilled outside the casing include forming a cement plug in the casing, drilling a laterally offset hole in the cement plug, orienting and setting a whipstock in the offset hole, and using the whipstock to drill an elongated window through the casing wall opposite its deflector surface. The drilling steps employ a mud motor having a bent housing that establishes a toolface for the bit, and proper orientation is obtained by downhole measurement and transmission to the surface of orientation signals and downhole adjustment of orientation to a selected toolface value. The whipstock is oriented in the same manner. All drilling and orientation procedures are carried out on coiled tubing to reduce costs.

Abstract: Where on the valve seating surfaces due to the high pressure pumping of abrasive slurry through an in-line valve is greatly reduced by providing first and second valve seating surfaces which are engaged, respectively by first metal and first elastomeric closure surfaces and second metal and elastomeric closure surfaces located on an annular valve closure means. Pumping efficiency is maintained by providing for high velocity sweep in an annular space between the annular valve closure means and the cylinder in which it rides.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a new and improved weight-on-bit and/or torque measuring apparatus for use in making measurements-while-drilling includes a tubular housing adapted to be attached in the drill string above the bit, the housing having diametrically opposed, radially directed holes that are enclosed to provide a sealed chamber isolated from ambient well fluids. The holes have peripheral wall surfaces to which are attached sensors that measure strain induced by axial and/or torsional loading of the housing. The strain sensors are attached to the walls at locations to be substantially insensitive to strains induced by temperature gradients, and an internal sleeve is utilized in combination with pressure equalization to eliminate spurious stresses in the region of the holes caused by pressure differences inside and outside the housing.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a shock limiting apparatus for mounting an instrumentality in a drill collar comprises piston and cylinder means subject to hydrostatic well fluid pressure for preventing longitudinal movement of the instrumentality within the drill collar unless a predetermined level of deceleration is exceeded, and a combination of hydraulic damping and Coulomb friction means for dissipating kinetic energy of the instrumentality in a substantially uniform manner when applied deceleration exceeds said predetermined level.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, apparatus for use in measuring weight-on-bit downhole during a drilling operation includes tubular telescoping members having resilient means reacting therebetween whereby relative longitudinal movement of the members is functionally relative to axial loading of a drill bit, sensor means mounted on one member and connected by linkage means to the other member for sensing the amount of relative movement, and means providing an elastic discontinuity in said linkage means for substantially isolating said sensor means from vibratory movement of said other member due to the cutting action of the bit.