Abstract: A drilling assembly, a reamer, and an adjustable diameter stabilizer are disclosed. The reamer includes cutter elements mounted on at least a first fixed blade for reaming a previously-formed borehole or for forming a borehole of increased diameter beneath an existing cased borehole. The apparatus provides for stabilizing the drilling assembly so that the reamer may be used in back reaming the hole. Retainer means, such as shear pins or spring-biased reciprocating latch members, are provided to prevent premature extension of the adjustable diameter stabilizer's moveable members, including blades and pistons. The shear pins are preferably accessible from the outer surface of the reamer housing so as to expedite field replacement of the shear pins without requiring disassembly of the reamer. The spring-biased latching members repeatedly latch and unlatch so that field replacement is not required, and so that the movable members may be extended and contracted multiple times while the reamer is downhole.

Abstract: The drilling system includes a work string supporting a bottom hole assembly. The work string including lengths of pipe having a non-metallic portion. The work string preferably includes a composite coiled tubing having a fluid impermeable liner, multiple load carrying layers, and a wear layer. Multiple electrical conductors and data transmission conductors may be embedded in the load carrying layers for carrying current or transmitting data between the bottom hole assembly and the surface. The bottom hole assembly includes a bit, a gamma ray and inclinometer instrument package, a steerable assembly, an electronics section, a transmission, and a power section for rotating the bit. It may or may not include a propulsion system. The drilling system may be a gravity based drilling system that does include a propulsion system. Various motive means may be provided such as gravity, to apply weight on the bit.

Abstract: A drilling assembly and an eccentric, adjustable diameter reamer are disclosed. The reamer includes cutter elements mounted on at least a first fixed blade for reaming a previously-formed borehole or for forming a borehole of increased diameter beneath an existing cased borehole. The method and apparatus provide for stabilizing the drilling assembly so that the reamer may be used in back reaming the hole. Retainer means, such as shear pins or spring-biased reciprocating latch members, are provided to prevent premature extension of the reamer's moveable members, including blades and pistons. The shear pins are preferably accessible from the outer surface of the reamer housing so as to expedite field replacement of the shear pins without requiring disassembly of the reamer. The spring-biased latching members repeatedly latch and unlatch so that field replacement is not required, and so that the movable members may be extended and contracted multiple times while the reamer is downhole.

Abstract: A steering assembly includes upper and lower tubular housings connected by a universal joint. An angle cam is disposed on the end of the lower housing and projects into the upper housing. A plurality of wedge members extend axially from the upper housing and into engagement with the angle cam. Drive trains are connected to the wedge members to move the wedge members toward and away from the angle cam so as to pivot the lower housing at the universal joint and change the angle and azimuth of the lower housing with respect to the upper housing. The lower housing is connected to a bearing pack supporting a drill bit such that upon changing the angle and azimuth of the lower housing, the direction of the drilling of the drill bit is also changed. The steering assembly being connected to composite tubing having conductors in the wall thereof for conducting data and commands between the steering assembly and a processor at the surface and for providing power to the steering assembly.

Abstract: A thrust absorber is interposed between a thruster and an anchor that cooperate to axially displace another member. The thrust absorber includes an enclosure fixed to the anchor and a retainer connected to the thruster. A biasing member is operably associated with the retainer. During an overthrust condition, the thruster imparts a thrust force to the member, but the member is not substantially axially displaced. In such a condition, the biasing member absorbs the thrust that the thruster would otherwise impart to the member. A dampener is also included to dampen the movement of the thruster and anchor when the anchor is no longer anchoring the thruster.

Abstract: A steering assembly includes upper and lower tubular housings connected by a universal joint. An angle cam is disposed on the end of the lower housing and projects into the upper housing. A plurality of wedge members extend axially from the upper housing and into engagement with the angle cam. Drive trains are connected to the wedge members to move the wedge members toward and away from the angle cam so as to pivot the lower housing at the universal joint and change the angle and azimuth of the lower housing with respect to the upper housing. The lower housing is connected to a bearing pack supporting a drill bit such that upon changing the angle and azimuth of the lower housing, the direction of the drilling of the drill bit is also changed. The steering assembly being connected to composite tubing having conductors in the wall thereof for conducting data and commands between the steering assembly and a processor at the surface and for providing power to the steering assembly.

Abstract: A steering assembly includes upper and lower tubular housings connected by a universal joint. An angle cam is disposed on the end of the lower housing and projects into the upper housing. A plurality of wedge members extend axially from the upper housing and into engagement with the angle cam. Drive trains are connected to the wedge members to move the wedge members toward and away from the angle cam so as to pivot the lower housing at the universal joint and change the angle and azimuth of the lower housing with respect to the upper housing. The lower housing is connected to a bearing pack supporting a drill bit such that upon changing the angle and azimuth of the lower housing, the direction of the drilling of the drill bit is also changed. The steering assembly being connected to composite tubing having conductors in the wall thereof for conducting data and commands between the steering assembly and a processor at the surface and for providing power to the steering assembly.

Abstract: The drilling assembly includes an eccentric adjustable diameter blade stabilizer, having a housing with a fixed stabilizer blade and a pair of adjustable stabilizer blades, and a bi-center bit, having an eccentric reamer section and a pilot bit, mounted on the eccentric stabilizer. The stabilizer and bit have an alignment mechanism for aligning the fixed blade with the reamer section. The alignment mechanism includes an aperture on the bit which is aligned with an aperture on the stabilizer as the stabilizer is made up on the bit. An alignment member is received by the aligned apertures for maintaining the alignment.

Abstract: A method for disconnecting tubular members and a ball-drop release device including an upper housing connected to tubing and a lower housing connected to a bottom hole assembly. The upper housing includes a recess end having grooves, and the lower housing includes an extension end having splines that fit into the upper housing grooves. The splined connection is designed to resist drilling motor backup torque and prevent the release mechanism from locking up. In the pre-release position, a ball sleeve is disposed within the extension and held in place by shear screws. To actuate the device, a ball, preferably having a density equal to the density of the drilling fluid, is dropped into the well and pumped to engage the ball sleeve. The ball seats with the ball sleeve whether the well bore is disposed vertically, laterally, or sloped upwardly. Once the ball seats, pressure builds behind the sleeve until the shear screws shear.