Abstract: An orienting hanger comprises a generally tubular inner hanger, a generally tubular outer collar, and a cylindrical tool adapter. Box and pin connections at the ends of the outer collar enable the orienting hanger assembly to be threadably inserted into a BHA. One end of the tool adapter is disposed to threadably engage the inner hanger, and the other end is disposed to threadably receive an MWD tool. The inner hanger is disposed to be received into the outer collar such that annular shoulders abut, whereupon the MWD tool is suspended from the inner hanger. The inner hanger provides structure to enable the high side of the MWD tool to be aligned with the zero degrees tool face on the BHA and then locked into that position within the outer collar.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for deploying a retrievable MWD tool in a non-retrievable environment and aligning a selected orientation of an MWD tool, as deployed in a bottom hole assembly (BHA), with a selected orientation on a tool face on the BHA. Preferred methods include providing an orienting hanger assembly (comprising a tubular inner hanger, a tubular outer collar, and a tool adapter) and attaching an MWD tool to the tool adapter. The outer collar is inserted into a BHA and the selected tool face orientation is marked on the outer collar. The inner hanger is rotated within the outer collar to align (via the alignment notch) the high side of the MWD tool to the tool face orientation transferred onto the outer collar. The inner hanger is locked to the outer collar.

Abstract: A non-conductive composite insert is provided between conductive portions, useful, for example, in downhole EM telemetry applications as an external “gap sub” in a drill collar, or as a sonde-based internal gap. In a preferred embodiment, the composite is made from a glass-fiber reinforced plastic, and separates non-magnetic conductive portions made from stainless steel. The composite insert provides a slanted or tapered transition into the conductive portions at either or both ends of the insert. The transitions on the composite insert may comprise one or more tapered surfaces, which may be male or female in configuration with respect to matching transitions on the conductive portions. The transitions may be bonded together by adhesive, or alternatively may be threaded.

Abstract: A gap sub comprises at least one, and in a preferred embodiment, two electrically isolating threaded joints in a conductive tubular collar. The threads of the joints are isolated by a non-conductive coating in accordance with the prior art. The shoulders of the joints are separated by an isolating ring. Annular faces on the ring make contact with the shoulders in the joints. The ring is made of conductive material with a non-conductive coating deployed on (1) at least one, and advantageously both, of the ring's annular faces, and (2) the interior surface of the ring. An annular recess in the collar prevents electrical contact between collar sections nearby the ring either side of each threaded joint.