Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a tool body configured to rotate in a wellbore and carrying at least one extendable element. The at least one extendable element is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position projecting radially beyond the tool body. The at least one extendable element has a mating surface. The earth-boring tool includes a support structure located in the tool body and having a support surface that is located and configured to face the mating surface of the at least one extendable element when the at least one extendable element is in the extended position. The support surface of the support structure is configured to bear at least a portion of the tangential forces acting on the extendable element during rotation of the earth-boring tool in the wellbore when the at least one extendable element is in the extended position.

Abstract: Expandable reamer assemblies include an expandable reamer module and an activation module. An outer tubular body of the activation module is rigidly coupled to a tubular body of the expandable reamer module, and an activation member of the activation module is coupled to a sleeve of the expandable reamer module, the sleeve coupled to at least one blade and configured to move the at least one blade into an extended position. The sleeve moves axially responsive to axial movement of the activation member. Bottom-hole assemblies include an expandable reamer module and an activation module. The activation module is coupled to the expandable reamer module and configured to provide a motive force to the sleeve to move the sleeve opposite a direction of flow of drilling fluid. Methods of using expandable reamer modules include pairing two substantially identical expandable reamer modules and two respective different activation modules.

Abstract: Expandable reamer assemblies include an expandable reamer module and an activation module. An outer tubular body of the activation module is rigidly coupled to a tubular body of the expandable reamer module, and an activation member of the activation module is coupled to a sleeve of the expandable reamer module, the sleeve coupled to at least one blade and configured to move the at least one blade into an extended position. The sleeve moves axially responsive to axial movement of the activation member. Bottom-hole assemblies include an expandable reamer module and an activation module. The activation module is coupled to the expandable reamer module and configured to provide a motive force to the sleeve to move the sleeve opposite a direction of flow of drilling fluid. Methods of using expandable reamer modules include pairing two substantially identical expandable reamer modules and two respective different activation modules.

Abstract: Expandable reamer assemblies include an expandable reamer module and an activation module. An outer tubular body of the activation module is rigidly coupled to a tubular body of the expandable reamer module, and an activation member of the activation module is coupled to a sleeve of the expandable reamer module, the sleeve coupled to at least one blade and configured to move the at least one blade into an extended position. The sleeve moves axially responsive to axial movement of the activation member. Bottom-hole assemblies include an expandable reamer module and an activation module. The activation module is coupled to the expandable reamer module and configured to provide a motive force to the sleeve to move the sleeve opposite a direction of flow of drilling fluid. Methods of using expandable reamer modules include pairing two substantially identical expandable reamer modules and two respective different activation modules.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a tool body configured to rotate in a wellbore and carrying at least one extendable element. The at least one extendable element is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position projecting radially beyond the tool body. The at least one extendable element has a mating surface. The earth-boring tool includes a support structure located in the tool body and having a support surface that is located and configured to face the mating surface of the at least one extendable element when the at least one extendable element is in the extended position. The support surface of the support structure is configured to bear at least a portion of the tangential forces acting on the extendable element during rotation of the earth-boring tool in the wellbore when the at least one extendable element is in the extended position.

Abstract: A bottomhole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string includes one or more controllers, and a hole enlargement device that selectively enlarges the diameter of the wellbore formed by the drill bit. The hole enlargement device includes an actuation unit that may move extendable cutting elements of the hole enlargement device between a radially extended position and a radially retracted position. The actuation unit may be responsive to a signal that is transmitted from a downhole and/or a surface location. The hole enlargement device may also include one or more position sensors that transmit a position signal indicative of a radial position of the cutting elements. In an illustrative operating mode, one or more operating parameters of the hole enlargement device may be adjusted based on one or more measured parameters. This adjustment may be done in a closed-loop or automated fashion and/or by human personnel.

Abstract: Expandable reamer assemblies include an expandable reamer module and an activation module. An outer tubular body of the activation module is rigidly coupled to a tubular body of the expandable reamer module, and an activation member of the activation module is coupled to a sleeve of the expandable reamer module, the sleeve coupled to at least one blade and configured to move the at least one blade into an extended position. The sleeve moves axially responsive to axial movement of the activation member. Bottom-hole assemblies include an expandable reamer module and an activation module. The activation module is coupled to the expandable reamer module and configured to provide a motive force to the sleeve to move the sleeve opposite a direction of flow of drilling fluid. Methods of using expandable reamer modules include pairing two substantially identical expandable reamer modules and two respective different activation modules.

Abstract: A method for conducting a wellbore operation includes disconnecting a radially projecting member from a first sub without uncoupling a second sub from the first sub. The method may include also coupling the first sub to the second sub with a connector that includes an electrical connection. An associated apparatus may include a sub having at least one conductor connected to a connector; and at least one radially projecting member removably coupled to the sub.

Abstract: A bottomhole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string includes one or more controllers, and a hole enlargement device that selectively enlarges the diameter of the wellbore formed by the drill bit. The hole enlargement device includes an actuation unit that may move extendable cutting elements of the hole enlargement device between a radially extended position and a radially retracted position. The actuation unit may be responsive to a signal that is transmitted from a downhole and/or a surface location. The hole enlargement device may also include one or more position sensors that transmit a position signal indicative of a radial position of the cutting elements. In an illustrative operating mode, one or more operating parameters of the hole enlargement device may be adjusted based on one or more measured parameters. This adjustment may be done in a closed-loop or automated fashion and/or by human personnel.

Abstract: A drill bit is disclosed. The drill bit includes a center member configured to rotate at a first speed and an outer member disposed outside the center member, wherein the outer member is configured to rotate at a second speed. The drill bit also includes a first cutter disposed on the center member and a second cutter disposed on the outer member, wherein the first speed and second speeds are configured to control a resultant side force of the drill bit.

Abstract: A drill bit according to one embodiment includes a center member configured to rotate at a first speed and an outer member disposed outside the center member, wherein the outer member is configured to rotate at a second speed. The drill bit also includes a first cutter disposed on the center member and a second cutter disposed on the outer member, wherein the first speed and second speeds are configured to control a resultant side force of the drill bit.

Abstract: A method for conducting a wellbore operation includes disconnecting a radially projecting member from a first sub without uncoupling a second sub from the first sub. The method may include also coupling the first sub to the second sub with a connector that includes an electrical connection. An associated apparatus may include a sub having at least one conductor connected to a connector; and at least one radially projecting member removably coupled to the sub.