Method and apparatus for running tubulars

Abstract

A method is disclosed for running a completion string, such as casing, into a predrilled wellbore while allowing rotation of a downhole component with respect to the completion string. The downhole component may be a drill shoe or reamer shoe for example. There is also disclosed a drillable or millable drive assembly for driving the rotation of a portion of the casing assembly and other applications thereof.

1 . A method of running a casing string in a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a casing string assembly in a wellbore, the casing string assembly having a first portion and a second portion; and   (b) rotating a first portion of the casing string assembly relative to a second portion of the casing string assembly while running the casing string.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claims 49  wherein the apparatus includes a swivel, and the lower section is located below the swivel, and the upper section is located above the swivel. 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the shoe includes an abrasive or cutting surface. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the shoe is a casing reaming shoe. 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the casing string is run while the second portion of the casing string assembly is substantially not rotated with respect to the wellbore. 
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  including the step of driving rotation of the first portion of the casing string assembly by circulation of fluid through the casing string. 
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the rotation of the first portion of the casing string assembly is driven by the drive assembly, comprising a mud motor. 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  including the steps of locating a drive assembly with respect to the casing string assembly and running the drive assembly in hole with the casing string assembly. 
   
   
       12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  further including the step of retrieving the drive assembly from the casing string assembly. 
   
   
       13 - 22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  including the additional step of preventing rotation of the first portion of the casing string assembly with respect to the second portion. 
   
   
       24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  including the additional step of drilling beyond the casing string assembly. 
   
   
       26 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  including the step of drilling through the drive assembly. 
   
   
       27 . (canceled) 
   
   
       28 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  including:
 (a) running the drive assembly with the casing; and   (b) cementing the casing with the drive assembly downhole.   
   
   
       29 . The method as claimed in  claim 11  including the step of running a float collar with the casing, above the drive assembly. 
   
   
       30 - 48 . (canceled) 
   
   
       49 . Apparatus for running a casing string, the apparatus comprising an upper section adapted to be coupled to the casing string; a lower section rotatable with respect to the upper section and including a shoe located below the tubular; and engagement means for engaging a drive assembly adapted to rotate the shoe with respect to the upper section. 
   
   
       50 . A drive assembly for a downhole apparatus comprising an upper section adapted to be coupled to a tubular; a lower section rotatable with respect to the upper section; and a motor for imparting rotation to the lower section; wherein the drive assembly is drillable or millable by conventional downhole drilling equipment. 
   
   
       51 . (canceled) 
   
   
       52 . The drive assembly as claimed in  claim 50  wherein the motor comprises a drillable or millable rotator. 
   
   
       53 . (canceled) 
   
   
       54 . The drive assembly as claimed in  claim 50  wherein the lower section is connected to a shoe. 
   
   
       55 . A drive assembly as claimed in  claim 54  wherein the shoe includes a non-return valve to prevent fluid flow into the shoe from the wellbore. 
   
   
       56 . A drive assembly as claimed in  claim 50  adapted to have a rotating mode and a non-rotating mode.