Self-stabilized and anti-whirl drill bits and bottom-hole assemblies and systems for using the same

Abstract

A wellsite system includes a drill string suspended within a borehole, and a bottom hole assembly with a drill bit at its lower end, where the drill bit is a self stabilized and anti-whirl drill bit. The drill bit includes an interior cavity in fluid communication with the drill string, and a plurality of gauge pads located on the exterior of the drill bit. One or more of the gauge pads include an orifice in communication with the interior cavity, where the 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 each of the orifices.

1 . A drill bit, comprising:
 an interior cavity in fluid communication with a drill string;   a plurality of gauge pads located on the exterior of the drill bit, at least one of the gauge pads being formed with a plurality of cutters; and   one or more of the gauge pads having an orifice in communication with the interior cavity, the orifice being positioned at an angle of approximately 90° relative to the plurality of cutters arranged on the respective gauge pad,   wherein the drill bit is configured such that a fluid continuously flows from each of the orifices to provide a net stabilizing effect.   
   
   
       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 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein the drill bit comprises the plurality of gauge pads each having an orifice in communication with the interior cavity. 
   
   
       4 . The drill bit of  claim 3 , wherein the drill bit comprises three gauge pads each having an orifice in communication with the interior cavity. 
   
   
       5 . The drill bit of  claim 4 , wherein the orifices are spaced about 120° on center around the exterior of the drill bit. 
   
   
       6 - 8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . A bottom hole assembly, comprising:
 an interior cavity in fluid communication with a drill string;   a plurality of stabilization pads located on the exterior of the bottom hole assembly, at least one of the stabilization pads being formed with a plurality of cutters; and   one or more of the stabilization pads having an orifice in communication with the interior cavity to provide a net stabilizing force to the bottom hole assembly,   wherein the orifice is positioned at an angle of approximately 90° relative to the plurality of cutters arranged on the respective stabilization pad.   
   
   
       10 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom hole assembly is configured such that a fluid continuously flows from each of the one or more orifices. 
   
   
       11 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid flow is sufficient to urge the drill bit away from a wall of a borehole thereby stabilizing said drill bit in the borehole. 
   
   
       12 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom hole assembly comprises the plurality of stabilization pads each having an orifice in communication with the interior cavity. 
   
   
       13 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the bottom hole assembly comprises three stabilization pads each having an orifice in communication with the interior cavity. 
   
   
       14 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the orifices are spaced about 120° on center around the exterior of the bottom hole assembly. 
   
   
       15 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . 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 the drill string; 
 a plurality of gauge pads located on the exterior of the drill bit, at least one of the gauge pads being formed with a plurality of cutters; and 
 one or more of the gauge pads having an orifice in communication with the interior cavity, the orifice being positioned at an angle of approximately 90° relative to the plurality of cutters arranged on the respective gauge pad, 
 wherein the drill bit is configured such that a fluid continuously flows from at least one of said orifices to provide a net stabilizing effect on the wellsite system.