Tension/Collar/Reamer Assemblies And Methods

Abstract

The present invention provides drilling assembles and methods that are especially useful for a bottom hole drilling assembly for drilling/reaming/ or other operations related to drilling a borehole through an earth formation. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly utilizes standard drill collars which are modified to accept force transfer sections. In another embodiment, the drilling assembly comprises a tension inducing sub which creates a force that may be used to place the bottom hole assembly or portions thereof in tension. In another embodiment, a reaming assembly is held in tension to provide a stiffer reaming assembly.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A drilling assembly for use in drilling a gas or oil borehole, said drilling assembly comprising:
 a series of outer tubulars connected to form a drilling string;   a bit at the bottom end of said drilling string;   one or more high density members within said outer tubular at or near the bottom of said drilling string;   wherein said drilling string, when under greater than 10,000 pounds of weight on bit, has a neutral zone located not more than about 45 feet above said bit with said drilling string being in tension above said neutral zone.   
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 14  wherein at least one of said high density member includes tungsten. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15  wherein at least one of said high density member has a central bore therethrough. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16  wherein at least one of said high density member has a pipe therethrough to prevent contact of said high density member with drilling fluid circulation flow through an aperture in said pipe that runs through said drilling assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 14  wherein said drilling string, when under greater than about 32 thousand pounds of weight on bit, has a neutral zone located not more than about 45 feet above said bit with said drilling string being in tension above said neutral zone. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 14  wherein said drilling string, when under greater than about 50 thousand pounds of weight on bit, has a neutral zone located not more than about 45 feet above said bit with said drilling string being in tension above said neutral zone. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 14  wherein said drilling string, when under greater than about 32 thousand pounds of weight on bit, has a neutral zone located not more than about 14 feet above said bit with said drilling string being in tension above said neutral zone. 
     
     
         21 . A method for making a drilling assembly for use in drilling a gas or oil borehole, said method comprising:
 utilizing a series of outer tubulars connected to form a drilling string;   providing a bit at the bottom end of said drilling string;   utilizing one or more high density members within said outer tubular at or near the bottom of said drilling string which are configured so that said drilling string, when under greater than 10,000 pounds of weight on bit, has a neutral zone located not more than about 45 feet above said bit with said drilling string being in tension above said neutral zone.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein at least one of said high density member includes tungsten. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein at least one of said high density member has a central bore therethrough. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein at least one of said high density member has a pipe therethrough to prevent contact of said high density member with drilling fluid circulation flow through an aperture in said pipe that runs through said drilling assembly. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said drilling string, when under greater than about  32  thousand pounds of weight on bit, has a neutral zone located not more than about 45 feet above said bit with said drilling string being in tension above said neutral zone. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said drilling string, when under greater than about 50 thousand pounds of weight on bit, has a neutral zone located not more than about 45 feet above said bit with said drilling string being in tension above said neutral zone. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said drilling string, when under greater than about 32 thousand pounds of weight on bit, has a neutral zone located not more than about 14 feet above said bit with said drilling string being in tension above said neutral zone.