Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Kevin Clark

Kelley Leigh Plunkett

Curtis Clifford Lanning

Van Jordan Brackin

Andrew D Lake

Jeffrey Gerard Thomas

William Brian Atkins

Daniel Brendan Voglewede

Douglas Caraway

Trung Quoc Huynh

John William Varner

Nicholas Allison

Rob Arfele

Chris Propes

Randy T Howell

Darien Louis Gurka, Jr

Joshua Tutt

A variety of methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a drill bit, comprising: a bit body defining a rotational axis and having a plurality of cutter pockets formed thereon, each cutter pocket shaped to receive a respective substrate of a cutter with a cutting table secured thereon, wherein the substrate of at least one cutter has an outer profile defining an area of increased braze gap; and a braze interface comprising a braze alloy disposed in each cutter pocket between the inner profile of the cutter pocket and the outer profile of the respective substrate, such that a thickness of the braze alloy is greater at the area of increased braze gap.

Drill bit cutter with stress reducing features

A downhole system may include a downhole drill bit having at least one nozzle bore and a nozzle insert secured at least partially within the at least one nozzle bore. The nozzle insert may include a first radially outer sealing surface sealed against a first inner surface of the nozzle bore via a first seal feature, a second radially outer sealing surface sealed against a second inner surface of the nozzle bore via a second seal feature, and an annular threaded body portion to secure the nozzle insert within the at least one nozzle bore. The downhole system may further include a nozzle pressure chamber formed between the first seal feature, the second seal feature, a radially outer surface of the nozzle insert, and a radially inner surface of the at least one nozzle bore. The pressure chamber is configured to provide a retaining force on the nozzle insert.

Hydrolock nozzle

In general, in one aspect, embodiments relate to a drill bit, that includes a bit body, a plurality of cutters secured to the bit body, an axial reciprocating assembly, a lateral reciprocating assembly, and a sliding interface that includes a first contact surface and a second contact surface in direct sliding engagement with the first contact surface inside the bit body, such that an exposure of the first borehole engagement member varies with an exposure of the second borehole engagement member.

Depth of cut control responsive to borehole trajectory

A drill bit has a plurality of cutters secured to the bit body, including a gauge cutter defining a gauge diameter of the drill bit. A reciprocating gauge assembly on the bit comprises a cavity defined in the bit body, a piston reciprocably disposed in the cavity, a wear element on an outwardly facing end of the piston, a piston retainer for moveably retaining the piston in the cavity, and a spring biasing the piston outwardly to a neutral position of the wear element with respect to the gauge diameter. The wear element and piston may be urged inwardly in response to an applied load at the drill bit gauge pad, increasing the lateral depth of cut and thereby controlling the aggressiveness of the bit in response to the load.

Drill bit with reciprocating gauge assembly

A depth of cut control (DOCC) assembly includes a DOCC element positioned in a retainer pocket along a drill bit blade to limit a depth of cut of one or more fixed cutters. A retention member initially retains the DOCC element within the retainer pocket at a first exposure position. The retention member is configured to release the DOCC element downhole to allow one-way movement of the DOCC element to a second exposure position.

One-time activation or deactivation of rolling DOCC

A drill bit and method incorporate backup assemblies that limit depth of engagement of cutters with the formation. The backup assemblies dynamically adjust exposure relative to a cutting profile in response to downhole loading conditions. In an example, cutters are secured to the cone, nose, shoulder, and/or gage regions of the bit body. One or more backup assemblies are provided on the cone, nose, or shoulder region, and optionally, on the gauge region. A backup element on an outwardly facing end of the piston limits a depth of cut of one or more of the cutters. The backup element may be rigidly secured or rotatably secured to the piston. The piston may be biased outwardly to a neutral position aligned with or overexposed relative to the cutting profile.

Piston-based backup assembly for drill bit

The disclosure provides a drill bit including a bit body and a blade extending from the bit body. The blade includes a first element protruding from a surface of the blade and a second element protruding from the surface of the blade. The first element and the second element are each configured to extend or retract relative to the surface of the blade and are coupled to each other such that when the second element retracts relative to the surface of the blade, the first element extends relative to the surface of the blade. The first element is disposed within a first pocket formed in the surface of the blade, and the second element is disposed within a second pocket formed in the surface of the blade. A communication channel is formed between the first pocket and the second pocket.

Growing community of inventors

Conroe, TX, United States of America

Kevin Clark