Baker Hughes Corporation

Matthew D Mumma

Steven R Radford

Robert A Laing

Jeffrey B Lund

Kelly D Ireland

Matthew J Meiners

Daryl Pritchard

Anurag Gautam

Christopher S Charles

D Jay Clinkscales

W Gregory Presley

Mark E Morris

An expandable reamer apparatus and methods for reaming a borehole, wherein a laterally movable blade carried by a tubular body may be selectively positioned at an inward position and an expanded position. The laterally movable blade, held inwardly by blade-biasing elements, may be forced outwardly by drilling fluid selectively allowed to communicate therewith by way of an actuation sleeve disposed within the tubular body. Alternatively, a separation element may transmit force or pressure from the drilling fluid to the movable blade. Further, a chamber in communication with the movable blade may be pressurized by way of a downhole turbine or pump. A ridged seal wiper, compensator, movable bearing pad, fixed bearing pad preceding the movable blade, or adjustable spacer element to alter expanded blade position may be included within the expandable reamer. In addition, a drilling fluid pressure response indicating an operational characteristic of the expandable reamer may be generated.

Expandable reamer apparatus for enlarging boreholes while drilling and methods of use

An expandable reamer apparatus and methods for reaming a borehole, wherein a laterally movable blade carried by a tubular body may be selectively positioned at an inward position and an expanded position. The laterally movable blade, held inwardly by blade-biasing elements, may be forced outwardly by drilling fluid selectively allowed to communicate therewith by way of an actuation sleeve disposed within the tubular body. Alternatively, a separation element may transmit force or pressure from the drilling fluid to the movable blade. Further, a chamber in communication with the movable blade may be pressurized by way of a downhole turbine or pump. A ridged seal wiper, compensator, movable bearing pad, fixed bearing pad preceding the movable blade, or an adjustable spacer element to alter expanded blade position may be included within the expandable reamer. In addition, a drilling fluid pressure response indicating an operational characteristic of the expandable reamer may be generated.

Enhanced stabilization is provided for an eccentric reaming tool when a pilot borehole is undersized with respect to a following pilot stabilization pad (PSP). Alternatively, offset of a rotational axis of at least a portion of the assembly including the reaming tool is employed to accomplish stabilization of the reaming tool. In either case, a reamed diameter larger than a physical diameter of the reaming tool may be drilled. More specifically, an enlarged PSP relative to pilot bit diameter or PSP offset or even pilot bit offset is employed in order to engage a PSP with the wall of a pilot borehole of greater diameter than a physical diameter of the pilot bit. The PSP or pilot drill bit, or both, may be laterally offset, angularly offset, or a combination thereof in order to effect substantially continuous PSP contact with the pilot borehole wall.

Enhanced offset stabilization for eccentric reamers

A method and apparatus for reaming or enlarging a borehole with the ability to drill cement, cement float equipment, and debris out of a casing without substantial damage to the casing interior or the reaming apparatus. The reaming apparatus also provides enhanced protection from contact with the casing wall for selected structural features and elements thereof.

Reaming apparatus and method with enhanced structural protection

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Spring, TX, United States of America

Matthew D Mumma