Abstract: A downhole shock absorbing sub which includes a tubular main stem extending through a sub housing and a lateral shock absorbing assembly positioned within the sub housing. The lateral shock absorbing assembly includes an activator ring positioned around the main stem, the activator ring including a plurality of wedge inserts positioned around a perimeter of the activator ring. A reaction collar is positioned on each side of the activator ring with the reaction collars including ramp surfaces engaged by the wedge inserts. A spring system is positioned to resist movement of the reaction collars away from the activator ring, whereby lateral movement of the main stem causes the wedge inserts to move the reaction collars against the spring system.

Abstract: A reaming tool for use in a wellbore has an elongated tubular body with an outer surface. There are at least first and second reamer sections formed on the tubular body, with the first and second reamer sections (i) being positioned circumferentially opposite one another, and (ii) each having at least two blades. The first reamer section includes at least one rounded dome insert and a majority of cutting tooth inserts, while the second reamer section includes a majority of rounded dome inserts.

Abstract: A reaming tool for use in a wellbore has an elongated tubular body with an outer surface. There are at least first and second reamer sections formed on the tubular body, with the first and second reamer sections (i) being positioned circumferentially opposite one another, and (ii) each having at least two blades. The first reamer section includes at least one rounded dome insert and a majority of cutting tooth inserts, while the second reamer section includes a majority of rounded dome inserts.

Abstract: A filter sub which includes a tubular sub housing and a strainer insert. The strainer insert has (i) a tubular strainer body, (ii) a plurality of helical grooves formed through a sidewall of the strainer body, and (iii) at least one of the helical grooves extending at least 360° around the strainer body.

Abstract: A rheometer apparatus and methods of use are provided. In one embodiment, the rheometer includes a sleeve having an interior space; a cylindrical bob disposed within the interior space of the sleeve and coupled to a first end of a bob shaft; a cross-spring pivot coupled to a second end of the bob shaft; an arm coupled to and projecting radially from the cylindrical bob; and a linear actuator coupled to the arm. In some embodiments, the rheometer apparatus may facilitate more accurate gel shear strength measurements and/or may be correlated with existing rheometer measurements.

Abstract: A rheometer apparatus and methods of use are provided. In one embodiment, the rheometer includes a sleeve having an interior space; a cylindrical bob disposed within the interior space of the sleeve and coupled to a first end of a bob shaft; a cross-spring pivot coupled to a second end of the bob shaft; an arm coupled to and projecting radially from the cylindrical bob; and a linear actuator coupled to the arm. In some embodiments, the rheometer apparatus may facilitate more accurate gel shear strength measurements and/or may be correlated with existing rheometer measurements.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring the oil to water ratio of a drilling fluid are disclosed. An example drilling fluid monitoring and handling system comprises a mud pit coupled to a fluid supply system and a fluid analysis system. The fluid supply system is coupled to the mud pit and the fluid analysis system. The fluid analysis system is coupled to the mud pit and the fluid supply system, wherein the fluid analysis system comprises a dielectric probe.

Abstract: One system embodiment includes: an inlet sensor that measures a fluid quality of an input fluid stream; an arrangement of separation units operating to extract contaminants from the fluid stream; and a user interface (UI). Each separation unit produces a respective output fluid stream, exhibiting a performance that is impacted by a respective operating parameter, and has an outlet sensor that measures an output fluid stream quality. The UI receives fluid quality measurements from the inlet and the outlet sensors, responsively derives a performance value for each separation unit and an overall performance value for the arrangement, and displays each of the performance values. The UI may further set the operating parameter values to automate and optimize the operation of the arrangement for different drilling conditions. The fluid quality measurements may indicate contaminant concentrations, and the performance values may account for separation efficiency, energy consumption, reliability, and next service date.

Abstract: A reaming tool for use in a wellbore has an elongated tubular body with an outer surface. There are at least first and second reamer sections formed on the tubular body, with the first and second reamer sections (i) being positioned circumferentially opposite one another, and (ii) each having at least two blades. The first reamer section includes at least one rounded dome insert and a majority of cutting tooth inserts, while the second reamer section includes a majority of rounded dome inserts.

Abstract: Signal communications at a drilling system generally includes communicating upwards or downwards from the rig floor. For example, signal communications upwards may comprise the control of a cementing head operation (e.g., actuating cementing head). Signal communications downwards may comprise the activation of tools and their confirmation (e.g., hole opening tools, liner hangers, and packers). Actuation may be performed via umbilicals, for example, via pressure spikes or the dropping of balls, darts, or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags. However, issues may arise wherein, for example, a ball may not properly land to close a circulation valve. As another example, a cementing head could be over 100 feet above the rig floor, which may make it difficult for signal communications via an umbilical. Accordingly, what is needed are techniques and apparatus for activation of tools and their confirmation by a remote communication system.

Abstract: A managed pressure drilling (MPD) operation may use an inverse model in conjunction with a hydraulic model and real-time drilling conditions and parameters as inputs to determine a wellhead pressure set point corresponding to a desired bottomhole pressure. For example, while drilling a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation with a drilling system, measured data including a wellhead pressure may be acquired. A model may then be executed that applies a hydraulic model to an a priori model estimate vector to produce predicted data; converts the measured data to a measured data vector; applies a randomized maximum likelihood algorithm to the a priori model estimate vector, the predicted data, and the measured data vector to produce an a posterioiri model estimates; and applies the hydraulic model to the a posterioiri model estimates to produce an a posteriori prediction and a calculated wellhead pressure set point corresponding to a desired bottomhole pressure.

Abstract: One system embodiment includes: an inlet sensor that measures a fluid quality of an input fluid stream; an arrangement of separation units operating to extract contaminants from the fluid stream; and a user interface (UI). Each separation unit produces a respective output fluid stream, exhibiting a performance that is impacted by a respective operating parameter, and has an outlet sensor that measures an output fluid stream quality. The UI receives fluid quality measurements from the inlet and the outlet sensors, responsively derives a performance value for each separation unit and an overall performance value for the arrangement, and displays each of the performance values. The UI may further set the operating parameter values to automate and optimize the operation of the arrangement for different drilling conditions. The fluid quality measurements may indicate contaminant concentrations, and the performance values may account for separation efficiency, energy consumption, reliability, and next service date.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring the oil to water ratio of a drilling fluid are disclosed. An example drilling fluid monitoring and handling system comprises a mud pit coupled to a fluid supply system and a fluid analysis system. The fluid supply system is coupled to the mud pit and the fluid analysis system. The fluid analysis system is coupled to the mud pit and the fluid supply system, wherein the fluid analysis system comprises a dielectric probe.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a drillstring and a power section further including a stator having a stator axis and a rotor within the stator. The rotor rotates eccentrically within the stator in response to fluid flowing therebetween. Additionally, the system includes a coupling section including first, second, and third rotation members having a first, second, and third axes, respectively. The third rotation member is coupled to the first and second rotation members. The third rotation member is configured to move radially relative to the first and second rotation members as the first, second, and third rotation members rotate about the first, second, and third axes, respectively. Further, the system includes an input shaft coupled to the rotor and first rotation member. The input shaft and first rotation member rotate with the rotor eccentrically to the stator axis and the second rotation member rotates concentrically about the stator axis.

Abstract: A managed pressure drilling (MPD) operation may use an inverse model in conjunction with a hydraulic model and real-time drilling conditions and parameters as inputs to determine a wellhead pressure set point corresponding to a desired bottomhole pressure. For example, while drilling a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation with a drilling system, measured data including a wellhead pressure may be acquired. A model may then be executed that applies a hydraulic model to an a priori model estimate vector to produce predicted data; converts the measured data to a measured data vector; applies a randomized maximum likelihood algorithm to the a priori model estimate vector, the predicted data, and the measured data vector to produce an a posterioiri model estimates; and applies the hydraulic model to the a posterioiri model estimates to produce an a posteriori prediction and a calculated wellhead pressure set point corresponding to a desired bottomhole pressure.

Abstract: Signal communications at a drilling system generally includes communicating upwards or downwards from the rig floor. For example, signal communications upwards may comprise the control of a cementing head operation (e.g., actuating cementing head). Signal communications downwards may comprise the activation of tools and their confirmation (e.g., hole opening tools, liner hangers, and packers). Actuation may be performed via umbilicals, for example, via pressure spikes or the dropping of balls, darts, or radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags. However, issues may arise wherein, for example, a ball may not properly land to close a circulation valve. As another example, a cementing head could be over 100 feet above the rig floor, which may make it difficult for signal communications via an umbilical. Accordingly, what is needed are techniques and apparatus for activation of tools and their confirmation by a remote communication system.

Abstract: Apparatus and corresponding method for remotely communicating with a device in a wellbore, comprising: an oilfield tubular handling apparatus (200); partial toroidal coil sections (304) integrated with the oilfield tubular handling apparatus, wherein the partial toroidal coil sections form a toroidal coil upon a tubular member (102) with the handling apparatus; and a microcontroller for communicating with the device via at least one of signals transmitted or received through the tubular member using the toroidal coil.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a system and a method for locating a cement plug within a wellbore. The system includes a signal transmitter mounted to the cement plug, a receiver at the opening to the wellbore, one clock positioned on the cement plug and in communication with the transmitter, a second clock which is synchronized to the first clock and in communication with the receiver, and a controller for triggering the transmittal of the signal.

Abstract: A tachometer for a downhole motor includes: a tubular housing having a coupling for connection to a housing of the motor; and a probe. The probe: has a coupling for connection to a rotor of the motor, is movable relative to the tachometer housing, and has at least a portion disposed in a bore of the tachometer housing. The tachometer further includes electronics disposed in the tachometer housing and including: a battery; one or more proximity sensors for tracking an orbit of the probe; and a programmable logic controller (PLC). The PLC is operable: to receive the tracked orbit, and at least one of: to determine an angular speed of the probe using the tracked orbit, and to forecast a remaining lifespan of the motor using the tracked orbit.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a drillstring and a power section further including a stator having a stator axis and a rotor within the stator. The rotor rotates eccentrically within the stator in response to fluid flowing therebetween. Additionally, the system includes a coupling section including first, second, and third rotation members having a first, second, and third axes, respectively. The third rotation member is coupled to the first and second rotation members. The third rotation member is configured to move radially relative to the first and second rotation members as the first, second, and third rotation members rotate about the first, second, and third axes, respectively. Further, the system includes an input shaft coupled to the rotor and first rotation member. The input shaft and first rotation member rotate with the rotor eccentrically to the stator axis and the second rotation member rotates concentrically about the stator axis.