Abstract: Cutting elements are provided having multiple diameter sections. Also provided are bits incorporating such cutting elements.

Abstract: An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one spiral blade is formed on at least one reamer pad. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one spiral blade. An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one blade is formed on the at least two reamer pads. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one blade and at least one gage protection element is disposed on a gage surface of the at least one blade. The plurality of cutting elements are arranged so as to enable the expandable reaming tool to backream a formation in a wellbore.

Abstract: An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one spiral blade is formed on at least one reamer pad. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one spiral blade. An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one spiral blade is formed on at least one reamer pad. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one blade and at least one gage protection element is disposed on a gage surface of the at least one blade. The plurality of cutting elements are arranged so as to enable the expandable reaming tool to backream a formation in a wellbore.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for drilling a wellbore. The method includes operating a turbine-type mud motor having a bi-center drill bit coupled to it, and applying an axial force to the bit which is selected so that the bit drills in a directionally stable manner. In one embodiment, the motor is a steerable motor operated to maintain a selected trajectory of the wellbore.

Abstract: An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one spiral blade is formed on at least one reamer pad. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one spiral blade. An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one blade is formed on the at least two reamer pads. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one blade and at least one gage protection element is disposed on a gage surface of the at least one blade. The plurality of cutting elements are arranged so as to enable the expandable reaming tool to backream a formation in a wellbore.

Abstract: A variety of large diameter PDC cutters for use in drill bits are disclosed. Specifically, various PDC cutters having a diameter between 19.0 mm and 25.0 mm are disclosed. The various PDC cutters disclosed include an elliptical PDC cutter, wherein a major diameter of the elliptical cutter is selected from a range of 19.0 mm to 25.0 mm, a circular PDC cutter, wherein a diameter of the circular cutter falls between 19.0 mm and 25.0 mm, and a non-planar substrate cutter, wherein a diameter of the non-planar cutter falls between 19.0 mm and 25.0 mm. Additionally, the thickness of the diamond table is increased as compared to prior art PDC cutters. The increase in diamond table thickness results in improved durability and performance.

Abstract: An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one spiral blade is formed on at least one reamer pad. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one spiral blade.

Abstract: An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one spiral blade is formed on at least one reamer pad. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one spiral blade.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit comprises a bit body bit body in which are mounted a plurality of cutting structures inserts, wherein at least a portion of the cutting structures comprise diamond-impregnated inserts having a total thermal exposure of less than 25 minutes above 1500° F. The diamonds can be natural or synthetic diamond. The bit body itself may be diamond-impregnated, in which case it is preferred that the diamonds in the inserts make up at least 40% of the total diamond in the bit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for use in friction stir welding including a friction stir tool, having a shoulder, a non-consumable welding pin extending downward centrally from the shoulder, a first workpiece disposed on a backing workpiece, a second workpiece located a predetermined distance from the first workpiece on the backing workpiece, and a transition strip disposed on the backing workpiece between the first workpiece and the second workpiece, wherein the contact area or a space between the transition strip and the first workpiece defines a first interface and the contact area or a space between the transition strip and the second workpiece defines a second interface, wherein the non-consumable welding pin is rotated over the first interface and the second interface to weld the first workpiece to the second workpiece with the transition strip material incorporated as part of the weld, is disclosed.

Abstract: An expandable reaming tool including at least two reamer pads connected to a tool body. The reamer pads are adapted to be displaced between a retracted position and an expanded position. At least one spiral blade is formed on at least one reamer pad. A plurality of cutting elements are disposed on the at least one spiral blade.

Abstract: A variety of large diameter PDC cutters for use in drill bits are disclosed. Specifically, various PDC cutters having a diameter between 19.0 mm and 25.0 mm are disclosed. The various PDC cutters disclosed include an elliptical PDC cutter, wherein a major diameter of the elliptical cutter is selected from a range of 19.0 mm to 25.0 mm, a circular PDC cutter, wherein a diameter of the circular cutter falls between 19.0 mm and 25.0 mm, and a non-planar substrate cutter, wherein a diameter of the non-planar cutter falls between 19.0 mm and 25.0 mm. Additionally, the thickness of the diamond table is increased as compared to prior art PDC cutters. The increase in diamond table thickness results in improved durability and performance.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit comprises a bit body bit body in which are mounted a plurality of cutting structures inserts, wherein at least a portion of the cutting structures comprise diamond-impregnated inserts having a total thermal exposure of less than 25 minutes above 1500° F. The diamonds can be natural or synthetic diamond. The bit body itself may be diamond-impregnated, in which case it is preferred that the diamonds in the inserts make up at least 40% of the total diamond in the bit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for drilling a wellbore. The method includes operating a turbine-type mud motor having a bi-center drill bit coupled to it, and applying an axial force to the bit which is selected so that the bit drills in a directionally stable manner. In one embodiment, the motor is a steerable motor operated to maintain a selected trajectory of the wellbore.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit comprises a bit body bit body in which are mounted a plurality of cutting structures inserts, wherein at least a portion of the cutting structures comprise diamond-impregnated inserts having a total thermal exposure of less than 25 minutes above 1500° F. The diamonds can be natural or synthetic diamond. The bit body itself may be diamond-impregnated, in which case it is preferred that the diamonds in the inserts make up at least 40% of the total diamond in the bit.