Anti-whirl drill bits, wellsite systems, and methods of using the same

Abstract

A wellsite system includes a drill string suspended within a borehole, anti-whirl drill bits for use in the system, and methods of drilling a curved borehole in a subsurface formation. The drill bit can have an interior cavity in fluid communication with the drill string and a first gauge pad located on the exterior of the drill bit. The first gauge pad includes a first orifice in fluid communication with the interior cavity, where the first orifice is arranged at an angle relative to cutters fixed to the drill bit. The drill bit is configured such that a fluid continuously flows from the first orifice.

1 . A drill bit comprising:
 an interior cavity in fluid communication with a drill string;   a plurality of cutters arranged on the drill bit; and   a first gauge pad located on the exterior of the drill bit, the first gauge pad having a first orifice in fluid communication with the interior cavity, the first orifice being positioned at an angle of approximately 180° relative to the plurality of cutters,   wherein the drill bit is configured such that a fluid continuously flows from the first orifice.   
   
   
       2 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow is sufficient to urge the drill bit away from a wall of a borehole. 
   
   
       3 - 6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second gauge pad located on the exterior of the drill bit, the second gauge pad having a second orifice in fluid communication with the interior cavity.   
   
   
       8 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . A wellsite system comprising:
 a drill string;   a kelly coupled to the drill string; and   a drill bit comprising:
 an interior cavity in fluid communication with a drill string; 
 a plurality of cutters arranged on the drill bit; and 
 a first gauge pad located on the exterior of the drill bit, the first gauge pad having a first orifice in fluid communication with the interior cavity, the first orifice being positioned at an angle of approximately 180° relative to the plurality of cutters, 
 wherein the drill bit is configured such that a fluid continuously flows from the first orifice. 
   
   
   
       11 . A method of drilling a curved borehole in a subsurface formation comprising:
 mounting a drill bit on a drill string, the drill bit comprising:
 an interior cavity in fluid communication with a drill string; 
 a plurality of cutters arranged on the drill bit; and 
 a first gauge pad located on the exterior of the drill bit, the first gauge pad having a first orifice in fluid communication with the interior cavity, the first orifice being positioned at an angle of approximately 180° relative to the plurality of cutters, 
 wherein the drill bit is configured such that a fluid continuously flows from the first orifice; and 
   substantially concurrently rotating the drill string and pumping the fluid through the drill string to the drill bit.