Baker Hughes Corporation

Jerry Cerkovnik

Paul E Pastusek

Wayne Rollins Hansen

Robert Alan Estes

William Befeld

Gary J Cresswell

A method for determining depth in a wellbore uses inertial navigation in conjunction with a database having one or more measured parameters correlated with depth. The measured parameter may be the lengths of stands forming a drill string, prior survey data relating to a naturally occurring feature such as formation lithology, or data relating to a human made feature such as collars in a casing string. The downhole processor may use accelerometer measurements to calculate a measured depth of a BHA and access the database to retrieve a predicted depth that corresponds with one or more sensor measurements (e.g., motion indicating the addition of a stand to a drill string). Thereafter, if the downhole processor determines that the predicted depth is in agreement with the calculated depth, the processor stores the predicted depth and/or associates the predicted depth with directional surveys taken along the wellbore.

Downhole depth computation methods and related system

An anti-whirl rotary drag bit including one or more cutters, wear knots or other support structures disposed on the flank of a bit profile in a normally cutter-devoid region of the profile adjacent the gage of the bit in the circumferential segment of the gage used as a bearing zone for the bit to ride against the side of the bore hole. Such flank cutters or other structures reduce wear of the bearing zone but, due to their placement, do not come into play except under certain drilling situations such as reaming or high rates of penetration wherein whirl tendencies resulting from cutting forces are not as pronounced.

Anti-whirl drill bit

The present invention comprises a rotary drill bit including a cutting structure comprising an array of cutting elements oriented and arranged to facilitate concentration of the load on bit on groups of cutting elements until the elements become dulled or worn, at which point fresh cutting elements are exposed to engage the formation and tube the concentrated bit loading. Preferably, the cutting elements are configured and/or supported to break away from the cutting structure when worn to a certain extent, thereby facilitating exposure of fresh cutting elements to engage the formation.

Growing community of inventors

The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

Jerry Cerkovnik