Drilling device and process

Abstract

A plurality of cutting faces is attached sequentially at a distal end of a drill string. The forward most cutting face that is distal to the top of the hole is exposed and used for drilling until worn to a point of inefficiency. The forward most or distal cutting face is then detached, exposing the next cutting face in the sequence. Detachment of the forward most cutting face is performed by remote actuation at the top of the drill string and / or outside the hole. A new cutting face is provided without the necessity of removing the drill string. The detachment process is repeated as long as drilling is continued and cutting faces remain.

Description

[0001]The contents of Provisional Application U.S. Ser. No. 61 / 659,677 filed Jun. 14, 2012, on which the present application is based and benefit claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), is herein incorporated by referenceFIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]This invention relates to drilling of holes in the earth, and is more specifically related to a device and method for changing drill cutting faces of drill strings for use while the drill sting is in situ in the hole.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Drilling for oil and gas involves a drill bit and hundreds of lengths of pipe. A common drill bit is cast metal or machined housing studded with multiple protrusions. The protrusions comprise a hard surfaced material, which may be a ceramic type material that is fortified with multiple industrial diamonds 20. The resulting cutting discs are known in the industry as polycrystalline diamond (PDC) cutters.[0004]As the bit rotates it cuts through the earthen material. Pipe sections are sequentially join...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a drilling technique where a drill string has multiple cutting faces attached to it, which can be sequentially used for drilling. The forwardmost cutting face is exposed and used for drilling until it becomes inefficient. Then, the next cutting face is detached and exposed without having to remove the drill string. This process is repeated as long as drilling continues, ensuring that fresh cutting faces are always available for use. The technical effect of this invention is that it allows for more efficient and continuous drilling without the need for removing the drill string.

Problems solved by technology

The drill bits are subject to wear, and eventually, wear out.

As wear progresses, the cutting discs become dull, and less and less effective.

A lost day of drilling to replace bits once or twice a week becomes very expensive.

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