Abstract: A friction reduction tool and assembly are selectively activatable to produce fluid pressure pulses in downhole operations. The assembly includes a variable choke assembly having a rotary component and a stationary component, each with passages that enter into and out of alignment when the rotary component rotates with respect to the stationary component when driven by a rotor. The rotary component, stationary component, and rotor each have a central bore defining a central passage permitting fluid flow from above the assembly to below the assembly.

Abstract: A flow-through assembly for use in a downhole drilling string includes a Moineau-type motor, means for selectively activating the motor such as a ball catch component that selectively causes drilling fluid to enter into or bypass the motor, and a rotating variable choke assembly that is driven by a rotor of the motor. The choke assembly varies the flow rate of drilling fluid as rotation causes ports of the choke assembly to enter into and out of alignment with each other. In one embodiment, the choke assembly comprises a faceted rotary component including bypass ports on the facets of the component. In another embodiment, the choke assembly comprises a tapered rotary component that rotates in a complementarily tapered stationary component.

Abstract: A flow-through assembly for use in a downhole drilling string includes a Moineau-type motor, means for selectively activating the motor such as a ball catch component that selectively causes drilling fluid to enter into or bypass the motor, and a rotating variable choke assembly that is driven by a rotor of the motor. The choke assembly varies the flow rate of drilling fluid as rotation causes ports of the choke assembly to enter into and out of alignment with each other. In one embodiment, the choke assembly comprises a faceted rotary component including bypass ports on the facets of the component. In another embodiment, the choke assembly comprises a tapered rotary component that rotates in a complementarily tapered stationary component.

Abstract: A joint assembly for use in transmitting torque comprises a ball and socket arrangement. The socket is comprised in a housing, and further comprises a key chamber with a substantially regular polygonal profile defining interior faces. The ball is provided on a ball stud component, and has a plurality of convexly curved facets. The ball is inserted in the socket with a plurality of keys, such that the keys are disposed between the ball facets and a corresponding interior face. Each key provides a bearing surface that mates with a corresponding facet, and a surface opposite the bearing surface to mate with the interior face. The sides of the key define a biconvex profile.

Abstract: A friction reduction tool and assembly are selectively activatable to produce fluid pressure pulses in downhole operations. The assembly includes a variable choke assembly having a rotary component and a stationary component, each with passages that enter into and out of alignment when the rotary component rotates with respect to the stationary component when driven by a rotor. The rotary component, stationary component, and rotor each have a central bore defining a central passage permitting fluid flow from above the assembly to below the assembly.

Abstract: A joint assembly for use in transmitting torque comprises a ball and socket arrangement. The socket is comprised in a housing, and further comprises a key chamber with a substantially regular polygonal profile defining interior faces. The ball is provided on a ball stud component, and has a plurality of convexly curved facets. The ball is inserted in the socket with a plurality of keys, such that the keys are disposed between the ball facets and a corresponding interior face. Each key provides a bearing surface that mates with a corresponding facet, and a surface opposite the bearing surface to mate with the interior face. The sides of the key define a biconvex profile.

Abstract: A friction reduction tool and assembly are selectively activatable to produce fluid pressure pulses in downhole operations. The assembly includes a variable choke assembly having a rotary component and a stationary component, each with passages that enter into and out of alignment when the rotary component rotates with respect to the stationary component when driven by a rotor. The rotary component, stationary component, and rotor each have a central bore defining a central passage permitting fluid flow from above the assembly to below the assembly.

Abstract: A flow-through assembly for use in a downhole drilling string includes a Moineau-type motor, means for selectively activating the motor such as a ball catch component that selectively causes drilling fluid to enter into or bypass the motor, and a rotating variable choke assembly that is driven by a rotor of the motor. The choke assembly varies the flow rate of drilling fluid as rotation causes ports of the choke assembly to enter into and out of alignment with each other. In one embodiment, the choke assembly comprises a faceted rotary component including bypass ports on the facets of the component. In another embodiment, the choke assembly comprises a tapered rotary component that rotates in a complementarily tapered stationary component.

Abstract: A flow-through assembly for use in a downhole drilling string includes a Moineau-type motor, means for selectively activating the motor such as a ball catch component that selectively causes drilling fluid to enter into or bypass the motor, and a rotating variable choke assembly that is driven by a rotor of the motor. The choke assembly varies the flow rate of drilling fluid as rotation causes ports of the choke assembly to enter into and out of alignment with each other. In one embodiment, the choke assembly comprises a faceted rotary component including bypass ports on the facets of the component. In another embodiment, the choke assembly comprises a tapered rotary component that rotates in a complementarily tapered stationary component.

Abstract: A downhole assembly and method are provided for selective activation of a motor in a drilling string. The downhole assembly includes a stator and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly comprises a rotor body having a fluid passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, the fluid passage extending through at least part of the length of the rotor; and a ball catch component comprising a receiving end and an interior seat for receiving and retaining a blocking implement, and a fluid passage. When no blocking implement is retained in the rotor assembly, the fluid passage permits flow of drilling fluid entering the receiving end to the fluid passage of the rotor body. The fluid thereby bypasses the motor, which is not activated. When a blocking implement is in place, drilling fluid flows around the ball catch component and into the motor to thereby activate the motor.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for use in a bottom hole assembly includes a reactive portion and a fluid restrictor portion, the portions being operatively coupled by a mandrel of the bottom hole assembly. The fluid restrictor portion comprises a piston valve component disposed in a stationary valve component, the piston valve component and stationary valve component arranged to generate fluid pressure variations, the fluid pressure variations causing axial movement of the piston valve component. The reactive portion comprises an oscillation assembly mounted between a housing and the mandrel, the oscillation assembly responsive to movement of the mandrel in the housing applying force to the oscillation assembly. The mandrel of the bottom hole assembly is directly mounted to the piston valve component.

Abstract: A friction reduction tool and assembly are selectively activatable to produce fluid pressure pulses in downhole operations. The assembly includes a variable choke assembly having a rotary component and a stationary component, each with passages that enter into and out of alignment when the rotary component rotates with respect to the stationary component when driven by a rotor. The rotary component, stationary component, and rotor each have a central bore defining a central passage permitting fluid flow from above the assembly to below the assembly.

Abstract: A method of drilling a substantially lateral section of a wellbore includes extension of a first segment of a drilling string with a bottom hole assembly is extended into a wellbore. At determined intervals of the drilling string, a plurality of friction reduction segments are connected as the wellbore is drilled and the drilling string is extended into the wellbore. The friction reduction segments comprise a friction reduction tool and corresponding activation tool for activating the friction reduction tool. The activation tool selectively diverts drilling fluid into a motor powering the friction reduction tool or away from the motor, and can be a ball catch assembly that is activated when a suitably sized projectile is seated in the assembly. Multiple friction reduction segments can be connected to the drilling string and one or more of the plurality of segments can be activated.

Abstract: A downhole assembly and method are provided for selective activation of a motor in a drilling string. The downhole assembly includes a stator and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly comprises a rotor body having a fluid passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, the fluid passage extending through at least part of the length of the rotor; and a ball catch component comprising a receiving end and an interior seat for receiving and retaining a blocking implement, and a fluid passage. When no blocking implement is retained in the rotor assembly, the fluid passage permits flow of drilling fluid entering the receiving end to the fluid passage of the rotor body. The fluid thereby bypasses the motor, which is not activated. When a blocking implement is in place, drilling fluid flows around the ball catch component and into the motor to thereby activate the motor.

Abstract: A downhole assembly and method are provided for selective activation of a motor in a drilling string. The downhole assembly includes a stator and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly comprises a rotor body having a fluid passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, the fluid passage extending through at least part of the length of the rotor; and a ball catch component comprising a receiving end and an interior seat for receiving and retaining a blocking implement, and a fluid passage. When no blocking implement is retained in the rotor assembly, the fluid passage permits flow of drilling fluid entering the receiving end to the fluid passage of the rotor body. The fluid thereby bypasses the motor, which is not activated. When a blocking implement is in place, drilling fluid flows around the ball catch component and into the motor to thereby activate the motor.

Abstract: A downhole assembly and method are provided for selective activation of a motor in a drilling string. A rotor in a Moineau-principle motor is provided with a fluid passage therethrough and a catch that can receive and retain a blocking implement. A driveshaft is operably connected, for example using universal joints, to the rotor and a first valve component. The driveshaft is effectively supported by a thrust transmission assembly comprising a thrust unit and hanger resting on a spring so that the first valve component is not in contact with a second valve component. When a blocking implement is in place, drilling fluid activates the motor and also increases pressure on the rotor, causing the thrust transmission assembly to move the first valve component down into contact with the second valve component.

Abstract: A joint assembly for use in transmitting torque comprises a ball and socket arrangement. The socket is comprised in a housing, and further comprises a key chamber with a substantially regular polygonal profile defining interior faces. The ball is provided on a ball stud component, and has a plurality of convexly curved facets. The ball is inserted in the socket with a plurality of keys, such that the keys are disposed between the ball facets and a corresponding interior face. Each key provides a bearing surface that mates with a corresponding facet, and a surface opposite the bearing surface to mate with the interior face. The sides of the key define a biconvex profile.

Abstract: A method of drilling a substantially lateral section of a wellbore includes extension of a first segment of a drilling string with a bottom hole assembly is extended into a wellbore. At determined intervals of the drilling string, a plurality of friction reduction segments are connected as the wellbore is drilled and the drilling string is extended into the wellbore. The friction reduction segments comprise a friction reduction tool and corresponding activation tool for activating the friction reduction tool. The activation tool selectively diverts drilling fluid into a motor powering the friction reduction tool or away from the motor, and can be a ball catch assembly that is activated when a suitably sized projectile is seated in the assembly. Multiple friction reduction segments can be connected to the drilling string and one or more of the plurality of segments can be activated.

Abstract: A flow-through assembly for use in a downhole drilling string includes a Moineau-type motor, means for selectively activating the motor such as a ball catch component that selectively causes drilling fluid to enter into or bypass the motor, and a rotating variable choke assembly that is driven by a rotor of the motor. The choke assembly varies the flow rate of drilling fluid as rotation causes ports of the choke assembly to enter into and out of alignment with each other. In one embodiment, the choke assembly comprises a faceted rotary component including bypass ports on the facets of the component. In another embodiment, the choke assembly comprises a tapered rotary component that rotates in a complementarily tapered stationary component.

Abstract: A downhole assembly and method are provided for selective activation of a motor in a drilling string. A rotor in a Moineau-principle motor is provided with a fluid passage therethrough and a catch that can receive and retain a blocking implement. A driveshaft is operably connected, for example using universal joints, to the rotor and a first valve component. The driveshaft is effectively supported by a thrust transmission assembly comprising a thrust unit and hanger resting on a spring so that the first valve component is not in contact with a second valve component. When a blocking implement is in place, drilling fluid activates the motor and also increases pressure on the rotor, causing the thrust transmission assembly to move the first valve component down into contact with the second valve component.