Abstract: A method includes extending a wellbore using a drill bit that forms a portion of a bottom hole assembly; enlarging a diameter of the wellbore using a reamer of the assembly; and laterally offsetting either a rotary steerable tool or a mud motor of the assembly in the enlarged diameter wellbore. A bend angle is defined between a central axis of either the rotary steerable tool or the mud motor creates and a central axis of the drill bit. Enlarging the diameter of the wellbore using the reamer while steering the assembly decreases the dogleg. Enlarging the diameter of the wellbore using the reamer while rotational drilling a straight section of the wellbore reduces stresses on the assembly and reduces wellbore tortuosity.

Abstract: A method for constructing a wellbore includes drilling a wellbore along a trajectory using a bit; reaming the diameter of a portion of the drilled wellbore to enlarge a portion of the wellbore; and altering the trajectory of the bit by applying a lateral force to the enlarged diameter wellbore. Reaming the diameter of the portion of the drilled wellbore increases the dogleg of the wellbore.

Abstract: A method includes extending a wellbore using a drill bit that forms a portion of a bottom hole assembly; enlarging a diameter of the wellbore using a reamer of the assembly; and laterally offsetting either a rotary steerable tool or a mud motor of the assembly in the enlarged diameter wellbore. A bend angle is defined between a central axis of either the rotary steerable tool or the mud motor creates and a central axis of the drill bit. Enlarging the diameter of the wellbore using the reamer while steering the assembly decreases the dogleg. Enlarging the diameter of the wellbore using the reamer while rotational drilling a straight section of the wellbore reduces stresses on the assembly and reduces wellbore tortuosity.

Abstract: A Rotary Steerable System (RSS) includes a flexible collar coupled therein or thereto that permits the stiffness of the RSS to be controlled and permits a desired turning radius to be achieved without sacrificing stability characteristics of the RSS. The flexible collar may be positioned between a steering section and the controller of the RSS. The parameters affecting the geometry, position and stiffness characteristics of the flexible collar and the RSS may be selected strategically to match the requirements of the particular wellbore being drilled. By selecting these parameters strategically, improvements may be achieved related to tool length, bending stiffness, bending stress, torsional stiffness, shear stress due to torsion and increased dogleg severity tolerance.

Abstract: A method for constructing a wellbore includes drilling a wellbore along a trajectory using a bit; reaming the diameter of a portion of the drilled wellbore to enlarge a portion of the wellbore; and altering the trajectory of the bit by applying a lateral force to the enlarged diameter wellbore. Reaming the diameter of the portion of the drilled wellbore increases the dogleg of the wellbore.

Abstract: A Rotary Steerable System (RSS) includes a flexible collar coupled therein or thereto that permits the stiffness of the RSS to be controlled and permits a desired turning radius to be achieved without sacrificing stability characteristics of the RSS. The flexible collar may be positioned between a steering section and the controller of the RSS. The parameters affecting the geometry, position and stiffness characteristics of the flexible collar and the RSS may be selected strategically to match the requirements of the particular wellbore being drilled. By selecting these parameters strategically, improvements may be achieved related to tool length, bending stiffness, bending stress, torsional stiffness, shear stress due to torsion and increased dogleg severity tolerance.

Abstract: Teachings of the disclosure are directed to a reamer and/or bit interaction model system and method. The method may include receiving performance data regarding a cutting structure, and calculating a characteristic curve, using the performance data. The characteristic curve may be weight-based and/or torque-based. The method may also include storing the characteristic curve. In particular embodiments, the characteristic curve may include either weight on cutting structure or torque on the cutting structure, as a function of the rate of penetration.

Abstract: A well tool apparatus comprises a control arrangement configured to control response of the downhole tool by varying a bore-annulus pressure difference. The control arrangement includes a valve piston longitudinally slidable in a generally tubular controller housing that is in operation substantially co-axial with the wellbore, to open or close a valve port to a fluid flow connection between the drill string's interior and the tool. A latch mechanism is configured to latch the valve piston against movement in one axial direction, keeping the valve piston in an open or a closed condition. Unlatching of the valve piston requires displacement thereof in the other axial direction to a mode change position. A stay member is automatically displaceable under hydraulic actuation responsive to bore-annulus pressure differences above a trigger threshold value, to obstruct movement of the latched valve piston under hydraulic actuation to the mode change position.

Abstract: A well tool apparatus comprises a control arrangement configured to control response of the downhole tool by varying a bore-annulus pressure difference. The control arrangement includes a valve piston longitudinally slidable in a generally tubular controller housing that is in operation substantially co-axial with the wellbore, to open or close a valve port to a fluid flow connection between the drill string's interior and the tool. A latch mechanism is configured to latch the valve piston against movement in one axial direction, keeping the valve piston in an open or a closed condition. Unlatching of the valve piston requires displacement thereof in the other axial direction to a mode change position. A stay member is automatically displaceable under hydraulic actuation responsive to bore-annulus pressure differences above a trigger threshold value, to obstruct movement of the latched valve piston under hydraulic actuation to the mode change position.

Abstract: Teachings of the disclosure are directed to a reamer and/or bit interaction model system and method. The method may include receiving performance data regarding a cutting structure, and calculating a characteristic curve, using the performance data. The characteristic curve may be weight-based and/or torque-based. The method may also include storing the characteristic curve. In particular embodiments, the characteristic curve may include either weight on cutting structure or torque on the cutting structure, as a function of the rate of penetration.

Abstract: Described herein is a reamer tool (100) having a body (105) with bays (115) in which cutter arms (110) are mounted for deployment between a stowed position and a deployed position. A deployment mechanism is provided for deploying the cutter arms from their stowed position to their deployed position that maintains each cutter arm in a position that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body (105) whilst in its stowed position and in its deployed position as well as during its deployment from its stowed position to its deployed position. A control module (300) is also described for controlling the deployment of the cutter arms (110). The control module (300) comprises a motor (310), a gearing mechanism (315) and a moveable element (320) that closes a port (385) in a first position and opens the port (385) in a second position.

Abstract: Described herein is a reamer tool (100) having a body (105) with bays (115) in which cutter arms (110) are mounted for deployment between a stowed position and a deployed position. A deployment mechanism is provided for deploying the cutter arms from their stowed position to their deployed position that maintains each cutter arm in a position that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body (105) whilst in its stowed position and in its deployed position as well as during its deployment from its stowed position to its deployed position. A control module (300) is also described for controlling the deployment of the cutter arms (110). The control module (300) comprises a motor (310), a gearing mechanism (315) and a moveable element (320) that closes a port (385) in a first position and opens the port (385) in a second position.

Abstract: Teachings of the disclosure are directed to a reamer and/or bit interaction model system and method. The method may include receiving performance data regarding a cutting structure, and calculating a characteristic curve, using the performance data. The characteristic curve may be weight-based and/or torque-based. The method may also include storing the characteristic curve. In particular embodiments, the characteristic curve may include either weight on cutting structure or torque on the cutting structure, as a function of the rate of penetration.

Abstract: A slip ring assembly including a slip ring and an electrical contact assembly. The slip ring defines a circumference and an electrical contact groove extending around the circumference of the slip ring. The electrical contact assembly preferably includes a plurality of electrical contacts spaced around the circumference of the slip ring for engaging the electrical contact groove. In addition, an urging mechanism is preferably associated with each of the electrical contacts for urging the electrical contacts toward engagement with the electrical contact groove. Finally, a wiper is preferably associated with each of the electrical contacts for extending within the electrical contact groove to inhibit a fluid from passing through the electrical contact groove.

Abstract: In a drilling system of the type comprising a rotatable drilling string, a drilling string communication system and a drilling direction control device connected with the drilling string, a method is provided for issuing one or more commands to the drilling direction control device utilizing a changeable first parameter associated with the drilling string and a changeable second parameter associated with the drilling string. The method includes providing at least one first parameter state, providing at least one first parameter event relating to the first parameter state; providing at least one second parameter state, providing at least one second parameter event relating to the second parameter state and issuing at least one command to the drilling direction control device in response to providing at least one of the first parameter event, the second parameter event, the first parameter state and the second parameter state.

Abstract: An instrument insert for a tool of the type comprising an inner member extending within an outer member, the inner and outer members being capable of relative longitudinal movement. The insert includes a first insert portion comprising a first instrument component of an instrument, a second insert portion comprising a second instrument component of the instrument and a coupling mechanism for connecting the first and second insert portions and for maintaining the first and second insert portions in a fixed relative longitudinal position. Further, the first and second insert portions are each adapted to be connected with one of the inner and outer members and the insert is adapted for mounting within the tool at a radial position between the inner and outer members such that the insert is capable of longitudinal movement relative to at least one of the inner and outer members.

Abstract: A fulcrum bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a shaft within a housing, including at least one row of spherical thrust bearings positioned at a first axial position within the housing, at least one row of spherical thrust bearings positioned at a second axial position within the housing and at least one row of spherical radial bearings positioned at a third axial position within the housing. The third axial position is located between the first and second axial positions. Further, a bearing preload assembly for maintaining a bearing assembly in a preloaded condition, including a thrust bearing shoulder associated with a housing and a thrust bearing collar. The bearing assembly is axially maintained within the housing between the thrust bearing shoulder and the thrust bearing collar, wherein the thrust bearing collar is axially adjustable relative to the thrust bearing shoulder in order to preload the bearing assembly therebetween.

Abstract: A method for orienting a rotary drilling system comprised of a rotatable drilling string, a drilling string communication system and a drilling direction control device, the drilling direction control device comprising a deflectable drilling shaft connected with the drilling string. The method for orienting the rotary drilling system may involve the steps of orienting the drilling string at a desired orientation and sensing the desired orientation of the drilling string with the drilling string communication system. Further, the method involves the steps of communicating a desired orientation of the drilling string to a drilling direction control device and then actuating the drilling direction control device to deflect the drilling shaft to reflect the desired orientation of the drilling shaft. The desired orientation of the drilling shaft may be communicated directly to the drilling direction control device or to the drilling direction control device through a drilling string communication system.

Abstract: A drilling direction control device, improvements in drilling direction control devices, methods for orienting a rotary driling system, and methods for rotary drilling. The drilling direction control device includes a rotatable drilling shaft, a housing for rotatably supporting a length of the drilling shaft, and a deflection assembly contained within the housing for bending the drilling shaft between a first support location and a second support location. The deflection assembly includes an outer ring which is rotatably supported on a circular inner peripheral surface of the housing and which has a circular inner peripheral surface that is eccentric with respect to the housing. The deflection assembly also includes an inner ring which is rotatably supported on the circular inner peripheral surface of the outer ring and which has a circular inner peripheral surface which engages the drilling shaft and which is eccentric with respect to the circular inner peripheral surface of the outer ring.