Apparatus and methods for use with drilling fluids

Abstract

A method for facilitating a downhole cutting operation comprises providing a drilling fluid conditioning device in a surface portion of a tubular string providing mounting for a cutting tool on a downhole portion of the string. Initially, drilling fluid is circulated through the conditioning device and the tubular string to condition the drilling fluid. The drilling fluid conditioning device is then removed from the string and the conditioned drilling fluid circulated through the tubular string and the cutting tool.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A method for facilitating a downhole operation, the method comprising:
 providing a drilling fluid conditioning device in a proximal portion of a tubular string providing mounting for at least one tool on a distal downhole portion of the tubular string;   circulating drilling fluid along a fluid circulating flow path including the drilling fluid conditioning device and the tubular string, to condition the drilling fluid;   reconfiguring the fluid circulating flow path to bypass at least a portion of the drilling fluid conditioning device; and   circulating conditioned drilling fluid through the tubular string and the at least one tool.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , comprising at least one of:
 reconfiguring the fluid circulating flow path by removing the drilling fluid conditioning device from the tubular string;   reconfiguring the fluid circulation flow path by directing drilling fluid along a flow path parallel to the drilling fluid conditioning device;   reconfiguring the fluid circulation flow path by reconfiguring the drilling fluid conditioning device.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the at least one tool comprises at least one of:
 a cutting tool;   a drill bit;   a reamer;   a mill.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the at least one tool is at least partially fluid pressure-actuated. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51 , comprising at least one of:
 circulating conditioned fluid through the at least one tool and actuating the tool;   circulating conditioned fluid through nozzles in the at least one tool.   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein at least one of:
 the drilling fluid conditioning device induces shear thinning of fluid passing therethrough;   the drilling fluid conditioning device accelerates fluid passing therethrough;   the drilling fluid conditioning device decreases the viscosity of fluid passing therethrough;   the drilling fluid conditioning device is removed from the tubular string when the drilling fluid is conditioned to a degree sufficient to permit operation of the at least one tool.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 51 , comprising providing a plurality of drilling fluid conditioning devices in the tubular string. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 51 , comprising at least one of:
 providing a bypass tool in the tubular string above the at least one tool;   closing a bypass tool located in the tubular string above the at least one tool and then actuating the at least one tool.   
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 51 , comprising at least one of:
 circulating drilling fluid along a fluid circulating flow path including the drilling fluid conditioning device, the tubular string, and an open bypass tool, to condition the drilling fluid;   circulating drilling fluid through the tubular string and through an open bypass tool while rotating the string;   circulating drilling fluid through the tubular string and an open bypass tool to clean the bore.   
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 51 , comprising at least one of:
 locating the drilling fluid conditioning device in a surface portion of the tubular string;   locating the drilling fluid conditioning device below a top drive;   locating the drilling fluid conditioning device above a rotary table.   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the drilling fluid conditioning device comprises at least one of:
 a flow restrictor;   a nozzle.   
     
     
         62 . A drilling fluid conditioning device comprising a tubular body configured for incorporation in a proximal portion of a tubular string extending to a distal downhole location, the body configured to induce shear thinning of fluid passing therethrough. 
     
     
         63 . The device of  claim 62 , wherein the drilling fluid conditioning device is configured to at least one of:
 induce shear thinning of fluid passing therethrough;   accelerate fluid passing therethrough;   decrease the viscosity of fluid passing therethrough.   
     
     
         64 . The device of any one of  claim 62 , wherein the tubular body includes threaded end connectors. 
     
     
         65 . The device of  claim 62 , wherein the drilling fluid conditioning device comprises at least one of:
 a flow restrictor;   a nozzle.   
     
     
         66 . The device of  claim 62 , wherein the drilling fluid conditioning device is configured for at least one of:
 location in a tubular string below a top drive;   location in a tubular string above a rotary table.   
     
     
         67 . Apparatus comprising:
 a tubular string providing mounting for at least one tool on a distal end of the string; and   a drilling fluid conditioning device for coupling with the tubular string at a proximal end of the string,   wherein the drilling fluid conditioning device is removable from the tubular string prior to operation of the at least one tool.   
     
     
         68 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the at least one tool comprises at least one of:
 a cutting tool;   a drill bit;   a reamer;   a mill.   
     
     
         69 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the at least one tool is fluid pressure-actuated. 
     
     
         70 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the at least one tool has jetting nozzles. 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the drilling fluid conditioning device is configured to at least one of:
 induce shear thinning of fluid passing therethrough;   accelerate fluid passing therethrough;   decrease the viscosity of fluid passing therethrough.   
     
     
         72 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , comprising
 a plurality of drilling fluid conditioning devices.   
     
     
         73 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , further comprising a bypass tool in the tubular string above the at least one tool. 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the drilling fluid conditioning device is located in at least one of:
 a surface portion of the tubular string;   the tubular string below a top drive;   a tubular string above a rotary table.   
     
     
         75 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the drilling fluid conditioning device comprises at least one of:
 a flow restrictor;   a nozzle.