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: Adjustable drill string housings are described for use in the directional drilling of wellbores, e.g. wellbores for hydrocarbon recovery wells. The adjustable drill string housings permit adjustment of a bend angle in the housings without removing the housings from a wellbore. In some exemplary embodiments, the bend angle can be adjusted by changing the internal stresses in a support member carried by the housings. In other embodiments, the bend angle may be adjusted by causing failure of sacrificial support members carried by the housings, and the failure may be caused by delivering chemicals through a chemical delivery system to the sacrificial support members. Methods of operating the adjustable drill string housings include multi-lateral drilling operations wherein the bend angle is adjusted when a casing window has been detected.

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: An articulating assembly, including a first member having a first end, a second member, and a first coupling shaft engaged with the first end of the first member and with the second member, wherein the first coupling shaft has a first coupling shaft axis, the first coupling shaft is rotatable relative to the second member about the first coupling shaft axis, wherein the first member is rotatable relative to the first coupling shaft about a swivel axis, and wherein the swivel axis is perpendicular to the first coupling shaft axis, thereby providing an articulating coupling between the first end of the first member and the second member. The articulating assembly may further include an articulating coupling between a second end of the first member and a third member.

Abstract: A wellbore assembly is provided that can include a first motor housing assembly member and a second motor housing assembly member that can bend relative to the first motor housing assembly at a bend location. The assembly can also include a magnet positioned to emit a magnetic field. A sensor can be magnetically coupled with the magnet and positioned to detect the strength of the magnetic field emitted by the magnet. Based on the strength of the magnetic field detected by the sensor, the amount of bend or bend direction of the second motor housing assembly member relative to the first motor housing assembly member can be determined.

Abstract: A drill string for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes a shaft connectable to a first drill string portion and a housing connectable to a second drill string portion. A torque relief section is disposed between the shaft and housing. The torque relief section includes a slip section operable to slip and release torque buildup when torque applied between the shaft and housing exceeds a threshold torque. The threshold torque of the torque relief section is selected to be within the range of about 110% and 150% of the operating torque and below the peak operating torque for the drill string.

Abstract: An articulating assembly, including a first member having a first end, a second member, and a first coupling shaft engaged with the first end of the first member and with the second member, wherein the first coupling shaft has a first coupling shaft axis, the first coupling shaft is rotatable relative to the second member about the first coupling shaft axis, wherein the first member is rotatable relative to the first coupling shaft about a swivel axis, and wherein the swivel axis is perpendicular to the first coupling shaft axis, thereby providing an articulating coupling between the first end of the first member and the second member. The articulating assembly may further include an articulating coupling between a second end of the first member and a third member.

Abstract: Adjustable drill string housings are described for use in the directional drilling of wellbores, e.g. wellbores for hydrocarbon recovery wells. The adjustable drill string housings permit adjustment of a bend angle in the housings without removing the housings from a wellbore. In some exemplary embodiments, the bend angle can be adjusted by changing the internal stresses in a support member carried by the housings. In other embodiments, the bend angle may be adjusted by causing failure of sacrificial support members carried by the housings, and the failure may be caused by delivering chemicals through a chemical delivery system to the sacrificial support members. Methods of operating the adjustable drill string housings include multi-lateral drilling operations wherein the bend angle is adjusted when a casing window has been detected.

Abstract: A wellbore assembly is provided that can include a first motor housing assembly member and a second motor housing assembly member that can bend relative to the first motor housing assembly at a bend location. The assembly can also include a strain gauge positioned on a first side of the bend location to determine an amount of bend of the second motor housing assembly member relative to the first motor housing assembly member by determining a strain. Based on the strain, the amount of bend or bend direction of the second motor housing assembly member relative to the first motor housing assembly member can be determined.

Abstract: A system for extending an electrical cable through a tubular member, including the electrical cable, a first cable hanger component for connecting with a first tubular member end, and a second cable hanger component for connecting with a second tubular member end. A method for extending an electrical cable through a tubular member, including mechanically and electrically connecting the electrical cable with the second cable hanger component, extending the electrical cable through the tubular member, connecting the second cable hanger component with the second tubular member end, extending the electrical cable through the first cable hanger component, connecting the first cable hanger component with the first tubular member end, mechanically and electrically connecting the electrical cable with the first cable hanger component, and tensioning the electrical cable.

Abstract: A wellbore assembly is provided that can include a first motor housing assembly member and a second motor housing assembly member that can bend relative to the first motor housing assembly at a bend location. The assembly can also include a magnet positioned to emit a magnetic field. A sensor can be magnetically coupled with the magnet and positioned to detect the strength of the magnetic field emitted by the magnet. Based on the strength of the magnetic field detected by the sensor, the amount of bend or bend direction of the second motor housing assembly member relative to the first motor housing assembly member can be determined.

Abstract: A wellbore assembly is provided that can include a first motor housing assembly member and a second motor housing assembly member that can bend relative to the first motor housing assembly at a bend location. The assembly can also include a strain gauge positioned on a first side of the bend location to determine an amount of bend of the second motor housing assembly member relative to the first motor housing assembly member by determining a strain. Based on the strain, the amount of bend or bend direction of the second motor housing assembly member relative to the first motor housing assembly member can be determined.

Abstract: A system for extending an electrical cable through a tubular member, including the electrical cable, a first cable hanger component for connecting with a first tubular member end, and a second cable hanger component for connecting with a second tubular member end. A method for extending an electrical cable through a tubular member, including mechanically and electrically connecting the electrical cable with the second cable hanger component, extending the electrical cable through the tubular member, connecting the second cable hanger component with the second tubular member end, extending the electrical cable through the first cable hanger component, connecting the first cable hanger component with the first tubular member end, mechanically and electrically connecting the electrical cable with the first cable hanger component, and tensioning the electrical cable.

Abstract: Modular actuators, steering tools, and rotary steerable drilling systems are presented herein. A modular actuator is disclosed for use in directing a drill string, which includes a housing proximate a drive shaft. The modular actuator includes a cartridge that is configured to couple to the outer periphery of the housing. A fluid reservoir is contained within the cartridge. A hydraulically actuated actuator piston, which is slidably disposed at least partially inside the cartridge, is movable between activated and deactivated positions. A hydraulic control system is also contained within the cartridge, fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir to the actuator piston. The hydraulic control system is configured to regulate movement of the actuator piston between the activated and deactivated positions such that the actuator piston selectively presses against and moves the drive shaft and thereby changes the direction of the drill string.

Abstract: A drill string for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes a shaft connectable to a first drill string portion and a housing connectable to a second drill string portion. A torque relief section is disposed between the shaft and housing. The torque relief section includes a slip section operable to slip and release torque buildup when torque applied between the shaft and housing exceeds a threshold torque. The threshold torque of the torque relief section is selected to be within the range of about 110% and 150% of the operating torque and below the peak operating torque for the drill string.

Abstract: Modular actuators, steering tools, and rotary steerable drilling systems are presented herein. A modular actuator is disclosed for use in directing a drill string, which includes a housing proximate a drive shaft. The modular actuator includes a cartridge that is configured to couple to the outer periphery of the housing. A fluid reservoir is contained within the cartridge. A hydraulically actuated actuator piston, which is slidably disposed at least partially inside the cartridge, is movable between activated and deactivated positions. A hydraulic control system is also contained within the cartridge, fluidly coupling the fluid reservoir to the actuator piston. The hydraulic control system is configured to regulate movement of the actuator piston between the activated and deactivated positions such that the actuator piston selectively presses against and moves the drive shaft and thereby changes the direction of the drill string.