Abstract: A modular reamer for use in a wellbore comprises an uphole end member, a center member, and a downhole member, with reamer sleeves that removably slides over a sleeve mounting portion of the center member or one of the end members, and are held between the end members and the center members when assembled into a downhole tool. The reamer sleeves may be positioned at any desired rotational angle relative to each other and are prevented from rotational movement relative to the center member by spines or keys formed on the mating surfaces of the reamer sleeves and corresponding members of the modular eccentric reamer.

Abstract: A modular reamer for use in a wellbore comprises an uphole end member, a center member, and a downhole member, with reamer sleeves that removably slides over a sleeve mounting portion of the center member or one of the end members, and are held between the end members and the center members when assembled into a downhole tool. The reamer sleeves may be positioned at any desired rotational angle relative to each other and are prevented from rotational movement relative to the center member by spines or keys formed on the mating surfaces of the reamer sleeves and corresponding members of the modular eccentric reamer.

Abstract: A system provides for the remote activation and deactivation of a downhole tool such as an agitator tool. The downhole tool uses a dart-catching section configured with a profile that engages with a corresponding key section of a dart. Different tools in the string may have different profiles, allowing darts to pass through tools to reach a tool with a matching profile further downhole. The dart includes a removable nozzle that can be detached by a object dropped from the surface, after which a second dart may be dropped to engage with the first dart to change operating parameters of the tool.

Abstract: A system provides for the remote activation and deactivation of a downhole tool such as an agitator tool. The downhole tool uses a dart-catching section configured with a profile that engages with a corresponding key section of a dart. Different tools in the string may have different profiles, allowing darts to pass through tools to reach a tool with a matching profile further downhole. The dart includes a removable nozzle that can be detached by a object dropped from the surface, after which a second dart may be dropped to engage with the first dart to change operating parameters of the tool.

Abstract: A shock and agitator tool assembly vibrates a drill string to overcome stick slip and other friction-based problems that may occur during directional drilling. The agitator tool portion of the assembly, which can be used without the shock tool, allows for controlled activation and deactivation of the agitator tool by the use of one or more darts pumped downhole. The darts can be retrieved with a wireline tool. When activated, the agitator portion creates alternating pressure pulses. These pulses cause axial movement of the drill string above the agitator. A shock tool is described which utilizes a telescoping mandrel to amplify the axial movement created by the agitator tool.

Abstract: A downhole, hydraulically actuated drilling stabilizer provides versatility in a bottom-hole assembly. The drilling stabilizer can be used in a directional drilling application to help control the inclination in an extended reach or horizontal well. The drilling stabilizer has stabilizer blade members with an angular design portion that provides versatility in a bottom-hole assembly. The stabilizer can also be used in a conventional rotary bottom-hole assembly or positioned below a steerable motor. A drilling stabilizer with adjustable extension diameters provides improved inclination control over currently existing options.

Abstract: A shock and agitator tool assembly vibrates a drill string to overcome stick slip and other friction-based problems that may occur during directional drilling. The agitator tool portion of the assembly, which can be used without the shock tool, allows for controlled activation and deactivation of the agitator tool by the use of one or more darts pumped downhole. The darts can be retrieved with a wireline tool. When activated, the agitator portion creates alternating pressure pulses. These pulses cause axial movement of the drill string above the agitator. A shock tool is described which utilizes a telescoping mandrel to amplify the axial movement created by the agitator tool.

Abstract: A downhole, hydraulically actuated drilling stabilizer provides versatility in a bottom-hole assembly. The drilling stabilizer can be used in a directional drilling application to help control the inclination in an extended reach or horizontal well. The drilling stabilizer has stabilizer blade members with an angular design portion that provides versatility in a bottom-hole assembly. The stabilizer can also be used in a conventional rotary bottom-hole assembly or positioned below a steerable motor. A drilling stabilizer with adjustable extension diameters provides improved inclination control over currently existing options.

Abstract: A drill bit is disclosed, comprising: a drill bit head having a cutting face with one or more fixed cutting elements; a flow passage extending through the drill bit head to the cutting face; a flow interrupter within the drill bit head and positioned to interrupt flow of fluid through the flow passage; and a power section connected to drive the flow interrupter and cause, in operation, variable flow of fluid through the flow passage. A method of drilling is also disclosed comprising: flowing fluid through a flow passage extending through a drill bit head to a cutting face of the drill bit head, the cutting face having one or more fixed cutting elements; and driving a flow interrupter within the drill bit head with a power section to interrupt the flow of fluid through the flow passage and cause variable flow of fluid through the flow passage.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus for reaming a borehole incorporates two sets of cutting structures into two integral blade stabilizers, one oriented downhole and the other oriented uphole. The cutting structures comprise polycrystalline diamond cutters that are brazed into a wedge of steel that is inserted into the body of the reamers in an axial direction and retained by a stop block and retention cover that is bolted into the reamer. The two integral blade stabilizers have a combination left hand/right hand blade wrapping to provide 360° support around the circumference of the reamer. Between the two stabilizers, an impeller and a flow accelerator agitate cuttings on the low side of the borehole to mix the cuttings in with the drilling mud.

Abstract: A drill bit is disclosed, comprising: a drill bit head having a cutting face with one or more fixed cutting elements; a flow passage extending through the drill bit head to the cutting face; a flow interrupter within the drill bit head and positioned to interrupt flow of fluid through the flow passage; and a power section connected to drive the flow interrupter and cause, in operation, variable flow of fluid through the flow passage. A method of drilling is also disclosed comprising: flowing fluid through a flow passage extending through a drill bit head to a cutting face of the drill bit head, the cutting face having one or more fixed cutting elements; and driving a flow interrupter within the drill bit head with a power section to interrupt the flow of fluid through the flow passage and cause variable flow of fluid through the flow passage.

Abstract: A drill bit is disclosed, comprising: a drill bit head having a cutting face with one or more fixed cutting elements; a flow passage extending through the drill bit head to the cutting face; a flow interrupter within the drill bit head and positioned to interrupt flow of fluid through the flow passage; and a power section connected to drive the flow interrupter and cause, in operation, variable flow of fluid through the flow passage. A method of drilling is also disclosed comprising: flowing fluid through a flow passage extending through a drill bit head to a cutting face of the drill bit head, the cutting face having one or more fixed cutting elements; and driving a flow interrupter within the drill bit head with a power section to interrupt the flow of fluid through the flow passage and cause variable flow of fluid through the flow passage.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a downhole tool controls an operational state of the downhole tool. The electronic control system receives a signal from uphole, and drives a motor to operate a valve, alternately fluidly connecting a chamber in the valve to drilling fluid in a bore of the downhole tool, causing an activation mechanism to configure the downhole tool into a first state, and fluidly connecting the chamber to an annulus surrounding the downhole tool, venting mud into the annulus.

Abstract: A downhole tool comprises a pulse generator that can generate longitudinal pulses in a drill string. A poppet is longitudinally moved in and out of an orifice in the pulse generator reducing the flow of drilling mud temporarily, generating a longitudinal pulse. The longitudinal pulse generator may be combined with a conventional transverse pulse generator to create a pulse generator capable of generating pulses in both transverse and longitudinal directions.

Abstract: A directional drilling system and method are provided for directional drilling a borehole by continuous rotating of the drill string in combination with an arrangement of drilling motor assemblies at the lower end of the drill string to effect drilling along a curved path and a substantially straight path. A first drilling motor assembly is coupled to a drill bit and operable to rotate the drill bit to effect drilling of the borehole. A second drilling motor assembly, positioned on the drill string above the first drilling motor assembly, is operable to rotate the first drilling motor assembly in a direction opposite the direction of rotation imparted to the drill string from the surface and to the drill bit by the first drilling motor assembly.

Abstract: A drill bit comprises: a drill bit head having a cutting face with one or more fixed cutting elements; a flow passage extending through the drill bit head to the cutting face; a flow interrupter within the drill bit head and positioned to interrupt flow of fluid through the flow passage; and a power section connected to drive the flow interrupter and cause, in operation, variable flow of fluid through the flow passage. A method of drilling comprises: flowing fluid through a flow passage extending through a drill bit head to a cutting face of the drill bit head, the cutting face having one or more fixed cutting elements; and driving a flow interrupter within the drill bit head with a power section to interrupt the flow of fluid through the flow passage and cause variable flow of fluid through the flow passage.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a downhole tool controls an operational state of the downhole tool. The electronic control system receives a signal from uphole, and drives a motor to operate a valve, alternately fluidly connecting a chamber in the valve to drilling fluid in a bore of the downhole tool, causing an activation mechanism to configure the downhole tool into a first state, and fluidly connecting the chamber to an annulus surrounding the downhole tool, venting mud into the annulus.

Abstract: A downhole tool comprises a pulse generator that can generate longitudinal pulses in a drill string. A poppet is longitudinally moved in and out of an orifice in the pulse generator reducing the flow of drilling mud temporarily, generating a longitudinal pulse. The longitudinal pulse generator may be combined with a conventional transverse pulse generator to create a pulse generator capable of generating pulses in both transverse and longitudinal directions.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus for reaming a borehole incorporates two sets of cutting structures into two integral blade stabilizers, one oriented downhole and the other oriented uphole. The cutting structures comprise polycrystalline diamond cutters that are brazed into a wedge of steel that is inserted into the body of the reamers in an axial direction and retained by a stop block and retention cover that is bolted into the reamer. The two integral blade stabilizers have a combination left hand/right hand blade wrapping to provide 360° support around the circumference of the reamer. Between the two stabilizers, an impeller and a flow accelerator agitate cuttings on the low side of the borehole to mix the cuttings in with the drilling mud.

Abstract: A directional drilling system and method are provided for directional drilling a borehole by continuous rotating of the drill string in combination with an arrangement of drilling motor assemblies at the lower end of the drill string to effect drilling along a curved path and a substantially straight path. A first drilling motor assembly is coupled to a drill bit and operable to rotate the drill bit to effect drilling of the borehole. A second drilling motor assembly, positioned on the drill string above the first drilling motor assembly, is operable to rotate the first drilling motor assembly in a direction opposite the direction of rotation imparted to the drill string from the surface and to the drill bit by the first drilling motor assembly.