Ulterra Drilling Technologies, L.p.

Precision Drilling Technology Services Group, Inc.

United Diamond Ltd.

Craig Knull

Ian G Gillis

Laurier E Comeau

Kevin Christenson

Justin Forbes

Peter J Gillis

A rotary drag bit has one or more fixed composite cutting structures formed from a plurality of discrete prefabricated cutters that abut each other along complementary side surfaces, the composite cutting structure being placed and oriented on the cutting face of the rotating body so that the composite cutting structure presents a cutting profile that does not expose any portion of the cutting face that is between or behind the composite cutting structure, with respect to the direction of travel of the composite cutting structure during boring, to the uncut earth formation as the body is rotated during boring.

Rotary drag bit

A fixed cutter drill bit that includes one or more integrally-mounted rotating disc with cutters around the circumference of the disc. Each disc is mounted to bearings to handle the torque generated and the weight on bit required to cut the formation. The mounting angle of the disc generates a torque causing the disc to rotate. As the disc rotates, new cutters are presented to the formation. The discs may vary in size, mounting location and number so as to cover entire bladed or just a certain portions of blades. The exposure of the disc could also be set to enable it to rotate while under load, e.g., the cutters on the outside of the bit may contact the formation while the inner half of the disc is protected by a fixed blade.

Fixed cutter drill bit with rotating cutter disc

A downhole tool having a progressive cavity mud motor with an impact generator disposed within the mud motor rotor or bearing assembly. In one embodiment, the impact generator includes a mud turbine connected to a eccentric ring that encircles and periodically strikes an anvil surface of a percussion shaft. The eccentric ring is pivotable between an engaged striking position and a disengaged non-striking position. The percussion shaft is coupled to a drill bit though a splined connector that provides limited slip for transmitting rotation of the mud motor rotor to the drill bit and for transmitting percussion strikes against the anvil to the drill bit without the need to accelerate the entire drill string.

Mud motor with integrated percussion tool and drill bit

Apparatus is provided for introducing a consistent series of small and localized rotary impacts to a PDC bit during drilling, to improve PDC drill bit performance. Rotary impact supplements the nominal torque supplied by the rotary drive thereby avoiding lockup and potentially damaging energy storage in the drill string following windup, should the bit slow or hang up when drilling in difficult formations. The apparatus comprises a rotary hammer which is rotated about a bit shaft's anvil, preferably by a drilling fluid driven turbine. As the hammer rotates, potential energy is built up. When the hammer and anvil connect, the energy is released into the bit shaft and thus into the bit, increases its instantaneous torque and allows it to more effectively cut through difficult formations.

Rotational impact drill assembly

An improved coiled tubing directional drilling method comprises: providing a bent housing which is rotatably coupled to the coiled tubing, rotating the drill bit, and rotating the bent housing. Apparatus for achieving the method comprises: a rotary connection between the coiled tubing and the bent housing and means for rotating the bent housing relative to the coiled tubing and to the drill bit. A fluid pressure-operated clutch enables alternate rotation and locking of the bent housing. Preferably, a first downhole motor rotates the drill bit and a second downhole motor rotates the bent housing through the clutch or alternately a speed reducer permits the bent housing to contra-rotate slowly under reactive torque developed by the rotating drilling bit.

Growing community of inventors

Edmonton, Canada

Craig Knull