Abstract: Systems and methods for performing slide drilling and for determining operational parameters to be utilized during slide drilling. An example method includes commencing operation of a processing device, whereby the processing device determines a reference rotational distance of a top drive to be utilized during slide drilling. The processing device outputs a control command to the top drive to cause the top drive to rotate a drill string. The processing device also determines the reference rotational distance based on rotational distance measurements indicative of rotational distance achieved by the top drive and torque measurements indicative of torque applied to the drill string by the top drive.

Abstract: A method for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes deploying a drill string in the wellbore, the drill string including a drill bit and a steerable drilling motor. The drill string is automatically rotated at the surface back and forth between first and second opposing rotational directions, rotating in the first direction until a first torque limit is exceeded and rotating in the second direction until a second torque limit is exceeded. A toolface of the steerable drilling motor and a differential pressure across the steerable drilling motor are measured while automatically rotating the drill string. A surface processor processes the measured toolface and differential pressure in combination with a target toolface and a target differential pressure to compute new first and second torque limits. The automatic rotating is repeated using the new first and second torque limits.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing slide drilling and for determining operational parameters to be utilized during slide drilling. An example method includes commencing operation of a processing device, whereby the processing device determines a reference rotational distance of a top drive to be utilized during slide drilling. The processing device outputs a control command to the top drive to cause the top drive to rotate a drill string. The processing device also determines the reference rotational distance based on rotational distance measurements indicative of rotational distance achieved by the top drive and torque measurements indicative of torque applied to the drill string by the top drive.

Abstract: A method for drilling a well includes orienting a steerable drilling motor at a selected toolface angle. The steerable drilling motor is connected by a drill string to a surface drilling location. The drill string is automatically rotated at the surface location in a first direction for a first predetermined time interval.