Methods and apparatus for drilling open hole

Abstract

Methods of drilling open hole and apparatus for achieving same are described. One apparatus comprises a pressure control component strategically positionable in or above a wellbore to isolate downhole pressure while drilling open hole, the pressure control component comprising a rotational drive member effective to rotate a tubular member while drilling open hole. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

1 . A method comprising: 
 a) isolating or controlling downhole pressure in a wellbore; and    b) drilling open hole while isolating or controlling the downhole pressure.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the drilling open hole comprises using a push-pull component selected from a deployment valve, a snubbing unit, a well workover rig, a wireline push-pull unit, and combinations thereof  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the drilling open hole comprises drilling in an underbalanced condition.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the drilling open hole comprises drilling in a managed pressure condition.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  comprising producing one or more materials from the well.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising processing the materials, wherein the materials may be any materials producible from a wellbore, including an open hole, and may comprise materials selected from hydrocarbons, dirt, water, brine, and the like, and combinations and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the materials comprise hydrocarbon oil and gas, and water, and the processing comprises separating the oil, the gas and the water.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  comprising reinjecting one or more of the oil, the gas, the water, or combinations thereof back into a geologic formation.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a) a pressure control component strategically positionable in a wellbore to isolate or control downhole pressure while drilling open hole;    b) the pressure control component comprising a rotational drive member effective to rotate a tubular member while drilling open hole.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the pressure control component is a push-pull unit selected from a snubbing unit, a workover rig, a wireline push-pull unit, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising means for processing material extracted from the wellbore.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the pressure control component achieves an underbalanced situation in the wellbore.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the pressure control component achieves a managed pressure situation in the wellbore or in an annulus.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 9  comprising processing components selected from gas extracting components, dirt extracting components, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 9  comprising separation units capable of separating oil, gas and water.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 9  comprising one or more processing units capable of reinjecting wellbore fluids into a geologic formation.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a) a snubbing unit for drilling a well open hole in a surrounding geologic formation having a formation fluid pressure, the well having a well fluid pressure; and    b) means for maintaining the well fluid pressure less than the formation fluid pressure.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  comprising a surface processing system for processing material extracted from the well.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the surface processing system comprises one or more units selected from a gas extractor, an oil extractor, and a water extractor.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the surface processing system comprises a fluid reinjector for reinjecting fluid into a geologic formation.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 17  comprising means for maintaining the well in a situation selected from an underbalanced situation and a managed pressure situation.