Abstract: A downhole tool comprises a body having a slot therein, a cutting blade mounted within the body and extendible and retractable through the slot such that the outer diameter of the tool can be selectively increased, an actuation member for driving the cutting blade between the retracted and extended positions and a mounting means connecting the blade to the actuation member, said body having a tapered surface along which the blade travels such that as the blade travels along the tapered surface the blade moves radially outwardly with respect to both the body and the mounting means whilst remaining in contact with the tapered surface.

Abstract: A tool for reaming a borehole includes a tubular body having a central axis, an uphole reamer section mounted to the body, and a downhole reamer section mounted to the body. Each reamer section includes a first blade extending radially from the body. Each blade has an uphole end, a downhole end opposite the uphole end, and a formation-facing surface. The formation facing surface of the first blade of the uphole reamer section is disposed at a radius R1 that increases moving from the uphole end to the downhole end. The formation facing surface of the first blade of the downhole reamer section is disposed at a radius R1? that decreases moving from the uphole end to the downhole end. The tool also includes a cutter element mounted to the formation facing surface of the first blade of each reamer section.

Abstract: A drill bit for use in drilling a wellbore and that can be used for fracturing the subterranean formation surrounding the wellbore. Included on the bit body is a packer for sealing against the wellbore wall during fracturing. A chamber in the drill bit houses a valve assembly for selectively diverting fluid between use in drilling and for use in fracturing. The fluid is delivered through a drill string that attaches to an upper end of the bit. The valve assembly can be shuttled between drilling and fracturing configurations by selectively adjusting an amount and/or pressure of the fluid flowing in the drill string.

Abstract: A method and a storage device including a software product for modifying a drilling pattern, and a rock drilling rig. One or more holes whose location is to be changed may be selected from a drilling pattern prior to drilling. The hole is assigned a new location by means of a drilling unit and, subsequently, the drilling pattern is updated.

Abstract: A secondary cutting structure for use in a drilling assembly includes a tubular body, and a block, extendable from the tubular body, the block including a first arrangement of cutting elements disposed on a first blade, a first stabilization section disposed proximate the first arrangement of cutting elements, a second arrangement of cutting elements disposed on the first blade, and a second stabilization section disposed proximate the second arrangement of cutting elements.

Abstract: An expandable reamer apparatus and stabilizer sub having at least one rib thereon attached thereto for drilling a subterranean formation.

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: A bottom hole assembly carrying an expandable tubular is disposed in a portion of a wellbore having a lost circulation zone, and the tubular is radially expanded to isolate the wellbore from the formation across the lost circulation zone. The expandable tubular is made up of a rolled up sheet like member and mounts along the outer periphery of a portion of the bottom hole assembly. A bladder on the bottom hole assembly is inflated for expanding the tubular radially outward against the wellbore wall. A drill bit and underreamer are included with the bottom hole assembly.

Abstract: A shifting tool and method of shifting a downhole device that requires only a minimal profile or no profile to engage and move the movable portion of the tool. The invention comprises a ported housing assembly and at least one friction pad alignable with said at least one port and radially movable through the port between a first pad position and a second pad position. In the second pad position, the friction pad extends outside said outer diameter of said housing assembly to engage the targeted downhole device. A mandrel positioned through the ported housing has a first section with a first outer diameter and a second section with a second outer diameter, said second outer diameter being greater than said first outer diameter. The mandrel is movable between a first mandrel position and a second mandrel position. In the second mandrel position, the second outer diameter supports the friction pads in the second pad position.

Abstract: A tool comprising a fluid path defined by a bore formed within a tubular body includes a guided sleeve and a reciprocating sleeve disposed within the bore. A gearwheel is located on an outer surface of the guided sleeve and at least one pawl located on an inner surface of the reciprocating sleeve. When the reciprocating sleeve translates axially, it rotates in a first direction. As the reciprocating sleeve rotates, the at least one pawl pushes the gearwheel and causes the guided sleeve to rotate in the first direction into a new position.

Abstract: An underreamer that can be assembled easily is formed from a tubular body having a flow tube running to a distal end delivering fluid which moves an actuator against the underreamer arms which are hinged to a moveable stop block and stopped to positively seat the arm at the end of a key slot to rigidly hold the underreamer arm in full extension during operations. Once hydraulic pressure is released, a spring moves the arm down the slot to a position where the arm can be removed from the slot in the underreamer body. A lower sub assembly is affixed to the underreamer body to prevent premature back off of the lower sub. Jets are disposed on either side of the underreamer to remove cuttings from the well bore. The tool is adaptable in the field for several hole sizes by adjustment in the length of the stop block and the angle of the flat on the top side of the key.

Abstract: An expandable reamer apparatus and stabilizer sub having at least one rib thereon attached thereto for drilling a subterranean formation.

Abstract: An expansion and sensing tool (50) comprising a tool body, cutter blocks and sensors which permit simultaneous underreaming and measurement of the diameter of a wellbore (40) drilled by an oil and gas rig (10). Radially extendable cutter blocks (62) incorporating positional sensors (80) contained on the block or within the body measure the position of the cutter block relative to the tool, and a vibration sensor (76) measures vibration and underreaming wellbore dimensions in real-time. Receivers, sensors and microprocessors deliver a desired wellbore depth both simultaneously comparing and correlating measured vibration data and optimizing underreaming parameters. The tool may be optionally configured with a caliper or a stabilizer.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an expandable tool for an earth boring system comprises a mandrel with a sleeve positioned around the outer surface and a blade disposed in a slot formed in the sleeve. The sleeve is also configured to slide along the tubular body. The blade comprises an interior slide groove located on an interior surface and an exterior slide groove located on an exterior surface. A sleeve protrusion is configured to extend into the interior slide groove, while a mandrel protrusion is configured to extend into the exterior slide groove. The blade is configured to shift laterally out of the slot as the sleeve slides axially, wherein the interior and exterior slide grooves are oriented at different angles and as the sleeve slides axially along the length of the mandrel, the slide grooves lock the blade in a pre-determined position through a wedging effect.

Abstract: A device is suspended from cables or other flexible or articulated structures, for the mixing in situ of earth for the formation of underground walls or diaphragms includes in its lower part a disaggregator (1) for the disaggregation of the earth. Above the disaggregator is positioned a corrector (5, 13) for the direction of the excavation.

Abstract: A drill bit direction system and method is disclosed that modifies or biases the stochastic movement of the drill bit and/or stochastic interactions between the drill bit and an inner-wall of a borehole being drilled by a drilling system to change the direction of drilling of the drilling system. The direction of the drill bit is monitored to determine if the direction happens to align in some way with a preferred direction. If the direction isn't close enough to a preferred direction, a biasing mechanism modifies the stochastic movement in an attempt to modify the direction closer to the preferred direction. Any of a number of biasing mechanisms can be used. Some embodiments can resort to conventional steering mechanisms to supplement the biasing mechanism.

Abstract: A method for routing an electrical conductor through a sub-surface channel in substantially any suitable metallic article of manufacture includes friction stir welding a cap in a groove formed in a surface of the article so as to form the sub-surface channel. An electrical conductor is then routed through the channel. The channel may further include a substantially tubular conduit formed therein with the electrical conductor being routed through the conduit. The friction stir weld zone formed during friction stir welding is generally harder and more wear resistant that the article body.

Abstract: A downhole tool including a tubular body having an upper connection and a lower connection and an axial borehole therethrough, wherein the upper and lower connections are configured to connect to a drilling assembly, at least one expandable component coupled to the tubular body and configured to selectively extend radially therefrom, and an actuation assembly configured to selectively actuate, deactuate, and reactuate the at least one component. A method of selectively actuating a downhole tool, wherein the downhole tool comprises a tubular body with an axial borehole therethrough and at least one component, the method including circulating a drilling fluid in the axial borehole of the downhole tool, actuating the at least one component, deactuating the at least one component, and reactuating the at least one component.

Abstract: A tool for enlarging a borehole that includes an elongated tubular body; at least one movable arm affixed to the tubular body, the at least one movable arm comprising an outer surface formed of at least one of a matrix material and an abrasive material; and at least one actuating member for expanding at least one movable arm from the collapsed state to an expanded state is disclosed.

Abstract: A secondary cutting structure for sure in a drilling assembly, the secondary cutting structure including a tubular body and a block, extendable from the tubular body, the block including a first arrangement of cutting elements disposed on a first blade and a second arrangement of cutting elements disposed on a second blade, wherein the second arrangement is a modified redundant arrangement. Also, a secondary cutting structure for use in a drilling assembly, the secondary cutting structure including a leading blade disposed on a first block and a trailing blade disposed on the first block adjacent the leading blade. Additionally, the secondary cutting structure includes a unique blade disposed on a second block, wherein a gage portion of at least one of the blades has a length between 30% and 45% of a total blade length.

Abstract: An expandable reamer apparatus and stabilizer sub having at least one rib thereon attached thereto for drilling a subterranean formation.

Abstract: In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a secondary cutting structure for use in a drilling assembly, the second cutting structure including a tubular body and a cutter block, extendable from the tubular body, the block including at least three rows of cutting elements. In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to drilling a borehole, the method including disposing a drilling tool assembly in the borehole, wherein the drilling tool assembly includes a primary cutting structure and a secondary cutting structure, and wherein the secondary cutting structure ahs a cutter block having at least three rows of cutting elements. The method also includes actuating the primary cutting structure, drilling a first portion of the borehole with the primary cutting structure, actuating the secondary cutting structure, and drilling a second portion of the borehole with both the primary and secondary cutting structures.

Abstract: A cutting device for downhole operations includes a first cutting structure, and a second cutting structure, wherein at least the second cutting structure is selectively presentable for operation. A method of performing a downhole cutting operation comprises running into a well bore a cutting device including a plurality of cutting structures, performing a first cutting operation with a first cutting structure of the cutting device, moving the first cutting structure to selectively present a second cutting structure of the cutting device, and performing a second cutting operation with at least the second cutting structure. The method may further include aligning movable cutting structures of the cutting device to allow the second cutting structure to be selectively presented.

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 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: The present invention relates to downhole tools, and in particular an underreamer tool for use in a wellbore of an oil or gas well and a method of actuation. In an embodiment, the underreamer tool has body having a longitudinal axis and a fluid conduit, a tool element and an actuation device configured to urge the tool element relative to the body from a first configuration into a second configuration. In this embodiment, a portion of the tool has a curved actuation surface and the tool element is urged across the curved actuation surface the tool element is moved radially with respect to the body of the tool. Typically, the actuation device may include a piston driven by pressure of fluid circulated through the fluid flow conduit.

Abstract: An expandable drilling apparatus includes a main body comprising a central bore and at least one axial recess configured to receive an arm assembly operable between a retracted position and an extended position, a biasing member to urge the arm assembly into the retracted position, a drive position configured to thrust the arm assembly into the extended position when in communication with drilling fluids in the central bore, a selector piston translatable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the selector piston is thrust into the open position when a pressure of the drilling fluids exceeds an activation value, wherein the drilling fluids are in communication with the drive piston when the selector piston is in the open position, and a selector spring configured to thrust the selector piston into the closed position when the pressure of the drilling fluids falls below a reset value.

Abstract: A novel well bore drilling system and method utilizes independently deployable multiple tubular strings to drill, line and cement multiple hole sections without intervening trips to the surface. In one embodiment, the drilling system includes two or more independent, telescoping, tubular members that form a nested tubular assembly and one or more sensors disposed on the nested tubular assembly. The nested tubular string is deployed in the wellbore in conjunction with a Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA). In some embodiments, a drilling motor for rotating a drill bit is also positioned in the tubular assembly. The sensors can be disposed in a stator of the drilling motor or adjacent the motor. Also, in embodiments, the sensors can be positioned on extensible members that can position the sensor or sensors adjacent the wellbore wall.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tubular body having an upper connection and a lower connection and an axial borehole therethrough, wherein the upper and lower connections are configured to connect to a drilling assembly. The downhole tool further includes at least one expandable component coupled to the tubular body and configured to selectively extend radially therefrom and an actuation mechanism configured to selectively extend the at least one component in response to a change in a circulating fluid pressure in the axial borehole.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus, such as an underreamer comprises a generally cylindrical tubular body and two cutting blades pivotally mounted to the body and movable between a retracted position and an extended position. Each cutting blade has a retracted position minimum gauge cutting portion and an extended position maximum gauge cutting portion, with the blades in the extended position the gauge cutting portions extending axially and being located in a transverse plane on or forward of the blade pivot axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a borehole drilling apparatus with in-line extending wings and driving method thereof. The drilling apparatus comprises a guide device rotating while moving upwardly and downwardly in a casing to fit into a borehole, extending wings for extending the diameter of a drilled hole, and a pilot bit installed at a lower portion of the guide device to strike the bottom of the borehole, wherein spiral projections formed at a lower surface of the guide device slidably engage with guide grooves formed at a side of the extending wings to each other, and a window is formed at a side of the pilot bit for advancing and retracting the extending wings so that they can spread and return linearly from the center of the pilot bit.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a radiation source to output radiation after power is supplied. The apparatus also includes a power source to supply power. The apparatus includes an ambient-activated switch electrically coupled between the radiation source and the power source. The ambient-activated switch is to switch to an open position while a value for an ambient characteristic for the ambient-activated switch is at an ambient level for a surface of the Earth. The ambient-activated switch is to switch to a closed position while the value for the ambient characteristic for the ambient-activated switch is at a downhole ambient level, wherein the ambient-activated switch is to electrically couple the power source to the radiation source while in the closed position.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a drilling tool includes a tubular body defining a longitudinal axial cavity extending therethrough and defining at least one cutter element recess. The drilling tool also includes a cutter element at least partially disposed within the at least one cutter element recess and includes at least first and second cutting arms at least substantially disposed within the cutter element recess in a retracted position. The first and second cutting arms are operable to move from the retracted position to an extended position in which the first and second cutting arms extend at least partially beyond a periphery of the tubular body. The first and second cutting arms and the tubular body enclose a space when the first and second cutting arms are in the extended position.

Abstract: The method and apparatus can create excavation cavities suitable for drilling multilateral wellbores through the excavation using a kick-off. One embodiment of the method comprises isolating a wellbore at a determined location, excavating a downhole cavity in a wellbore above the determined location, and removing the apparatus for isolating the wellbore and the apparatus for excavating the downhole cavity from the wellbore to provide full access to the wellbore and the excavation cavity.

Abstract: An expandable drilling apparatus is deployed upon a distal end of a drillstring and includes a cutting head and a substantially tubular main body adjacent the cutting head providing a plurality of axial recesses configured to receive arm assemblies configured to translate between a retracted and an extended position. A flow switch actuates the arm assemblies when a drilling fluid pressure exceeds an activation value and the drilling apparatus includes a biasing member to reset the arm assemblies when the drilling fluid pressure falls below a reset value.

Abstract: The invention relates to an auger for making a borehole that presents in its inside wall a groove that is substantially helical, said auger comprising: a hollow core provided with an outer helical blade; a movable cutter gouge suitable for taking up an active position in which the gouge projects outside the volume defined by the periphery of the blade, and a retracted position in which it is placed inside said volume; and means for displacing said gouge from its retracted position to its active position and comprising an additional member mounted to move in said core in translation and/or in rotation, and placed at the bottom end of said core, together with control means for causing said gouge to be displaced from its retracted position to its active position in response to said additional member moving relative to at least the bottom portion of said hollow core.

Abstract: The method and apparatus can create excavation cavities suitable for drilling multilateral wellbores through the excavation using a kick-off. One embodiment of the method comprises isolating a wellbore at a determined location, excavating a downhole cavity in a wellbore above the determined location, and removing the apparatus for isolating the wellbore and the apparatus for excavating the downhole cavity from the wellbore to provide full access to the wellbore and the excavation cavity.

Abstract: An expandable drilling apparatus is deployed upon a distal end of a drillstring and includes a cutting head and a substantially tubular main body adjacent the cutting head providing a plurality of axial recesses configured to receive arm assemblies configured to translate between a retracted and an extended position. A flow switch actuates the arm assemblies when a drilling fluid pressure exceeds an activation value and the drilling apparatus includes a biasing member to reset the arm assemblies when the drilling fluid pressure falls below a reset value.

Abstract: An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one spiral blade is formed on at least one reamer pad. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one spiral blade. An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one spiral blade is formed on at least one reamer pad. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one blade and at least one gage protection element is disposed on a gage surface of the at least one blade. The plurality of cutting elements are arranged so as to enable the expandable reaming tool to backream a formation in a wellbore.

Abstract: An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one spiral blade is formed on at least one reamer pad. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one spiral blade. An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one blade is formed on the at least two reamer pads. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one blade and at least one gage protection element is disposed on a gage surface of the at least one blade. The plurality of cutting elements are arranged so as to enable the expandable reaming tool to backream a formation in a wellbore.

Abstract: An underreamer for well drilling comprises pivotally extendible roller cutters that extend slightly beyond the diameter of the pilot drill bit but are retained in their retracted position by the casing. Upon encountering an obstruction, the underreamer is pushed out of the casing, allowing the outer edges of the cutters to contact the obstruction. Continued downward pressure of the drill stem causes the roller arms to pivot outward to a fully extended position in which the cutters enlarge the hole to a diameter larger than the casing by rotation of the drilling stem. The advance of the casing relative to the underreamer forces the cutters to retract into the casing.

Abstract: Methods of forming cutter assemblies for use on earth-boring tools include sintering a cone structure to fuse one or more cutting elements thereto. In some embodiments, one or more green, brown, or fully sintered cutting elements may be positioned on a green or brown cone structure prior to sintering the cone structure to a final density. Cutter assemblies may be formed by such methods, and such cutter assemblies may be used in earth-boring tools such as, for example, earth-boring rotary drill bits and hole openers.

Abstract: An expandable drill bit comprises a body for mounting on a support string DS, a plurality of drill arms 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D coupled to the body and extending along a central longitudinal axis LL?, and at least one drill arm supporting cutting elements 6A. The plurality of drill arms 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D are pivotable between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration. The retracted configuration defines an expandable drill bit having a first cutting diameter D1. The expanded configuration defines an expandable drill bit having a second cutting diameter D2 greater than the first cutting diameter. The drill arms 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D are driven from the retracted configuration into the expanded configuration when the expandable drill bit is rotated at a speed of rotation at least equal to a determined expanding speed of rotation.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus for drilling a deviated bore comprising a tubular outer member having an offset and adapted for rotatably supporting a drill bit. The member has a gripping arrangement for selectively engaging the wall of a bore to restrain the member against rotation. An inner member is provided within the outer member for coupling to the drill bit at one end and to a drill string at another end. The apparatus has a first configuration in which the gripping arrangement is retracted and the inner member is coupled to the outer member such that rotation of the drill string provides for corresponding rotation of the inner and outer members, and a second configuration in which the gripping arrangement is extended and the inner member is rotatable relative to the outer member such that the outer member is restrained from rotation in the bore and rotation of the drill string provides for corresponding rotation of the inner member and the drill bit.

Abstract: Improved cutter design as well as an improved design for downhole cutters, such as mandrel cutters and rotary cutter mills. A cutter is described with a rectangular, rounded “lozenge” shape. The cutter presents a cross-sectional cutting area having a pair of curvilinear end sections and an elongated central section. Preferably, the overall length of the cutter is 1.5 times the width. The cutter may also include a raised cutter edge for chip breaking during cutting.

Abstract: An expandable drill bit comprises a body for mounting on a support string and two roller cutters mounted on the body. The cutters are movable between a smaller diameter first configuration and a larger diameter second configuration. In one embodiment the bit is adapted to drill with the cutters in both the first and second configurations.

Abstract: An underreamer for forming a cavity within a well bore includes a fluid motor having a first body and a second body arranged about a longitudinal axis. The first body is adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis in relation to the second body when fluid is passed between the first and second bodies. The fluid motor further defines a longitudinal tubing passage adapted to allow passage of the fluid motor over a tubing string. At least one cutting arm is coupled to rotate with the first body, and radially extendable into engagement with an interior of the well bore to form the cavity.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus, such as an underreamer (20) comprises a generally cylindrical tubular body (22) and two cutting blades (26, 27) pivotally mounted to the body and movable between a retracted position and an extended position. Each cutting blade has a retracted position minimum gauge cutting portion (36) and an extended position maximum gauge cutting portion (35), with the blades in the extended position the gauge cutting portions (35) extending axially and being located in a transverse plane on or forward of the blade pivot axis.

Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method for forming a pier in a soil matrix includes a hollow tube with a restricted expansion section connected to and adjacent a soil penetrating bottom head element which is configured to facilitate discharge of pier forming material such as grout. An expansion device in the form of an expandable bladder or expandable mechanical device is positioned along a section of the length of the restricted expansion section. The hollow tube structure is inserted into a soil matrix with the expansion device in the retracted condition. Subsequently, the expansion device is expanded to enlarge the formed cavity in the soil matrix. Then grout or other pier forming material is injected into the cavity as the expansion device is retracted or deflated and as the hollow tube structure is raised incrementally to form a pier with one or more uniquely shaped lifts.

Abstract: A method of lining and drilling a bore (10) comprises the steps of mounting a first section of bore-lining tubing (20) on the lower end portion of a drill string (18). The method also includes running the drill string and tubing into a bore having an unlined section and an existing tubing lined section, locating the first tubing section (20) in the unlined section, uncoupling the first tubing section (20) from the drill string (18), and drilling the bore beyond the first tubing section.

Abstract: An underreamer for forming a cavity from within a well bore includes a housing adapted to be disposed within the well bore. The underreamer includes an actuator partially slidably positioned in the housing. The actuator comprises a first portion and a second portion. A cross-sectional area of the second portion is larger than a cross-sectional area of the first portion. The underreamer includes at least one cutter set, wherein each cutter set has a first end and a second end. The first end of each cutter set is pivotally coupled to the housing. The second end of each cutter set is pivotally coupled to a connector. An axial force applied to the actuator is operable to slide the actuator relative to the housing causing the second portion of the actuator to contact each cutter set and extend each cutter set radially outward relative to the housing from a retracted position to a first position. The actuator may also include a stop member proximate an end of the actuator.