A dust suction device for detachable attachment to a hand-held drilling machine includes a housing, a telescoping suction pipe coupled to the housing, an electric motor positioned in the housing, a suction fan driven by the electric motor and operable to generate a vacuum in the suction pipe, a dust collection container coupled to the housing and positioned upstream of the suction fan, and a support frame. The support frame includes a first portion coupled to the housing, a second portion coupled to a neck of the drilling machine, and an auxiliary handle extending from one of the first and second portions of the support frame. The support frame supports the drilling machine in a side-by-side relationship with the dust suction device.

A core drilling machine having an axial extending hollow drill shaft supported rotatably in a housing and rotated by means of a drive unit; a coaxial tool holder receiving an axially displaceable drill bit, the tool holder having a locking mechanism securing the drill bit in a rotationally fixed manner to the hollow drill shaft; wherein the hollow drill shaft is suitable for receiving a shaft of an interchangeable centre drill, the center drill axially supported against a first spring element; and an axial stop element preventing in a first position a complete displacement of the center drill into the interior of the hollow drill shaft and allows in a second position a complete displacement of the center drill into the interior of the hollow drill shaft; and an activation device for activating the first or second positions of the stop element.

Chips are segmented to have a desired width and the chip controllability is improved and the tool rigidity is improved. A drilling tool is provided that includes: a tool body; a chip discharge groove formed at the outer periphery of the tool body; at least one sub-groove formed at an inner face facing the front side in the tool rotation direction T of the chip discharge groove; a rake face; a tip end flank face; and a cutting edge formed at a ridge line at which the tip end flank face intersects with the rake face. The plurality of rake faces form a step-like shape having at least one step section. The drilling tool is configured so that the turnup section of the sub-groove is turned up in a different direction from the direction along which the turnup section of the chip discharge groove is turned up.

A tubular string is advanced with a bottom hole assembly as the hole is drilled and reamed in a desired direction with the aid of directional drilling equipment adjacent the bit. When the advanced tubular forms the desired lap to the existing tubular, the assembly can be configured to cement the tubular and expansion can then be accomplished to fill the annular space and enhance the cement bonding. The expansion equipment can create a bottom bell on the expanded tubular and expand the top end into a bell of the existing tubular so that a monobore is created as the process is repeated with each added string. Numerous variations are contemplated for each single trip including but not limited to the direction of expansion, whether cementing or expansion occurs first, reforming folded tubing in the hole as well as the nature of the expansion tool and pressure control when drilling.

A drilling apparatus for drilling boreholes in an underground formation includes a tool body that can be positioned in a borehole where drilling is to take place. The apparatus further includes a gas cutting torch having a nozzle, a supply of a cutting gas connected to the gas cutting torch. In some embodiments, the gas cutting torch and supply of cutting gas may be connected by an umbilical link. The tool body may be advanced through the borehole as drilling takes place. In some embodiments, the tool body may be advanced via a tractor device that forms part of the tool body or attached to the tool body.

Methods and systems are described for improved drilling operations through the use of real-time drilling data to predict bit wear, lithology, pore pressure, a rotating friction coefficient, permeability, and cost in real-time and to adjust drilling parameters in real-time based on the predictions. The real-time lithology prediction is made by processing the real-time drilling data through a multilayer neural network. The real-time bit wear prediction is made by using the real-time drilling data to predict a bit efficiency factor and to detect changes in the bit efficiency factor over time. These predictions may be used to adjust drilling parameters in the drilling operation in real-time, subject to override by the operator. The methods and systems may also include determining various downhole hydraulics parameters and a rotary friction factor. Historical data may be used in combination with real-time data to provide expert system assistance and to identify safety concerns.

An attitude hold controller method includes receiving at a navigable apparatus a demand inclination and a demand azimuth with respect to a global coordinate system and determining at the navigable apparatus a demand attitude vector according to the received demand inclination and the demand azimuth. Determining at the navigable apparatus a current navigable apparatus attitude vector. Evaluating a control law using the current navigable apparatus vector and the navigable apparatus demand attitude to derive a control law tool face, converting the control law tool face to an equivalent tool face, and applying the equivalent tool face with the navigable apparatus to control the navigable apparatus attitude.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for opening threaded joints of drilling equipment (6) by striking the drilling equipment (6) with the percussion device of a rock drilling rig (1) and by measuring vibration originating from the drilling equipment (6) during striking. In addition to vibration, measuring means (9) measure a parameter defining at least one additional condition, on the basis of which the decision to stop striking is made.

Described herein is a wear indicator (100) for use in a drill bit or a core head. The wear indicator (100) comprises an elongate element that forms part of the drill bit. The elongate element has a plurality of numbers (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180) formed along its length, each number (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180) being formed as a void and corresponds to a level of wear in accordance with the IADC dull grading system. As the drill becomes worn, the wear indicator (100) wears at the same rate to reveal one of the numbers (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180). The numbers range from “1” to “8” where the number “1” illustrates the least wear and the number “8” indicates the most wear. When unworn, none of the numbers are visible.

According to an embodiment, a drilling fluid comprises: water and a set accelerator, wherein the drilling fluid has a 10 minute gel strength of less than 20 lb*ft/100 sq ft, wherein the drilling fluid has a density in the range of about 9 to about 14 pounds per gallon, wherein the drilling fluid remains pourable for at least 5 days, and wherein when at least one part of the drilling fluid mixes with three parts of a cement composition consisting of water and cement, the drilling fluid cement composition mixture develops a compressive strength of at least 1,200 psi. According to another embodiment, a method of using the drilling fluid comprises the steps of: introducing the drilling fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation, wherein at least a portion of the drilling fluid is capable of mixing with a cement composition.

Systems and methods for processing drilling data. One embodiment provides a method comprising building user-designed contexts (which can be designated as built-in contexts) for drilling structures. The method also comprises orchestrating module execution within the user-designed contexts. The method further comprises providing data from the user-designed contexts to such modules via an interface. Some methods include monitoring drilling data to detect events (for instance departure from a pseudolog) and orchestrating module execution responsive thereto. The method can include exposing the orchestration of the execution of the module instances as a service. Moreover, some embodiments provide extra-contextual application program interfaces. In addition, or in the alternative, some embodiments schedule the orchestration of the modules based on declarations related to the inputs and/or outputs of the modules.

A control and monitoring system controls and monitors a high power laser system for performing high power laser operations. The control and monitoring system is configured to perform high power laser operation on, and in, remote and difficult to access locations.

In at least some embodiments, a pulsed-electric drilling system includes a bit that extends a borehole by detaching formation material with pulses of electric current, and a drillstring that defines at least one path for a fluid flow to the bit to flush detached formation material from the borehole. A feed pipe transports at least a part of said fluid flow to said path, and the feed pipe is equipped with a cooling mechanism to cool the fluid flow. The use of a cooled fluid flow may enhance the performance of the pulsed-electric drilling process.

A method for managing a drilling operation, including generating, by a first sensor and a second sensor of a bottom hole assembly (BHA), a first time based data log and a second time based data log, respectively, representing a borehole parameter along a drilling trajectory, determining, by a computer processor of the BHA and during the drilling operation, a time shift by comparing the first time based data log and the second time based data log, where offsetting the first and second time based data logs by the time shift maximizes a correlation factor of the first and second time based data logs, and determining, within a pre-determined time period from generating the first and second time based data logs, a drilling speed based on the time shift and a pre-determined distance between the first sensor and the second sensor.

Apparatus and method for automated drilling of a borehole in a subsurface formation. In one embodiment, a method includes selecting at least one control variable. A drilling performance objective having a value that is influenced by drilling of the borehole using the at least one control variable is defined. A first interval of the borehole is drilled maintaining the at least one control variable at a first value. A second interval of the borehole is drilled maintaining the at least one control variable at a second value. A third interval of the borehole is drilled maintaining the at least one control variable at a third value. The third value is selected based on a comparison of the values of the drilling performance objective while drilling the first interval and second interval to a predetermined optimal value of the drilling performance objective.

Methods and apparatus are described to drill and complete wellbores. Such wellbores include extended reach horizontal wellbores, for example in shales, deep subsea extended reach wellbores, and multilateral wellbores. Specifically, the invention provides simple threaded subassemblies that are added to existing threaded tubular drilling and completion equipment which are used to dramatically increase the lateral reach using that existing on-site equipment. These subassemblies extract power from downward flowing clean mud, or other fluids, in an annulus to provide additional force or torque on tubular elements within the wellbore, while maintaining circulation, to extend the lateral reach of the drilling equipment and completion equipment. These added elements include combinations of The Leaky Seal™, a Cross-Over, The Force Sub™ and The Torque Sub™. The use of such additional simple elements allow lighter drilling equipment to be used to reach a given lateral distance, therefore reducing drilling costs.

Method and apparatus for controlling rock drilling with a percussion device belonging to a rock drill to deliver stress waves to rock through a tool by pushing the tool against the rock by means of a feed motor and rotating simultaneously the tool by means of a rotation motor, whereby the maximum feed force is determined, pressure medium is supplied to the feed motor and to the rotation motor and the feed force is controlled according to the drilling conditions. The feed force is controlled on the basis of the feed speed and the rotation torque. The apparatus has a load control valve which controls the feed.

An adjustable bent drilling tool capable of changing in situ drilling direction to facilitate horizontal drilling. The drilling tool may be controlled from the surface and eliminates the need to bring the tool to the surface for reconfiguration. In one embodiment, the drilling tool utilizes a communications module to communicate with upstream sections of the tool. The communications module is connected to a programmable electronic control module which controls an electric motor. A hydraulic valve assembly follows the control module, which receives input signals and controls a pilot piston between two fixed points of a mid-assembly typically located adjacent to and downstream of the hydraulic valve assembly on the drill tool. A lower assembly is attached to the drill tool immediately following the mid-assembly, and provides both a safety release sub-assembly as well as a bendable sub-assembly which directs the adjustable drill tool to change drilling angle and direction.

A rotary joint for use in directional control of a subterranean rotary steerable drilling apparatus. The rotary joint is formed by mated spherical-shaped sockets, each of which is connected with a hollow rod. By virtue of this arrangement, a continuous passageway is provided for fluid to flow through the rotary joint, which fluid may be used for cooling the rotary joint during operation of the rotary steerable drilling system.

A method of stress relieving drilled surgical needles is disclosed. At least the metal about a drilled bore hole is heat treated to relieve stress without annealing.

Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of thermoset polymer particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles. Optional further improvement of the heat resistance and environmental resistance of said particles via post-polymerization heat treatment; processes for the manufacture of said particles; and use of said particles in the construction, drilling, completion and/or fracture stimulation of oil and natural gas wells are described.

A method may include determining a first particle size distribution for particulate additives in a first wellbore fluid circulated through a wellbore through an earthen formation, and determining a second particle size distribution for drilled cuttings resulting from drilling of the wellbore. The first and second particle size distributions may then be compared to determine a third particle size distribution for the combined particulate additives and the drilled cuttings. A lost circulation material having a fourth particle size distribution may then be selected based on the third particle size distribution and the selected lost circulation material may be pumped into the wellbore.

A method and a device for enabling the use of riserless drilling fluid recovery from a seabed-based borehole (1) which is to be drilled by means of a casing (26), the casing (26) being provided with a drill bit (28) at its lower portion and with an inner wellhead (30) at its upper portion, and there being a conductor casing (6), which has an outer wellhead (8), in the seabed (2), the method including: —providing a suction module (12) with a dividable adapter (16) which fits complementarily in the outer wellhead (8); —drilling a length of the borehole (1) by means of the casing (26) extending through the suction module (12), while, at the same time, drilling fluid is flowing via the suction module (12) from the borehole (1); —subsequently pulling the adapter (16) up from the outer wellhead (8) and dividing the adapter (16); and—lowering the casing (26) with the inner wellhead (30) through the suction module (12) and the adapter (16) to its position in the outer wellhead (8).

Systems and methods for rig assembly and for erecting a mast of a rig and such systems with roller apparatus to facilitate movement of a mast section from a mover. In a first embodiment, the method includes erecting a rig mast section on a substructure, the substructure including a first substructure box spaced-apart from a second substructure box, the first substructure box comprising a first upper box above a first lower box and the second substructure box comprising a second upper box above a second lower box.

A drilling tool for machine tools has a drill body and a cutting head arranged on the front face of the drill body. The drill body has at least two chip flutes, which are delimited at their flanks by ribs and at least one of which is spirally curved. Arranged in the ribs of the drill body are coolant channels, which have an outlet opening at the end of the drill body on the cutting head side. A special feature is that the outlet openings are arranged within each one of the chip flutes and communicate with one of the coolant channels arranged in the ribs by way of a straight channel endpiece.

A drilling tool for machine tools has a drill body, a cutting head arranged on the front face of the drill body and a shaft arranged at the end thereof, wherein the drill body has two chip flutes, which are delimited at their flanks by ribs and a first chip flute of which is spirally curved. A second chip flute is not spiraled or is spirally curved with a pitch differing from the first chip flute, preferably running in the same direction of rotation.

A measurement while drilling (MWD) system for use in a drilling string, the MWD system comprises: a resistivity module that is configured to generate resistivity information about a resistivity of a formation that is drilled by the drilling string; a near bit sub that is configured to generate inclination information about an inclination of a drill bit of the drilling string; a MWD module; a first wireless communication module that is configured to wirelessly send the resistivity information from the resistivity module to the MWD module; a second wireless communication module that is configured to wirelessly send inclination information from the near bit sub module to the MWD module; and wherein the MWD module is configured to participate in a transmission of the inclination information and the resistivity information towards an upper surface of the formation.

The invention relates to a drilling-resistance measuring device (10) and to a method for material testing in a humid environment or underwater. The drilling-resistance measuring device (10) comprises a housing (1), in which a drive and a drill chuck (3) coupled to the drive are arranged, in which drill chuck a drilling needle (4) is or can be releasably held, wherein the housing (1) has a drilling-needle outlet opening (5') enclosed by a drilling-needle outlet guide (5), through which drilling-needle outlet opening the drilling needle (4) extends out of the housing (1). The drilling-resistance measuring device (10) comprises at least one water-tight bellows (6), which is arranged in the interior of the housing (1) around the drilling needle (4) between the drill chuck (3) and the drilling-needle outlet guide (5), wherein moisture or water can enter the bellows (6) through the drilling-needle outlet opening (5').

The invention relates to an apparatus for use with a shale shaker and more specifically to a drilling fluid recovery chute that is attached to and receives tailings from the discharge end of a shale shaker. The drilling fluid recovery chute removes drilling fluids from the waste tailings that are discharged from the shale shaker so that they can be reused or recycled. The invention also relates to a method for recovering drilling fluids from the tailings of a shale shaker.

A company proposing to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight releases its environment plan, but Greenpeace says it is downplaying the risk of a major spill.

A Norwegian MP calls for a state-owned Norwegian oil and gas company not to start drilling in the Great Australian Bight, while a scientist says noise from the project could hurt marine life.

The worldwide price of oil has fallen by more than $US10 a barrel in recent weeks, but the cheaper price has not fazed a Norwegian company's plan to drill in the Great Australian Bight.

(United States Supreme Court) - Addressed what law applies on the Outer Continental Shelf, holding that California wage-and-hour law was inapplicable to a worker on an offshore drilling platform. Under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, if federal law addresses the relevant issue, state law is not adopted as surrogate federal law. Justice Thomas delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court.

(United States Federal Circuit) - Reversing and remanding the suit alleging infringement of five US patents for lack of personal jurisdiction by a UK company with a Texas subsidiary suing a Brazilian company with a Minnesota subsidiary because Federal Rules of Civil Procedure supported the exercise of specific personal jurisdiction.

(United States Fifth Circuit) - Held that individuals who worked for an oil drilling firm were properly classified as independent contractors, not employees. Reversed a summary judgment that had been granted in their favor on their Fair Labor Standards Act misclassification claim, and rendered judgment for the drilling firm.

(United States Fifth Circuit) - In a contractual dispute between two companies in the oil-drilling business, vacated a bench trial judgment, in part. The contract related to exploratory drilling for offshore oil.

(United States Supreme Court) - Addressed what law applies on the Outer Continental Shelf, holding that California wage-and-hour law was inapplicable to a worker on an offshore drilling platform. Under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, if federal law addresses the relevant issue, state law is not adopted as surrogate federal law. Justice Thomas delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court.

(United States Fifth Circuit) - In a contractual dispute between two companies in the oil-drilling business, vacated a bench trial judgment, in part. The contract related to exploratory drilling for offshore oil.

Critics of a plan that makes tracts of public lands in western Colorado available to oil and gas drilling say the final insult is its release in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic when people are dealing with health and economic concerns.

Federal officials will hold virtual meetings on a contested plan to guide oil and gas development near Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

The U.K. could be producing electricity from a geothermal plant for the first time early next decade after drilling at a site in southwest England showed it could become a viable part of the renewable energy mix.

It took 20 years of planning and lots of hot water to drill 2 kilometres into Antarctica. Andy Smith describes a ground- breaking achievement

Lawsuits are pending from groups who have challenged the constitutionality of shrinking Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante

Plans finalized on Thursday for two national monuments in Utah downsized by Donald Trump would ensure that lands previously off-limits to energy development will be open to mining and drilling.

The move comes despite pending lawsuits from conservation, tribal and paleontology groups, who have challenged the constitutionality of the president’s action. The Trump administration slashed the size of Bears Ears national monument by 85% and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monument by nearly half in December 2017, in what represented the largest elimination of public lands protections in US history.

Conservation groups criticized the Trump administration on Thursday for spending time on management plans they believe will become moot when the court sides with their assertion that Trump misused the Antiquities Act to reverse decisions by previous presidents.

Energy companies have leased 9.9m acres from the administration – and the fossil fuels extracted could equal half a year of emissions from China

The Trump administration has offered oil companies a chunk of the American west and the Gulf of Mexico that’s four times the size of California – an expansive drilling plan that threatens to entrench the industry at the expense of other outdoor jobs, while locking in enough emissions to undermine global climate policy.

Energy companies have leased 9.9m acres from the unprecedented 461m acres put up for rent by the Trump administration, according to a new analysis from the Wilderness Society.

Gabriel Henson, a supervisor for Integrated Production Services, Inc., a Houston-based natural gas and oil drilling contractor, pleaded guilty to a negligent violation of the Clean Water Act in federal court in Muskogee, Okla.

Integrated Production Services, LLC, (IPS), a Houston-based natural gas and oil drilling contractor, pleaded guilty today to a negligent violation of the Clean Water Act in federal court in Muskogee, Okla.