Abstract: An example embodiment of a pipe-in-pipe electric motor assembly includes a drilling string that includes an inner pipe, an outer pipe, and an electric motor. The electric motor is provided with power supplied by the inner pipe and the outer pipe acting at least as conductors. A latching mechanism connects the drilling string and an electric motor output shaft. The electric motor output shaft is driven by the electric motor. The latching mechanism prevents the electric motor output shaft from rotating slower than the drilling string and associated methods.

Abstract: A retrievable Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) and electrical motor for driving the ESP are positioned in a tubing string in the well-bore and, when desired, retrieved back to the surface. The ESP and motor are on an insertion string and can be lowered using wireline, coiled tubing, and standard running and setting tools. The method eliminates the need to retrieve the tubing string to repair, replace, or service the ESP and motor.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to communicate, by an information-bearing signal across a mechanical interface, between a pair of electromechanical transducer elements when the pair is compressively loaded. Compressive loading may occur after coupling a male portion of a pipe joint to a female portion of the pipe joint to form the pipe joint. A first one of the pair of electromechanical transducer elements may be included in the male portion, and a second one of the pair may be included in the female portion. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The system comprises a drilling apparatus comprising a first portion (111) and a second portion (116). In certain embodiments, the first portion may comprise a bottom hole assembly (BHA) or a drill string, and the second portion may comprise a sensor extension housing. The first portion (111) has a first diameter and the second portion (116) has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The system includes a sensor pair 114) disposed within the second portion and proximate to an outer radial surface of the second portion. A processor is in communication with the sensor pair. The processor determines at least one gradient measurement based, at least in part, on outputs of the sensor pair.

Abstract: A drilling assembly positionable in a well bore includes a turbine motor couplable to a drill string and a harmonic drive transmission coupled to the turbine motor. The harmonic drive transmission includes a circular spline, a wave generator, a flexspline, and a sealing subsystem. The sealing subsystem defines a substantially sealed volume containing the circular spline, wave generator, and flexspline, and isolates the circular spline, wave generator, and flexspline from drilling fluid exiting the turbine motor and flowing through the harmonic drive transmission.

Abstract: An example method for control of a drilling assembly includes receiving measurement data from at least one sensor coupled to an element of the drilling assembly positioned in a formation. An operating constraint for at least a portion of the drilling assembly may be determined based, at least in part, on a model of the formation and a set of offset data. A control signal may be generated to alter one or more drilling parameters of the drilling assembly based, at least in part, on the measurement data and the operating constraint. The control signal may be transmitted to a controllable element of the drilling assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ranging from ahead of a drill bit is described. The ranging apparatus includes a ranging probe with at least one sensor that may be deployed ahead of the drill bit. The ranging probe may be conveyed via a cable through the interior of a drill string. In an alternative embodiment, the ranging probe may be attached to a ram that is seated inside of the drill string and that may be extended and retracted. In such an embodiment, the ranging probe may be retrievable by cable. The ranging probe optionally includes collapsible arms that retract when the ranging probe is inside the drill string or drill bit and that extend when the ranging probe is deployed ahead of the drill bit. One or more ranging sensors may be coupled to the collapsible arms. Ranging measurements may be communicated to the surface using telemetry.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling fluid contact with a borehole wall during drilling operations include introducing an outer pipe into a borehole and positioning an inner pipe within the outer pipe, wherein the inner pipe may be axially disposed within the outer pipe. The annular isolator may be disposed within an annulus between the outer pipe and the borehole wall. The method may include placing a control fluid in the annulus between the outer pipe and the borehole wall. The method may further include circulating a drilling fluid to a drill bit using the inner pipe and the annulus between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. The drilling fluid may be separated from the control fluid by an annular isolator.

Abstract: An example system for capturing fluid samples from a borehole includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe disposed within the outer pipe. A removable capture assembly may be disposed within the inner pipe proximate to a top of the inner pipe. A flow port may provide fluid communication with the inner pipe. The system may also include a flow mandrel disposed around the outer pipe. The flow mandrel may include a flow path in fluid communication with an annular space within the outer pipe, and the removable capture assembly may be at least partially disposed within the flow mandrel.

Abstract: A system and method for sampling formation fluids is described. The system include a fluid sampling tool (200) with an elongated tool body (201). A cache of fluid containers may be disposed within the tool body. Each of the fluid containers within the cache of fluid containers may be individually deployable from the fluid sampling tool while the fluid sampling tool is positioned within a borehole. The fluid sampling tool may also include a pump in fluid communication with the cache of fluid containers.

Abstract: A fluid container reloading tool for a downhole fluid sampling tool is described. The reloading tool includes an elongated cylindrical body. The body may include a bottom opening sized to engage with a fluid sampling tool deployed within a borehole. A cache of empty fluid containers may be included within the body. A piston may be coupled to at least one of the fluid containers in the cache of fluid containers. The piston may be used to transfer the cache of fluid containers into the fluid sampling tool. The reloading tool may also include a pump in fluid communication with the piston.

Abstract: In one example of a rotationally independent wellbore ranging system, a housing attached to a rotary component is positioned in a first wellbore and remains substantially stationary relative to the first wellbore when the rotary component rotates in the first wellbore. Multiple sensors affixed to the housing are operable to receive multiple ranging signals from a second wellbore while the rotary component rotates in the first wellbore, and provide the multiple ranging signals to a processor to determine a position of the first wellbore relative to the second wellbore.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to acquire fluid image information from an imaging device having a field of view including fluid, the fluid image information including fossil image information. Additional activities may include processing the fossil image information to identify fossil types in the fluid as data that associates the fossil types with a formation from which the fluid was acquired, determining the location of a first borehole in the formation based on the data and offset records associated with a second borehole, and publishing the data in conjunction with indications of the location. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid container reloading tool for a downhole fluid sampling tool (114) is described. The reloading tool includes an elongated cylindrical body. The body may include a bottom opening sized to engage with a fluid sampling tool deployed within a borehole. A cache (263) of empty fluid containers (210) may be included within the body (201). A piston may be coupled to at least one of the fluid containers in the cache of fluid containers. The piston may be used to transfer the cache of fluid containers into the fluid sampling tool. The reloading tool may also include a pump in fluid communication with the piston.

Abstract: A downhole drilling motor for well drilling operations includes a tubular housing and a stator disposed in the tubular housing. The stator defines an internal cavity passing therethrough, wherein the stator includes one or more lobes defining at least a portion of the cavity. A rotor is operatively positioned in the internal cavity to cooperate with the one or more lobes of the stator. At least a portion of the stator or of the rotor comprises a memory material adapted to expand or contract when heat is applied by a localized heating module to the memory material. A fluid escape gap between the rotor and stator is adjusted by applying heat to the rotor and/or stator. At least one controller is adapted to receive input data and provide output signals increasing and/or decreasing electrical current applied to the at least one localized heating module.

Abstract: A system and method for sampling formation fluids is described. The system include a fluid sampling tool (200) with an elongated tool body (201). A cache of fluid containers may be disposed within the tool body. Each of the fluid containers within the cache of fluid containers may be individually deployable from the fluid sampling tool while the fluid sampling tool is positioned within a borehole. The fluid sampling tool may also include a pump in fluid communication with the cache of fluid containers.

Abstract: A pipe in pipe electric heater assembly comprising a work string comprising an inner pipe and an outer pipe and a heater element, wherein the heater element is provided with power supplied by the inner pipe and the outer pipe acting at least as conductors and associated methods.

Abstract: A pipe in pipe electric motor assembly comprising: a drilling string comprising an inner pipe and an outer pipe and an electric motor; wherein the electric motor is provided with power supplied by the inner pipe and the outer pipe acting at least as conductors and associated methods.

Abstract: A fluid container reloading tool for a downhole fluid sampling tool (114) is described. The reloading tool includes an elongated cylindrical body. The body may include a bottom opening sized to engage with a fluid sampling tool deployed within a borehole. A cache (263) of empty fluid containers (210) may be included within the body (201). A piston may be coupled to at least one of the fluid containers in the cache of fluid containers. The piston may be used to transfer the cache of fluid containers into the fluid sampling tool. The reloading tool may also include a pump in fluid communication with the piston.

Abstract: A pipe in pipe piston thrust system comprises a plurality of piston assemblies configured to sealingly engage a wellbore, a pump configured to transfer a fluid into the wellbore, and a by-pass disposed between a plurality of annuli formed by the plurality of piston assemblies. The by-pass allows for selective communication of the fluid between the plurality of annuli.