Patent ID: 11867059
Assignee: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Field: Civil engineering (Other fields)
Classification: CPC E | IPC E

Claim 0:
1. A system for drilling a borehole in a subterranean formation, the system comprising:
a tubular string;
a drill bit coupled to the tubular string and comprising a bit body having a bit face positioned along the bit body;
a plasma inducing apparatus coupled to the drill bit and comprising an electrode assembly coupled to a downhole end of the drill bit, wherein the electrode assembly comprises one or more pairs of electrodes positioned along the bit face of the drill bit and configured to emit an electrical discharge between the one or more pairs of electrodes to generate plasma for weakening the subterranean formation, the electrical discharge having an average electrical power that is less than 20 kilowatts (kW); and
a power conversion assembly coupled to the tubular string, wherein the plasma inducing apparatus is configured to generate plasma from electric current generated within the power conversion assembly,
wherein the drill bit comprises a cutting structure positioned along the bit face and comprising a plurality of cutter elements configured to cut into the subterranean formation as the subterranean formation is weakened by the plasma generated by the electrode assembly.