Abstract: A fixed cutter drill bit includes sets of cutter elements mounted on the bit face. Each set includes at least two cutters mounted on different blades at generally the same radial position with reset to the bit axis but having differing degrees of backrake. The cutter elements of a set may be mounted having their cutting faces out-of-profile, such that certain elements in the set are exposed to the formation material to a greater extent than other cutter elements in the same set. The cutter elements in a set may have cutting faces and profiles that are identical, or they may vary in size or shape or both. The bit exhibits increased stability and provides substantial improvement in ROP without requiting excessive WOB.

Abstract: A fixed cutting element drill bit is provided with primary cutting elements which are spaced radially from each other across the face of the bit. During drilling, the gap between the cutting elements causes a ridge to be formed in the bottom of the well and the apex of the ridge is removed before reaching the face of the bit. In one form of the invention, the apex is broken off by utilization of the sides of the supports for the primary cutting elements.

Abstract: A fixed cutting element drill bit is provided with primary cutting elements which are spaced radially from each other across the face of the bit. During drilling, the gap between the cutting elements causes a ridge to be formed in the bottom of the well and the apex of the ridge is removed before reaching the face of the bit. In one form of the invention, the apex is broken off by utilization of the sides of the supports for the primary cutting elements.

Abstract: A fixed cutter drill bit includes a plurality of angularly spaced radial wings each with a row of cutting elements mounted thereon and protruding from the bit for drilling through formation material. On a first of the wings, a first row of the cutting elements has alternately larger and smaller area cutting faces at spaced selected radial positions relative to the center of the bit. Similarly, a second row of cutting elements is mounted on a second of the wings at substantially the same radial positions but with the radial positions of the larger and smaller cutting faces reversed over those on the first wing. A third wing includes a third row of cutting elements with cutting faces of intermediate area located at each of the selected radial positions. The combination of different sizes of cutting elements at each radial position defines a set having a profile with the intermediate and smaller cutting elements located entirely within the larger cutting element.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for cutting an earth formation is provided. The drill bit includes a bit body rotatable about its longitudinal axis. A cutting face is provided on the bit body, with a concave central region and a raised outer periphery terminating at bit shoulder. The bit shoulder is concentric with and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rotary drill bit. A plurality of bit stabilizing pads are circumferentially disposed about the bit's shoulder. A plurality of stationary cutter elements are fixedly mounted to the cutting face in a selected pattern to provide a region of high cutter density on one side of the cutting face, and a region of low cutter density on the other side of the cutting face. The drill bit cuts earth formations as the bit body is rotated about its central axis. The stationary cutter elements operate to cut into the lower side wall of the wellbore as the bit body is rotated, causing the rotary drill bit to walk to the right.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for drilling subterranean wells comprises a plurality of radially adjacent cutting elements disposed in angularly spaced relationship on the end face of the drill bit. Behind each set of cutting elements, at least one stabilizing projection is formed on the drill bit. Such projection is of peripherally elongated configuration and is circumferentially aligned with one of the cutting elements so as to snugly enter and engage the side walls of the formation groove produced by the aligned cutting element, thus providing substantial resistance against lateral displacement or vibration of the drill bit.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond cutting element is shown which includes a mounting body having a leading face and a trailing face and a thin layer of super hard material carried on the leading face of the mounting body which defines a cutting face. The cutting face has a circular outer periphery which is interrupted to form a recess in the cutting face which continues through the mounting body. The recess mates in complementary fashion with the outer periphery of a second cutting element when the cutting elements are arranged side-by-side with the cutting faces thereof in a common plane.