Abstract:
A rotary drag or abrasive drill bit 10 includes a bit body 12 having blades 14 and gauge pads 40 raked or angled forwardly in the direction of bit rotation in an auger-like configuration. The space between adjacent blades defines drilling fluid circulation channels 18, a nozzle 60C being provided in each channel, and the space between adjacent gauge pads defines junk slots 44 for drilling cuttings removal. Each blade includes a superabrasive cutting structure preferably in the form of superabrasive cutters 100 comprising a superabrasive table (102, figure 4B) supported by a substrate (104, figure 4B). Advantageously, the gauge pads are configured, in combination with a portion of the bit body, to act as an impeller when the bit is rotated, thus enhancing the removal of cuttings from the bit face.
Abstract:
A rotary drag bit 10 comprises cutters 14 mounted in blades 18 that extend above the face 12. The blades comprise exterior features such as arcuate bearing segments 30a-30f mounted either on the blades or as a bridge between them. The arcuate bearing segments precede, taken in the direction of bit rotation, the cutters with which they are associated and provide sufficient bearing area so as to support the bit against the bottom of a borehole under weight on bit without exceeding the compressive strength of the formation being drilled. The bearing segment may be provided with wear-resistant elements or inserts 32 to reduce the abrasive wear thereof as the bit rotates under applied torque. Alternatively the bearing segment comprises a wear-resistant surface covering. The exterior features may be oriented and configured to function optimally at a predicted rate of penetration, or range of rates, at which the bit is operated.
Abstract:
A fixed cutter, or rotary drag, bit for drilling subterranean formations, exhibiting an enhanced resistance to bit balling and an improved rate of penetration. The bit includes an auger-like blade configuration, wherein positively raked, relatively tall blades lean rotationally forward to provide increased clearance and volume between the bit face and the formation to facilitate removal of cuttings coming off the tops of the cutters from the bit face. The blades are each substantially contiguous with an elongated, helical gage pad raked rotationally forwardly in the manner of the blades, the longitudinal lengths of the gage pads and the radially outer edges of the blades in combination with their slope providing a stabilizing structure which substantially completely circumferentially encompasses the bit body. The slope or pitch of the helix angle of the blade edges and gage pads may be varied as desired to optimize hydraulic efficiency, cutter requirements of directional drilling, and stability needs. The bit also includes nozzles positioned on the bit face and aimed toward the face of a blade following each respective nozzle to improve cleaning of the blades and to improve the hydraulic energy and fluid velocities along the gage. The bit also preferably includes aggressively raked superabrasive cutters having a ground relief on the substrate supporting the diamond table rotationally behind the table to minimize contact of the substrate material with the formation.
Abstract:
Methods of forming polycrystalline diamond elements include forming a polycrystalline diamond element. A Group VIII metal or alloy catalyst is employed to form the polycrystalline diamond compact table at a pressure of at least about 6.5 GPa or greater. The catalyst is then removed from at least a portion of the table to a depth from a working surface thereof, and may be removed from the entirety of the table. Polycrystalline diamond elements include such polycrystalline diamond compact tables. Earth-boring tools include such polycrystalline diamond elements carried thereon and employed as cutting elements.
Abstract:
Methods of forming polycrystalline diamond elements include forming a polycrystalline diamond element. A Group VIII metal or alloy catalyst is employed to form the polycrystalline diamond compact table at a pressure of at least about 6.5 GPa or greater. The catalyst is then removed from at least a portion of the table to a depth from a working surface thereof, and may be removed from the entirety of the table. Polycrystalline diamond elements include such polycrystalline diamond compact tables. Earth-boring tools include such polycrystalline diamond elements carried thereon and employed as cutting elements.
Abstract:
A method of optimizing drill bit design and an optimized drill bit for drilling a well into an earth formation comprising a bit body; a number of blades spaced around the bit body, each blade having a curved outer edge and a forward face; a first row of cutter pockets recessed into the face along the outer edge of each blade; a second group of cutter pockets recessed into the face of each blade offset from the first row; and a plurality of cutting elements, each cutting element being brazed into a different one of the cutter pockets.
Abstract:
A drilling tool including at least two cutting elements (212B) (e.g., redundant or upon a selected profile region) sized, positioned, and configured thereon so as to contact or encounter a change (261) in at least one drilling characteristic of subterranean formation (260) along an anticipated drilling path prior to other cutting elements thereon encountering same is disclosed. Methods of designing a drilling tool are also disclosed including placing such cutting elements (212B) upon the cutting element profile in relation to a predicted boundary surface (261) along an anticipated drilling path. Methods of operating a drilling tool so as to initially contact a boundary surface between two differing regions of a subterranean formation drilled with at least two cutting elements is disclosed. The cutting elements configured on drilling tools and methods of the present invention may be designed for limiting lateral force or generating a lateral force having a desired direction during drilling associated therewith.
Abstract:
A method of optimizing drill bit design and an optimized drill bit for drilling a well into an earth formation comprising a bit body; a number of blades spaced around the bit body, each blade having a curved outer edge and a forward face; a first row of cutter pockets recessed into the face along the outer edge of each blade; a second group of cutter pockets recessed into the face of each blade offset from the first row; and a plurality of cutting elements, each cutting element being brazed into a different one of the cutter pockets.
Abstract:
A rotary drag bit including exterior features to control the depth of cut by cutters mounted thereon, so as to control the volume of formation material cut per bit rotation as well as the torque experienced by the bit and an associated bottomhole assembly. The exterior features preferably precede, taken in the direction of bit rotation, cutters with which they are associated, and provide sufficient bearing area so as to support the bit against the bottom of the borehole under weight on bit without exceeding the compressive strength of the formation rock. The exterior features may be oriented and configured to function optimally at a predicted rate of penetration, or range of rates, at which the bit may be operated, such rate or rates being further optionally maximized in softer formations in light of the ability of the bit to hydraulically clear a maximum volume of formation cuttings to prevent so-called bit balling.
Abstract:
The apparatus allows the drilling out of cement and float equipment resident in a casing to be effected without damage to the casing interior or to the reaming apparatus so that, after drill out, the tool may effect the desired enlargement ot the borehole below the casing. The tool includes cutters 130 on blades 110-118, and ovoid inserts 140 on blades 112 and 118. Blades 112 and 116 carry bearing elements in the form of circumferentially-orientated Blades 112 and 116 carry bearing elements 150 which have preformed bearing surfaces 154 for enhanced bearing surface area size, orientation and conformity with interior casing wall 180.