Abstract: A drilling system can be used to drill a borehole. The drilling system may include a first housing defining a main fluid flow path and a second housing defining a bypass flow path toward an annulus of a wellbore. A flow control choke may be positioned between the first housing and the second housing. The flow control choke may include a rotatable section and a stationary section that is stationary relative to the rotatable section. The stationary section may have a curved interface with the rotatable section for restricting a flow of a drilling fluid through the bypass flow path.

Abstract: Certain aspects and features relate to a drilling system usable to drill a borehole. The drilling system may include a first housing defining a main fluid flow path and a second housing defining a bypass flow path toward an annulus of a wellbore. A flow control choke may be positioned between the first housing and the second housing. The flow control choke may include a rotatable section and a stationary section that is stationary relative to the rotatable section. The stationary section may have a curved interface with the rotatable section for restricting a flow of a drilling fluid through the bypass flow path.

Abstract: A cam system for use with a rotary steerable system, the cam system includes a housing, a cam positioned at least partially within the housing, and a solid cam shaft engaged with the cam and positioned at least partially within the housing, wherein the cam is operable to adjust an azimuthal orientation of the solid cam shaft.

Abstract: A drill string for drilling a borehole. The drill string may include a downhole motor operable to rotate the drill string and a centralizer assembly. The centralizer assembly may include an outer housing, a lower sub threadably engaged with the outer housing, and a centralizer. The centralizer may include a single eccentric blade, an internal shoulder positioned between the outer housing and the lower sub, and an alignment profile to align the centralizer in an azimuthal position relative to the drill string. The centralizer may be retainable in the aligned azimuthal position by the alignment profile and the internal shoulder being engaged by the outer housing and the lower sub.

Abstract: A hybrid Rotary Steerable System (RSS) includes both exterior steering pads as in a push-the-bit system and, internal shaft pistons as in a point-the-bit system. The steering pads and the shaft pistons may cooperate to permit the RSS to achieve tighter turning radii. The steering pads and the shaft pistons may be independently or collectively controllable by diverting a portion of drilling fluid flowing through the RSS. In some embodiments, the steering pads and shaft pistons may extend in opposite directions to steer the drill bit, and on other embodiments, the steering pads and shaft pistons may extend in the same direction.

Abstract: A cam system for use with a rotary steerable system, the cam system includes a housing, a cam positioned at least partially within the housing, and a solid cam shaft engaged with the cam and positioned at least partially within the housing, wherein the cam is operable to adjust an azimuthal orientation of the solid cam shaft.

Abstract: A hybrid Rotary Steerable System (RSS) includes both exterior steering pads as in a push-the-bit system and, internal shaft pistons as in a point-the-bit system. The steering pads and the shaft pistons may cooperate to permit the RSS to achieve tighter turning radii. The steering pads and the shaft pistons may be independently or collectively controllable by diverting a portion of drilling fluid flowing through the RSS. In some embodiments, the steering pads and shaft pistons may extend in opposite directions to steer the drill bit, and on other embodiments, the steering pads and shaft pistons may extend in the same direction.

Abstract: Provided is an adjustable split thrust ring and a drilling system including the same. The adjustable split thrust ring, in one embodiment, includes a downhole split ring including two or more separate downhole pieces, the two or more separate downhole pieces fitting together to form a substantially circular downhole shoulder surrounding a substantially circular driveshaft. The adjustable split thrust ring further includes an uphole split ring positionable proximate the downhole split ring and including two or more separate uphole pieces, the two or more separate uphole pieces fitting together to form a substantially circular uphole shoulder surrounding the substantially circular driveshaft. In this embodiment, the substantially circular downhole shoulder and the substantially circular uphole shoulder are movable relative to one another to adjust to fit a groove in a driveshaft that they are configured to sit.

Abstract: Provided is an adjustable split thrust ring and a drilling system including the same. The adjustable split thrust ring, in one embodiment, includes a downhole split ring including two or more separate downhole pieces, the two or more separate downhole pieces fitting together to form a substantially circular downhole shoulder. The adjustable split thrust ring further includes an uphole split ring positionable proximate the downhole split ring and including two or more separate uphole pieces, the two or more separate uphole pieces fitting together to form a substantially circular uphole shoulder. In this embodiment, the substantially circular downhole shoulder and the substantially circular uphole shoulder are movable relative to one another to adjust to fit a groove in a driveshaft that they are configured to sit.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure includes systems and methods for rotatably coupling a bottom-hole assembly to a drilling shaft for use in subterranean drilling operations. In one embodiment, the methods of the present disclosure are suitable for underreaming a portion of a wellbore. The methods may comprise rotating a drilling shaft coupled to a drill bit about its axis to form a wellbore; engaging a first locking mechanism rotatably coupled to the drilling shaft with a second locking mechanism coupled to a housing to rotatably couple the drilling shaft and the housing; expanding an expandable reamer attached to the housing; and rotating the housing to widen at least a portion of the wellbore uphole from the drill bit. The bottom-hole may comprise one or more actuators that are selectively operable to engage the first and second locking mechanisms and expand the expandable reamer.

Abstract: Device for allowing downhole drilling tubing to withstand greater torques. There is provided a tube segment that can experience a higher torque without the need for increasing the tube or thread size. Certain examples provide for a roller or sprag configuration positioned with respect to the tube segment that allows the tube segment to withstand higher torques.

Abstract: A tubular string comprises a plurality of torque connectors connecting a plurality of tubular members. At least one torque connector of the plurality of torque connectors comprises a pin component threadably connected to the box component. The pin comprises a three torque shoulders corresponding to three surfaces of the box component. In at least one embodiment, a sacrificial material is deposited between one of the torque shoulders and one of the surfaces to provide additional torque capacity to the torque connector. Additional apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is an adjustable split thrust ring and a drilling system including the same. The adjustable split thrust ring, in one embodiment, includes a downhole split ring including two or more separate downhole pieces, the two or more separate downhole pieces fitting together to form a substantially circular downhole shoulder surrounding a substantially circular driveshaft. The adjustable split thrust ring further includes an uphole split ring positionable proximate the downhole split ring and including two or more separate uphole pieces, the two or more separate uphole pieces fitting together to form a substantially circular uphole shoulder surrounding the substantially circular driveshaft. In this embodiment, the substantially circular downhole shoulder and the substantially circular uphole shoulder are movable relative to one another to adjust to fit a groove in a driveshaft that they are configured to sit.

Abstract: Provided is an adjustable split thrust ring and a drilling system including the same. The adjustable split thrust ring, in one embodiment, includes a downhole split ring including two or more separate downhole pieces, the two or more separate downhole pieces fitting together to form a substantially circular downhole shoulder. The adjustable split thrust ring further includes an uphole split ring positionable proximate the downhole split ring and including two or more separate uphole pieces, the two or more separate uphole pieces fitting together to form a substantially circular uphole shoulder. In this embodiment, the substantially circular downhole shoulder and the substantially circular uphole shoulder are movable relative to one another to adjust to fit a groove in a driveshaft that they are configured to sit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for securing a protective sleeve or wear sleeve to a rotary component which is rotatable relative to a rotary seal, such that the wear sleeve is in relatively rotating sealing engagement with the rotary seal. The wear sleeve is secured to the shaft by wedging a lock ring between the wear sleeve and the shaft. Wedging action of the lock ring can be effected by wedging formations, such as tapered surfaces, configured for causing wedging of the lock ring in response to operator-induced axial movement of the lock ring relative to the shaft and/or the wear sleeve. Wedging of the lock ring can be effected by cooperating screw threads on the lock ring and the wear sleeve, so that an operator can tighten the sleeve on the shaft by application of torque thereto.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure includes systems and methods for rotatably coupling a bottom-hole assembly to a drilling shaft for use in subterranean drilling operations. In one embodiment, the methods of the present disclosure are suitable for underreaming a portion of a wellbore. The methods may comprise rotating a drilling shaft coupled to a drill bit about its axis to form a wellbore; engaging a first locking mechanism rotatably coupled to the drilling shaft with a second locking mechanism coupled to a housing to rotatably couple the drilling shaft and the housing; expanding an expandable reamer attached to the housing; and rotating the housing to widen at least a portion of the wellbore uphole from the drill bit. The bottom-hole may comprise one or more actuators that are selectively operable to engage the first and second locking mechanisms and expand the expandable reamer.

Abstract: A downhole drilling motor comprises a housing located in a drill string. A power sleeve is located inside the housing and is operatively coupled to a drill bit. The power sleeve has a spiral lobed, elastomer covered internal surface. The power sleeve is rotatable with respect to the outer housing. A lobed shaft is located within the power sleeve. The lobed shaft has a spiral lobed outer surface. An anchoring assembly is engaged between the lobed shaft and the outer housing to limit rotation of the lobed shaft with respect to the housing such that a fluid flow through the downhole drilling motor causes the power sleeve to rotate with respect, to the outer housing and the lobed shaft.

Abstract: A multiple channel rotary electrical connector can include multiple first contacts which are radially spaced apart from each other, and multiple second contacts which electrically contact respective ones of the first contacts while there is relative rotation between the first and second contacts. The second contacts may be radially spaced apart from each other. A well tool can include one section which rotates relative to another section of the well tool, and a multiple channel rotary electrical connector which includes multiple annular-shaped contacts that rotate relative to each other. A method of operating a well tool in a subterranean well can include producing relative rotation between sections of the well tool, and communicating multiple channels of electrical signals between the sections while there is relative rotation between the sections. The communicating can include electrically contacting multiple annular-shaped contacts with each other.

Abstract: A locking nut for installation on a cylinder, including a nut body defining a nut engagement surface and a directional coupling mechanism associated with the nut body, for locking the nut body with the cylinder in response to relative rotation between the nut body and the cylinder in a locking direction. The directional coupling mechanism may include a plurality of recesses, a plurality of rolling members contained within the recesses, and a retaining device for retaining the rolling members in the recesses. A method of installing the locking nut on the cylinder, including engaging the nut engagement surface with a cylinder engagement surface, inserting the rolling members in the recesses, threadably connecting the nut body with the cylinder in order to install the locking nut on the cylinder, and connecting the retaining device with the nut body in order to retain the rolling members within the recesses.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a rotary steerable tool and a gamma sensor assembly are provided. These systems may include scintillation detection sensors mounted in a pressure sleeve assembly coupled to a rotating drive shaft and/or an electronics insert of the rotary steerable tool. The sensors may each be mounted in an atmospheric pressure environment within a respective pressure sleeve. The pressure sleeves may each rotate with the drive shaft and the electronics insert. The sonde-based arrangement of the systems may facilitate relatively high sensitivity measurements taken at a rotating portion of the rotary steerable tool. This may allow directional gamma measurements and bulk gamma measurements to be determined at the rotating section of rotary steerable tool.