Steering component, steering assembly and method of steering a drill bit in a borehole

A steering assembly adapted for connection to a drill string which is rotated during use, the assembly comprising a steering component, a drill bit and a motor to rotate the drill bit relative to the drill string, the rate of rotation of the drill bit in use being the sum of the rate of rotation of the drill string and the relative rate of rotation due to the motor, the steering component being located between the motor and the drill bit, the steering component comprising:

• a rotatable driveshaft connected between the drill bit and the motor;
• a drive mechanism;
• and
• an offsetting component;
• the drive mechanism providing a rotatable connection between the drill string and the offsetting component, the rotatable connection being adapted to enable the offsetting component to maintain a substantially constant angular orientation as the drill string is rotated during use, the drive mechanism utilizing relative rotation between the driveshaft and the drill string to drive the offsetting component to rotate in an opposed direction to the driveshaft, the drive mechanism being adapted to drive the offsetting component to rotate in the opposed direction to the driveshaft during drilling.

A steering component adapted for connection to a drill string which is rotated during use, the drill string carrying a drill bit and a motor for rotating the drill bit relative to the drill string, the rate of rotation of the drill bit in use being the sum of the rate of rotation of the drill string and the relative rate of rotation due to the motor, the steering component comprising:

• a rotatable driveshaft adapted for connection between the drill bit and the motor;
• a drive mechanism having an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition;
• an offsetting component;
• a sensor for determining the angular orientation of the offsetting component;
• and
• a control means to transfer the drive mechanism between its actuated condition and its non-actuated condition, the control means transferring the drive mechanism to its actuated condition for a period of time dependent upon the angular orientation of the offsetting component;
• the drive mechanism providing a rotatable connection between the drill string and the offsetting component, the rotatable connection in the non-actuated condition being adapted to enable the offsetting component to maintain a substantially constant angular orientation as the drill string is rotated during use, the drive mechanism in the actuated condition utilizing relative rotation between the driveshaft and the drill string to drive the offsetting component to rotate in an opposed direction to the driveshaft, the drive mechanism being adapted to drive the offsetting component to rotate in the opposed direction to the driveshaft during drilling.

A steering assembly adapted for connection to a drill string which is rotated during use, the assembly comprising:

• a steering component;
• a drill bit;
• and
• a motor to rotate the drill bit relative to the drill string, the rate of rotation of the drill bit in use being the sum of the rate of rotation of the drill string and the relative rate of rotation due to the motor,
• the steering component being located between the motor and the drill bit, the steering component comprising:
• a rotatable driveshaft connected between the drill bit and the motor;
• a drive mechanism having an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition;
• and
• an offsetting component, the assembly further comprising a sensor for determining the angular orientation of the offsetting component;
• and
• a control means to transfer the drive mechanism between its actuated condition and its non-actuated condition, the control means transferring the drive mechanism to its actuated condition for a period of time dependent upon the angular orientation of the offsetting component;
• the drive mechanism providing a rotatable connection between the drill string and the offsetting component, the rotatable connection in the non-actuated condition being adapted to enable the offsetting component to maintain a substantially constant angular orientation as the drill string is rotated during use, the drive mechanism in the actuated condition utilizing relative rotation between the driveshaft and the drill string to drive the offsetting component to rotate in an opposed direction to the driveshaft, the drive mechanism being adapted to drive the offsetting component to rotate in the opposed direction to the driveshaft during drilling.