Abstract: Expandable reamers are configured to operate in a first, retracted state in which a plurality of blades is in a retracted position when a sliding sleeve is in a first sleeve position and a seat is in a first seat position, to operate in a second, extended state in which the plurality of blades is movable to an extended position when the sliding sleeve is in at least a second sleeve position and the seat is in the first seat position, and to operate in a third, retracted state in which the plurality of blades is returned to the retracted position when the sliding sleeve is in the at least a second position and the seat is in a second seat position.

Abstract: Expandable apparatus include a triggering element comprising an at least partially corrodible composite material. Methods are used to trigger expandable apparatus using such a triggering element and to form such triggering elements for use with expandable apparatus.

Abstract: Actuation assemblies include a valve assembly comprising a valve sleeve configured to rotate to selectively enable fluid flow through at least one aperture in the valve sleeve and into at least one port of an outer sleeve and a ball retention feature configured to selectively retain a ball dropped through a fluid passageway of the valve assembly in order to rotate the valve sleeve. Downhole tools include actuation assemblies. Methods for actuating a downhole tool include receiving a ball in an actuation assembly, rotating a valve sleeve of the actuation assembly to enable fluid to flow through a portion of the actuation assembly, and actuating a portion of the downhole tool with the fluid.

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: 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: 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 ball-activated mechanism adapted to be incorporated in a drillstring and to control the activation, and de-activation of a downhole tool. The mechanism includes a ball seat that receives surface launched activation balls and moves to activate or deactivate the downhole tool, an indexable latching device, and a linearly displaceable actuator co-operable with the indexable latching device, the actuator allowing pressure fluid communication to activate the tool when the actuator is in its activating position. Upon launch of a first activation ball, the ball seat moves so that the latching device carries out indexing movement to a latched position and moves the actuator moves to its activating position so that the downhole tool can be activated. Upon launch of a second activation ball, the latching device undergoes return movement and returns the ball seat to its first position and the actuator moves to deactivate the downhole tool.

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.

Abstract: A casing drilling shoe adapted for attachment to a casing string and comprising an outer drilling section constructed of a relatively hard material such as steel and an inner section constructed of a readily drillable material such as aluminum. The drilling shoe further includes a device for controllably displacing the outer drilling section to enable the shoe to be drilled through using a standard drill bit and subsequently penetrated by a reduced diameter casing string or liner.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting prefabricated drain members downwardly into underlying earth which includes a vertically extending mast that supports an elongated earth penetrating mandrel. The mandrel is adapted to receive a prefabricated drain member for movement with the mandrel down into the earth to insert drain members. A drive is mounted on the mast for driving the mandrel into and out of the underlying earth and the drive includes a rotary drive gear that engages the mandrel and a motor for driving the gear. A vibrator is mounted on the upper end of the mandrel for imparting vibrations to assist in its penetration into the earth. A flexible torsion drive coupler couples the motor to the drive gear for driving the drive gear and for also isolating the motor and the mast from vibrations imparted to the mandrel by the vibrator.