In some aspects, the present invention comprises a system and method for optimizing the control scheme used for drilling operations based on the complex and large data sets available in realtime during operation of a wellsite and based on existing model data available at the wellsite for past similar drilling operations. Such optimizations typically require downtime to quantify how the realtime values will factor into the control model, but the present invention allows for such optimization in realtime in a closed-loop system that will reduce the non-productive time associated with reservoir operations.

A fully rotating bias unit for directional drilling rotates at bit speed while providing proportional control of directional response and steering force. The unit also provides added reliability by having increased redundancy (multiple independently controlled actuators). The unit disposed on a drillstring transfers rotation to a drill bit and has a bore communicating fluid from the drillstring to the drill bit. Directors are disposed on the unit to rotate with it. Each of the directors is independently movable between extended and retracted conditions relative to the unit's housing. Actuators of the unit are in fluid communication between the bore and the borehole or some other low pressure. Each actuator is independently operable to direct communicated fluid from the bore to extend a respective one of the directors toward the extended condition. Meanwhile, venting of the communicated fluid from the directors to the borehole or other low pressure dump allows the respective director to retract toward the retracted condition.

A system and method to control fluid flow to downhole tools and equipment, and to allow formation testing and sampling operations is disclosed. The system includes an actuator assembly that may be mechanically or electrically activated to operate a flow diverter assembly. The flow diverter assembly may divert fluid flow to the annulus of the wellbore, to the stator of a power section, through a by-pass bore in a rotor of the power section, or any combination thereof. In the mechanically actuated actuator assembly, the actuator assembly is activated by pressure changes in the fluid introduced by cycling the pumps at the surface; and in the electrically actuated actuator assembly, the actuator assembly is activated by downlinks sent from a surface control unit or computer at the surface.

The disclosed embodiments include a rotating survey tool. The rotating survey tool includes a first sensor array that in operation collects a first set of survey measurements during a downhole drilling operation. Additionally, the rotating survey tool includes a second sensor array directly coupled to the first sensor array that in operation collects a second set of survey measurements while a drill bit drills during the downhole drilling operation. Further, the second set of survey measurements has a greater base accuracy than the first set of survey measurements.

A downhole system includes a drill string having a drilling fluid flow channel and at least one turbine alternator deployed in the flow channel. The turbine alternator is configured to convert flowing drilling fluid to electrical power. A voltage bus is configured to receive electrical power from the turbine alternator and at least one electrical motor is configured to receive electrical power from the voltage bus. An electronic controller is configured to provide active control of the turbine alternator via processing a desired speed of the electrical motor to generate a desired torque current and feeding the desired torque current forward to the turbine alternator. The turbine alternator is responsive to the desired torque current such that it modifies the electrical power provided to the voltage bus in response to the desired torque.

A method for directional drilling including defining, by a sliding mode controller, a sliding hypersurface for reducing a trajectory error in one or more error dimensions; determining a current trajectory error between a current trajectory of a directional drilling tool and a reference trajectory for a curved path, the current trajectory error corresponding to a current error position in the one or more error dimensions; calculating a sliding mode vector originating from the current error position and substantially conforming to the sliding hypersurface in the one or more error dimensions; determining a feedback control input for the directional drilling tool based on the sliding mode vector; instructing the directional drilling tool to generate a wellbore path according to the feedback control input; and updating the current trajectory error based on either a change in position or a change in attitude of the directional drilling tool.

Systems and methods for adjusting a drilling operation, the methods and systems include obtaining, at a control system, a first drilling characteristic associated with a first drilling operation device that is part of a drilling system on a drill string; obtaining, at the control system, a second drilling characteristic associated with a second drilling operation device located apart from the first drilling operation device along the drill string; and controlling, with the control system, at least one adjustable element of the first drilling operation device in response to at least one of the obtained first drilling characteristic and the second drilling characteristic, wherein adjustment of the at least one adjustable element causes a change in at least one of the first drilling characteristic and the second drilling characteristic.

An apparatus includes a tubular, pressure sensors, expandable pads, a hydraulic chamber, and a computer system. The apparatus can be run in a wellbore. The apparatus is configured to detect whether the tubular is stuck within the wellbore. In response to determining that the tubular is stuck within the wellbore, the apparatus can determine a local of sticking of the tubular in the wellbore and can transmit a signal to the hydraulic chamber to pressurize one or more of the expandable pads, thereby causing the one or more expandable pads to expand and exert a force necessary to free the tubular.

Embodiments of a downhole drilling assembly generally include rotatable upper and lower drilling assemblies, and a drill bit, wherein an upper drilling assembly contains a mud motor adapted for clockwise stator rotation and counter-clockwise rotor rotation, whereby a lower drilling assembly is rotatable in the opposite direction of the upper drilling assembly or maintainable in a non-rotating state. The apparatus further includes sensors for continuously transmitting information relating thereto to the surface. Embodiments of a downhole clutch joint generally include a box end sub, a pin end sub, and a ratchet sleeve system containing a clutch joint mechanism, wherein the downhole clutch joint prevents rotation of a downhole drilling assembly in an undesired direction. Method embodiments generally include continuously measuring physical properties and/or drilling parameters, continuously transmitting information relating thereto, and controlling lower drilling assembly rotation in a non-rotating state or in the opposite direction of an upper drilling assembly.

An apparatus and method for horizontal drilling under a body of water or other obstacle impassable by foot is disclosed. The apparatus includes a locator box, a horizontal drill rig with a drill head, a transmitter operably coupled to the drill head, a suspension assembly extending over the obstacle above a bore hole line, and a remote control device paired with the locator box capable of wirelessly sending instructions and wirelessly receiving data from the locator box. The locator box is operably coupled to the suspension assembly that allows it to be positioned at any point along the suspension assembly. In the present method, the locator box follows along the drilling path, roughly at the level of the drill head, in order to accurately read information about the position, pitch, and temperature of the drill head, without requiring an operator to follow the path.