Abstract: A drill bit has a plurality of cutters secured to the bit body, including a gauge cutter defining a gauge diameter of the drill bit. A reciprocating gauge assembly on the bit comprises a cavity defined in the bit body, a piston reciprocably disposed in the cavity, a wear element on an outwardly facing end of the piston, a piston retainer for moveably retaining the piston in the cavity, and a spring biasing the piston outwardly to a neutral position of the wear element with respect to the gauge diameter. The wear element and piston may be urged inwardly in response to an applied load at the drill bit gauge pad, increasing the lateral depth of cut and thereby controlling the aggressiveness of the bit in response to the load.

Abstract: A method and a system for a confined compressive strength (CCS) and an unconfined compressive strength (UCS) for one or more bedding layers. The method may include identifying a depth interval during a drilling operation as a distance between a first depth and a second depth, measuring one or more drill bit responses within the depth interval using a sensor package disposed on the drill bit, identifying one or more torsional bit vibrations, and identifying one or more bedding layers of the formation within the depth interval from the one or more torsional bit vibrations. The method may further include identifying the (CCS) and the (UCS) for each of the one or more bedding layers and identifying a bit wear of the drill bit within each of the one or more bedding layers using the one or more drill bit responses and the one or more torsional bit vibrations.

Abstract: A method and a system for a confined compressive strength (CCS) and an unconfined compressive strength (UCS) for one or more bedding layers. The method may include identifying a depth interval during a drilling operation as a distance between a first depth and a second depth, measuring one or more drill bit responses within the depth interval using a sensor package disposed on the drill bit, identifying one or more torsional bit vibrations, and identifying one or more bedding layers of the formation within the depth interval from the one or more torsional bit vibrations. The method may further include identifying the (CCS) and the (UCS) for each of the one or more bedding layers and identifying a bit wear of the drill bit within each of the one or more bedding layers using the one or more drill bit responses and the one or more torsional bit vibrations.

Abstract: A depth of cut control (DOCC) assembly includes a DOCC element positioned in a retainer pocket along a drill bit blade to limit a depth of cut of one or more fixed cutters. A retention member initially retains the DOCC element within the retainer pocket at a first exposure position. The retention member is configured to release the DOCC element downhole to allow one-way movement of the DOCC element to a second exposure position.

Abstract: An activation control module utilizes gravity and/or centrifugal acceleration to move a mechanical element that controls, activates or deactivates a mechanical or hydraulic mechanism, for use with a downhole tool such as a drilling tool or reamer in a wellbore. In embodiments, the activation control module described herein may utilize a combination of centrifugal acceleration and/or gravity due to an inclination of the downhole tool to move a valve, which turns off pressure to a hydro-mechanical system. The activation control modules may be utilized in applications where very little space is available for larger mechanisms. Further, the activation control modules do not require expensive and complex electro-mechanical systems, reducing or eliminating the need for batteries, wiring, electronics, motors, pumps and the like. Moreover, the activation control modules described herein do not require the use of a turbine, a centrifugal clutch or a linear actuator.

Abstract: A drilling system, assembly, and method may help optimize drilling in a system that involves more than one rotary tool that engages the formation. A rotary tool may be a rotary cutting tool, such as a drill bit or reamer, or some other rotary tool (e.g. stabilizer or rotary steerable tool) that has the potential to drag on the wall of the hole being drilled and take energy away from cutting. In an example, a wellbore or portion thereof is formed by rotating a first rotary cutting tool having a first cutting structure in engagement with one portion of the formation together with a second rotary cutting tool having a second cutting structure in engagement with another portion of the formation. Forces are obtained above and below the second cutting structure. One or more drilling parameter or drill bit design parameter are adjusted in relation to a force differential between the forces above and below the second cutting structure.

Abstract: An activation control module utilizes gravity and/or centrifugal acceleration to move a mechanical element that controls, activates or deactivates a mechanical or hydraulic mechanism, for use with a downhole tool such as a drilling tool or reamer in a wellbore. In embodiments, the activation control module described herein may utilize a combination of centrifugal acceleration and/or gravity due to an inclination of the downhole tool to move a valve, which turns off pressure to a hydro-mechanical system. The activation control modules may be utilized in applications where very little space is available for larger mechanisms. Further, the activation control modules do not require expensive and complex electro-mechanical systems, reducing or eliminating the need for batteries, wiring, electronics, motors, pumps and the like. Moreover, the activation control modules described herein do not require the use of a turbine, a centrifugal clutch or a linear actuator.

Abstract: A drilling system, assembly, and method may help optimize drilling in a system that involves more than one rotary tool that engages the formation. A rotary tool may be a rotary cutting tool, such as a drill bit or reamer, or some other rotary tool (e.g. stabilizer or rotary steerable tool) that has the potential to drag on the wall of the hole being drilled and take energy away from cutting. In an example, a wellbore or portion thereof is formed by rotating a first rotary cutting tool having a first cutting structure in engagement with one portion of the formation together with a second rotary cutting tool having a second cutting structure in engagement with another portion of the formation. Forces are obtained above and below the second cutting structure. One or more drilling parameter or drill bit design parameter are adjusted in relation to a force differential between the forces above and below the second cutting structure.

Abstract: A drilling system, assembly, and method may help optimize drilling in a system that involves more than one rotary tool that engages the formation. A rotary tool may be a rotary cutting tool, such as a drill bit or reamer, or some other rotary tool (e.g. stabilizer or rotary steerable tool) that has the potential to drag on the wall of the hole being drilled and take energy away from cutting. In an example, a wellbore or portion thereof is formed by rotating a first rotary cutting tool having a first cutting structure in engagement with one portion of the formation together with a second rotary cutting tool having a second cutting structure in engagement with another portion of the formation. Forces are obtained above and below the second cutting structure. One or more drilling parameter or drill bit design parameter are adjusted in relation to a force differential between the forces above and below the second cutting structure.

Abstract: A depth of cut control (DOCC) assembly includes a DOCC element positioned in a retainer pocket along a drill bit blade to limit a depth of cut of one or more fixed cutters. A retention member initially retains the DOCC element within the retainer pocket at a first exposure position. The retention member is configured to release the DOCC element downhole to allow one-way movement of the DOCC element to a second exposure position.

Abstract: As a wellbore is extended into a formation, hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressures change due to variations in drilling mud weight, fluid density, etc. Strain gauges downhole measure forces experienced by drilling equipment also experience strain due to hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressures. In order to measure strain due to drilling, hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressure contributions are removed from strain measurement by removal of a pressure-effect offset, which zeroes or tares the strain measurements. Values of the pressure-effect offset can also be monitored to check that strain measurements are accurately zeroed or to monitor wellbore operations and conditions.

Abstract: A drill bit has a plurality of cutters secured to the bit body, including a gauge cutter defining a gauge diameter of the drill bit. A reciprocating gauge assembly on the bit comprises a cavity defined in the bit body, a piston reciprocably disposed in the cavity, a wear element on an outwardly facing end of the piston, a piston retainer for moveably retaining the piston in the cavity, and a spring biasing the piston outwardly to a neutral position of the wear element with respect to the gauge diameter. The wear element and piston may be urged inwardly in response to an applied load at the drill bit gauge pad, increasing the lateral depth of cut and thereby controlling the aggressiveness of the bit in response to the load.

Abstract: A rolling depth of cut controller (DOCC) includes a first retainer including a body portion having an arcuate inner surface. The body portion extends partially around a central axis between the inner surface and an outer surface from a mating surface to an engagement surface. Further, the body portion extends axially along the central axis. The rolling DOCC also includes a second retainer secured to the first retainer at the mating surface via at least one fastening feature. Additionally, the rolling DOCC includes a rolling element disposed at least partially within a cavity formed between the first retainer and the second retainer. The rolling element is configured to rotate within the cavity about the central axis, and an exposed portion of the rolling element is configured to provide depth-of-cut control for a drill bit.

Abstract: A rolling depth of cut controller (DOCC) includes a first retainer including a body portion having an arcuate inner surface. The body portion extends partially around a central axis between the inner surface and an outer surface from a mating surface to an engagement surface. Further, the body portion extends axially along the central axis. The rolling DOCC also includes a second retainer secured to the first retainer at the mating surface via at least one fastening feature. Additionally, the rolling DOCC includes a rolling element disposed at least partially within a cavity formed between the first retainer and the second retainer. The rolling element is configured to rotate within the cavity about the central axis, and an exposed portion of the rolling element is configured to provide depth-of-cut control for a drill bit.

Abstract: An activation control module utilizes gravity and/or centrifugal acceleration to move a mechanical element that controls, activates or deactivates a mechanical or hydraulic mechanism, for use with a downhole tool such as a drilling tool or reamer in a wellbore. In embodiments, the activation control module described herein may utilize a combination of centrifugal acceleration and/or gravity due to an inclination of the downhole tool to move a valve, which turns off pressure to a hydro-mechanical system. The activation control modules may be utilized in applications where very little space is available for larger mechanisms. Further, the activation control modules do not require expensive and complex electro-mechanical systems, reducing or eliminating the need for batteries, wiring, electronics, motors, pumps and the like. Moreover, the activation control modules described herein do not require the use of a turbine, a centrifugal clutch or a linear actuator.

Abstract: A rotating cutter for a fixed cutter type bit includes an annular sleeve with a retainer having a plurality of inwardly extending tabs and a spindle cutter rotatably coupled to the annular sleeve. The spindle cutter includes a spindle extending into the annular sleeve and rotatable about a central axis of the annular sleeve, a base portion positioned between the retainer and a proximal end of the annular sleeve, and a cutter portion coupled to the spindle. The rotating cutter further includes at least one pin disposed between adjacent tabs of the plurality of tabs of the retainer to prevent axial movement of the base portion through the retainer.