Abstract: A downhole tool catcher which includes a bottom hole assembly formed of an inner tubular in an outer tubular, an external housing connected to the outer tubular, and a washpipe extending from the inner tubular into the external housing, the washpipe having an external shoulder located uphole of an internal shoulder on the external housing, the external shoulder and internal shoulder being configured to engage each other upon movement of the external housing in an uphole direction in relation to the washpipe. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom hole assembly includes a mud motor.

Abstract: A downhole drill system comprising a drill string, a drill bit terminating the drill string, a bent sub in the drill string above the drill bit, a motor housing in the drill string above the drill bit and a downhole sub connected within the drill string to the motor housing. The downhole sub comprises an adaptor housing in the drill string above the motor housing, a mandrel connected to the adaptor housing, the mandrel having a shoulder facing the adaptor housing, the mandrel shoulder and the adaptor housing together forming an annular recess, a kick pad mounted for rotation in the annular recess and movable around the annular recess when the mandrel is disengaged from the adaptor housing and a lock mechanism for locking the kick pad in a fixed position relative to the adaptor housing when the mandrel is engaged with the adaptor housing.

Abstract: A downhole sub for use in directional drilling with a bent sub attached to a drill bit. The drill bit is operated by a downhole motor. The downhole sub includes upper and lower tubular sections whose centers are offset from one another in the bend direction of the bent sub. The downhole sub includes an intermediate tubular section disposed between the upper and lower tubular sections, with the bore of the intermediate section included within overlap between extensions of each of the bores of the upper and lower tubular sections. The axes of the upper and lower tubular section are parallel and offset between about 1/4 inch and 2 inches. The intermediate section grades gradually into the upper and lower tubular sections. The downhole sub is used by incorporation into a drill string above the bent sub and spaced from the bend sufficiently to allow the drill string to use the downhole sub as a lever to force the drill bit into the wall of the borehole.

Abstract: An adjustable bent housing for use in downhole drilling which includes a housing, mandrel, ring and locking mechanism. The housing has a housing central axis, a downward facing end face defining a plane whose normal is offset from the housing central axis, and an inner shoulder parallel to the downward facing end face. The mandrel has a mandrel central axis, a first end dimensioned to fit inside the housing and having a downward facing outer shoulder defining a plane whose normal is offset from the mandrel central axis. The ring is axially slidable on the mandrel, with a ring central axis and an upward facing end face defining a plane whose normal is offset from the ring central axis. A locking mechanism, a mandrel head threaded onto the mandrel, engages and disengages the upward facing end face of the ring with the downward facing end face of the housing and simultaneously engages and disengages the inner shoulder of the housing with the outer shoulder of the mandrel.