Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090006058 | Iterative Drilling Simulation Process For Enhanced Economic Decision Making - An iterative drilling simulation method and system for enhanced economic decision making includes obtaining characteristics of a rock column in a formation to be drilled, specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system; and iteratively simulating the drilling of a well bore in the formation. The method and system further produce an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation. Each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a prescribed drilling simulation model. | 01-01-2009 |
20090032169 | PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A THERMALLY STABLE POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND COMPACT - In a process, a thermally stable diamond table body and a substrate are stacked on each other at an interface which includes a layer of a imbibiting material interposed between a bottom surface of the body and an upper surface of the substrate. The stack is subjected to a suitable thermal cycle, constituted by heating, temperature maintenance and cooling, which brings at least some of the imbibiting material into the liquid state for migration into the thermally stable diamond table body and substrate at and about the interface so as to join the thermally stable diamond table body to the substrate. The substrate may be produced as a block of dense material constituted by hard particles dispersed in a binder phase, wherein the dense material has been enriched locally with binder phase by imbibition. Alternatively, imbibition material from the enriched substrate may be caused by the thermal cycle to migrate from the substrate into the diamond table body so as to join the thermally stable diamond table body to the substrate. | 02-05-2009 |
20100000800 | Rotary Drill Bits with Protected Cutting Elements and Methods - A rotary drill bit with cutting elements operable to control depth of cut and rate of penetration during formation of a wellbore are provided. Respective sets of secondary cutting elements and primary cutting elements may also be disposed on exterior portions of a rotary drill bit. A number of blades may extend from exterior portions of the drill bit with a number of cutting elements disposed on exterior portions of each blade. Each cutting element may include a substrate with a cutting surface disposed thereon. A respective protector may extend from the cutting surface of one or more cutting elements to limit depth of penetration of the associated cutting element into adjacent portions of a downhole formation and/or to control rate of penetration of an associated rotary drill bit. | 01-07-2010 |
20100038148 | Intermetallic Aluminide Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) Cutting Elements - Machining and cutting tools including, but not limited to, rotary drill bits, mining tools, milling tools, wood shredders, reamers and wire dies formed with at least one substrate having a layer of polycrystalline diamond disposed thereon. The polycrystalline diamond layer may be generally described as a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) or PDC layer. The PDC may be formed by using an intermetallic aluminide catalyst. One example of such catalyst may include nickel aluminide used to form diamond to diamond bonds between adjacent diamond particles. | 02-18-2010 |
20100051349 | FORCE BALANCED ASYMMETRIC DRILLING REAMER - A force balanced asymmetric drilling reamer comprising a plurality of blades, each blade having at least one cutter section and a gage section. The cutter section is designed to have a plurality of cutting devices for cutting through swelling formations and cutting free sloughing formations. The gage section has a full bore diameter with gage elements flushly coupled to gage section's outer surface. The blades may be curve/concave shaped or boomerang/chevron shaped, which thereby agitate the cutting beds. At least a portion of the drilling reamer's diameter is incrementally force balanced, starting from the outermost diameter, so that the net radial force is less than 10% of weight on bit with respect to the center of rotation. This balancing allows a greater cutter longevity and provides for a better wellbore condition. Optionally, at least a portion of the drilling reamer's surface may be treated by nitriding for repelling the cuttings. | 03-04-2010 |
20100051351 | INTERMETALLIC BONDED DIAMOND (IBD) CUTTING ELEMENTS - A cutting element may include a substrate having a bonding interface region, and an intermetallic bonded diamond (IBD) element bonded to the bonding interface region of the substrate. In some embodiments, the bonding interface region of the substrate may have a non-axi-symmetrical shape and/or may be symmetrical about only one plane or about zero planes. In some embodiments, the bonding interface region of the substrate may have a shape of a tube, a beveled tube, a tube with one or more internal support structures, a scoop, a plow, a concave shape, a honeycombed shape, or other irregular or complex shape. | 03-04-2010 |
20100243335 | POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND CUTTER WITH HIGH THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY - A front face of a diamond table mounted to a substrate is processed to introduce a material which comingles with or semi-alloys with or partially displaces interstitial catalyst binder in a thermal channel to a desired depth. The material is selected to be less thermally expandable than the catalyst binder and/or more thermally conductive than the catalyst binder and/or having a lower heat capacity than the catalyst binder. | 09-30-2010 |
20100243336 | BACKFILLED POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND CUTTER WITH HIGH THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY - A front face of a diamond table mounted to a substrate is processed, for example through an acid leach, to remove interstitial catalyst binder and form a thermal channel. A material is then introduced to the front face of the diamond table, the introduced material backfilling the front face of the diamond table to fill interstitial voids left by removal of the catalyst binder in the thermal channel to a desired depth. The material is selected to be less thermally expandable than the catalyst binder and/or more thermally conductive than the catalyst binder and/or having a lower heat capacity than the catalyst binder. | 09-30-2010 |
20100307837 | CASING BIT AND CASING REAMER DESIGNS - A casing end tool has a bowl-like (or cup-like) body defined by a wall having an outer convex surface and an inner concave surface opposite of the outer convex surface. The bowl-like body has a center axis. The inner concave surface is non-axisymmetric with respect to the center axis, while the outer convex surface is axisymmetric with respect to the center axis. The non-axisymmetric configuration is provided in one implementation through the presence of a set of raised boss or land structures formed on the inner concave surface. In another implementation, the non-axisymmetric configuration is provided by channels formed in the inner concave surface | 12-09-2010 |
20100319997 | WHIPSTOCK ATTACHMENT TO A FIXED CUTTER DRILLING OR MILLING BIT - An assembly is provided to attach a whipstock to a mill/drill bit. The assembly includes an upper collar adapted for installation around a shank of the mill/drill bit. At least one connecting member is mounted at a first end to the upper collar. The connecting member extends downwardly from the upper collar and is adapted to fit within a junkslot of the mill/drill bit to which the upper collar is attached. A whipstock attachment structure is mounted to a second end of the at least one connecting member. | 12-23-2010 |
20110209922 | CASING END TOOL - A casing end tool has a mandrel and a body that is defined by a wall having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite of the outer surface. The body is fabricated from crystalline tungsten powder and a binder material. The inner surface includes a set of raised bosses or land structures. The body includes a plurality of blades on the outer surface. Each blade has a plurality of cutters. Blade channels and cutter channels on the blades enhance fragmentation of the body during drill out of the casing end tool. | 09-01-2011 |
20110286304 | Downhole Acoustic Emission Formation Sampling - A method, system and apparatus for testing properties of a rock formation surrounding a wellbore in situ. The apparatus includes a tool body, one or more indenters, and one or more acoustic sensors. The body includes an outer surface that defines one or more cavities therein. Each cavity extends into the body. Each indenter is positioned within a corresponding cavity and is positionable into an operating position and a non-operating position. The acoustic sensor is positioned within the cavity and adjacent to the indenter. The indenter is positioned at least partially beyond the outer surface when in the operating position. The acoustic sensor senses one or more acoustic events occurring when the indenter is in the operating position. The apparatus is inserted into the wellbore. Once inserted, the indenter applies a load onto the rock formation causing cracking and the sensor receives the generated acoustic transmissions. The transmissions are analyzed. | 11-24-2011 |
20120012402 | Alloys With Low Coefficient Of Thermal Expansion As PDC Catalysts And Binders - A cutting table includes a lattice structure and a catalyst material deposited within voids formed within the lattice. The catalyst material is deposited in the voids during a sintering process that forms the lattice. The catalyst material has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is less than that of cobalt. The catalyst material is any one of chromium, tantalum, ruthenium, an alloy of cobalt, an alloy of a Group VIII metal and at least one non-catalyst metal, an alloy of two or more Group VIII metals, or a eutectic alloy. In certain embodiments, the catalyst material has a thermal conductivity that is greater than that of cobalt. In certain embodiments, the cutting table is bonded to a substrate, which is formed from a substrate material and a binder material. In some embodiments, the binder material and the catalyst material are the same; while in others, they are different. | 01-19-2012 |
20130013267 | Rotary Drill Bits with Protected Cutting Elements and Methods - A rotary drill bit with cutting elements operable to control depth of cut and rate of penetration during formation of a wellbore are provided. Respective sets of secondary cutting elements and primary cutting elements may also be disposed on exterior portions of a rotary drill bit. A number of blades may extend from exterior portions of the drill bit with a number of cutting elements disposed on exterior portions of each blade. Each cutting element may include a substrate with a cutting surface disposed thereon. A respective protector may extend from the cutting surface of one or more cutting elements to limit depth of penetration of the associated cutting element into adjacent portions of a downhole formation and/or to control rate of penetration of an associated rotary drill bit. | 01-10-2013 |
20130014999 | PDC DISC CUTTERS AND ROTARY DRILL BITS UTILIZING PDC DISC CUTTERS - A disc cutter and a downhole tool including disc cutters therein. The disc cutter is disc-shaped and includes a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion is fabricated using a substrate material. At least a portion of the upper portion's perimeter is fabricated using at least one of polycrystalline diamond, synthetic diamond grit, natural diamond grit, and cubic boron nitride. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the disc cutter also includes an intermediate layer, which is fabricated from the substrate material, extending outwardly from at least a portion of the lower portion to a distal end positioned within the upper portion. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the disc cutter is disc-shaped and includes an inner portion made of substrate material, an outer portion made of at least one of polycrystalline diamond, synthetic diamond grit, natural diamond grit, and cubic boron nitride, and a channel extending orthogonally through the inner portion. | 01-17-2013 |
20130067824 | ATTACHMENT OF THERMALLY STABLE POLYCRYSTALLINE TO A SUBSTRATE AND COMPACTS CONSTRUCTED - A method and apparatus for fabricating a cutter. The method includes obtaining a compact including a cutting surface, a bonding interface, and a sidewall extending from the perimeter of the cutting surface to the perimeter of the bonding interface. The method includes obtaining a substrate including a bonding surface, a mounting surface, and a substrate sidewall extending from the perimeter of the bonding surface to the perimeter of the mounting surface. At least a portion of the bonding interface is positioned adjacent at least a portion of the bonding surface. At least one of the substrate and the compact is rotated to produce a rotational differential therebetween. The temperature is increased on at least the bonding surface to a first temperature. The compact is coupled to the substrate to form the cutter. The apparatus includes a first holder coupled to the compact and a second holder coupled to the substrate. | 03-21-2013 |
20130153208 | Downhole Tool Retainer And Guide Ring And Methods Of Fabricating The Same - A retainer and guide ring includes a first ring half and a second ring half that when placed adjacent to one another forms a complete ring. The retainer and guide ring also includes a kerf that is formed between ends of each of the first and second ring halves, which ranges from about zero inches to about 0.010 inches. In some exemplary embodiments, the retainer and guide ring is formed by obtaining two identical rings and making a cut along an edge of the diameter on each ring thereby forming a larger ring arc and a smaller ring arc for each of the rings. The two larger ring arcs are used to form the retainer and guide ring. In another exemplary embodiment, the retainer and guide ring is formed by obtaining a single ring and making a cut along the diameter. | 06-20-2013 |
20130214769 | Use of Capacitance And Eddy Currents to Analyze Polycrystalline Diamond - A method for non-destructively characterizing one or more regions within a polycrystalline structure using capacitance and eddy current measurements. The eddy current measurements include at least one of an impedance amplitude and a phase shift angle. The capacitance is measured one or more times and compared to a first calibration curve to determine an estimated leaching depth within the polycrystalline structure. A first data scattering range is ascertained from the capacitance measurements to determine a relative porosity or the leaching quality within the polycrystalline structure. The eddy current is measured one or more times and compared to a second calibration curve to determine an estimated leaching depth within the polycrystalline structure. A second data scattering range is ascertained from the eddy current measurements to determine a relative porosity or the leaching quality within the polycrystalline structure. Results from both measurements are used to ascertain a quality of the polycrystalline structure. | 08-22-2013 |
20130333954 | PCD CUTTERS WITH IMPROVED STRENGTH AND THERMAL STABILITY - A thermally stable polycrystalline diamond cutter and method for fabricating the same. The cutter includes a substrate and a cutting table bonded thereto. The cutting table includes a cutting surface, a first beveled edge, a second beveled edge, a side surface, and an opposing surface that is adjacent to the substrate. The first beveled edge extends outwardly at a first angle from the cutting surface towards the substrate. The second beveled edge extends outwardly at a second angle from the first beveled edge towards the substrate. The side surface extends from the second beveled edge to the opposing surface. The cutting table is formed from a polycrystalline diamond structure having interstitial spaces disposed therebetween and a catalyst material disposed within the spaces in an untreated layer and not within a treated layer. The untreated layer includes the entire side surface. | 12-19-2013 |
20130341102 | Methods To Repair Worn Or Eroded PDC Cutters, Cutters So Repaired, And Use Of Repaired PDC Cutters In Drill Bits Or Other Tools - A repaired polycrystalline diamond cutter and method for fabricating the same. The cutter includes a damaged substrate that includes at least one void therein, a polycrystalline diamond table coupled to the damaged substrate, and a build-up compound disposed within the voids formed about the damaged substrate. The damaged substrate and the build-up compound collectively form a full circumference. The method includes obtaining a damaged cutter that includes a polycrystalline diamond table coupled to a damaged substrate having at least one void formed therein, bonding a build-up compound within the at least one void and forming a processed PDC cutter, and removing a portion of the build-up compound from the processed PDC cutter and forming the repaired cutter. | 12-26-2013 |
20140090899 | FLOW THROUGH GAUGE FOR DRILL BIT - An apparatus that includes one or more flow channels and method for fabricating such flow channels. The apparatus includes a body, one or more blades from one end of the body, and a corresponding gauge section disposed adjacently and in alignment with a respective blade. Each gauge section includes a leading section, a trailing section, a face section extending from one end of the leading section to an end of the trailing section, and at least one flow channel extending from the leading edge section to at least one of the trailing edge section or the face section. | 04-03-2014 |
20140090900 | BLADE FLOW PDC BITS - An apparatus that includes one or more flow channels and method for fabricating such flow channels. The apparatus includes a body and one or more blades extending from one end of the body. Each blade includes a leading section, a trailing section, a face section extending from one end of the leading section to an end of the trailing section, and at least one flow channel extending from the leading edge section to the trailing edge section. | 04-03-2014 |
20140090901 | MACHINED HIGH ANGLE NOZZLE SOCKETS FOR STEEL BODY BITS - An apparatus that includes one or more machined high-angle sockets and method for fabricating such sockets. The apparatus includes a body, one or more blades extending outwardly from the body, and one or more high-angle nozzles machined into a portion of the blade. The body includes a bit face at one end and a plenum formed therein communicably coupled to an opening formed at an opposing end. Each blade includes a leading section, a trailing section, a face section extending from one end of the leading section to an end of the trailing section, and an inner section extending from an opposing end of the leading section to an opposing end of the trailing section. Each nozzle includes a nozzle socket cavity and a second hole intersecting with the nozzle socket cavity and extending to the plenum, which collectively form a passage extending from the plenum to the bit face. | 04-03-2014 |
20140102809 | Anti-Balling Coating On Drill Bits And Downhole Tools - A coating that includes a polyisocyanate compound and at least one metal inclusion selected from the group consisting of tungsten and tungsten carbide. The metal inclusions range between about five percent by weight to about fifty percent by weight. A downhole tool that includes a body, a shank positioned at one end of the body, at least one cutter coupled to the body, and a coating coupled to at least a portion of one or more of the body or the shank. The coating includes a polyisocyanate compound and at least one metal inclusion selected from the group consisting of tungsten, tungsten carbide, and aluminum. The metal inclusions range between about five percent by weight to about fifty percent by weight. An intermediate coating is optionally disposed between at least a portion of the coating and at least one of the body or the shank. | 04-17-2014 |
20140158436 | Methods To Repair Worn Or Eroded PDC Cutters, Cutters So Repaired, And Use Of Repaired PDC Cutters In Drill Bits Or Other Tools - A repaired polycrystalline diamond cutter and method for fabricating the same. The cutter includes a damaged substrate that includes at least one void therein, a polycrystalline diamond table coupled to the damaged substrate, and a paste compound disposed within the voids formed about the damaged substrate. The damaged substrate and the paste compound collectively form a full circumference. The method includes obtaining a damaged cutter that includes a polycrystalline diamond table coupled to a damaged substrate having at least one void formed therein, applying a paste compound within the at least one void, melting the paste compound via induction heating, bonding the paste compound to the substrate and forming a processed PDC cutter, and grinding at least a portion of the paste compound from the processed PDC cutter to form the repaired cutter. | 06-12-2014 |