Abstract: A drill bit for use in drilling a wellbore and that can be used for fracturing the subterranean formation surrounding the wellbore. Included on the bit body is a packer for sealing against the wellbore wall during fracturing. A chamber in the drill bit houses a valve assembly for selectively diverting fluid between use in drilling and for use in fracturing. The fluid is delivered through a drill string that attaches to an upper end of the bit. The valve assembly can be shuttled between drilling and fracturing configurations by selectively adjusting an amount and/or pressure of the fluid flowing in the drill string.

Abstract: A multi-zone well test system, that can flow test multiple zones within a subterranean formation and without the use of a rig. The system includes an inflow control tool that is ball actuated, a top diverter sub, a zonal isolation packer, a bottom diverter sub, and a dual-conduit tubing system. An advantage of the test system is that the subs and packers can be individually actuated without a surface operated control system.

Abstract: One example of a downhole self-isolating wellbore drilling system to pulverize formation cuttings includes a cutting grinder tool and an isolation tool. The cutting grinder tool can be attached to a drill string uphole relative to a drill bit attached to a downhole end of the drill string. The cutting grinder tool can receive and pulverize formation cuttings resulting from drilling a formation using the drill bit. The isolation tool can be attached to the drill string uphole relative to the cutting grinder tool. The isolation tool can control flow of the pulverized formation cuttings mixed with a drilling mud uphole through the drill string.

Abstract: A system for use in a subterranean wellbore includes an earth boring bit on a lower end of a drill string, and an inflatable packer system. The packer system includes a pressure activated inlet valve that regulates pressurized fluid from within the drill string to the packer for inflating the packer. The inlet valve opens above a pressure used for drilling and includes a piston and spring disposed in a cylinder; the spring provides a biasing force against the piston and positions the piston between the annulus and an inlet port to the packer. When inflated, the packer extends radially outward from the drill string and into sealing engagement with an inner surface of the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a formation that at the same time drills a wellbore through the formation selectively deploys a seal from a drill string and pressurizes the wellbore beneath the seal. The seal can be formed by moving sliding blades into channels between cutting blades on a drill bit. The seal can also be a packer on the drill bit that selectively expands radially outward into sealing engagement with the wellbore. At a designated depth in the wellbore, the seal is deployed and fluid is diverted into the space. A pressurizing system pressurizes the fluid so that pressure in the space overcomes the formation strength and fractures the formation adjacent the enclosed space. The packer can be released, drilling can resume, and fracturing can occur at a different depth in the wellbore.

Abstract: A system for a drilling and fracturing a wellbore in a single trip includes a drill string, drill bit, and a fluid flow means for delivering fluid through the string and drill bit. The drill bit includes a body with cutting elements, and nozzles between the cutting elements for washing away drilling generated cuttings. A packer on the drill bit selectively seals with an inner surface of the wellbore. Deploying the packer at a designated spot in the wellbore defines a fracturing zone in the wellbore. Closing the nozzles while opening side ports on the body delivers fracturing fluid into the space. A pressurizing system can be included to pressurized the fluid so that pressure in the space overcomes the formation strength and fractures the formation adjacent the enclosed space. The packer can be released, drilling can resume, and fracturing can occur at a different depth in the wellbore.

Abstract: An inflow control device controls the rate of fluid flow from a subsurface fluid reservoir into a production tubing string. The inflow control device includes a particulate screen to remove particulate matter from the reservoir fluid, and at least two flow restrictors. The flow restrictors are positioned on circumferentially opposite sides of the inflow control device and are connected by an isolated fluid passage. The flow restrictors limit the flowrate of reservoir fluid when the reservoir fluid has a high water or gas-to-oil ratio. The inflow control device also includes at least one pressure drop device that generates a pressure drop for the reservoir fluid in response to fluid pressure in the reservoir. The inflow control device also includes a choking apparatus that allows the flow of reservoir fluid to be shut off and the particulate screen cleaned while the inflow control device is in place in hole.

Abstract: A tool circulates drilling fluid through and rotates a pipe string while making up or breaking out a stand of pipe. The tool includes a tubular member defining a central bore having an axis, wherein the tubular member comprises an upper tubular member and a lower tubular member, and wherein the upper tubular member and the lower tubular member are configured to alternately rotate independently and in unison. The tool also includes a central bore valve coupled to the upper member, and at least one radial valve coupled to the upper tubular member axially below the central bore valve.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic classification of images of internal structures of human and animal bodies. A method includes receiving a magnetic resonance (MR) image testing model and determining a testing volume of the testing model that includes areas of the testing model to be classified as bone or cartilage. The method includes modifying the testing model so that the testing volume corresponds to a mean shape and a shape variation space of an active shape model and producing an initial classification of the testing volume by fitting the testing volume to the mean shape and the shape variation space. The method includes producing a refined classification of the testing volume into bone areas and cartilage areas by refining the boundaries of the testing volume with respect to the active shape model and segmenting the MR image testing model into different areas corresponding to bone areas and cartilage areas.

Abstract: A downhole tool provided within a casing string for use in cement staging operations. The tool includes a sleeve in the tool that selectively slides downward under pressure to expose ports formed in a side wall of the tool. Also, an annulus through the tool is selectively blocked so that cement in the casing string flows radially outward through the ports and into an annulus between the tool and a wellbore. An inflatable packer is included that is integral to the body of the tool and is inflated with a fluid that is pushed into the packer as the sleeve slides downward. An optional expanding agent can be included in the packer that is a metal oxide and is activated with the addition of water.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a multilateral wellbore includes a guide member on one end that selectively projects into a designated wellbore, where the designated wellbore can be a motherbore or a lateral wellbore. Pistons are set radially in a body of the tool that selectively push against an end of the guide member to pivot it into a designated orientation to guide the tool into the designated wellbore. The pistons are hydraulically actuated when probes that are on sides of the tool body extend outward into contact with a lateral wellbore. The probes block hydraulic flow when retracted, but when deployed outward they allow fluid communication to push the pistons against the guide member.

Abstract: An expandable liner hanger system for forging a pressure seal and hanging of the liner weight against outer casing string in a wellbore that includes an outer casing string, and an inner casing string positioned within the outer casing string and having an inner diameter. The system also includes an elongate inner string tool selectively insertable into the inner casing string and having a torque locking sleeve that removably couples with the inner casing string. Also included in the expandable liner hanger system is an expansion cone slidable along the inner string tool and having a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the inner casing string so that when the cone is urged into the inner casing string, the larger diameter cone deforms the inner casing string radially outward into engagement with the outer casing string. The system also includes a downhole hydraulic force intensifier.

Abstract: A downhole tool provided within a casing string for use in cement staging operations. The tool includes an inflatable packer that is integral to the body of the tool and ports in sides of the tool. The ports are selectively opened and closed for circulating cement from within the tool so that cement can flow between the casing string and a wellbore. The ports are actuated by sliding the casing string upward or downward within the wellbore. The packer can be pressure tested after being set to ensure its efficacy.

Abstract: A downhole tool in a drill string for mitigating hazards of a blockage in an annulus of the drill string. The downhole tool can sense blockages and selectively recirculate flow from within the annulus back to surface. Further, the downhole tool is made up of segments that are selectively detachable from one another, so that the segments above the point of detachment are removable from a wellbore. The bypass assembly includes a sleeve in the downhole tool with openings in its side; when the annulus reaches a set pressure, the sleeve slides to a position so the openings register with ports formed through a side of the tool to allow bypass flow. A processor in the downhole tool senses movement of the string, and when the string is axially stationary more than a designated period of time, the processor emits signals to detach the segments.

Abstract: A lateral wellbore is formed from a high side of a horizontal portion of a primary wellbore with a drill bit assembly that has a selectively extendable pilot bit. The drill bit assembly is mounted on a lower end of a drill string. A bit guide is disposed adjacent the drill bit assembly for urging the drill bit assembly in a lateral direction against the high side of the primary wellbore. Rotating the drill bit assembly while urging the drill bit assembly upward creates a groove in a subterranean formation adjacent the primary wellbore. This forms a ledge at a far end of the groove. The drill string is then drawn back from the groove, and the pilot bit is deployed. Urging the drill bit assembly forward engages the pilot bit with the ledge, providing leverage for retaining the drill bit assembly in an orientation for excavating the lateral wellbore.

Abstract: A drilling system has a drill string that is made up of tubular segments of coiled tubing joined together by connectors. The connectors can be selectively changed between locked and unlocked configurations. When in the unlocked configuration adjacent tubular segments rotate with respect to one another, and when in the locked configuration the tubular segments are rotationally affixed. The connectors include clutch members coupled to each tubular segment, that axially slide into a slot formed in an adjacent tubular segment to rotationally lock the adjacent segments. A Kelly bushing and rotary table rotate the drill string; and an injector head is used to insert the drill string through the Kelly bushing and rotary table and into a wellbore. While the drill string is inserted through the bushing and table, the connectors are set into the locked configuration so that all tubular segments from the rotary table downward are rotationally affixed.

Abstract: A downhole tool incorporates a junk catcher with full body casing drift. It is made of an inner tubular member that conveys the hydraulic power or circulating fluid to rearward and outward facing jet nozzles for directly flushing downhole junks in front of the tool (if encountered) into a junk collecting barrel equipped with individual magnets to retain magnetically attractive metal junks. The barrel is made of high grade steel material with outer diameter matching the full drift of wellbore casing. The front, or the lower end of the outer body is addressed with tungsten carbide cutters to effectively handle metal junks in case of milling action is required. The back, or upper end of the barrel has return flow ports equipped with a filter screen to retain small, medium and large size junks while fluid is pumped through the tool.

Abstract: An inflow control device controls the rate of fluid flow from a subsurface fluid reservoir into a production tubing string. The inflow control device includes a particulate screen to remove particulate matter from the reservoir fluid, and at least two flow restrictors. The flow restrictors are positioned on circumferentially opposite sides of the inflow control device and are connected by an isolated fluid passage. The flow restrictors limit the flowrate of reservoir fluid when the reservoir fluid has a high water or gas-to-oil ratio. The inflow control device also includes at least one pressure drop device that generates a pressure drop for the reservoir fluid in response to fluid pressure in the reservoir. The inflow control device also includes a choking apparatus that allows the flow of reservoir fluid to be shut off and the particulate screen cleaned while the inflow control device is in place in hole.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly carrying an expandable tubular is disposed in a portion of a wellbore having a lost circulation zone, and the tubular is radially expanded to isolate the wellbore from the formation across the lost circulation zone. The expandable tubular is made up of a rolled up sheet like member and mounts along the outer periphery of a portion of the bottom hole assembly. A bladder on the bottom hole assembly is inflated for expanding the tubular radially outward against the wellbore wall. A drill bit and underreamer are included with the bottom hole assembly.

Abstract: A downhole tool provided within a casing string for use in cement staging operations. The tool includes a sleeve in the tool that selectively slides downward under pressure to expose ports formed in a side wall of the tool. Also, an annulus through the tool is selectively blocked so that cement in the casing string flows radially outward through the ports and into an annulus between the tool and a wellbore. An inflatable packer is included that is integral to the body of the tool and is inflated with a fluid that is pushed into the packer as the sleeve slides downward. An optional expanding agent can be included in the packer that is a metal oxide and is activated with the addition of water.