An enhanced reaming apparatus and method are disclosed. A reaming assembly may
have a motor and a pump that provide linear force, torsional force, and pressurized
drilling fluid to a reamer to cause the reamer to enlarge the bore of a pilot hole.
The reamer may have a body and a plurality of blade assemblies that cooperate to
define two substantially symmetrical, oppositely oriented reaming sections. Each
blade assembly may have an inner blade attached to the body and an outer blade
extending outward from the body. Hard cutting elements may be used in place of
the outer blade. The blade assemblies may be field-replaced, or the orientation
of the reamer may be reversed to enhance the life of the reamer. The reamer has
jets and circulation openings that release the drilling fluid into the bore to
facilitate penetration and remove cuttings.
