A method for drilling a geothermal well in a subterranean zone includes drilling, with a drill string, a wellbore of the geothermal well in the subterranean zone. An inherent temperature of the rock adjacent a rock face at a downhole end of the wellbore is at least 250° C. While drilling, a drilling fluid is flowed at a temperature at the rock face such that a difference between the inherent temperature of the rock adjacent the rock face and the temperature of the drilling fluid at the rock face is at least 100° C.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to underground horizontal directional drills and, more particularly, to aspects of drill operation, ground anchoring, and operator assistance features. In some embodiments, a drill is provided that includes an anchor assembly and/or a rear stabilizer that may pivot relative to a carriage frame of the drill. In other embodiments, a roller bearing system that permits the carriage to translate along the carriage frame is provided. In still other embodiments, rests to support the drill rod during makeup and breakout are described.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to underground horizontal directional drills and, more particularly, to aspects of drill operation, ground anchoring, and operator assistance features. In some embodiments, a drill is provided that includes an anchor assembly and/or a rear stabilizer that may pivot relative to a carriage frame of the drill. In other embodiments, a roller bearing system that permits the carriage to translate along the carriage frame is provided. In still other embodiments, rests to support the drill rod during makeup and breakout are described.

A top drive system comprising a drilling rig, and a top drive unit operatively associated with the drilling rig. The top drive includes a top drive housing, and a rotatable member having a first member portion within the top drive housing, and a second member portion extending outward from the top drive housing. There is a sensor assembly disposed within the top drive housing, the assembly comprising a sensor configured to provide an output signal associated with an at least one parameter of the top drive. The first member portion is configured with a profile sensed by the sensor assembly.

Disclosed are small model pit launch horizontal direction drills suitable for drilling a substantially horizontal bore hole and laying pipe underground from within a surface dug pit. The devices comprise a stationary frame and a carriage component competent to move forward and back along the frame and drill and retrieve an attached drill stem through an aperture in the frame. The carriage components are configured to allow an operator to straddle the carriage and operate the device from a seated position within the frame component interior.

Disclosed are small model pit launch horizontal direction drills suitable for drilling a substantially horizontal bore hole and laying pipe underground from within a surface dug pit. The devices comprise a stationary frame and a carriage component competent to move forward and back along the frame and drill and retrieve an attached drill stem through an aperture in the frame. The carriage components are configured to allow an operator to straddle the carriage and operate the device from a seated position within the frame component interior.

A drilling rig is adapted to perform drilling and/or other wellbore related activities. The drilling rig includes a drilling tower, a drill floor with a well center, a slip device arranged at the well center, a tubulars connection makeup and breaking device near the well center, and a top drive system. The top drive system includes a traveling carriage that is vertically mobile along one or more vertical rails of the drilling tower by a vertical motion drive. The system also includes a top drive unit supported by said carriage and including a top drive motor and a rotary torque output member. The system further includes a tripping operation elevator that is adapted to be engageable with a drilling tubulars string or drilling tubulars stand, e.g. with the top end thereof, in order to perform tripping operations. The top drive unit and the tripping operation elevator are each mobile relative to the traveling carriage, and wherein the top drive system is provided with one or more actuators adapted to cause said relative motion of the top drive unit and of the tripping operation elevator so as to provide a drilling mode and a tripping mode.

A drilling rig is adapted to perform drilling and/or other wellbore related activities. The drilling rig includes a drilling tower, a drill floor with a well center, a slip device arranged at the well center, a tubulars connection makeup and breaking device near the well center, and a top drive system. The top drive system includes a traveling carriage that is vertically mobile along one or more vertical rails of the drilling tower by a vertical motion drive. The system also includes a top drive unit supported by said carriage and including a top drive motor and a rotary torque output member. The system further includes a tripping operation elevator that is adapted to be engageable with a drilling tubulars string or drilling tubulars stand, e.g. with the top end thereof, in order to perform tripping operations. The top drive unit and the tripping operation elevator are each mobile relative to the traveling carriage, and wherein the top drive system is provided with one or more actuators adapted to cause said relative motion of the top drive unit and of the tripping operation elevator so as to provide a drilling mode and a tripping mode.

A horizontal directional drilling rig is described. The rig can be entirely electrically powered. The performance (or “health”) and/or the life cycle of individual components of the rig can be electronically monitored. This permits identification of specific individual components that are performing in a substandard manner or are not performing properly or have reached the end of their life cycle. Individual improperly performing components or components at the end of their life cycle can thus be specifically identified. The improperly performing component(s) or components at the end of their life cycle can then be replaced. In some embodiments, when a component is identified as performing improperly, the operation of other, properly functioning components of the rig can be modified accordingly to account for the improperly performing component.

A horizontal directional drilling rig is described. The rig can be entirely electrically powered. The performance (or “health”) and/or the life cycle of individual components of the rig can be electronically monitored. This permits identification of specific individual components that are performing in a substandard manner or are not performing properly or have reached the end of their life cycle. Individual improperly performing components or components at the end of their life cycle can thus be specifically identified. The improperly performing component(s) or components at the end of their life cycle can then be replaced. In some embodiments, when a component is identified as performing improperly, the operation of other, properly functioning components of the rig can be modified accordingly to account for the improperly performing component.