Patent ID: 6112836
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A rotary drag bit for drilling a subterranean formation, comprising:a bit body having a longitudinal axis and extending radially outward therefrom toward a gage, the bit body including a face to be oriented toward the subterranean formation during drilling and carrying structure for cutting the subterranean formation and defining a borehole diameter therethrough;a first plurality of circumferentially-spaced gage pads disposed about a periphery of the bit body and extending longitudinally away from the bit face and terminating generally within a first preselected longitudinal distance from the bit face to a preselected point on the periphery of the bit body; anda second plurality of circumferentially-spaced gage pads being substantially devoid of side-cutting structure on radially oriented surfaces thereof, the second plurality of gage pads being disposed about the periphery of the bit body and the second plurality of gage pads generally originating longitudinally proximate side the preselected point and being generally positioned and extending longitudinally away from the bit face a greater longitudinal distance than the first plurality of gage pads and terminating generally within a second preselected longitudinal distance from the bit face, the second plurality of gage pads being discontinuous with the first plurality of gage pads.