Drill Bit Steering via Integrated Force Application Pads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drill bits struggle to change drilling directions quickly and efficiently, leading to smoother deviated wellbores, improved rate of penetration, and extended drill bit life, as steering devices are typically located away from the drill bit.

Innovation Solution

Integration of extensible force application devices, such as pads with actuation mechanisms, around the shank of the drill bit, allowing for precise control and rapid direction changes by applying force to the wellbore wall, which can be actuated using hydraulic, screw, electrical, or Shape Memory Alloy mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If steering devices are positioned away from the drill bit in the BHA, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the speed of direction change and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverate of penetration and speed of direction changeVSAvoidcomplexity of steering device integration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The steering device is nested within the drill bit structure itself, with force application members integrated into the drill bit body. The actuation mechanisms are housed within the drill bit, allowing the steering function to be contained within the existing drill bit geometry without requiring separate external steering components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The steering function is merged with the drill bit by integrating force application members directly onto the drill bit body. This combination allows the drill bit to perform both its primary drilling function and the secondary steering function simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate steering devices in the BHA.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If steering devices are positioned away from the drill bit in the BHA, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the smoothness of deviated wellbores and drilling efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of steering controlVSAvoidease of drill bit fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The force application members are positioned at specific locations on the drill bit body where they can effectively influence the drilling direction. The pads are strategically placed on the lateral surface of the drill bit to apply localized forces that precisely control the wellbore trajectory while maintaining standard manufacturing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of stationary object

If steering devices are positioned away from the drill bit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the drill bit life and drilling efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrill bit lifeVSAvoidcomplexity of integrated steering mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drill bit with integrated steering capability serves itself by independently controlling its own drilling direction through the force application members. This self-steering capability eliminates the need for complex external steering mechanisms and reduces the overall system complexity while extending drill bit life through optimized drilling performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables faster direction changes and improved drilling efficiency by positioning steering devices closer to the drill bit, enhancing the rate of penetration and extending the drill bit's lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

applying force to the wellbore wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

actuated using hydraulic, screw, electrical, or Shape Memory Alloy mechanisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape Memory Alloy: Shape Memory Alloy

Data Source

PatentEP3683398B1Drill bit with an adjustable steering device

Publication Date: 2022.09.28 BAKER HUGHES CO

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AI summary

A drill bit (500; 600; 800; 950) is provided that in one embodiment may include a force application device (960) on a drill bit body (510; 610; 810), wherein the force application device (960) includes a force application member (502; 602; 802; 962) pivotally coupled to the drill bit (500; 600; 800; 950) and configured to extend from the drill bit body (510; 610; 810) to apply force on a wellbore wall when the drill bit (500; 600; 800; 950) is used to drill a wellbore (910), and an actuator configured to actuate the force application member (502; 602; 802; 962) to apply force on a wellbore wall during drilling of the wellbore (910).