Steering device augmentation, method and system

Abstract

A steering augmenter for a steering device of a drilling tool, including a body, a first flow passage in the body and configured to convey a fluid supply. a channel at the outside surface of the body, the channel being configured to produce a Bernoulli effect therein during fluid flow therein, a second flow passage fluidly connecting the first flow passage to the channel, and a valve associated with the second flow passage and configured to allow, prevent or choke flow through the second flow passage. A downhole drill bit assembly including a steering augmenter, the drill bit attached to the steering augmenter. A method for drilling a borehole into the earth, the method including conveying the steering device into the borehole, operating the valve to allow, prevent or choke flow through the second flow passage, creating a steering force at the steering augmenter by the produced Bernoulli effect.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A steering augmenter for a steering device of a drilling tool, the steering augmenter comprising:
 a body having an inside surface and an outside surface and configured to attach to a drill bit;   a first flow passage defined by the inside surface of the body and configured to convey a fluid supply;   a channel at the outside surface of the body, the channel being configured to produce a Bernoulli effect therein during fluid flow therein;   a second flow passage fluidly connecting the first flow passage to the channel; and   a valve associated with the second flow passage and configured to allow, prevent or choke flow through the second flow passage.   
     
     
         2 . The steering augmenter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the configuration to attach to the drill bit is a timed thread. 
     
     
         3 . The steering augmenter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein an azimuth difference between a junk slot of the drill bit and the channel is in the range of +90° to −90. 
     
     
         4 . The steering augmenter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein an azimuth difference between a junk slot of the drill bit and the channel is in the range of 90° to 270°. 
     
     
         5 . The steering augmenter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the channel is in the outside surface of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The steering augmenter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the channel is in a sleeve that nests with the body and is selectively rotatable on the body and fixable to the body. 
     
     
         7 . The steering augmenter as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the sleeve is selectively fixable by mating surfaces of the drill bit and the sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The steering augmenter as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a stabilizer between the channel and the drill bit. 
     
     
         9 . The steering augmenter as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the sleeve is fixable by a fastener. 
     
     
         10 . The steering augmenter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the steering device is rotatable within a borehole and the valve rotates with the steering device. 
     
     
         11 . The steering augmenter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the valve is between the inside surface and the outside surface of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The steering augmenter as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the valve includes an actuator. 
     
     
         13 . The steering augmenter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the valve is rotationally independent of the steering augmenter. 
     
     
         14 . A downhole drill bit assembly comprising:
 a steering augmenter as claimed in  claim 1 ;   the drill bit attached to the steering augmenter.   
     
     
         15 . A method for drilling a borehole into the earth, the method comprising:
 conveying the steering device as claimed in  claim 1  into the borehole;   operating the valve to allow, prevent or choke flow through the second flow passage;   creating a steering force at the steering augmenter by the produced Bernoulli effect.   
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising aligning the channel with a junk slot of the drill bit, so that an azimuth difference between the junk slot and the channel is in the range of +90° to −90. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising aligning the channel with a junk slot of the drill bit, so that an azimuth difference between the junk slot and the channel is in the range of 90° to 270°. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the channel is in a sleeve that nests with the body and further comprising rotating the sleeve to align the channel and securing the sleeve to the body after the alignment. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising installing a stabilizer between the channel and the drill bit. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising rotating the steering device and rotating the valve with the steering device within the borehole.