Importance

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Abstract

A fixed cutter, or rotary drag, bit exhibiting enhanced lateral stability for drilling subterranean formations and a method of drilling. The bit includes one or more gage pads longitudinally extended in the direction of the leading end of the bit and preferably forwardly of the bit face, the gage pads and preferably the adjacent shoulder regions each bearing at least one cutting element thereon exhibiting a reduced exposure in comparison to cutting elements carried on the face of the bit. The increased gage pad area may be employed as a bearing area to accommodate a large resultant lateral force vector and the extended, reduced-exposure cutting element-carrying gage pads and adjacent shoulder regions may be deployed about the entire circumference of the bit so the direction of any resultant force vector is substantially immaterial to the bit design.

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First Claim