Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body defining a plurality of blades extending from a selected distance from an axis of rotation of the bit body to a gage face. A plurality of only gouging cutters is mounted on the bit body. At least one of the plurality of blades has a blade top surface longitudinally behind the tips of the gouging cutters at a selected distance from the tips of the gouging cutters.

Abstract: A mill includes a mill body defining a plurality of blades extending in a direction from a center or rotation of the mill body to a gauge surface. The blades define a cutting profile having a minimum diameter at a longitudinal endmost position. The minimum diameter is smaller than a diameter of a drop ball. The cutting profile has an intermediate diameter at most equal to the diameter of the drop ball at a longitudinal distance from the endmost position greater than the diameter of the drop ball. Shear cutters are mounted on at least one of the plurality of blades, mounted such that at least one shear cutter is mounted closer to a center of rotation of the mill body with respect to other cutters mounted to the blades. At least one insert is mounted to the at least one of the plurality of blades rotationally ahead of the shear cutters.

Abstract: A fixed cutter drill bit includes a bit body and at least one primary blade formed in the bit body and defining a surface profile on the bit body. The at least one primary blade extends from a first selected radial distance from a center or rotation of the bit body to a gage portion. At least one shear cutter affixed to the at least one blade. At least one gouging cutter affixed to the bit body rotationally ahead of the at least one blade. At least one nozzle is disposed in the bit body in a rotational position between the at least one primary blade and the at least one gouging cutter.

Abstract: A mill includes a mill body defining a plurality of blades extending in a direction from a center or rotation of the mill body to a gauge surface. The blades define a cutting profile having a minimum diameter at a longitudinal endmost position. The minimum diameter is smaller than a diameter of a drop ball. The cutting profile has an intermediate diameter at most equal to the diameter of the drop ball at a longitudinal distance from the endmost position greater than the diameter of the drop ball. Shear cutters are mounted on at least one of the plurality of blades, mounted such that at least one shear cutter is mounted closer to a center of rotation of the mill body with respect to other cutters mounted to the blades. At least one insert is mounted to the at least one of the plurality of blades rotationally ahead of the shear cutters.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body defining a plurality of blades extending from a selected distance from an axis of rotation of the bit body to a gage face. A plurality of only gouging cutters is mounted on the bit body. At least one of the plurality of blades has a blade top surface longitudinally behind the tips of the gouging cutters at a selected distance from the tips of the gouging cutters.

Abstract: A gouging cutter, includes a cutting element having a cutting end and a mounting feature displaced from the cutting end a cutter body affixable to a drill bit body. The cutter body has a corresponding mounting feature arranged to cooperate with the mounting feature on the cutting element to retain the cutting element to the cutter body so as to enable rotation of the cutting element therein. A drill bit may include a bit body having features to enable connection to a drill string and at least one of the foregoing gouging cutters mounted to the bit body.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body defining a plurality of blades extending from a selected distance from an axis of rotation of the bit body to a gage face. A plurality of only gouging cutters is mounted on the bit body. At least one of the plurality of blades has a blade top surface longitudinally behind the tips of the gouging cutters at a selected distance from the tips of the gouging cutters.