Abstract: A rotary steering tool includes a steering member configured to move between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The rotary steering tool also includes a pump configured to pump a fluid, a power source independent of the downhole motor, the power source configured to power the pump, and a piston in fluid communication with the pump. The piston is configured to apply a force to the steering member to move the steering member from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration when the pump pumps the fluid at an operating system pressure. The rotary steering tool includes a controller to operate the pump at a range of operating system pressures, and a variable pressure control valve. The variable pressure control valve adjusts the operating system pressure between the range of operating system pressures to adjust the force applied to the steering member.

Abstract: A rotary steering tool includes a steering member configured to move between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. The rotary steering tool also includes a pump configured to pump a fluid, a power source independent of the downhole motor, the power source configured to power the pump, and a piston in fluid communication with the pump. The piston is configured to apply a force to the steering member to move the steering member from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration when the pump pumps the fluid at an operating system pressure. The rotary steering tool includes a controller to operate the pump at a range of operating system pressures, and a variable pressure control valve. The variable pressure control valve adjusts the operating system pressure between the range of operating system pressures to adjust the force applied to the steering member.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure is an acoustic logging tool for determining a characteristic of a ground formation during a drilling operation. The acoustic logging tool includes a transmitter section that houses a transmitter that is configured to emit an acoustic signal and a receiver section spaced from the transmitter section along an axial direction. The receiver section includes a receiver that is configured to receive at least a portion of the acoustic signal. The acoustic logging tool also includes an isolator section positioned between the transmitter section and the receiver section along the axial direction.

Abstract: A downhole tool is described that includes at least three sections welded together. The downhole tool has a downhole section, an intermediate tool section mounted to the downhole section with a lower weldment, and an uphole section positioned opposite the downhole section mounted to the intermediate tool section with an upper weldment. The downhole tools as described herein include an elongate internal passage that extends from the downhole section to the uphole section through the lower weldment and the upper weldment. The elongate internal passage is sized to receive drilling fluid therethrough. Furthermore, one or more of the downhole section, the intermediate tool section, and the uphole section includes: a) at least one sensor module, b) a cavity, and c) a plurality of bores (holes). In certain embodiments, the downhole tool may be triple combo tool, an acoustic logging tool, or a directional tool, such as a steerable tool.

Abstract: A downhole tool is described that includes at least three sections welded together. The downhole tool has a downhole section, an intermediate tool section mounted to the downhole section with a lower weldment, and an uphole section positioned opposite the downhole section mounted to the intermediate tool section with an upper weldment. The downhole tools as described herein include an elongate internal passage that extends from the downhole section to the uphole section through the lower weldment and the upper weldment. The elongate internal passage is sized to receive drilling fluid therethrough. Furthermore, one or more of the downhole section, the intermediate tool section, and the uphole section includes: a) at least one sensor module, b) a cavity, and c) a plurality of bores (holes). In certain embodiments, the downhole tool may be triple combo tool, an acoustic logging tool, or a directional tool, such as a steerable tool.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure is an acoustic logging tool for determining a characteristic of a ground formation during a drilling operation. The acoustic logging tool includes a transmitter section that houses a transmitter that is configured to emit an acoustic signal and a receiver section spaced from the transmitter section along an axial direction. The receiver section includes a receiver that is configured to receive at least a portion of the acoustic signal. The acoustic logging tool also includes an isolator section positioned between the transmitter section and the receiver section along the axial direction.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a downhole tool with first and second modular connectors. The connection modules are configured to aid make-up and assembly and improve stability during use.

Abstract: A system and method for pressure locking a downhole tool in position during a drilling operation includes rotating the drill string to drill a borehole. A fluid is pumped through a passage of a drill string in the downhole direction wherein fluid undergoes a pressure drop at the downhole end of the drill string such that fluid in the passage of the drill string is under higher pressure than the fluid outside the drill string. While fluid is flowing, an uphole portion of the downhole tool, such as a MWD tool, is exposed to the higher pressure fluid and a downhole portion of the downhole tool to the lower pressure fluid, thereby seating the downhole tool in a receptacle member attached to the drill string in the passage. Ceasing flow easily eliminates the locking force created by differential pressure allowing the tool to be retrieved.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a downhole tool with first and second modular connectors. The connection modules are configured to aid make-up and assembly and improve stability during use.

Abstract: A high pressure seal assembly includes a seal element that moves in response to an increase in pressure.

Abstract: A system, rotary pulser, and method is disclosed to transmit information from a downhole location to a surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for damping vibration, especially torsional vibration due to stick-slip, in a drill string, Sensors measure the instantaneous angular velocity of the drill string at one or more locations along the length of the drill string. One or more vibration damping modules are also spaced along the length of the drill string. When torsional vibration above a threshold is detected, the damping module imposes a reverse torque on the drill that dampens the torsional vibration. The reverse torque can be created by imparting a frictional resistance to the rotation of the drill string. The frictional resistance can be created externally, by extending friction pads from the damping module so that they contact the bore hole wall and drag along the bore hole as the drill string rotates, or internally by anchoring a housing mounted on the drill string to the wall of the bore hole and then imposing frictional resistance on a fluid, such as a magnetorheological fluid, flowing within the drill string.

Abstract: A system, rotary pulser, and method is disclosed to transmit information from a downhole location to a surface.

Abstract: A high pressure seal assembly includes a seal element that moves in response to an increase in pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the bending on a drill bit operating down hole in a well may comprise at least three pockets circumferentially spaced equidistantly around the drill collar of the drill string to which the drill bit is attached. Four strain gauges are equidistantly circumferentially spaced around each of the pockets so as to form first and second sets of strain gauges. The strain gauges in the first set are connected into one Wheatstone bridge while the gauges in the second set are connected in a second bridge. Each of the strain gauges that are oriented similarly within each of the pockets are connected in series within a single leg of a bridge so that the output voltage of the bridge is unaffected by bending in the drill string. The output of first bridge is used to determine the bending on the drill bit.

Abstract: A system for damping vibration in a drill string can include a valve assembly having a supply of a fluid, a first member, and a second member capable of moving in relation to first member in response to vibration of the drill bit. The first and second members define a first and a second chamber for holding the fluid. Fluid can flow between the first and second chambers in response to the movement of the second member in relation to the first member. The valve assembly can also include a coil or a valve for varying a resistance of the fluid to flow between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A system for damping vibration in a drill string can include a valve assembly having a supply of a fluid, a first member, and a second member capable of moving in relation to first member in response to vibration of the drill bit. The first and second members define a first and a second chamber for holding the fluid. Fluid can flow between the first and second chambers in response to the movement of the second member in relation to the first member. The valve assembly can also include a coil or a valve for varying a resistance of the fluid to flow between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A system for damping vibration in a drill string can include a valve assembly having a supply of a fluid, a first member, and a second member capable of moving in relation to first member in response to vibration of the drill bit. The first and second members define a first and a second chamber for holding the fluid. Fluid can flow between the first and second chambers in response to the movement of the second member in relation to the first member. The valve assembly can also include a coil or a valve for varying a resistance of the fluid to flow between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the bending on a drill bit operating down hole in a well may comprise at least three pockets circumferentially spaced equidistantly around the drill collar of the drill string to which the drill bit is attached. Four strain gauges are equidistantly circumferentially spaced around each of the pockets so as to form first and second sets of strain gauges. The strain gauges in the first set are connected into one Wheatstone bridge while the gauges in the second set are connected in a second bridge. Each of the strain gauges that are oriented similarly within each of the pockets are connected in series within a single leg of a bridge so that the output voltage of the bridge is unaffected by bending in the drill string. The output of first bridge is used to determine the bending on the drill bit.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the bending on a drill bit operating down hole in a well may comprise at least three pockets circumferentially spaced equidistantly around the drill collar of the drill string to which the drill bit is attached. Four strain gauges are equidistantly circumferentially spaced around each of the pockets so as to form first and second sets of strain gauges. The strain gauges in the first set are connected into one Wheatstone bridge while the gauges in the second set are connected in a second bridge. Each of the strain gauges that are oriented similarly within each of the pockets are connected in series within a single leg of a bridge so that the output voltage of the bridge is unaffected by bending in the drill string. The output of first bridge is used to determine the bending on the drill bit.