Method and apparatus for drilling and enlarging a borehole

USRE36817E · kind E · reissue

Assignee

• Baker Hughes Holdings LLC · US

Inventors

• Paul E. Pastusek · Diemelstraße, US
• Corey S. Thayn · Lehi, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 12, 1998
• Grant date: Aug 15, 2000
• Expiry date: Mar 12, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

A reaming apparatus for enlarging a borehole, including a tubular body having one or more longitudinally and generally radially extending blades circumferentially spaced thereabout. Each of the blades carries highly exposed cutting elements, on the order of fifty percent exposure, on its profile substantially all the way to the gage. At least one of the blades is a primary blade for cutting the full or drill diameter of the borehole, while one or more others of the blades may be secondary blades which extend a lesser radial distance from the body than the primary blade. A secondary blade initially shares a large portion of the cutting load with the primary blade while the borehole size is in transition between a smaller, pass through diameter and drill diameter. It functions to enhance the rapidity of the transition while balancing side reaction forces, and reduces vibration and borehole eccentricity. After drill diameter is reached, cutting elements on the secondary blade continue to share the cutting load over the radial distance they extend from the body.