Patent ID: 9334692
Filing Date: 2016-05-10
CPC Classification: E21B

Claim Text:
1. A drilling method comprising, in a downhole environment: actuating a reciprocating rock-breaking element including at least one drill bit to impact a rock formation; manipulating pressure waves in a downhole environment as the at least one drill bit of the reciprocating rock-breaking element impacts the rock formation, actuating a pressure-cycling member to decompress wellbore fluid proximate the rock-breaking element in the downhole environment; actuating the reciprocating rock-breaking element away from the rock formation; and as the at least one drill bit of the reciprocating rock-breaking element is moved away from the rock formation, actuating the pressure-cycling member to compress the wellbore fluid proximate the rock-breaking element; wherein the reciprocating rock-breaking element impacting the rock formation creates pressure and velocity waves to enhance rock breaking.