US 11,933,172 B2
Method, apparatus by method, and apparatus of guidance positioning members for directional drilling
Edward Spatz, Spring, TX (US); Michael Reese, Houston, TX (US); David Miess, Spring, TX (US); and Gregory Prevost, Spring, TX (US)
Assigned to XR Lateral LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by XR LATERAL LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Nov. 24, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/102,618.
Application 17/102,618 is a division of application No. 15/667,704, filed on Aug. 3, 2017, granted, now 10,890,030.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/439,843, filed on Dec. 28, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0246727 A1, Aug. 12, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 7/04 (2006.01); E21B 7/06 (2006.01); E21B 17/20 (2006.01); E21B 44/00 (2006.01); E21B 44/02 (2006.01); E21B 47/013 (2012.01)
CPC E21B 7/04 (2013.01) [E21B 7/067 (2013.01); E21B 7/068 (2013.01); E21B 17/20 (2013.01); E21B 44/00 (2013.01); E21B 44/02 (2013.01); E21B 47/013 (2020.05)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A portion of a drill string comprising:
a power section;
a transmission section coupled with the power section;
a bearing portion coupled with the transmission section;
a bit portion coupled with the bearing portion;
a bend located below the power section and proximal the transmission section;
an upper positioner located above the bend, the upper positioner having a plurality of blades and flutes;
a near bit positioner located above the bit portion, the near bit positioner having a plurality of blades and flutes;
wherein the upper positioner has a shape that is axially asymmetric such that the shape of the upper positioner is asymmetric about an axis of rotation of the portion of the drill string; and
wherein the near bit positioner has a shape that is axially asymmetric such that the shape of the near bit positioner is asymmetric about the axis of rotation of the portion of the drill string.