Apparatus and method for completing an interval of a wellbore while drilling

A method of completing a wellbore while drilling comprising the steps of:

• disposing a drill bit on an end of a drill string;
• positioning a completion assembly including an expandable screen around a section of the drill string;
• extending the wellbore by rotating the drill bit and advancing the drill string without rotating the completion assembly;
• ceasing the advancement of the drill string when the completion assembly has reached a desired depth;
• and
• expanding the expandable screen.

A method of completing a wellbore while drilling comprising the steps of:

• disposing a drill bit on an end of a drill string;
• positioning a completion assembly including a sand control screen and a gravel packing assembly around a section of the drill string;
• extending the wellbore by rotating the drill bit and advancing the drill string without rotating the completion assembly;
• ceasing the advancement of the drill string when the completion assembly has reached a desired depth;
• and
• gravel packing the wellbore around the sand control screen and the gravel packing apparatus.

A method of completing a wellbore while drilling comprising the steps of:

• disposing a drill bit on an end of a drill string;
• positioning a completion assembly including an expandable screen around a section of the drill string;
• establishing a fluid seal and a rotatable coupling between the completion assembly and the drill string to prevent fluid migration and torque transfer therebetween;
• extending the wellbore by rotating the drill bit and advancing the drill string beyond the end of a casing in the wellbore without rotating the completion assembly;
• ceasing the advancement of the drill string when the completion assembly has reached a desired depth;
• supportably coupling the completion assembly to the casing with a suspension tool;
• disconnecting the drill string from the drill bit;
• retrieving the drill string to the surface leaving the completion assembly and the drill bit downhole;
• and
• expanding the expandable screen.

A method of completing a wellbore while drilling comprising the steps of:

• disposing a drill bit on an end of a drill string;
• positioning a completion assembly including a sand control screen and a gravel packing apparatus around a section of the drill string;
• establishing a fluid seal and a rotatable coupling between the completion assembly and the drill string to prevent fluid migration and torque transfer therebetween;
• extending the wellbore by rotating the drill bit and advancing the drill string beyond the end of a casing in the wellbore without rotating the completion assembly;
• ceasing the advancement of the drill string when the completion assembly has reached a desired depth;
• supportably coupling the completion assembly to the casing with a suspension tool;
• disconnecting the drill string from the drill bit;
• retrieving the drill string to the surface leaving the completion assembly and the drill bit downhole;
• and
• gravel packing the wellbore around the sand control screen and the gravel packing apparatus.

An apparatus for completing a wellbore while drilling comprising:

• a drill string;
• a drill bit mounted on an end of the drill string;
• and
• a completion assembly positioned around a section of the drill string, whereby the completion assembly and the drill bit are positioned in a drilled portion of the wellbore, the wellbore is extended by rotating the drill bit and advancing the drill string without rotating the completion assembly and the advancement of the drill string is ceased when the completion assembly has reached a desired depth.