Abstract: Drilling systems and methods for enlarging a borehole that include at least one expandable reamer and at least one expandable stabilizer axially spaced therefrom in a tubular string, such as a drill string, the at least one expandable reamer and the at least one expandable stabilizer being independently actuatable by different-sized actuation devices. A relatively lower tool is actuatable by a smaller actuation device, such as a drop ball, which passes through a relatively higher tool in the drill string without triggering the higher tool.

Abstract: Drilling assemblies include a drill bit and a reamer apparatus in which the drill bit is configured to rotate in rotational direction about a longitudinal axis of a drill string and the reamer apparatus is configured to rotate in an opposite rotational direction about the longitudinal axis. Methods of forming a drilling assembly include configuring a drill bit to drill a subterranean formation when rotating in a counter-clockwise direction and configuring a reamer apparatus to ream a wellbore within the subterranean formation when rotating in a clockwise direction. Methods of drilling wellbores in subterranean formations include rotating a drill bit in a first rotational direction about a longitudinal axis of a drill string to drill a wellbore and rotating a reamer apparatus in an opposite rotational direction about the longitudinal axis of the drill string to ream the wellbore.

Abstract: An expandable reamer apparatus and methods for reaming a borehole are disclosed, including at least one laterally movable blade carried by a tubular body selectively positioned at an inward position and an expanded position. The at least one laterally movable blade, held inwardly by at least one blade-biasing element, may be forced outwardly by drilling fluid selectively allowed to communicate therewith or by at least one intermediate piston element. For example, an actuation sleeve may allow communication of drilling fluid with the at least one laterally movable blade in response to an actuation device being deployed within the drilling fluid. Alternatively, a chamber in communication with an intermediate piston element in structural communication with the at least one laterally movable blade may be pressurized by way of a movable sleeve, a downhole turbine, or a pump.

Abstract: Stabilizer assemblies and tools incorporating same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a stabilizer assembly comprises a body having at least one bearing pad receptacle therein, and a bearing pad disposed in the receptacle. The bearing pad includes at least a portion of a bore extending therethrough, the bore being aligned with body bores in the body on opposite sides of the bearing pad receptacle. A lock rod extends through the bore and into the associated body bore.

Abstract: Expandable apparatus for use in subterranean boreholes include at least one member configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. A latching member disposed in the tubular body may selectively retain the at least one member in the retracted position. Methods of operating an expandable apparatus include securing at least one member of the expandable apparatus in a retracted position by engaging an inner wall of a tubular body with at least one latch member disposed in at least one aperture formed in a latch sleeve.

Abstract: An expandable apparatus may comprise a tubular body, a valve piston and a push sleeve. The tubular body may comprise a fluid passageway extending therethrough, and the valve piston may be disposed within the tubular body, the valve piston configured to move axially downward within the tubular body responsive to a pressure of drilling fluid passing through a drilling fluid flow path and configured to selectively control a flow of fluid into an annular chamber. The push sleeve may be disposed within the tubular body and coupled to at least one expandable feature, the push sleeve configured to move axially responsive to the flow of fluid into the annular chamber extending the at least one expandable feature. Additionally, the expandable apparatus may be configured to generate a signal indicating the extension of the at least one expandable feature.

Abstract: An expandable apparatus may comprise a tubular body, a valve piston and a push sleeve. The tubular body may comprise a fluid passageway extending therethrough, and the valve piston may be disposed within the tubular body, the valve piston configured to move axially within the tubular body responsive to a pressure of drilling fluid passing through the fluid passageway and configured to selectively control a flow of fluid into an annular chamber. The push sleeve may be disposed within the tubular body and coupled to at least one expandable feature, the push sleeve configured to move axially responsive to a flow of fluid into the annular chamber extending the at least one expandable feature.

Abstract: A status indicator for determining a position of an extendable member in an expandable apparatus. The status indicator is configured to decrease a cross-sectional area of a portion of a fluid path extending through an expandable causing a pressure of a fluid within the fluid path to increase when an extendable member of the expandable apparatus is in an extended position. By determining the pressure of the fluid within the fluid path, one can determine the position of the status indicator within the fluid path and thereby determine whether the extendable member of the expandable apparatus is in the extended or a retracted position.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that in one configuration includes a downhole device configured to be in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device that includes: a housing including an annular chamber configured to house a first fluid therein, a piston in the annular chamber configured to divide the annular chamber into a first section and a second section, the piston being coupled to a biasing member, a control unit configured to enable movement of the first fluid from the first section to the second section to supply a second fluid under pressure to the tool to move the tool into the active position and from the second section to the first section to stop the supply of the second fluid to the tool to cause the tool to move into the inactive position.

Abstract: An expandable reamer apparatus and methods for reaming a borehole are disclosed, including at least one laterally movable blade carried by a tubular body selectively positioned at an inward position and an expanded position. The at least one laterally movable blade, held inwardly by at least one blade-biasing element, may be forced outwardly by drilling fluid selectively allowed to communicate therewith or by at least one intermediate piston element. For example, an actuation sleeve may allow communication of drilling fluid with the at least one laterally movable blade in response to an actuation device being deployed within the drilling fluid. Alternatively, a chamber in communication with an intermediate piston element in structural communication with the at least one laterally movable blade may be pressurized by way of a movable sleeve, a downhole turbine, or a pump.

Abstract: Stabilizer assemblies and tools incorporating same may comprise a body having at least one bearing pad receptacle therein, and a bearing pad disposed in the receptacle. The bearing pad includes at least two separated bores extending transversely therethrough, the bores being aligned with transversely extending bores in the body on laterally opposite sides of the bearing pad receptacle. A lock rod extends through each bearing pad bore and into the associated body bores.

Abstract: An expandable reamer apparatus and methods for reaming a borehole, wherein a laterally movable blade carried by a tubular body may be selectively positioned at an inward position and an expanded position. The laterally movable blade, held inwardly by blade-biasing elements, may be forced outwardly by drilling fluid selectively allowed to communicate therewith by way of an actuation sleeve disposed within the tubular body. Alternatively, a separation element may transmit force or pressure from the drilling fluid to the movable blade. Further, a chamber in communication with the movable blade may be pressurized by way of a downhole turbine or pump. A ridged seal wiper, compensator, movable bearing pad, fixed bearing pad preceding the movable blade, or adjustable spacer element to alter expanded blade position may be included within the expandable reamer. In addition, a drilling fluid pressure response indicating an operational characteristic of the expandable reamer may be generated.

Abstract: Expandable reamer tools include an outer body, a fluid passageway extending through the outer body, and at least one blade configured to slide relative to the outer body between a refracted position and an expanded position in a direction oriented at an acute angle of less than ninety degrees (90°) to a longitudinal axis of the outer body. In some embodiments, the tools may include a moveable inner sleeve member configured to selectively allow hydraulic fluid pressure within the fluid passageway to act directly on the at least one blade. Methods for enlarging a borehole using such expandable reamer tools and methods for removing such expandable reamer tools from a borehole are also disclosed.

Abstract: An expandable reamer apparatus and methods for reaming a borehole are disclosed, including at least one laterally movable blade carried by a tubular body selectively positioned at an inward position and an expanded position. The at least one laterally movable blade, held inwardly by at least one blade-biasing element, may be forced outwardly by drilling fluid selectively allowed to communicate therewith or by at least one intermediate piston element. For example, an actuation sleeve may allow communication of drilling fluid with the at least one laterally movable blade in response to an actuation device being deployed within the drilling fluid. Alternatively, a chamber in communication with an intermediate piston element in structural communication with the at least one laterally movable blade may be pressurized by way of a movable sleeve, a downhole turbine, or a pump.

Abstract: An expandable reamer apparatus for drilling a subterranean formation may include a tubular body, one or more blades, each blade positionally coupled to a sloped track of the tubular body, a push sleeve and a drilling fluid flow path extending through an inner bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. Each of the one or more blades may be configured to ream a subterranean formation. The push sleeve may be disposed in the inner bore of the tubular body and coupled to each of the one or more blades so as effect axial movement thereof along the track to an extended position responsive to exposure to a force or pressure of drilling fluid in the flow path of the inner bore. Each blade may include one or more roller elements for reaming a wellbore.

Abstract: An expandable reamer apparatus and methods for reaming a borehole, wherein a laterally movable blade carried by a tubular body may be selectively positioned at an inward position and an expanded position. The laterally movable blade, held inwardly by blade-biasing elements, may be forced outwardly by drilling fluid selectively allowed to communicate therewith by way of an actuation sleeve disposed within the tubular body. Alternatively, a separation element may transmit force or pressure from the drilling fluid to the movable blade. Further, a chamber in communication with the movable blade may be pressurized by way of a downhole turbine or pump. A ridged seal wiper, compensator, movable bearing pad, fixed bearing pad preceding the movable blade, or adjustable spacer element to alter expanded blade position may be included within the expandable reamer. In addition, a drilling fluid pressure response indicating an operational characteristic of the expandable reamer may be generated.

Abstract: An expandable reamer apparatus for drilling a subterranean formation includes a tubular body, one or more blades, each blade positionally coupled to a sloped track of the tubular body, a push sleeve and a drilling fluid flow path extending through an inner bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. Each of the one or more blades includes at least one cutting element configured to remove material from a subterranean formation during reaming. The push sleeve is disposed in the inner bore of the tubular body and coupled to each of the one or more blades so as effect axial movement thereof along the track to an extended position responsive to exposure to a force or pressure of drilling fluid in the flow path of the inner bore. The apparatus is provided with a caliper for measuring the actual borehole size. Remedial action may be taken based on a comparison of the actual borehole size and the intended size.

Abstract: Expandable reamer tools include an outer body, a fluid passageway extending through the outer body, and at least one blade configured to slide relative to the outer body between a retracted position and an expanded position in a direction oriented at an acute angle of less than ninety degrees (90°) to a longitudinal axis of the outer body. In some embodiments, the tools may include a moveable inner sleeve member configured to selectively allow hydraulic fluid pressure within the fluid passageway to act directly on the at least one blade. Methods for enlarging a borehole using such expandable reamer tools and methods for removing such expandable reamer tools from a borehole are also disclosed.

Abstract: Downhole tools are provided with a topographical pattern, and anti-balling material is provided over the topographical pattern. The topographical pattern may be defined by at least one of a plurality of recesses extending into a surface of a body of the tool and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface. Downhole tools include an insert disposed within a recess in a body, and the insert comprises an anti-balling material having a composition selected to reduce accumulation of formation cuttings on the tools when the tools are used to form or service a wellbore. Downhole tools include anti-balling material disposed over a porous mass provided over the surfaces of the tools. Methods of forming downhole tools include providing anti-balling material over features on and/or in a surface of a body of a tool. Methods of repairing downhole tools include removing an insert therefrom and disposing a replacement insert therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.