| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 175026000 | Of boring means including a below-ground drive prime mover | 40 |
| 20080230270 | Arrangement for Positioning Rock Drilling Rig on Drilling Site - A method for positioning a rock drilling rig to a drilling site and a rock drilling rig. In positioning the rock drilling rig is driven to the positioning station such that its carrier is at desired distances from wall surfaces surrounding the drilling site. For positioning the rig is provided with distance measuring devices. Navigation is not started until positioning has been performed and in navigation the location of the rock drilling rig is linked to the coordinate system of the drilling site. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20090038847 | User interface for rock drilling rig - The invention relates to a control apparatus for controlling a rock-drilling rig performing a multiphase rock-drilling event. The control apparatus is arranged to display a working phase indicator on a display, and rock drilling phase-specific information elements is associated with different working phases. The control apparatus is arranged to specify the phase of the rock-drilling event and to update the working phase indicator to display at least one display information element in accordance with the specified working phase. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090078462 | Directional Drilling Control - Methods and apparatus for using a quill to steer a hydraulic motor when elongating a wellbore in a direction having a horizontal component, wherein the quill and the hydraulic motor are coupled to opposing ends of a drill string, by monitoring an actual toolface orientation of a tool driven by the hydraulic motor via monitoring a drilling operation parameter indicative of a difference between the actual toolface orientation and a desired toolface orientation, and then adjusting a position of the quill by an amount that is dependent upon the monitored drilling operation parameter. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090095528 | Downhole Motor Assembly with Torque Regulation - A downhole motor assembly for driving a drill bit. The assembly includes a hydraulic drive section with a stator and a rotor located inside the stator to form a flow path between the stator and the rotor. Fluid flowing through the flow path in response to a pressure differential across the hydraulic drive section creates an operative force to rotate the drill bit. The assembly also includes a regulation mechanism that includes a valve and a fluid flow diversion bore for diverting at least some fluid from the flow path when the pressure differential across the hydraulic drive section is greater than or equal to a transition pressure differential. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090133931 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HYDRAULIC STEERING OF DOWNHOLE ROTARY DRILLING SYSTEMS - A method for hydraulically controlling the direction of a drill bit or bottom hole assembly containing a drill contains lateral orifices which can be selectively opened and closed to move a portion of drilling fluid from the drill string out into a narrow gap between the lateral orifices and a lateral bore hole face or wall, which produces a lateral hydraulic force to thereby push the drill bit or bottom hole assembly in an opposite direction of the fluid flow through the lateral orifices. The apparatus for accomplishing this hydraulic steering can provide for the movement of the tip of the orifice into close proximity with the bore hole face to thereby increase the lateral hydraulic force created. This method can also be adapted to push-the-bit bore hole pads to minimize their contact with the bore hole while increasing the lateral force obtained by their engagement. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090229882 | DISTRIBUTED SENSORS-CONTROLLER FOR ACTIVE VIBRATION DAMPING FROM SURFACE - An apparatus for controlling a vibration of a drill string, the apparatus including: a plurality of sensors in operable communication with the drill string; and a controller in operable communication with the plurality of sensors, the controller connectable to a drill string motivator and capable of outputting a signal to the drill string motivator to control the vibration of the drill string. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090272578 | DUAL MOTOR SYSTEMS AND NON-ROTATING SENSORS FOR USE IN DEVELOPING WELLBORES IN SUBSURFACE FORMATIONS - A method for forming a subsurface wellbore is disclosed. The method includes operating a drilling string in a first direction of rotation. A first motor located near the end of the drilling string is operated in a direction of rotation opposite that of the drilling string. A drill bit is rotated using a second motor that is coupled to the first motor. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20100108383 | Drilling Apparatus and Method - A drilling apparatus includes an upper drill string, a lower drill string including a rotary drilling motor, an orientable rotatable connection between the drill strings, a reactive torque control device associated with the orientable rotatable connection, an orientation sensing device for providing a sensed actual orientation of the lower drill string, and a feedback control system configured to actuate the control device in response to the sensed actual orientation to achieve a target orientation of the lower drill string. A drilling method includes actuating the control device to prevent relative rotation of the drill strings, providing a sensed actual orientation of the lower drill string, comparing the sensed actual orientation with a target orientation of the lower drill string, actuating the control device to allow the lower drill string to rotate to provide the target orientation, and actuating the control device to prevent relative rotation of the drill strings. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100282509 | VARIABLE FREQUENCY CONTROL FOR DOWN HOLE DRILL - A variable frequency down hole drill, includes a drill bit, a reciprocating piston operable to deliver an impact load to the drill bit, and means for changing the frequency with which the piston delivers impact loading to the drill bit, also resulting in a change in overall power of the drill. The means for changing frequency and overall power may operate during continuous operation of the drill. The means for changing the frequency and overall power may include a valve for selectively changing the effective volume of a drive or return chamber, an actuator for changing the timing of placing the drive or return chamber in communication with exhaust, or a system for changing the frequency in response to sensing an predetermined operating parameter of the drill, such as pressure or piston position. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20110024187 | DIRECTIONAL DRILLING CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHODS - Methods and apparatus for using a quill to steer a hydraulic motor when elongating a wellbore in a direction having a horizontal component, wherein the quill and the hydraulic motor are coupled to opposing ends of a drill string, by monitoring an actual toolface orientation of a tool driven by the hydraulic motor via monitoring a drilling operation parameter indicative of a difference between the actual toolface orientation and a desired toolface orientation, and then adjusting a position of the quill by an amount that is dependent upon the monitored drilling operation parameter. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110108325 | Integrating Multiple Data Sources for Drilling Applications - A drilling system makes measurements of at least one drilling parameter such as downhole weight on bit, bit torque, bit revolutions, rate of penetration and bit axial acceleration, and at least one measurement responsive to formation properties. One or more processors use the measurements of drilling parameters and formation properties to adjust drilling parameters. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110162888 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE AUTONOMOUS DRILLING OF GROUND HOLES - Embodiments include a method for the autonomous drilling of ground holes by a drill rig including a drilling arrangement. The method includes the step of utilising an autonomous drilling procedure to control the drilling arrangement to drill a hole after locating the drill rig in a position where the hole is to be drilled. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110174539 | Advanced Underground Homing System, Apparatus and Method - A boring tool that is moved by a drill string to form an underground bore. A transmitter transmits a time varying dipole field as a homing field from the boring tool. A pitch sensor detects a pitch orientation of the boring tool. A homing receiver is positionable at a target location for detecting the homing field to produce a set of flux measurements. A processing arrangement uses the pitch orientation and flux measurements with a determined length of the drill string to determine a vertical homing command for use in controlling depth in directing the boring tool to the target location such that the vertical homing command is generated with a particular accuracy at a given range between the transmitter and the homing receiver and which would otherwise be generated with the particular accuracy for a standard range, different from the particular range. An associated system and method are described. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110220410 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ONLINE AUTOMATION - A changepoint detector for modeling data received from at least one sensor in a proces in the hydrocarbon industry. The data is segmented into a plurality of segments and fo each segment a model is assigned and the data corresponding to the segment fit to tha model. A plurality of segmentations are thus provided and these segmentations ar evaluated and assigned weights indicative of the fit of the models of the segmentation t the underlying data. The segmentation models are further used to calculate a result tha may be input to a process control program. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110303461 | Clutch for a Jack Element - A downhole tool string, comprising a tool string bore and a drill bit located at the bottom of the tool string. The drill bit comprises a body intermediate a shank and a working surface. The working surface may comprise a substantially coaxial rotationally isolated jack element with a portion of the jack element extending out of an opening formed in the working surface to engage a subterranean formation. The tool string may comprise a driving mechanism adapted to rotate the jack. The clutch assembly disposed within the tool string bore may comprise a first end in communication with the jack element and second end in communication with the driving mechanism. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20120018219 | METHOD AND STEERING ASSEMBLY FOR DRILLING A BOREHOLE IN AN EARTH FORMATION - A method of drilling a borehole in an earth formation using a drill string including a control system for controlling the borehole trajectory. The control system is operable to receive a selected signal, to determine the borehole depth from at least one length increment and the number of times the selected signal is received, and to use the borehole depth as input parameter for controlling the borehole trajectory in correspondence with a desired borehole trajectory. While drilling, for each length increment that the drill string is lowered into the borehole, transmitting the selected signal to the control system; inducing the control system to determine the borehole depth from said length increment and the number of times the selected signal is received; and operating the control system to use the borehole depth as input parameter for controlling the borehole trajectory in correspondence with the desired borehole trajectory. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120138362 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED DRILLING OF A BOREHOLE IN A SUBSURFACE FORMATION - A method for automated drilling of a borehole in a subsurface formation includes drilling the borehole using a set of drilling control variables assigned a set of values. An automated drilling index of the drilling is monitored. The automated drilling index of the drilling is a combination of a first index that depends on a rate of penetration of the drilling and a second index that depends on a mechanical specific energy of the drilling. The values assigned to the set of drilling control variables are selectively adjusted at least once during the drilling based on the monitoring of the automated drilling index. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120241217 | WELL DRILLING METHODS WITH AUTOMATED RESPONSE TO EVENT DETECTION - A well drilling method can include detecting a drilling event by comparing a parameter signature generated during drilling to an event signature indicative of the drilling event, and automatically controlling a drilling operation in response to at least a partial match resulting from comparing the parameter signature to the event signature. A well drilling system can include a control system which compares a parameter signature for a drilling operation to an event signature indicative of a drilling event, and a controller which controls the drilling operation automatically in response to the drilling event being indicated by at least a partial match between the parameter signature and the event signature. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120255778 | DRILLING CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method of operating a drill string includes receiving signals indicative of rotation of a bottom hole assembly (BHA) of the drill string; receiving signals indicative of the torque experience by the BHA; determining from the received signals an average slipping torque and a maximum sticking torque; determining a friction ratio based on the maximum sticking torque and the average slipping torque; and generating an indication that the friction ratio exceeds a limit. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120298420 | Methods For Characterization Of Formations, Navigating Drill Paths, And Placing Wells In Earth Boreholes - A method for directing bore-hole drilling in a target earth formation includes the following steps: providing drilling equipment having a bottom hole assembly that includes a controllable directional drilling subsystem, and a logging-while-drilling directional measurement tool with a look-around and look-ahead capability; determining the presence of a predetermined type of formation characteristic in the target formation; and navigating a drill path in the target formation with the drilling equipment, including receiving measurement signals from the directional measurement tool, obtaining, from the received measurement signals, indications of formation parameters with respect to the formation characteristic in the target formation, and controlling the directional drilling subsystem to drill in a direction determined as a function of the obtained indication of formation parameters. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120325555 | ROBOTIC TUNNELING SYSTEM - A tunneling system is disclosed that includes a surface power-controller, umbilical tether, robotic tender, and robotic tunneling device. This system allows the robotic tunneling device to efficiently create new tunnels using the power and fluids provided from the surface through the robotic drilling tender, as well as a way to efficiently manage cuttings below surface. The system is designed to operate not only when the well is not producing, but also on a continuous basis while the well is producing. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130161096 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING INCREMENTAL PROGRESSION BETWEEN SURVEY POINTS WHILE DRILLING - A system and method for surface steerable drilling are provided. In one example, the system receives toolface information for a bottom hole assembly (BHA) and non-survey sensor information corresponding to a location of the BHA in a borehole. The system calculates an amount of incremental progress made by the BHA based on the non-survey sensor information and calculates an estimate of the location based on the toolface information and the amount of incremental progress. The system repeats the steps of receiving toolface information and non-survey sensor information and calculating an amount of incremental progress to calculate an estimate of a plurality of locations representing a path of the BHA from a first survey point towards a second sequential survey point. | 06-27-2013 |
| 20130161097 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SURFACE STEERABLE DRILLING - A system and method for surface steerable drilling are provided. In one example, the method includes monitoring operating parameters for drilling rig equipment and bottom hole assembly (BHA) equipment for a BHA, where the operating parameters control the drilling rig equipment and BHA equipment. The method includes receiving current inputs corresponding to performance data of the drilling rig equipment and BHA equipment during a drilling operation and determining that an amount of change between the current inputs and corresponding previously received inputs exceeds a defined threshold. The method further includes determining whether a modification to the operating parameters has occurred that would result in the amount of change exceeding the defined threshold and identifying that a problem exists in at least one of the drilling rig equipment and BHA equipment if no modification has occurred to the operating parameters. The method includes performing a defined action if a problem exists. | 06-27-2013 |
| 20130228375 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a navigation system for navigating a drill head out of or in collision with a casing in a first borehole. The system comprises a drill head drilling a second borehole; a drill string made of several tubulars mounted into one tubular string by means of a connection means, the drill head being mounted onto one end of the drill string; and a plurality of logging units arranged with one logging unit in or in relation to each connection means. Each logging unit comprises a data transmitter and a data receiver for sending and receiving data between the logging units; and a detector, at least one logging unit comprising an emitter. Furthermore, the invention relates to a navigation method using the navigation system. | 09-05-2013 |
| 20140027174 | OPTIMIZED DRILLING - The invention provides a method of optimising the rate of penetration of a hydraulically or pneumatically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth, the method comprising: (a) measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the weight applied to the drill bit, the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, (b) generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, (c) determining the rate of penetration for the first period of time from measurements of weight applied to the bit and rotation speed of the bit, (d) determining whether any other combination of weight applied to bit and rotation speed of bit, provided by the relationships determined in step (b) are capable of providing a greater rate of penetration, and (e) adjusting at least one operating parameter to move the weight applied to bit and/or speed of rotation of bit towards the combination which provides a first greater rate of penetration. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140027175 | DRILLING OPTIMIZATION WITH A DOWNHOLE MOTOR - Optimising the operation of a hydraulically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth is described. Drilling optimization is provided measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, determining from the relationships a first more optimal mode of operation, and changing at least one operating parameter to move the operation of the rotor and stator towards the more optimal mode of operation. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140110170 | BORING TOOL TRACKING FUNDAMENTALLY BASED ON DRILL STRING LENGTH, PITCH AND ROLL - A boring tool moves having a pitch orientation, a yaw orientation and a roll orientation and is steerable underground using the roll orientation. A maximum drill string curvature is established for steering. The boring tool is advanced over a path segment. An averaged roll characteristic is determined for movement of the boring tool along the path segment. A path segment pitch orientation is established based on at least one measured pitch orientation along the path segment. Using the maximum drill string curvature in combination with the averaged roll characteristic and the path segment pitch orientation, the yaw orientation is determined. The averaged roll characteristic is determined based on a series of incremental roll measurements that are spaced across the path segment. A set of coupled ordinary differential equations is used to characterize movement of the boring tool. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140110171 | DOWNHOLE TOOL AND CONTROL MODULE - Described herein is a reamer tool ( | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140138156 | ADVANCED STEERING TOOL SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS - A steering tool is movable by a drill string to form an underground bore along an intended path. A sensing arrangement of the steering tool detects its pitch and yaw orientations at a series of spaced apart positions along the bore, each position is characterized by a measured extension of the drill string. The steering tool further includes a receiver. At least one marker is positioned proximate to the intended path, for transmitting a rotating dipole field to expose a portion of the intended path to the field for reception by the receiver. The detected pitch orientation, the detected yaw orientation and the measured extension of the drill string are used in conjunction with magnetic information from the receiver to locate the steering tool. The steering tool may automatically use the magnetic information when it is available. A customized overall position determination accuracy can be provided along the intended path. | 05-22-2014 |
| 20140251687 | DIGITAL UNDERREAMER - Wellbore drilling apparatus and methods are provided. The apparatus includes a reaming subassembly including one or more reamers configured to ream a wellbore. The reaming subassembly defines a cutting aggressiveness that is variable while the reaming subassembly is disposed in a wellbore. The apparatus also includes an actuator coupled with the reaming subassembly and configured to vary the cutting aggressiveness of the reaming subassembly in response to an actuation signal. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20150053483 | DRILLING CONTROL AND INFORMATION SYSTEM - A drilling control and information system comprising: a rig site network ( | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150053484 | HOLE ENLARGEMENT DRILLING DEVICE AND METHODS FOR USING SAME - A bottomhole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string includes one or more controllers, and a hole enlargement device that selectively enlarges the diameter of the wellbore formed by the drill bit. The hole enlargement device includes an actuation unit that may move extendable cutting elements of the hole enlargement device between a radially extended position and a radially retracted position. The actuation unit may be responsive to a signal that is transmitted from a downhole and/or a surface location. The hole enlargement device may also include one or more position sensors that transmit a position signal indicative of a radial position of the cutting elements. In an illustrative operating mode, one or more operating parameters of the hole enlargement device may be adjusted based on one or more measured parameters. This adjustment may be done in a closed-loop or automated fashion and/or by human personnel. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150345223 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIRECTIONAL DRILLING - A method and system for directionally drilling a wellbore. The method includes measuring an off-bottom rotating torque applied to a drill string in the wellbore. A steerable drilling motor is oriented proximate a bottom of the drill string in a selected direction, and a surface rotational orientation of the drill string is measured. Torque is applied to the drill string at the surface to maintain the surface rotational orientation. The applied torque is automatically increased and decreased by a selected amount related to the measured off-bottom rotating torque. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20160060958 | DOWNHOLE MOTOR FOR EXTENDED REACH APPLICATIONS - An apparatus for forming a wellbore in a subterranean formation includes a drill bit, a connector connected to the drill bit and configured to transmit torque and thrust to the drill bit, and a drilling motor energized by a pressurized fluid. The drilling motor may include a stator and a rotor disposed in the stator and having a torque transmitting connection to the connector. The apparatus may also include a thrust generator associated with the rotor and having a pressure face in pressure communication with a fluid flowing through the drilling motor and a force application assembly selectively anchoring the stator to a wellbore wall. A related method uses the apparatus to drill a wellbore. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160061019 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIRECTIONAL DRILLING - A system, method and drill string component for directional drilling of a borehole in a formation is presented. The system includes a rotatable drill string, a rotatable drill bit comprising an intermediate space for receiving drilling fluid from the drill string and at least two nozzles for ejecting the drilling fluid. The system also includes a first rotor section, a flow diverter connected to a downhole end of the first rotor section, and a second rotor section being directly drivable by the drilling fluid and being rotatable with respect to the first rotor section in a second direction opposite to the first direction and at a second rotational speed (ω | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160084061 | A method of, and a system for, controlling a drilling operation | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160090789 | DYNAMIC GEO-STATIONARY ACTUATION FOR A FULLY-ROTATING ROTARY STEERABLE SYSTEM - The present disclosure describes a dynamic geo-stationary actuation technique that may be incorporated into a rotary steerable system | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160160568 | Steerable Hydraulic Jetting Nozzle, and Guidance System for Downhole Boring Device - A hydraulic jetting assembly is provided herein. The jetting assembly includes a jetting hose, with a jetting nozzle at its distal end. The jetting nozzle comprises a tubular stator body having a fluid discharge slot, and a tubular rotor body residing within a bore of the stator body. The jetting nozzle has one or more bearings residing between the stator body and the surrounding rotor body to accommodate relative rotational movement. The jetting nozzle includes a proximal end configured to sealingly connect to an end of a jetting hose, and to receive a high pressure jetting fluid. Preferably, the nozzle has an outer diameter that is equivalent to or slightly larger than an outer diameter of the jetting hose. Preferably, the jetting assembly has at least three actuator wires configured to induce a controlled bending moment at its distal end, thereby providing for a steerable downhole tool. Jetting collars may be placed along the jetting hose to overcome drag force. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160251900 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A DRILLING PATH BASED ON DRIFT ESTIMATES | 09-01-2016 |
| 20180023380 | ADVANCED STEERING TOOL SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS | 01-25-2018 |
