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 capturing fluid samples from a borehole is described. The system includes an outer pipe (703) and an inner pipe (702) 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 (706) may provide fluid communication with the inner pipe. The system may also include a flow mandrel (756) 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 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.

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.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to launch a set of currents into a corresponding set of existing well casings; monitor, in a well under construction, changes in at least one of a magnetic field or an electric field perturbed by the set of currents after each one of the set is launched; and determine a location of the well under construction in relation to the set of existing well casings. In some embodiments, the activities include inducing current into a drillstring located in a well under construction; monitoring, at a set of existing well casings, changes in at least one of a magnetic field or an electric field perturbed by the current after the current is induced; and determining a location of the well under construction in relation to the set of existing well casings. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A motor includes: a rotor including an undulated surface; a rod disposed about the rotor; and a coil disposed about the rod to induce shape changes in the rod, which in turn impart forces to the undulated surface to rotate the rotor.

Abstract: A power supply includes a rotor having an undulated surface (658, 858, 958, 10, 58) and a magnetostrictive material disposed adjacent to the undulated surface. The undulated surface alternatingly compresses the magnetostrictive material as the rotor rotates, inducing an electric current in a conductor coupled to the magnetostrictive material.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to transmit a data signal along a transmission line extending lengthwise along a drill string, the transmission line comprising an outer conductive path provided by a tubular wall of a drill pipe that extends along the drill string; and an internal conductive path extending along an interior passage that is bounded by a radially inner cylindrical surface of the drill pipe and along which drilling fluid is conveyed, the inner conductive path being substantially insulated from the outer conductive path. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described.

Abstract: A borehole network including first and second end surface locations and at least one intermediate surface location interconnected by a subterranean path, and a method for connecting a subterranean path between a first borehole including a directional section and a second borehole including a directional section. A directional drilling component is drilled in at least one of the directional sections to obtain a required proximity between the first and second boreholes. An intersecting component is drilled, utilizing magnetic ranging techniques, from one directional section to provide a borehole intersection between the first and second boreholes, thereby connecting the subterranean path.

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: In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to launch a set of currents into a corresponding set of existing well casings; monitor, in a well under construction, changes in at least one of a magnetic field or an electric field perturbed by the set of currents after each one of the set is launched; and determine a location of the well under construction in relation to the set of existing well casings. In some embodiments, the activities include inducing current into a drillstring located in a well under construction; monitoring, at a set of existing well casings, changes in at least one of a magnetic field or an electric field perturbed by the current after the current is induced; and determining a location of the well under construction in relation to the set of existing well casings. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A borehole network including first and second end surface locations and at least one intermediate surface location interconnected by a subterranean path, and a method for connecting a subterranean path between a first borehole including a directional section and a second borehole including a directional section. A directional drilling component is drilled in at least one of the directional sections to obtain a required proximity between the first and second boreholes. An intersecting component is drilled, utilizing magnetic ranging techniques, from one directional section to provide a borehole intersection between the first and second boreholes, thereby connecting the subterranean path.

Abstract: A borehole network including first and second end surface locations and at least one intermediate surface location interconnected by a subterranean path, and a method for connecting a subterranean path between a first borehole including a directional section and a second borehole including a directional section. A directional drilling component is drilled in at least one of the directional sections to obtain a required proximity between the first and second boreholes. An intersecting component is drilled, utilizing magnetic ranging techniques, from one directional section to provide a borehole intersection between the first and second boreholes, thereby connecting the subterranean path.

Abstract: A borehole network including first and second end surface locations and at least one intermediate surface location interconnected by a subterranean path, and a method for connecting a subterranean path between a first borehole including a directional section and a second borehole including a directional section. A directional drilling component is drilled in at least one of the directional sections to obtain a required proximity between the first and second boreholes. An intersecting component is drilled, utilizing magnetic ranging techniques, from one directional section to provide a borehole intersection between the first and second boreholes, thereby connecting the subterranean path.

Abstract: A borehole network including first and second end surface locations and at least one intermediate surface location interconnected by a subterranean path, and a method for connecting a subterranean path between a first borehole including a directional section and a second borehole including a directional section. A directional drilling component is drilled in at least one of the directional sections to obtain a required proximity between the first and second boreholes. An intersecting component is drilled, utilizing magnetic ranging techniques, from one directional section to provide a borehole intersection between the first and second boreholes, thereby connecting the subterranean path.

Abstract: A borehole network including first and second end surface locations and at least one intermediate surface location interconnected by a subterranean path, and a method for connecting a subterranean path between a first borehole including a directional section and a second borehole including a directional section. A directional drilling component is drilled in at least one of the directional sections to obtain a required proximity between the first and second boreholes. An intersecting component is drilled, utilizing magnetic ranging techniques, from one directional section to provide a borehole intersection between the first and second boreholes, thereby connecting the subterranean path.

Abstract: In a drilling system of the type comprising a rotatable drilling string, a drilling string communication system and a drilling direction control device connected with the drilling string, a method is provided for issuing one or more commands to the drilling direction control device utilizing a changeable first parameter associated with the drilling string and a changeable second parameter associated with the drilling string. The method includes providing at least one first parameter state, providing at least one first parameter event relating to the first parameter state; providing at least one second parameter state, providing at least one second parameter event relating to the second parameter state and issuing at least one command to the drilling direction control device in response to providing at least one of the first parameter event, the second parameter event, the first parameter state and the second parameter state.

Abstract: In a drilling system of the type comprising a rotatable drilling string, a drilling string communication system and a drilling direction control device connected with the drilling string, a method is provided for issuing one or more commands to the drilling direction control device utilizing a changeable first parameter associated with the drilling string and a changeable second parameter associated with the drilling string. The method includes providing at least one first parameter state, providing at least one first parameter event relating to the first parameter state; providing at least one second parameter state, providing at least one second parameter event relating to the second parameter state and issuing at least one command to the drilling direction control device in response to providing at least one of the first parameter event, the second parameter event, the first parameter state and the second parameter state.

Abstract: An electromagnetic antenna extension assembly for connection downhole into a pipe string between a data transmission unit and an electromagnetic antenna. Further, a method for connecting the data transmission unit with the antenna utilizing the assembly. The antenna includes an outer antenna member and an inner antenna member having a lower electrical connector. The data transmission unit includes an outer transmission member and an inner data transmission tool having an upper electrical connector connectable with the lower connector of the inner antenna member.

Abstract: A downhole drilling assembly including a housing having an upper end for connection to a drill string and a lower end, a fluid passage extending through the housing from the upper end to the lower end, a power unit contained within the housing, a drive assembly extending within the housing between the power unit and the lower end of the housing such that a mandrel chamber is defined between the drive assembly and the housing, a radially movable first stabilizer associated with the housing and located between the power unit and the lower end of the housing, an axially movable mandrel contained within the mandrel chamber, the mandrel being associated with a stabilizer actuator for causing radial movement of the first stabilizer in response to axial movement of the mandrel, and a sensor apparatus located between the power unit and the lower end of the housing for sensing at least one drilling parameter.