According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cutter head arrangement comprising a cutter head portion including a (substantially cylindrical) cutter head side wall to define a chamber (or cavity) surrounded by the cutter head side wall. A substantially circular rim portion extends from (a distal end of) the cutter head side wall, the rim portion defining a working, contact face of the cutter head portion. A recessed wall portion extends away from the rim portion inwardly into the chamber so as to be surrounded by the cutter head side wall, with the rim portion and/or the recessed wall portion being fitted with a plurality of cutter elements, to enable the cutter head portion to blind bore a pilot hole in use. The recessed wall portion that extends away from the rim portion inwardly into the chamber is a substantially conical body so as to define a conical recess (proximate a central region of the cutter head portion, at a distal end of the cutter head portion). The conical body accordingly defines an inwardly extending apex that terminate substantially in line with a central axis of the cutter head portion.

A bearing system configured for use on a downhole tool including a rolling cutter member having a plurality of cutting structures thereon comprises a first plurality of bearings disposed between a head washer and an at least substantially planar shaft washer, and a second plurality of bearings disposed between the at least substantially planar shaft washer and a rolling cutter washer. A downhole tool, such as an earth-boring rotary rolling cutter drill bit includes such a bearing system between a rolling cutter and a head of a bit body. Methods of forming such a downhole tool include the assembly of such a bearing system between a rolling cutter and a head of a bit body.

A bearing system configured for use on a downhole tool including a rolling cutter member having a plurality of cutting structures thereon comprises a first plurality of bearings disposed between a head washer and an at least substantially planar shaft washer, and a second plurality of bearings disposed between the at least substantially planar shaft washer and a rolling cutter washer. A downhole tool, such as an earth-boring rotary rolling cutter drill bit includes such a bearing system between a rolling cutter and a head of a bit body. Methods of forming such a downhole tool include the assembly of such a bearing system between a rolling cutter and a head of a bit body.

Bearing systems configured for use on a downhole tool may include a tensioner bolt having a complementary nut, the tensioner bolt and nut sized and shaped to secure the rolling cutter member to a head. A radial bearing may include an annular sleeve sized and shaped to surround the head. A shaft washer may be sized and shaped to surround the head between an enlarged head of the tensioner bolt and the annular sleeve. A bearing element may be configured for positioning proximate the head, the bearing element comprising an upper surface configured for sliding, frictional contact with a lower surface of the shaft washer.

A process for constructing a well (1) for exploiting an oil or gas reservoir, comprising the following operations: (A) drilling a formation submerged by a water head, at least 3,600 meters deep or more, reaching the formation from the surface of the water with a drilling riser (7), and a drilling tool which passes internally through the drilling riser; and evacuating through the drilling riser (7) at least one of the circulating drilling fluid, the oil or natural gas coming from the formations and the resulting drilling materials. The drilling riser (7) has an external diameter equal to or smaller than 17 inches and reaches a wellhead (3) having an internal diameter equal to or smaller than 18.75 inches, and positioned in correspondence with or close to the seabed submerged which covers the formation.

A reamer for use in underground drilling back-reaming operations. The reamer comprises a body comprising a plurality of pockets. The pockets are configured such that an arm, a rolling cutter, and a retainer may fit within each of the pockets. Each of the rolling cutters is connected to each of the arms via a spindle. The rolling cutters are held on the spindle and connected to each of the pockets via a retainer. Each of the arms is secured to each of the pockets via a plurality of fasteners. A mechanical lock is used to secure at least one of the fasteners in place. Each of the arms comprises a grease passage and a pressure compensation system. The rolling cutters are replaceable with rolling cutters of like size or rolling cutters of different sizes and shapes.

The disclosure relates to embodiments of horizontal directional drilling equipment and methods for horizontal directional drilling techniques including a reamer head comprising a frustoconical body, wherein the frustoconical body defines a cavity configured to receive at least one bearing; and a plurality of teeth mounted to the frustoconical body. An imaginary apex of the frustoconical body is superimposed on the centerline of a reamer or reaming apparatus for reaming of an underground arcuate path. In another embodiment the reamer head is a progressive independently segmented reaming head. A plurality reaming heads are mounted to a reaming apparatus for reaming of an underground arcuate path.

Embodiments of a reamer of the present invention generally include a front end containing components, such as pie wedge-shaped corebuster components, that are substantially axially disposed with respect to the axis of rotation of the reamer, wherein the pie wedges include abrasion-resistant inserts, which may be cylindrical in shape, oriented substantially longitudinally with respect to the axis of rotation of the reamer. Embodiments of a method of using an apparatus of the present invention are also provided.

A hole opener includes a body with cone arms. The body includes pockets formed in the body in which each of the pockets includes a forwardly-positioned shoulder pocket section, a rearwardly-positioned tapered pocket section and a base opening axially extending through a wall of the corresponding pocket that receives a fastener therethrough. The cone arms each include a cone head attached to an arm. The arm includes a forwardly-positioned shoulder arm section, a rearwardly-positioned tapered arm section, and a rearwardly-facing opening axially extending through the rearwardly-positioned tapered arm section that receives the fastener. When each of the cone arms is inserted into a corresponding one of the pockets and the corresponding fastener(s) is/are tightened, the rearwardly-positioned tapered arm section is securely drawn into the rearwardly-positioned tapered pocket section of the pocket to create a pre-loaded fit therebetween and the forwardly-positioned shoulder arm section mates with the forwardly-positioned shoulder pocket section.

A hole opener includes a body with cone arms. The body includes pockets formed in the body in which each of the pockets includes a forwardly-positioned shoulder pocket section, a rearwardly-positioned tapered pocket section and a base opening axially extending through a wall of the corresponding pocket that receives a fastener therethrough. The cone arms each include a cone head attached to an arm. The arm includes a forwardly-positioned shoulder arm section, a rearwardly-positioned tapered arm section, and a rearwardly-facing opening axially extending through the rearwardly-positioned tapered arm section that receives the fastener. When each of the cone arms is inserted into a corresponding one of the pockets and the corresponding fastener(s) is/are tightened, the rearwardly-positioned tapered arm section is securely drawn into the rearwardly-positioned tapered pocket section of the pocket to create a pre-loaded fit therebetween and the forwardly-positioned shoulder arm section mates with the forwardly-positioned shoulder pocket section.