A sonic-powered method is provided for horizontal directional drilling. The method includes positioning a drilling apparatus at one end of a desired path for a generally horizontal bore to be formed, and attaching a drill bit and a drill rod to a drill head. The method also includes advancing the drill bit and the drill rod into and through the ground along the desired path by advancing the drill head to move along the drill mast. A sonic oscillator of the apparatus applies sonic energy in the form of high frequency vibrations to the drill rod and the drill bit to cause the drill bit to penetrate through an underground formation in front of the drill bit along the desired path. The sonic vibrations help efficiently penetrate through different materials in underground formations. The drilling apparatus can also use sonic vibrations to install drill casings to stabilize the bore.

A sonic-powered method is provided for horizontal directional drilling. The method includes positioning a drilling apparatus at one end of a desired path for a generally horizontal bore to be formed, and attaching a drill bit and a drill rod to a drill head. The method also includes advancing the drill bit and the drill rod into and through the ground along the desired path by advancing the drill head to move along the drill mast. A sonic oscillator of the apparatus applies sonic energy in the form of high frequency vibrations to the drill rod and the drill bit to cause the drill bit to penetrate through an underground formation in front of the drill bit along the desired path. The sonic vibrations help efficiently penetrate through different materials in underground formations. The drilling apparatus can also use sonic vibrations to install drill casings to stabilize the bore.

Systems and methods for casing drilling riserless sections of a subsea bore may include casing drilling a section of a bore for a casing of the subsea bore to a predetermined depth. The method also may include, while casing drilling the section of the bore, obtaining information indicative of pore pressure and fracture pressure of a geological formation through which the section is casing drilled, and determining a pressure range based at least in part on the pore pressure, the fracture pressure, and a modification to mechanical properties of the geological formation due to the casing drilling of the section. The method further may include selecting, based at least in part on the pressure range and the predetermined depth, a pressure of the bore for casing drilling the section.

Automated systems and methods for drilling while driving foundation components are provided. In some cases, based on detected conditions, it may be desirable for an automated controller to change the bore diameter of a drill bit during a drilling and driving operation. The need for this may be determined based on monitoring the output of one or more sensors related to one or more corresponding performance metrics of the drilling and driving operation.

An apparatus is configured for undersea use, such as for penetrating a seabed for forming a borehole therein, including with optional data acquisition and logging capabilities. A first or base module (12) of the apparatus is adapted for engaging the seabed. A first elevator (16) provides longitudinal movement of a second or upper module (14) relative to the base module (12) along a drilling axis. The relative movement of the upper and base modules may be used in the course of independently moving first (18) and second (20) rotary units along the drilling axis to cause a drill rod (R) and a drill casing (C) to penetrate the seabed such that the collapse of the borehole is avoided.

An apparatus is configured for undersea use, such as for penetrating a seabed for forming a borehole therein, including with optional data acquisition and logging capabilities. A first or base module (12) of the apparatus is adapted for engaging the seabed. A first elevator (16) provides longitudinal movement of a second or upper module (14) relative to the base module (12) along a drilling axis. The relative movement of the upper and base modules may be used in the course of independently moving first (18) and second (20) rotary units along the drilling axis to cause a drill rod (R) and a drill casing (C) to penetrate the seabed such that the collapse of the borehole is avoided.

Embodiments and methods relate to pulling and installing a product line along an underground arcuate path beneath an obstacle, including pulling the product line for an extended length (i.e. a length that might otherwise be deemed impracticable) along the underground arcuate path beneath the obstacle. Embodiments also relate to a pulling apparatus for installing a product line using a casing along an underground arcuate path beneath an obstacle, having a casing pull head connected to the casing, a product line pull head assembly connected to the product line, and a pull bracket connected to the product line pull head assembly and to the casing pull head sleeve frame.

Embodiments and methods relate to pulling and installing a product line along an underground arcuate path beneath an obstacle, including pulling the product line for an extended length (i.e. a length that might otherwise be deemed impracticable) along the underground arcuate path beneath the obstacle. Embodiments also relate to a pulling apparatus for installing a product line using a casing along an underground arcuate path beneath an obstacle, having a casing pull head connected to the casing, a product line pull head assembly connected to the product line, and a pull bracket connected to the product line pull head assembly and to the casing pull head sleeve frame.

A drilling system having retractable wings and method of using same. The system includes at least one wing, which can extend from the system once it engages in a casing and abuts against an abutment ring at the bottom end of the casing. When the system starts drilling a hole into the ground, the casing is installed down the hole. In one configuration, the at least one wing is at least partially retracted into the drilling system and locked in this position. In another configuration, the at least one wing extends from the drilling system and locks into an extended position. The system can be connected to a down-the-hole hammer, a top-hammer drilling rod, or any other suitable rock drilling tool/apparatus, and can be used with a single and a dual rotary drilling tool/apparatus.

A drilling system having retractable wings and method of using same. The system includes at least one wing, which can extend from the system once it engages in a casing and abuts against an abutment ring at the bottom end of the casing. When the system starts drilling a hole into the ground, the casing is installed down the hole. In one configuration, the at least one wing is at least partially retracted into the drilling system and locked in this position. In another configuration, the at least one wing extends from the drilling system and locks into an extended position. The system can be connected to a down-the-hole hammer, a top-hammer drilling rod, or any other suitable rock drilling tool/apparatus, and can be used with a single and a dual rotary drilling tool/apparatus.