Abstract: Sealing elements have lubricating seal profiles for communicating fluid between the sealing elements and the sealed drill string tubular or other oilfield component while the sealed drill string tubular or other oilfield component rotates or moves vertically relative to the seal elements. The same fluid used for drilling may also be used for seal lubrication, such as water, drilling fluid or mud, well bore fluid or other liquid or gas. The sealing elements may be disposed with a seal housing, which may be positioned with a marine riser, or subsea without a marine riser. The seal housing may prevent rotation of the seal elements with the sealed drill string tubular or other oilfield component. Alternatively, the seal housing may be an RCD that allows the sealing elements to rotate.

Abstract: A system compensates for heave induced pressure fluctuations on a floating rig when a drill string or tubular is lifted off bottom and suspended on the rig, such as when tubular connections are made during MPD, tripping, or when a kick is circulated out during conventional drilling. In one embodiment, a liquid and a gas interface moves along a flow line between a riser and a gas accumulator as the tubular moves up and down. In another embodiment, a pressure relief valve or adjustable choke allows the movement of fluid from the riser when the tubular moves down, and a pump with a pressure regulator moves fluid to the riser when the tubular moves up. In other embodiments, a piston connected with the rig or the riser telescoping joint moves in a fluid container thereby communicating a required amount of the fluid either into or out of the riser annulus.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for drilling a wellbore includes injecting drilling fluid into a top of a tubular string disposed in the wellbore at a first flow rate. The tubular string includes: a drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof, tubular joints connected together, a longitudinal bore therethrough, and a port through a wall thereof. The drilling fluid exits the drill bit and carries cuttings from the drill bit. The cuttings and drilling fluid (returns) flow to the surface via an annulus defined between the tubular string and the wellbore. The method further includes rotating the drill bit while injecting the drilling fluid; remotely removing a plug from the port, thereby opening the port; and injecting drilling fluid into the port at a second flow rate while adding a tubular joint or stand of joints to the tubular string. The injection of drilling fluid into the tubular string is continuously maintained between drilling and adding the joint or stand to the drill string.

Abstract: An expandable threaded connection between segments of expandable tubulars that provides a high bearing pressure seal at a specific area along the pin and box members is disclosed. The invention utilizes a “groove” in a surface of the box member and a corresponding “rib” on the pin nose. The radial expansion of the tubulars causes the pin to become shorter in length, thereby causing the pin nose to retract from the back of the box member. As the pin nose retracts, the rib on the pin nose moves backward until a portion of the rib contacts a portion of the groove in the box member. The point of contact between the rib and the groove creates a metal-to-metal seal between the pin and box members. Because the point of contact between the rib and the groove is a relatively small area, the force acting on the point of contact generates a high bearing pressure that is equal to or greater than the internal pressure within the expandable tubulars and, thus, generates a high pressure seal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a fracturing operation using a wellbore fracturing assembly. The assembly may be mechanically set and released from a wellbore using a coiled tubing string to conduct a fracturing operation adjacent an area of interest in a formation. The assembly may include an unloader for equalizing pressure between the assembly and the wellbore, a pair of spaced apart packers for straddling the area of interest, an injection port disposed between the packers for injecting fracturing fluid into the area of interest, and an anchor for securing the assembly in the wellbore. After conducting the fracturing operation, the assembly may be relocated to another area of interest to conduct another fracturing operation.

Abstract: An expandable threaded connection between segments of expandable tubulars that provides a high bearing pressure seal at a specific area along the pin and box members is disclosed. The invention utilizes a “groove” in a surface of the box member and a corresponding “rib” on the pin nose. The radial expansion of the tubulars causes the pin to become shorter in length, thereby causing the pin nose to retract from the back of the box member. As the pin nose retracts, the rib on the pin nose moves backward until a portion of the rib contacts a portion of the groove in the box member. The point of contact between the rib and the groove creates a metal-to-metal seal between the pin and box members. Because the point of contact between the rib and the groove is a relatively small area, the force acting on the point of contact generates a high bearing pressure that is equal to or greater than the internal pressure within the expandable tubulars and, thus, generates a high pressure seal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, and a connector at each longitudinal end thereof; and an arm. The arm is pivotally connected to a first piston and rotationally coupled to the body, is disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and is movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the arm extends outward past an outer surface of the body. The tool further includes the first piston. The first piston is disposed in the body bore, has a bore therethrough, and is operable to move the arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening. The tool further includes a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and a second piston operably coupled to the lock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a managed pressure and/or temperature drilling system (300) and method. In one embodiment, a method for drilling a wellbore into a gas hydrates formation is disclosed. The method includes drilling the wellbore into the gas hydrates formation; returning gas hydrates cuttings to a surface of the wellbore and/or a drilling rig while controlling a temperature and/or a pressure of the cuttings to prevent or control disassociation of the hydrates cuttings.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making a connection that can be rotationally locked by expansion are disclosed. Threaded tubular ends include a slot cut across a thread at a location along the circumference of the thread. Threading two tubular members that have the slot disposed in either or both of a pin or box end of the tubular members establishes the connection. The slots represent no impediment to the make-up or break-out of a box by pin connection prior to expansion. During expansion of the connection, the threads of either the box or pin end are forced via plastic flow into the slot in the corresponding thread. This results in locking the connection and preventing relative rotation between the two tubular members, which could otherwise loosen the connection.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for a low profile rotating control device (LP-RCD) and its housing mounted on or integral with an annular blowout preventer seal, casing, or other housing. The LP-RCD and LP-RCD housing can fit within a limited space available on drilling rigs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for drilling a wellbore includes injecting drilling fluid into a top of a tubular string disposed in the wellbore at a first flow rate. The tubular string includes: a drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof, tubular joints connected together, a longitudinal bore therethrough, and a port through a wall thereof. The drilling fluid exits the drill bit and carries cuttings from the drill bit. The cuttings and drilling fluid (returns) flow to the surface via an annulus defined between the tubular string and the wellbore. The method further includes rotating the drill bit while injecting the drilling fluid; remotely removing a plug from the port, thereby opening the port; and injecting drilling fluid into the port at a second flow rate while adding a tubular joint or stand of joints to the tubular string. The injection of drilling fluid into the tubular string is continuously maintained between drilling and adding the joint or stand to the drill string.

Abstract: An expander tool includes segments capable of deflecting inward in response to a restriction encountered while expanding a tubular downhole. The expander tool includes an inner mandrel having a tapered surface about its outside diameter, the segments disposed around the inner mandrel with corresponding tapered surfaces in contact with the tapered surface of the inner mandrel and a compression sleeve disposed around the inner mandrel. A compressive load on the compression sleeve applies a preload force biasing the segments to a raised position on the tapered surface and hence an extended position. This preload enables expansion of the tubular with the segments in the extended position. Upon reaching the restriction, an increased pull force on the expander tool forces the segments down the tapered surface of the inner mandrel against the bias of the preload to a retracted position such that the expander tool assumes a smaller maximum outer diameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for completing a wellbore using expandable tubulars. Particularly, the invention relates to a system of completing a wellbore through the expansion of tubulars. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to the concurrent expansion of a first and second tubular, wherein the first tubular contains a polished bore receptacle configured to sealingly receive a portion of the second tubular thereby providing a sealable connection therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for completing a wellbore using expandable tubulars. Particularly, the invention relates to a system of completing a wellbore through the expansion of tubulars. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to the concurrent expansion of a first and second tubular, wherein the first tubular contains a polished bore receptacle configured to sealingly receive a portion of the second tubular thereby providing a sealable connection therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for expanding a tubular body in a wellbore. In one aspect, a method includes running the tubular body into the wellbore, the tubular body having a deformed portion. The method further includes reforming the deformed portion and positioning a two-position expander in the reformed portion. Additionally, the method includes shifting the expander to a second, larger diameter position and then expanding the reformed portion by urging the expander therethrough. In another aspect, a method for completing a wellbore is provided. In yet another aspect, a formable launcher section is provided. In a further aspect, a two-position expander tool is provided. In yet another aspect, an expansion system for use in completing a wellbore is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a wellbore expandable connection is disclosed. The connection may include a pin having an outward tapered threaded section and a box having an inward tapered threaded section. The threaded sections form a connection of a predetermined integrity upon make-up. An embodiment of the connection includes at least one interface area of the connection that lacks intimate contact between the pin and the box upon initial make-up. Either the box or the pin, or both, have a friction surface at the interface area. Radial expansion of the connection places the pin in contact with the box at the interface area such that the friction surface between them locks the connection. In one embodiment, the connection includes a receptacle profiled in a portion of the box that provides space within the connection for material that extrudes from the pin during expansion of the connection.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for completing a wellbore using expandable tubulars. Particularly, the invention relates to a system of completing a wellbore through the expansion of tubulars. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to the concurrent expansion of a first and second tubular, wherein the first tubular contains a polished bore receptacle configured to sealingly receive a portion of the second tubular thereby providing a sealable connection therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods of connecting two expandable tubulars. In one aspect, the method includes flash welding the ends of the expandable tubulars together. Thereafter, the connected tubulars are lowered into the wellbore for expansion. The flash welding process provides a highly reliable joint for expansion. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for expanding a non-uniform tubular. In one embodiment, the non-uniform tubular is formed by connecting two misaligned tubulars.

Abstract: An apparatus and method used for sealing a wellbore. The apparatus includes a swelling elastomer disposed around an outer surface of the tubular body. The swelling elastomer is isolated from wellbore fluid in an annulus. However, upon the application of an outwardly directed force to an inner surface of the tubular body, the tubular body expands radially outward causing the swelling elastomer to contact the wellbore while exposing the swelling elastomer to an activating agent via the one or more apertures, thereby causing the swelling elastomer to create a pressure energized seal with one or more adjacent surfaces in the wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for completing a wellbore using expandable tubulars. Particularly, the invention relates to a system of completing a wellbore through the expansion of tubulars. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to the concurrent expansion of a first and second tubular, wherein the first tubular contains a polished bore receptacle configured to sealingly receive a portion of the second tubular thereby providing a sealable connection therebetween.