Patent ID: 6325163
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: E21B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of drilling a subterranean formation, comprising:providing a drill bit including a crown;providing a torque limiting device;attaching the drill bit and the torque limiting device to a drill string with the torque limiting device located to limit an application of torque through the drill string upon the crown of the drill bit, said torque limiting device being configured and positioned to allow the drill string to rotate relative to the crown of the drill bit under a predetermined magnitude of applied torque;lowering the drill bit and torque limiting device attached to the drill string into a bore hole;rotating the crown of the drill bit using torque applied through the drill string while applying weight-on-bit and flowing drilling fluid through the drill bit; andmodifying at least one drilling parameter selected from weight-on-bit, drilling fluid flow, drilling fluid pressure, and rotational speed of the drill bit in response to cessation of rotation of the crown of the drill bit.