In one aspect the present invention may be said to comprise a drill rod for assembly with other drill rods to form a drillstring used for fluid reverse circulation drilling comprising: an outer drill rod comprising a bore that is tapered at each end, an inner drill rod within the outer drill rod, and a retention member removably coupled to each end of the inner drill rod to retain the inner drill rod between the tapered ends of the outer drill rod.
E21B 17/04 - CouplingsJoints between rod and bit, or between rod and rod
E21B 17/18 - Pipes provided with plural fluid passages
E21B 21/12 - Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor using drilling pipes with plural fluid passages, e.g. closed circulation systems
In one aspect the present invention may be said to comprise a drill rod for assembly with other drill rods to form a drillstring used for fluid reverse circulation drilling comprising: an outer drill rod comprising a bore that is tapered at each end, an inner drill rod within the outer drill rod, and a retention member removably coupled to each end of the inner drill rod to retain the inner drill rod between the tapered ends of the outer drill rod.
E21B 21/12 - Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor using drilling pipes with plural fluid passages, e.g. closed circulation systems
E21B 17/18 - Pipes provided with plural fluid passages
E21B 25/00 - Apparatus for obtaining or removing undisturbed cores, e.g. core barrels or core extractors
E21B 17/04 - CouplingsJoints between rod and bit, or between rod and rod
F16L 39/00 - Joints or fittings for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
A drill rod for assembly with other drill rods to form a drillstring used for fluid reverse circulation drilling comprising: an outer drill rod comprising a lightweight drill rod used in core drilling with a bore, an inner drill rod comprising a bore, a first coupling member removably coupled to one end of the inner drill rod, a second coupling member removably coupled to a second end of the inner drill rod, wherein the first and second coupling members centre the inner drill rod within the outer drill rod.
A drill rod for assembly with other drill rods to form a drillstring used for fluid reverse circulation drilling comprising: an outer drill rod comprising a lightweight drill rod used in core drilling with a bore, an inner drill rod comprising a bore, a first coupling member removably coupled to one end of the inner drill rod, a second coupling member removably coupled to a second end of the inner drill rod, wherein the first and second coupling members centre the inner drill rod within the outer drill rod.
Disclosed is a drill bit for coupling in use to an RC drilling apparatus, the drill bit comprising: an annular drill bit that is rotatable to cut a formation bore face, a concentric drill bit, wherein: the annular drill bit comprises a body and an annular cutting element with a continuous bit face configured such that in use, when the bit face seats on the bore face, drilling fluid that flows through the annular drill bit is retarded from leaking from the annular drill bit through the bit face/bore face interface.
The present invention relates to a wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool, the wireline retrieval head assembly for coupling to the downhole tool for installation in and retrieval from downhole in a mineral industry field of use, wherein a first of the wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool has a retention member that has or is configured to receive a pivot member and a second of the wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool has a complementary link with an opening for receiving the pivot member, such that the link can be coupled to the retention member to create a pivot coupling to allow for articulation between the wireline retrieval head assembly and the downhole tool during installation and retrieval of the downhole tool, and the link can be removed from the retention member to remove the downhole tool from the wireline retrieval head assembly.
E21B 23/14 - Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing or removing tools, packers or the like in boreholes or wells for displacing a cable or a cable-operated tool, e.g. for logging or perforating operations in deviated wells
(1) Apparatus for use in drilling, namely mechanical force generators including mechanical oscillators, rotors, cams, followers, magnets, housings, drill bits, drill strings, and energy pulse assisted drill rods for use in mining
Apparatus for use in drilling, namely mechanical force generators including mechanical oscillators, rotors, cams, followers, magnets, housings, drill bits, drill strings, and/or energy pulse assisted drill rods for use in mining
In one aspect the present invention comprises a wireline retrievable coring apparatus for incorporation into a drillstring, comprising: a housing for coupling to a drill string housing, a drill bit, a turbine comprising a stator coupled to the housing and a rotor within the stator, the rotor coupled to rotate the drill bit, a core barrel through the turbine and in communication with the drill bit for capturing a core, a fluid path to the drill bit via the turbine to rotate the turbine, wherein the core barrel is rotationally isolated from the rotor and is fluidly isolated from the fluid path.
The present invention relates to a wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool, the wireline retrieval head assembly for coupling to the downhole tool for installation in and retrieval from downhole in a mineral industry field of use, wherein a first of the wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool has a retention member that has or is configured to receive a pivot member and a second of the wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool has a complementary link with an opening for receiving the pivot member, such that the link can be coupled to the retention member to create a pivot coupling to allow for articulation between the wireline retrieval head assembly and the downhole tool during installation and retrieval of the downhole tool, and the link can be removed from the retention member to remove the downhole tool from the wireline retrieval head assembly.
The present invention relates to a wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool, the wireline retrieval head assembly for coupling to the downhole tool for installation in and retrieval from downhole in a mineral industry field of use, wherein a first of the wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool has a retention member that has or is configured to receive a pivot member and a second of the wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool has a complementary link with an opening for receiving the pivot member, such that the link can be coupled to the retention member to create a pivot coupling to allow for articulation between the wireline retrieval head assembly and the downhole tool during installation and retrieval of the downhole tool, and the link can be removed from the retention member to remove the downhole tool from the wireline retrieval head assembly.
A drill bit for coupling in use downhole drilling apparatus, the drill bit comprising: an annular coring drill bit that is rotatable to cut a formation bore face to create a core plug, a concentric drill bit that can be repeatedly axially moved (such as by oscillation (such as a vibration) and/or impact) to break the core plug.
In one aspect the present invention comprises a wireline retrievable coring apparatus for incorporation into a drillstring, comprising: a housing for coupling to a drill string housing, a drill bit, a turbine comprising a stator coupled to the housing and a rotor within the stator, the rotor coupled to rotate the drill bit, a core barrel through the turbine and in communication with the drill bit for capturing a core, a fluid path to the drill bit via the turbine to rotate the turbine, wherein the core barrel is rotationally isolated from the rotor and is fluidly isolated from the fluid path.
In one aspect the present invention comprises a wireline retrievable coring apparatus for incorporation into a drillstring, comprising: a housing for coupling to a drill string housing, a drill bit, a turbine comprising a stator coupled to the housing and a rotor within the stator, the rotor coupled to rotate the drill bit, a core barrel through the turbine and in communication with the drill bit for capturing a core, a fluid path to the drill bit via the turbine to rotate the turbine, wherein the core barrel is rotationally isolated from the rotor and is fluidly isolated from the fluid path.
Disclosed is a vibratory apparatus for a drilling apparatus comprising: a housing, a rotor operable to rotate relative to the housing, the rotor comprising one or more sets of magnets, a shuttle engaged to enable movement longitudinally, the shuttle comprising one or more follower magnets, each arranged relative to a corresponding set of magnets in the rotor, wherein each set of magnets comprises magnets arranged around the rotor with a lateral spread such that on rotation the corresponding follower magnet on the shuttle will move longitudinally to follow one or more rotating magnets of the set, thus oscillating the shuttle longitudinally.
Disclosed is a mechanical force generator for use in a drillstring that provides a sinusoidal or near sinusoidal oscillating output, comprising: a rotatable cam plate connected to a mass, the cam plate having two opposed oblique bearing surfaces rotatable through a bearing, wherein upon rotation, the two opposed oblique bearing surfaces cam against the bearing to oscillate the mass longitudinally, wherein the bearing comprises opposing bearings for bearing against the opposed oblique bearing surfaces and wherein at least one bearing adjusts to follow the respective opposed bearing surface and maintain engagement.
Disclosed is a mechanical force generator for use in a drillstring that provides a sinusoidal or near sinusoidal oscillating output, comprising: a rotatable cam plate connected to a mass, the cam plate having two opposed oblique bearing surfaces rotatable through a bearing, wherein upon rotation, the two opposed oblique bearing surfaces cam against the bearing to oscillate the mass longitudinally, wherein the bearing comprises opposing bearings for bearing against the opposed oblique bearing surfaces and wherein at least one bearing adjusts to follow the respective opposed bearing surface and maintain engagement.
Disclosed is a mechanical force generator for use in a drillstring that provides a sinusoidal or near sinusoidal oscillating output, comprising: a rotatable cam plate connected to a mass, the cam plate having two opposed oblique bearing surfaces rotatable through a bearing, wherein upon rotation, the two opposed oblique bearing surfaces cam against the bearing to oscillate the mass longitudinally, wherein the bearing comprises opposing bearings for bearing against the opposed oblique bearing surfaces and wherein at least one bearing adjusts to follow the respective opposed bearing surface and maintain engagement.
A retrievable core sampling assembly for latching to or relative to a rotatable tubular housing of a core sampling apparatus to allow the capture and retrieval of a core from a subterranean formation, the assembly comprising or including: a core catcher barrel for a core, the barrel being rotationally isolated from the tubular housing and cooperable with a core taking bit coupled to the rotatable tubular housing to retain a core, and a hammer for providing impact to the core taking bit along a longitudinal impact path that is or is substantially decoupled from the core catcher barrel so that when latched, rotation and impact of the core taking bit captures and passes core material from the formation to the core catcher barrel in manner that isolates a core in the core catcher barrel from rotation and impact forces.
E21B 25/02 - Apparatus for obtaining or removing undisturbed cores, e.g. core barrels or core extractors the core receiver being insertable into, or removable from, the borehole without withdrawing the drilling pipe
E21B 6/04 - Separate drives for percussion and rotation
A device in place as, or suitable for use as, a vibrational tool of or in a downhole assembly, the device having a first magnetic assembly which is to be, or can be, rotated relative to a second magnetic assembly and which, when so rotated, causes the second magnetic assembly to oscillate and/or reciprocate at least substantially in an axial manner; wherein the oscillating and/or reciprocating magnetic assembly, at least substantially, at either one end, or both ends, is attached to and constrained in its oscillations and/or reciprocation by a compliant member thereby allowing the output force to be distributed to the outer body of the vibrational tool and/or any attached uphole and/or downhole tooling, from the compression and extension of the compliant member in a substantially sinusoidal manner.
A retrievable core sampling assembly for latching to or relative to a rotatable tubular housing 1 of a core sampling apparatus to allow the capture and retrieval of a core 19 from a subterranean formation, the assembly comprising or including: a core catcher barrel 18 for a core 19, the barrel 18 being rotationally isolated from the tubular housing 1 and cooperable with a core taking bit 2 coupled to the rotatable tubular housing 1 to retain a core 19, and a hammer 100 for providing impact to the core taking bit 2 along a longitudinal impact path that is or is substantially decoupled from the core catcher barrel 8 so that when latched, rotation and impact of the core taking bit 2 captures and passes core material from the formation to the core catcher barrel 2 in manner that isolates a core 10 9 in the core catcher barrel 18 from rotation and impact forces.
E21B 25/02 - Apparatus for obtaining or removing undisturbed cores, e.g. core barrels or core extractors the core receiver being insertable into, or removable from, the borehole without withdrawing the drilling pipe
A retrievable core sampling assembly for latching to or relative to a rotatable tubular housing 1 of a core sampling apparatus to allow the capture and retrieval of a core 19 from a subterranean formation, the assembly comprising or including: a core catcher barrel 18 for a core 19, the barrel 18 being rotationally isolated from the tubular housing 1 and cooperable with a core taking bit 2 coupled to the rotatable tubular housing 1 to retain a core 19, and a hammer 100 for providing impact to the core taking bit 2 along a longitudinal impact path that is or is substantially decoupled from the core catcher barrel 8 so that when latched, rotation and impact of the core taking bit 2 captures and passes core material from the formation to the core catcher barrel 2 in manner that isolates a core 10 9 in the core catcher barrel 18 from rotation and impact forces.
E21B 25/02 - Apparatus for obtaining or removing undisturbed cores, e.g. core barrels or core extractors the core receiver being insertable into, or removable from, the borehole without withdrawing the drilling pipe
29.
Mechanical force generator for a downhole excitation apparatus
An excitation apparatus suitable for use downhole having interengaged masses at least in part confined or guided so as to be movable as an interengaged assembly on an axis, one mass (“rotatable mass”) being rotatable relative to the other mass about the axis to cyclically vary the axial length of the assembly of the interengaged masses, a rotary drive, and an interposed spring (of any kind) between the rotary drive and the rotatable mass able to transmit torque from the rotary drive to the rotatable mass yet vary in its extent responsive to the interengaged masses.
A boring tool having downhole hammered impact elements that present to the bore face from platforms or plateaux of the work face of the tool, such work face having shear cutters able to benefit over the bore face from disruption caused by the impact elements.
A downhole assembly able to generate a vibrational output reliant upon a fluid feed drive to cause relative rotation extending magnetic arrays and thereby a relative longitudinal vibration causing reciprocation.
Apparatus, methods and uses that allow extended reach drilling by virtue of the provision in the drillstring and to downhole tools collective vibrations, not tuned specifically to a single resonant frequency, from a hammer assembly that provides vibrations of different frequency ranges.
A device in place as, or suitable for use as, a vibrational tool of or in a downhole assembly, the device having a first magnetic assembly which is to be, or can be, rotated relative to a second magnetic assembly and which, when so rotated, causes the second magnetic assembly to oscillate and/or reciprocate at least substantially in an axial manner; wherein the oscillating and/or reciprocating magnetic assembly, at least substantially, at either one end, or both ends, is attached to and constrained in its oscillations and/or reciprocation by a compliant member thereby allowing the output force to be distributed to the outer body of the vibrational tool and/or any attached uphole and/or downhole tooling, from the compression and extension of the compliant member in a substantially sinusoidal manner.
B06B 1/00 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency
B06B 1/04 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with electromagnetism
E21B 1/22 - Percussion drilling with a reciprocating impulse member driven by electromagnets
E21B 7/00 - Special methods or apparatus for drilling
E21B 7/24 - Drilling using vibrating or oscillating means, e.g. out-of-balance masses
A device in place as, or suitable for use as, a vibrational tool of or in a downhole assembly, the device having a first magnetic assembly which is to be, or can be, rotated relative to a second magnetic assembly and which, when so rotated, causes the second magnetic assembly to oscillate and/or reciprocate at least substantially in an axial manner; wherein the oscillating and/or reciprocating magnetic assembly, at least substantially, at either one end, or both ends, is attached to and constrained in its oscillations and/or reciprocation by a compliant member thereby allowing the output force to be distributed to the outer body of the vibrational tool and/or any attached uphole and/or downhole tooling, from the compression and extension of the compliant member in a substantially sinusoidal manner.
E21B 1/22 - Percussion drilling with a reciprocating impulse member driven by electromagnets
E21B 7/24 - Drilling using vibrating or oscillating means, e.g. out-of-balance masses
E21B 7/00 - Special methods or apparatus for drilling
B06B 1/00 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency
B06B 1/04 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with electromagnetism
An excitation apparatus suitable for use downhole having interengaged masses at least in part confined or guided so as to be movable as an interengaged assembly on an axis, one mass ("rotatable mass") being rotatable relative to the other mass about the axis to cyclically vary the axial length of the assembly of the interengaged masses, a rotary drive, and an interposed spring (of any kind) between the rotary drive and the rotatable mass able to transmit torque from the rotary drive to the rotatable mass yet vary in its extent responsive to the interengaged masses.
An excitation apparatus suitable for use downhole having interengaged masses at least in part confined or guided so as to be movable as an interengaged assembly on an axis, one mass ("rotatable mass") being rotatable relative to the other mass about the axis to cyclically vary the axial length of the assembly of the interengaged masses, a rotary drive, and an interposed spring (of any kind) between the rotary drive and the rotatable mass able to transmit torque from the rotary drive to the rotatable mass yet vary in its extent responsive to the interengaged masses.
A hybrid drill bit having reliance on features rotatable together, yet movable relative to each other axially of the rotation axis, as a result of energy inputs, of (i) intermittently percussively striking the formation with first wear resisting protuberant features; and (ii) shear cutting, scraping, sweeping and/or the like the weakened formation and any chips generated by the percussive action (i.e. of (i)) with second wear resisting features; wherein the percussive features (i) are features carried so as to emerge, or emerge more proudly, through a profiled face having the other features (ii); and wherein the percussive features (i) are fewer in number than the features (ii).
A vibrational apparatus for a downhole assembly comprising first and second assemblies, each of the said assemblies having magnetic arrays around a common axis, wherein a fluid feed or other suitable drive causses a relative rotation between the assemblies, which relative rotation generates a vibration resulting in interactions between the magnetic arrays, thereby causing a reciprocating rectilinear movement of the assemblies along or parallel to the common axis.
A vibrational apparatus for a downhole assembly comprising first and second assemblies, each of the said assemblies having magnetic arrays around a common axis, wherein a fluid feed or other suitable drive causses a relative rotation between the assemblies, which relative rotation generates a vibration resulting in interactions between the magnetic arrays, thereby causing a reciprocating rectilinear movement of the assemblies along or parallel to the common axis.
Vibrational apparatus to direct stress waves (eg. to a bit 2 or other downhole tool) by generating vibrations as a consequence of shuttling responsive to relative rotational movement between magnetic arrays (4,5) and wherein there is, or can be, a use of a system (6,7) (whether rebound, recoil, spring, pneumatic, magnetic or not) able at least in part to return acquired potential energy in addition to any acquired at the same time by the interacting magnetic arrays. A free travel distance can be provided for one of said components prior to the onset of any substantial collection of energy from the movement (relative) of that component in a direction (eg, uphole) for use in return travel (eg, downhole) preferably synchronized, or synchronizable, to enhance the return travel causing forces of any repulsive and/or attractive forces generated otherwise than by the said magnetic arrays.
Downhole hammering or other vibrational apparatus comprising or including in, with respect to a hole axis, a rotatable input shaft (9) aligned with or aligned parallel to the hole axis, a rotatable shuttle assembly having two structures able to rotate relative to each other (e.g. at least one to the other) to cause interacting magnetic arrays (13, 14) to cause a relative shuttling of such structures, the shuttling axis being aligned to or substantially parallel to the hole axis, an at least substantially fluid tight enclosure (1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) about the rotatable shuttle assembly; wherein the shaft (9) directly or indirectly rotates one or more magnets (10, 11) and one of the structures (e.g. nominally "the shuttle") of the shuttle assembly within the substantially fluid type enclosure carries a magnet or magnets (12) to interact with that, or those, of the input shaft (9) whereby, without direct contact, rotation of the shaft (9) by magnetic interaction can rotate the shuttle.
Drilling apparatus having a drillstring and operable to rotate the drillstring and operable to provide vibration axially to the drill head. Relies upon vibrational apparatus positioned to provide the vibration reliant upon interactive magnetic arrays, as a consequence of the relative rotation caused by a mechanical input to at least one array or set of arrays of the vibrational apparatus. One of the arrays or sets of arrays moves synchronously, in rotation, with the drillstring when the drillstring is rotated.
Drilling apparatus having a drillstring and operable to rotate the drillstring and operable to provide vibration axially to the drill head. Relies upon vibrational apparatus positioned to provide the vibration reliant upon interactive magnetic arrays, as a consequence of the relative rotation caused by a mechanical input to at least one array or set of arrays of the vibrational apparatus. One of the arrays or sets of arrays moves synchronously, in rotation, with the drillstring when the drillstring is rotated.
E21B 4/16 - Plural down-hole drives, e.g. for combined percussion and rotary drillingDrives for multi-bit drilling units
E21B 1/22 - Percussion drilling with a reciprocating impulse member driven by electromagnets
E21B 7/24 - Drilling using vibrating or oscillating means, e.g. out-of-balance masses
B06B 1/12 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of mechanical energy operating with systems involving reciprocating masses
E21B 6/00 - Drives for drilling with combined rotary and percussive action
A drive assembly suitable for a spindle connection to a drill string or other shaft, the assembly comprising or including a drive shaft, a shuttle rotatable under the action of the drive shaft but being slidable relative thereto, the shuttle carrying magnets, a containment assembly to constrain the shuttle to a shuttle axis, the containment assembly carrying magnets to co-act with those of the shuttle as the shuttle is rotated by the drive shaft thereby to cause the shuttling of the shuttle, a spindle not forming part of the shuttle arrangement to receive vibration from said containment assembly and/or said shuttle (e.g.; through a cushion of liquid), a carriage assembly on part of the spindle slidable on an axis coincident with and/or parallel to the spindle's rotational axis, and a drive carried by the carriage assembly to rotate the spindle or to rotate both the spindle and part of the carriage assembly.
Vertical and/or directional drilling apparatus where compliant support (air bag, magnetic or the like) is provided for a vibrational head and drive assembly that carries the drill string. With the vibrational head having a shuttle from which vibration is not directly taken and with the compliant support allowing pull back in the directional mode several advantages arise.
