Abstract: An embodiment of a coupling device is configured to be disposed in a borehole string in a borehole in a subterranean region. The coupling device includes a coupler body having a longitudinal axis, the coupler body including an elongated shaft extending along the longitudinal axis and configured to carry loads through the coupling device, a stiffness control device connected to the elongated shaft, the stiffness control device configured to adjust a bending stiffness of the coupler body, and an actuator configured to cause the stiffness control device to adjust the bending stiffness of the coupler body.

Abstract: Vibration in a drill string is damped with a damping system coupled to the drill string. The damping system includes a chamber, a gas and piston in the chamber, and a mass connected to the piston. The gas defines a spring having a spring coefficient that is dependent on a volume or temperature of the chamber. The damping system is tunable in real-time by varying the volume or temperature of the chamber. In alternatives with multiple chambers interconnected to one another via ports, chamber volume at the existing pressure can be varied by selective actuation of valves between the chambers or the pressure of the gas can be varied by compressing or expanding a connected bellows or by heating or cooling the temperature of the gas. The damping system can selectively damp both radial and torsional vibrations.

Abstract: A method for performing automated geosteering includes receiving, by a processing system, formation evaluation data from a bottom hole assembly disposed in a wellbore. The method further includes determining, by the processing system, position data of a formation boundary from the formation evaluation data. The method further includes extrapolating, by the processing system, the position data to generate extrapolated position data of the formation boundary. The method further includes adjusting a trajectory of the wellbore based at least in part on the extrapolated position data of the formation boundary.

Abstract: An embodiment of a coupling device is configured to be disposed in a borehole string in a borehole in a subterranean region. The coupling device includes a coupler body having a longitudinal axis, the coupler body including an elongated shaft extending along the longitudinal axis and configured to carry loads through the coupling device, a stiffness control device connected to the elongated shaft, the stiffness control device configured to adjust a bending stiffness of the coupler body, and an actuator configured to cause the stiffness control device to adjust the bending stiffness of the coupler body.

Abstract: A bending stiffness control system in a downhole drilling assembly includes a body configured to be connected to a downhole component of the downhole drilling assembly, the body having a longitudinal axis. The bending stiffness control system also includes a cavity disposed within the body and extending along the longitudinal axis, and a moveable element assembly including one or more moveable elements that are configured to move along the longitudinal axis, the moveable element assembly configured to control a bending stiffness of the body by reacting to a change in an inclination of the body and the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A downhole tool and method of assembly. A sleeve is moved along a longitudinal axis of a first sub to radially surround an inner mandrel of the first sub that extends along the longitudinal axis. A gap sub is moved along the longitudinal axis to be disposed around an extended section of the inner mandrel, wherein the gap sub includes nonconductive material. The gap sub is configured to electrically separate the first sub from a second sub of the downhole tool. A lock nut is fixedly connected to the inner mandrel to secure the gap sub against the sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a first property in a borehole penetrating the earth is described. The apparatus includes a carrier configured to be conveyed through the borehole. The apparatus also includes a first sensor disposed at the carrier and configured to perform a first measurement of the first property, the first sensor having a first direction of sensitivity; a second sensor disposed at the carrier and configured to perform a second measurement of a second property, the second sensor having a second direction of sensitivity; and a processor configured to receive the first and second measurements and to correct the first measurement using the second measurement in order to estimate the first property.

Abstract: A steering augmenter for a steering device of a drilling tool, including a body, a first flow passage in the body and configured to convey a fluid supply. a channel at the outside surface of the body, the channel being configured to produce a Bernoulli effect therein during fluid flow therein, a second flow passage fluidly connecting the first flow passage to the channel, and a valve associated with the second flow passage and configured to allow, prevent or choke flow through the second flow passage. A downhole drill bit assembly including a steering augmenter, the drill bit attached to the steering augmenter. A method for drilling a borehole into the earth, the method including conveying the steering device into the borehole, operating the valve to allow, prevent or choke flow through the second flow passage, creating a steering force at the steering augmenter by the produced Bernoulli effect.

Abstract: A drilling system configured to drill a borehole into a subsurface formation, including a steering device. The steering device is configured to convey a fluid supply through a valve to an outside surface of the steering device, wherein the fluid flow causes a steering force on the steering device. A method for drilling a borehole into a subsurface formation, including disposing a steering device in the borehole, rotating the steering device, urging a fluid to flow through a valve of the steering device to an outside surface of the steering device, wherein the fluid flow causes a steering force on the steering device.

Abstract: A downhole motor, having a body having an outside surface and a longitudinal extent, a first flow passage defined within the body and disposed along the longitudinal extent of the body, and a second flow passage extending from the first flow passage to a channel at the outside surface, wherein a Bernoulli suction force is created at the channel. A method for drilling a borehole, including directing a fluid through a first flow passage defined within a body of a drill and disposed along the longitudinal extent of the body, directing a portion of the fluid from the first flow passage through a second flow passage to a channel at an outside surface to create a Bernoulli suction force at the channel, and drilling a curved section of the borehole by using the Bernoulli suction force at the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a directional wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a drive for rotating a drill bit, a deflection device that enables a lower section of the drilling assembly to tilt about a member of the deflection device within a selected plane when the drilling assembly is substantially rotationally stationary to allow drilling of a curved section of the wellbore when the drill bit is rotated by the drive and wherein the tilt is reduced when the drilling assembly is rotated to allow drilling of a straighter section of the wellbore, and a tilt sensor that provides measurements relating to tilt of the lower section. A controller determines a parameter of interest relating to the tilt for controlling drilling of the directional wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a directional wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a drive for rotating a drill bit, a deflection device that enables a lower section a drilling assembly to tilt within a selected plane when the drilling assembly is substantially rotationally stationary to allow drilling of a curved section of the wellbore when the drill bit is rotated by the drive and wherein the tilt is reduced when the drilling assembly is rotated to allow drilling of a straighter section of the wellbore, and a sensor that provides measurements relating a direction of the drilling assembly for drilling the wellbore along a desired direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling directional wellbores is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a drive for rotating a drill bit, a deflection device that enables a lower section of a drilling assembly to tilt about a member of the deflection device within a selected plane when the drilling assembly is substantially rotationally stationary to allow drilling of a curved section of the wellbore when the drill bit is rotated by the drive and wherein the tilt is reduced when the drilling assembly is rotated to allow drilling of a straighter section of the wellbore, and at least one seal that isolates at least a surface of the member from outside environment.

Abstract: A stator for a downhole motor configured for use in a downhole environment. includes an inner tubular member formed from a first metallic material having an outer surface and a helically lobed inner surface, and an outer tubular member comprising a second metallic material that is different from the first metallic material. The inner tubular member is connected to the outer tubular member by compressive force passing from the outer tubular member through the inner tubular member to a rigid mandrel removably disposed within the inner tubular member. The inner tubular member and the outer tubular member form the stator of the downhole motor.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of performing aspects of a downhole operation includes receiving a measurement value from a first sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the downhole operation, receiving measurement data from a different sensor, the measurement data related to the downhole operation, and performing, by a sensor evaluation module, an evaluation of the first sensor. The evaluation includes determining a condition of the first sensor based on the measurement data from the different sensor, selecting a rule that prescribes a set of one or more measurement values of the parameter that are plausible if the condition is met, and determining whether the measurement value from the first sensor is plausible based on comparing the measurement value to the prescribed set of one or more measurement values.

Abstract: A wired pipe system includes a wired pipe segment having a first end and a second end and a first coupler in the first end and a second coupler in the second end. The system also includes a transmission line disposed in the wired pipe segment between the first and second ends. The transmission line includes an inner conductor, an insulating material surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the insulating material and the inner conductor for at least a portion of a length of the transmission line, the other conductor being formed by deforming around the inner conductor a sheet of material into a substantially tubular member.

Abstract: A stator for a downhole motor configured for use in a downhole environment. includes an inner tubular member formed from a first metallic material having an outer surface and a helically lobed inner surface, and an outer tubular member comprising a second metallic material that is different from the first metallic material. The inner tubular member is connected to the outer tubular member by compressive force passing from the outer tubular member through the inner tubular member to a rigid mandrel removably disposed within the inner tubular member. The inner tubular member and the outer tubular member form the stator of the downhole motor.

Abstract: A method of making a stator includes positioning an inner tubular member having an inner surface within an outer tubular member, installing a rigid mandrel within the inner tubular member, and applying a compressive force to at least one of the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member.

Abstract: A wellbore apparatus includes a first component having a first element and a second component having a second element. The first component and the second component are connected by a multi-start thread connection and the first element and the second element being operatively connected to one another.

Abstract: A wired pipe system includes a wired pipe segment having a first end and a second end and a first coupler in the first end and a second coupler in the second end. The system also includes a transmission line disposed in the wired pipe segment between the first and second ends. The transmission line includes an inner conductor, an insulating material surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the insulating material and the inner conductor for at least a portion of a length of the transmission line, the other conductor being formed by deforming around the inner conductor a sheet of material into a substantially tubular member.