Device and method usable in well drilling and other well operations

摘要

Systems and methods usable for drilling wells and performing other well operations include a drilling tool having inner and outer, counter-rotating drill bits. Opposing reactive torques generated by the inner bit and the outer bit can reduce or cancel the net reactive torque transmitted upwell, through the drill string. Counter rotation of the inner and the outer drill bits can be achieved by a gear system, which transfers torque from a single rotating tubular shaft to a tubular sleeve positioned concentrically about the tubular shaft. The gear system transfers torque from a first gear to a second gear, at a one-to-one rotation/torque ratio, but with an opposite direction of rotation. Tools connected to the tubular sleeve and tubular shaft can thereby be provided with opposing rotational motion.

主权项

1. An apparatus usable in well operations, the apparatus comprising:
a rotatable cylindrical member terminating in a first plane and attached to a first boring tool; a rotatable drive shaft operatively connected to the first boring tool; a rotatable tubular member positioned concentrically about the rotatable cylindrical member and terminating in a second plane, wherein the rotatable tubular member is attached to a second boring tool; a first gear comprising an axis of rotation and attached to the rotatable cylindrical member; a second gear comprising an axis of rotation and attached to the rotatable tubular member; and a third gear comprising an axis of rotation intersecting the axis of rotation of the first gear, the second gear, or both, wherein the third gear engages the first gear and the second gear.