Abstract: A method for reverse circulating a tool upwardly through a wellbore, the method including: providing a manipulator tool including an upper end and a lower end, conveying the manipulator tool down hole to a position adjacent a downhole tool, using the manipulator tool to manipulate a the downhole tool, and reversing fluid flow through the well to create a pressure differential about at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool such that the at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool is lifted upwardly through the wellbore. A manipulator tool for use in a reverse circulating method is also described as are a tool catcher, a tool catching assembly and a tool catching method.

Abstract: A method for reverse circulating a tool upwardly through a wellbore, the method including: providing a manipulator tool including an upper end and a lower end, conveying the manipulator tool down hole to a position adjacent a downhole tool, using the manipulator tool to manipulate the downhole tool, and reversing fluid flow through the well to create a pressure differential about at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool such that the at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool is lifted upwardly through the wellbore. A manipulator tool for use in a reverse circulating method is also described as are a tool catcher, a tool catching assembly and a tool catching method.

Abstract: A method for reverse circulating a tool upwardly through a wellbore, the method including: providing a manipulator tool including an upper end and a lower end, conveying the manipulator tool down hole to a position adjacent a downhole tool, using the manipulator tool to manipulate the downhole tool, and reversing fluid flow through the well to create a pressure differential about at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool such that the at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool is lifted upwardly through the wellbore. A manipulator tool for use in a reverse circulating method is also described as are a tool catcher, a tool catching assembly and a tool catching method.

Abstract: A method for reverse circulating a tool upwardly through a wellbore, the method including: providing a manipulator tool including an upper end and a lower end, conveying the manipulator tool down hole to a position adjacent a downhole tool, using the manipulator tool to manipulate the downhole tool, and reversing fluid flow through the well to create a pressure differential about at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool such that the at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool is lifted upwardly through the wellbore. A manipulator tool for use in a reverse circulating method is also described as are a tool catcher, a tool catching assembly and a tool catching method.

Abstract: A method for selecting a drilling motor for rotating a drill bit relative to a drill string made up of casing accounts for a tendency for the casing to elongate as the internal pressure increases. The increase in pressure in the casing string increases the weight on the drill bit, the amount of which may be calculated based on the size and type of the string of casing. The ratio of bit torque over the weight on the bit may be assumed to be a constant number based on empirical measurements or a theoretical model. The increase in the weight on the drill bit can be expressed in terms of the bit torque versus the casing pressure, which is a linear slope. This linear slope may be compared to the delivery torque of candidate motors.

Abstract: Retrieving a down hole tool at a lower end of a string of casing can be performed with drill pipe during a casing-while-drilling operation. The operator suspends the casing on a landing sub landed in a drilling rig floor opening. A string of drill pipe is lowered into the casing while the casing is suspended for engaging and retrieving the down hole tool. A spillage preventer in the landing sub prevents spillage of drilling fluid as the drill pipe is being retrieved. When circulation is desired, the operator secures a circulation tool to an upper end of the drill pipe, then lowers the drill pipe and the circulation tool to close off an upper end of an inner annulus between the drill pipe and the casing. A connection between the circulation tool and the landing sub allows the operator to reciprocate the casing.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly in a casing-while-drilling operation is retrieved by reducing the density of the fluid in the casing string above the bottom hole assembly, creating an upward force on the bottom hole assembly. As the bottom hole assembly moves upward in the casing string, fluid is pumped into the upper end of the annulus and displaced fluid flows out of the upper end of the casing string. The flow rate of the fluid flowing into the upper end of the annulus and the flow rate of the displaced fluid flowing out of the casing string are monitored and compared.

Abstract: A casing-while-drilling bottom hole assembly is releasably connected with a casing string. A retrieval tool is run into the casing string and latched to the bottom hole assembly. Slips are mounted to the retrieval tool, the slips being retracted during running in. Differential pressure moves the retrieval tool and bottom hole assembly upward, and the slips engage the casing string to prevent downward movement if the pressure differential drops too low. A flow passage extends through the retrieval tool and the bottom hole assembly. A check valve in the retrieval tool allows downward flow through the flow passage but prevents upward flow, so that fluid may be circulated through the retrieval tool and bottom hole assembly while suspended with the slips.

Abstract: Retrieving a down hole tool at a lower end of a string of casing can be performed with drill pipe during a casing-while-drilling operation. The operator suspends the casing in the well from a drilling rig floor opening. A string drill pipe is lowered into the casing while the casing is suspended for engaging and retrieving the down hole tool. When circulation is desired, the operator secures a circulation tool to an upper end of the drill pipe, then lowers the drill pipe and the circulation tool to close off an upper end of an inner annulus between the drill pipe and the casing. The operator circulates fluid down the circulation tool and the drill pipe and back up an outer annulus surrounding the casing. The connection between the circulation tool and the casing allows the operator to reciprocate the casing.

Abstract: A wireline entry sub includes a body having an upper end, a lower end and a longitudinal, center axis therebetween. The body is adapted for connection below a top drive to a wellbore string of tubulars. A slot on the body has a depth from a body outer surface to at least the longitudinal center axis for receiving a sheave. A wireline entry port extends through the body from the slot to the lower end. The lower end of the wireline entry sub is adapted to be secured to the string of tubulars, with the weight of the tubulars passing through the wireline entry sub.

Abstract: During casing-while-drilling, drilling fluid is pumped through a conduit leading to a flow passage a casing string gripper and down the casing string. A bottom hole assembly is mounted at a lower end of the casing string for drilling a wellbore. The bottom hole assembly is retrieved by mounting a circulation sub to the casing string below the casing string gripper, the circulation sub having a lateral outlet. A return flow line is connected from the outlet to the circulation system. The operator flows fluid downward in an annulus of the casing string and back up the casing string, causing the bottom hole assembly to move upward. The fluid flowing back up the casing string is diverted through the outlet in the circulation sub to the circulation system without passing through the flow passage in the casing string gripper.

Abstract: A method for selecting a drilling motor for rotating a drill bit relative to a drill string made up of casing accounts for a tendency for the casing to elongate as the internal pressure increases. The increase in pressure in the casing string increases the weight on the drill bit, the amount of which may be calculated based on the size and type of the string of casing. The ratio of bit torque over the weight on the bit may be assumed to be a constant number based on empirical measurements or a theoretical model. The increase in the weight on the drill bit can be expressed in terms of the bit torque versus the casing pressure, which is a linear slope. This linear slope may be compared to the delivery torque of candidate motors.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly in a casing-while-drilling operation is retrieved by displacing the fluid in the casing string with a less dense fluid than the fluid in the annulus. The bottom hole assembly moves upward in the casing string in response to an upward force due to the different densities of fluid in the casing string and in the annulus. Displaced fluid flows out of the casing string and through a restrictive orifice of a choke. The flow area of the orifice is varied as the bottom hole assembly moves upward to control the rate at which the bottom hole assembly moves upward.

Abstract: A method for reverse circulating a tool upwardly through a wellbore, the method including: providing a manipulator tool including an upper end and a lower end, conveying the manipulator tool down hole to a position adjacent a downhole tool, using the manipulator tool to manipulate the downhole tool, and reversing fluid flow through the well to create a pressure differential about at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool such that the at least one of the manipulator tool and the downhole tool is lifted upwardly through the wellbore. A manipulator tool for use in a reverse circulating method is also described as are a tool catcher, a tool catching assembly and a tool catching method.

Abstract: An earth boring bit assembly has a tubular mandrel carried by a casing shoe at the lower end of a string of casing. The casing shoe has stabilizer blades spaced circumferentially apart from each other. A cutter arm seat is formed on the leading edge of each blade at a lower end of the casing shoe. Windows are formed in and spaced circumferentially around the mandrel. A cutter arm is pivotally mounted within each window of the mandrel and movable from an extended position located within one of the cutter arm seats to a recessed position within its window. The cutter arm seats support the cutter arms for torque and axial weight. A sleeve inside the mandrel prevents the cutter arms from pivoting to a recessed position until the sleeve is moved to a released position.

Abstract: Retrieving a down hole tool at a lower end of a string of casing can be performed with drill pipe during a casing-while-drilling operation. The operator suspends the casing on a landing sub landed in a drilling rig floor opening. A string of drill pipe is lowered into the casing while the casing is suspended for engaging and retrieving the down hole tool. A spillage preventer in the landing sub prevents spillage of drilling fluid as the drill pipe is being retrieved. When circulation is desired, the operator secures a circulation tool to an upper end of the drill pipe, then lowers the drill pipe and the circulation tool to close off an upper end of an inner annulus between the drill pipe and the casing. A connection between the circulation tool and the landing sub allows the operator to reciprocate the casing.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly in a casing-while-drilling operation is retrieved attaching a wireline to the bottom hole assembly. The density of the fluid in the casing string is lightened to a lesser density than the fluid in the annulus, thereby creating a pressure differential between fluid above the bottom hole assembly and fluid below the bottom hole assembly to exert an upward force on the bottom hole assembly. The operator pulls upward on the wireline to assist the upward force in moving the bottom hole assembly up the casing string.

Abstract: An earth boring bit assembly has a tubular mandrel carried by a casing shoe at the lower end of a string of casing. The casing shoe has stabilizer blades spaced circumferentially apart from each other. A cutter arm seat is formed on the leading edge of each blade at a lower end of the casing shoe. Windows are formed in and spaced circumferentially around the mandrel. A cutter arm is pivotally mounted within each window of the mandrel and movable from an extended position located within one of the cutter arm seats to a recessed position within its window. The cutter arm seats support the cutter arms for torque and axial weight. A sleeve inside the mandrel prevents the cutter arms from pivoting to a recessed position until the sleeve is moved to a released position.

Abstract: Retrieving a down hole tool at a lower end of a string of casing can be performed with drill pipe during a casing-while-drilling operation. The operator suspends the casing in the well from a drilling rig floor opening. A string drill pipe is lowered into the casing while the casing is suspended for engaging and retrieving the down hole tool. When circulation is desired, the operator secures a circulation tool to an upper end of the drill pipe, then lowers the drill pipe and the circulation tool to close off an upper end of an inner annulus between the drill pipe and the casing. The operator circulates fluid down the circulation tool and the drill pipe and back up an outer annulus surrounding the casing. The connection between the circulation tool and the casing allows the operator to reciprocate the casing.

Abstract: A method for drilling with a liner includes: providing a liner string including an upper portion extending towards surface and a lower portion; drilling to a depth with the liner string; disconnecting the upper portion from the lower portion; pulling the upper portion from the well; and leaving the lower portion in the well to line the wellbore. A drilling assembly for drilling a borehole with a borehole liner includes: an upper liner string; a lower liner string including an upper end and a lower end; a releasable connector connecting the lower liner string to the upper liner string; and a drilling assembly connectable at the lower end of the lower liner string.