Abstract: A method for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes rotating a drill string in the subterranean wellbore to drill the wellbore. The drill string includes a rotary steerable tool or a steerable drill bit including at least first and second axially spaced pads configured to extend radially outward from a tool body and engage a wall of the wellbore. Radial displacements of each of the first and second axially spaced pads are measured while drilling. The measured radial displacements are processed to compute a rate of penetration of drilling.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool body and an actuator coupled to and selectively extendible relative to the tool body. The actuator has a working face that contacts a downhole formation, and which includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion has a tapered surface that is directed radially inwardly and axially downwardly relative to the first portion, with at least a portion of the tapered surface including an ultrahard material having a different coefficient of friction as compared to a first material of the upper portion.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool body and an actuator coupled to and selectively extendible relative to the tool body. The actuator has a working face that contacts a downhole formation, and which includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion has a tapered surface that is directed radially inwardly and axially downwardly relative to the first portion, with at least a portion of the tapered surface including an ultrahard material having a different coefficient of friction as compared to a first material of the upper portion.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool body and an actuator coupled to and selectively extendible relative to the tool body. The actuator has a working face that contacts a downhole formation, and which includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion has a tapered surface that is directed radially inwardly and axially downwardly relative to the first portion, with at least a portion of the tapered surface including an ultrahard material having a different coefficient of friction as compared to a first material of the upper portion.

Abstract: A method for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes rotating a drill string in the subterranean wellbore to drill the wellbore. The drill string includes a rotary steerable tool or a steerable drill bit including at least first and second axially spaced pads configured to extend radially outward from a tool body and engage a wall of the wellbore. Radial displacements of each of the first and second axially spaced pads are measured while drilling. The measured radial displacements are processed to compute a rate of penetration of drilling.

Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore through a subterranean formation includes rotating a drill string in the subterranean wellbore to drill. The drill string includes a rotary steerable tool or a steerable drill bit including a plurality of pads configured to extend radially outward from a tool body and engage a wall of the wellbore. Radial displacements of at least one of the pads are measured while rotating (e.g., drilling). A formation index is computed while drilling by processing the measured radial displacements, where the formation index is indicative of a strength or hardness of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A directional drilling system that includes a drill bit that drills a bore through rock. The drill bit includes an outer portion of a first material and an inner portion coupled to the outer portion. The inner portion includes a second material.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool body and an actuator coupled to and selectively extendible relative to the tool body. The actuator has a working face that contacts a downhole formation, and which includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion has a tapered surface that is directed radially inwardly and axially downwardly relative to the first portion, with at least a portion of the tapered surface including an ultrahard material having a different coefficient of friction as compared to a first material of the upper portion.

Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore through a subterranean formation includes rotating a drill string in the subterranean wellbore to drill. The drill string includes a rotary steerable tool or a steerable drill bit including a plurality of pads configured to extend radially outward from a tool body and engage a wall of the wellbore. Radial displacements of at least one of the pads are measured while rotating (e.g., drilling). A formation index is computed while drilling by processing the measured radial displacements, where the formation index is indicative of a strength or hardness of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: An actuator for use in a directional steering assembly includes an ultrahard insert positioned on a working face. The ultrahard insert is positioned along at least a portion of the perimeter of the working face. The ultrahard insert has a coefficient of friction less than a material of the remainder of the working face.

Abstract: A rotary steerable device includes a steering pad disposed with a drilling tool and radially moveable relative to a centerline of the drilling tool to apply a steering force to a borehole wall. The steering pad has a front face to contact the borehole wall and having a diameter or width and a tapered section that tapers inward at a taper angle toward the centerline along a taper length in the direction from a take-off position to a leading edge relative to one of a rotational direction of the drilling tool or a drilling direction.

Abstract: A rotary steerable drilling system having a series of actuators disposed with a drilling tool, the series of actuators arranged in close proximity and independently operable to distribute a total steering force applied to a wellbore wall across the series of actuators. The series of actuators are extendable to different distances, such that the radial extension length of the actuators increases between actuators.

Abstract: A wear resistant part includes a first material including a structure having a surface feature. The first material is capable of maintaining its structure at a temperature from about 1000° C. to about 1500° C. (e.g., upon exposure to the temperature or upon being heated to reach the temperature). The wear resistant part also includes a second material formed into a shape extending partially around the structure of the first material while exposing the surface feature of the first material. The shape of the second material is formed by a matrix infiltration at a temperature from about 1000° C. to about 1500° C.

Abstract: A directional drilling system that includes a drill bit that drills a bore through rock. The drill bit includes an outer portion of a first material and an inner portion coupled to the outer portion. The inner portion includes a second material.

Abstract: An actuator for use in a directional steering assembly includes an ultrahard insert positioned on a working face. The ultrahard insert is positioned along at least a portion of the perimeter of the working face. The ultrahard insert has a coefficient of friction less than a material of the remainder of the working face.

Abstract: A wear resistant part includes a first material including a structure having a surface feature. The first material is capable of maintaining its structure at a temperature from about 1000° C. to about 1500° C. (e.g., upon exposure to the temperature or upon being heated to reach the temperature). The wear resistant part also includes a second material formed into a shape extending partially around the structure of the first material while exposing the surface feature of the first material. The shape of the second material is formed by a matrix infiltration at a temperature from about 1000° C. to about 1500° C.

Abstract: A rotary steerable drilling system having a series of actuators disposed with a drilling tool, the series of actuators arranged in close proximity and independently operable to distribute a total steering force applied to a wellbore wall across the series of actuators. The series of actuators are extendable to different distances, such that the radial extension length of the actuators increases between actuators.

Abstract: A rotary steerable device includes a steering pad disposed with a drilling tool and radially moveable relative to a centerline of the drilling tool to apply a steering force to a borehole wall. The steering pad has a front face to contact the borehole wall and having a diameter or width and a tapered section that tapers inward at a taper angle toward the centerline along a taper length in the direction from a take-off position to a leading edge relative to one of a rotational direction of the drilling tool or a drilling direction.

Abstract: A cutter assembly may include a sleeve having at least one passageway extending through the sleeve from a outer surface thereof into an inner surface thereof; at least one rotatable cutting element disposed in the sleeve, wherein the at least one rotatable cutting element has a circumferential groove formed in a side surface thereof, wherein when the inner rotatable cutting element is disposed in the sleeve, the circumferential groove is aligned with the passageway; and a retention element disposed in at least a portion of the passageway and the circumferential groove to retain the at least one rotatable cutting element in the sleeve, wherein the retention element has an axis that is parallel to a tangent of the rotatable cutting element side surface at least one point of contact with the rotatable cutting element.

Abstract: A cutting structure may include an outer support element; and an inner rotatable cutting element comprising a cutting surface at its upper end; wherein the inner rotatable cutting element comprises at least one line contact along a circumferential side surface thereof and/or at least one point contact at a bottom face thereof.