IP Library Granted Patent US 8,522,897
Granted Patent B2
US 8,522,897 · App. 12/557,679 · Granted Sep 3, 2013

Lead the bit rotary steerable tool

Inventors: David R. Hall (Provo, UT); Paula Turner (Pleasant Grove, UT); David Lundgreen (Provo, UT); Scott Woolston (Provo, UT)
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,522,897
App. No.
12/557,679
Granted
Sep 3, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A drilling assembly comprises a drill bit that includes a bit body intermediate a working face and a shank. An indenting member adapted to guide the drill bit protrudes from the working face. A flexible portion is disposed above the bit body.

Claims (56)

1. A method for steering a downhole tool string through a formation, comprising:

positioning a drill bit adjacent a drill string component, the drill bit including:

a working face;

a shank;

a bit body between the working face and the shank;

an indenting member having a distal end protruding from the working face;

a flexible portion disposed above the bit body between the shank and the adjacent drill string component, the flexible portion including an upper segment and a lower segment; and,

at least one of an o-ring disposed between the upper segment and the bit body, a wiper seal disposed between the upper segment and the bit body, and a bellows-type seal disposed exterior to the flexible portion;

positioning the drill string component and the drill bit in a bore hole; and,

orienting the indenting member in a desired trajectory.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising rotating at least one of the drill string component and the drill bit.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising rotating the drill bit in a direction and rotating the indenting member in another direction opposite the direction that the drill bit rotates.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising pushing the indenting member against the formation.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein orienting the indenting member in a desired trajectory further comprises at least one of orienting the indenting member in a desired azimuth and angling the distal end of the indenting member.

6. A method for steering a downhole tool string through a formation, comprising:

positioning a drill bit in a bore hole, the drill bit including:

a working face;

a shank;

a bit body between the working face and the shank;

an indenting member having a distal end protruding from the working face; and,

a flexible portion disposed above the bit body, the flexible portion including:

a lower segment that includes an extension with a generally spherical geometry on a distal end; and,

an upper segment that includes a generally spherical recess that corresponds with the generally spherical geometry of the lower segment; and,

positioning the indenting member in a desired trajectory.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising rotating the drill bit in a direction and rotating the indenting member in another direction opposite the direction that the drill bit rotates.

8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising pushing the indenting member against the formation.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein positioning the indenting member in a desired trajectory further comprises at least one of orienting the indenting member in a desired trajectory, orienting the indenting member in a desired azimuth, and angling the distal end of the indenting member.

10. A method for steering a downhole tool string through a formation, comprising:

positioning a fluid-driven turbine and a drill bit in a bore hole, the drill bit including:

a working face;

a shank;

a bit body between the working face and the shank;

an indenting member having a distal end protruding from the working face; and,

a flexible portion disposed above the bit body, the flexible portion including:

a lower segment;

an upper segment; and

an interface between the lower and upper segment, the interface including at least one of an o-ring and a wiper seal to create a seal; and,

positioning the indenting member in a desired trajectory.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising rotating the drill bit in a direction and rotating the indenting member in another direction opposite the direction that the drill bit rotates.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising pushing the indenting member against the formation.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein positioning the indenting member in a desired trajectory further comprises at least one of orienting the indenting member in a desired trajectory, orienting the indenting member in a desired azimuth, and angling the distal end of the indenting member.

14. A method for steering a downhole tool string through a formation, comprising:

positioning a drill bit in a bore hole, the drill bit including:

a working face;

a shank;

a bit body between the working face and the shank;

an indenting member having a distal end protruding from the working face; and,

a flexible portion disposed above the bit body, the flexible portion including:

a lower segment;

an upper segment; and,

an interface between the lower and the upper segment; and,

a bellows-type cover disposed exterior to the flexible portion; and,

positioning the indenting member in a desired trajectory.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising rotating the drill bit in a direction and rotating the indenting member in another direction opposite the direction that the drill bit rotates.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising pushing the indenting member against the formation.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein positioning the indenting member in a desired trajectory further comprises at least one of orienting the indenting member in a desired trajectory, orienting the indenting member in a desired azimuth, and angling the distal end of the indenting member.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2010
From: NOVADRILL, INC.
To: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024055/0471 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 11, 2009
From: HALL, DAVID R., MR.; TURNER, PAULA, MS.; WOOLSTON, SCOTT, MR.; LUNDGREEN, DAVID, MR.
To: NOVADRILL, INC.
Reel/Frame 023218/0082 →
Continuity (16)
Continuation In Part 12362661 · Jan 30, 2009
Continuation In Part 11837321 · Aug 10, 2007
Continuation In Part 11750700 · May 18, 2007
Continuation In Part 11737034 · Apr 18, 2007
Continuation In Part 11686638 · Mar 15, 2007
Continuation In Part 11680997 · Mar 1, 2007
Continuation In Part 11673872 · Feb 12, 2007
Continuation In Part 11611310 · Dec 15, 2006
Continuation In Part 11278935 · Apr 6, 2006
Continuation In Part 11277394 · Mar 24, 2006
Continuation In Part 11277380 · Mar 24, 2006
Continuation In Part 11306976 · Jan 18, 2006
Continuation In Part 11306307 · Dec 22, 2005
Continuation In Part 11306022 · Dec 14, 2005
Continuation In Part 11164391 · Nov 21, 2005
Related Publication 20100000794A1 · Jan 7, 2010