AUTOMATED STEERABLE HOLE ENLARGEMENT DRILLING DEVICE AND METHODS

摘要

A bottomhole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string includes a steering device (115) , one or more controllers, and a hole enlargement device (110) that selectively enlarges the diameter of the wellbore formed by the drill bit. In an automated drilling mode, the controller controls drilling directing by issuing instructions to the steering device. In one arrangement, the hole enlargement device is integrated into a shaft of a drilling motor (120) that rotates the drill bit (102) . The hole enlargement device includes an actuation unit and an electronics package that cooperate to translate extendable cutting elements (210) between a radially extended position and a radially retracted position. The electronics package 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 (232) that transmit a position signal indicative of a radial position of the cutting elements.