Hole enlargement drilling device and methods for using same

摘要

A bottomhole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string includes one or more controllers, and a hole enlargement device that selectively enlarges the diameter of the wellbore formed by the drill bit. The hole enlargement device includes an actuation unit that may move extendable cutting elements o the hole enlargement device between a radially extended position and a radially retracted position. The actuation unit may be responsive to a signal that is transmitted from a downhole and/or a surface location. The hole enlargement device may also include one or more position sensors that transmit a position signal indicative of a radial position of the cutting elements. In an illustrative operating mode, one or more operating parameters of the hole enlargement device may be adjusted based on one or more measured parameters. This adjustment may be done in a closed-loop or automated fashion and/or by human personnel.

主权项

1. An apparatus for forming a wellbore in an earthen formation, comprising:
a drill string having a drill bit; a controllable steering device steering the drill bit in a selected direction, the steering device being configured to receive instructions; a hole enlargement device positioned along the drill string, the hole enlargement device having at least one selectively extendable cutting element configured to form a substantially circular wellbore having a diameter larger than the wellbore formed by the drill bit; a drilling motor for rotating the hole enlargement device and the drill bit, wherein the hole enlargement device and the steering device are positioned between the drilling motor and the drill bit; a controller programmed to activate the hole enlargement device upon receiving a first signal and deactivate the hole enlargement device upon receiving a second signal; a sensor positioned on the hole enlargement device uphole from the at least one selectively extendable cutting element and configured to sense a measured parameter of interest, wherein the measured parameter of interest is at least one of weight-on-hole enlargement device and torque-on-hole enlargement device, wherein at least one of the first signal and the second signal are generated at least partially in response to weight-on-hole enlargement device and torque-on-hole enlargement device data collected from the sensor; a second sensor proximate the drill bit configured to measure a second parameter of interest, wherein the second parameter of interest relates to one of:
(i) weight at the drill bit; and(ii) torque at the drill bit; and wherein the controller is further programmed to control the hole enlargement device in response to the difference between the measured parameter of interest and the second parameter of interest.