A method for designing a cutting structure

• Main Authors: GORDON WHIPPLE, SUJIAN J HUANG, NAVISH MAKKAR, WEI TANG, TOMMY LAIRD, GAIL R NELSON
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 27.01.2010
• Subjects: EARTH DRILLING; EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; MINING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

A method for designing a secondary cutting structure for use in a bottom hole assembly, comprises defining initial design parameters for the secondary cutting structure and analyzing the forces including a vibrational response acting on the secondary cutting structure. Additionally, the method includes modifying at least one design element of the secondary cutting structure and simulating an effect of the modifying on both the secondary cutting structure and a primary cutting structure to determine if an improved condition is met. The design element may include side rake angle, back rake angle, cutting element type, cutting element material, cutting element position, blade position, angular orientation, individual blade arrangement pattern, backup blade arrangement and a partial blade arrangement. The lateral, axial and torsional vibration responses acting on the secondary cutting structure may be analysed.