Table of Contents

January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-i

8 Drilling Bits Page
8.1 BITS .................................................................................................................................... 8-1
8.1.1 Bit Selection.............................................................................................................. 8-2
8.1.2 IADC bit grading system.......................................................................................... 8-5
8.1.3 Dulling characteristics .............................................................................................. 8-8
List of Figures Page
Figure 8-1 Fixed cutter bit components (PDC, TSP, & natural diamonds) ............................. 8-1
Figure 8-2 Roller Cone Bit Components.................................................................................. 8-2
Figure 8-3 Roller cone (a) and PDC (b) bits. ........................................................................... 8-3
Figure 8-4 TSP diamond (a) and natural diamond (b) bits. ..................................................... 8-3
Figure 8-5 IADC dull bit grading system................................................................................. 8-6
Figure 8-6 Two thirds rule and how to measure gauge............................................................ 8-7
Figure 8-7 Broken cone............................................................................................................ 8-8
Figure 8-8 Bond failure............................................................................................................ 8-9
Figure 8-9 Broken teeth............................................................................................................ 8-9
Figure 8-10 Balled up bit ....................................................................................................... 8-10
Figure 8-11 Cracked cone ...................................................................................................... 8-10
Figure 8-12 Cone dragged...................................................................................................... 8-11
Figure 8-13 Cone interference................................................................................................ 8-11
Figure 8-14 Cored bit ............................................................................................................. 8-12
Figure 8-15 Chipped teeth/cutters .......................................................................................... 8-12
Figure 8-16 Erosion................................................................................................................ 8-13
Figure 8-17 Flat crested wear................................................................................................. 8-13
Figure 8-18 Heat checking ..................................................................................................... 8-14
Figure 8-19 Junk damage ....................................................................................................... 8-14
Figure 8-20 Lost cone............................................................................................................. 8-15
Figure 8-21 Lost nozzle.......................................................................................................... 8-15
Figure 8-22 Lost teeth/cutters ................................................................................................ 8-16
Figure 8-23 Off center wear ................................................................................................... 8-16
Figure 8-24 Pinched bit .......................................................................................................... 8-17
Figure 8-25 Plugged nozzle.................................................................................................... 8-17
Figure 8-26 Rounded gauge ................................................................................................... 8-18
Figure 8-27 Shirttail damage.................................................................................................. 8-19
Figure 8-28 Self sharpening wear .......................................................................................... 8-19
Figure 8-29 Tracking.............................................................................................................. 8-19
Figure 8-30 Washed out bit .................................................................................................... 8-20
Figure 8-31 Worn teeth or cutters .......................................................................................... 8-20
List of Tables Page
No list of tables.
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-1
8 Drilling Bits
About this chapter
The first thing in any drilling assembly is the bit. This chapter will help the DD gain the
knowledge necessary to make intelligent recommendations regarding bit selection. The
move toward integrated steerable systems makes it imperative that the DD has some
input in the bit selection process because if the steerable BHA is to perform as expected
the bit must not only achieve an acceptable penetration rate, but must also last for the
desired footage while allowing the DD to directionally control the hole.
After the bit is run the driller and the tool pusher and the DD usually grade the dull bit.
This makes it easier to evaluate the bits performance and is a valuable tool in making the
next bit selection. The second part of this chapter is dedicated to dull bit grading.
Objectives of this Chapter
On completing this chapter the directional driller should be able to do the following
exercise:
1. Name the basic parts of a tricone, diamond, TSP, and PDC Bit.
2. Explain the criteria for bit selection.
3. Inspect a dull bit and fill out a dull grading form.
4. Use the information from offset bit records.
8.1 Bits
In drilling operations the drill bit is the first thing to go in hole. A basic understanding of
the different parts of a drill bit, general guidelines to bit selection, and specific guidelines
to bit dull grading are a major part of the directional drillers knowledge.
Figure 8-1 Fixed cutter bit components (PDC, TSP, & natural diamonds)
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-2
Figure 8-2 Roller Cone Bit Components
8.1.1 Bit Selection
The cutting action of the various types must be the first consideration when selecting a
bit. Each type of bit "makes" hole in a different manner.
The Roller Cone Bit crushes, gouges and deforms the rock (Figure 8-3). The drilling
efficiency is most effected by WOB. Roller Cone Bits have moving parts which must
function at the desired rotary speed.
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-3
A PDC Bit (Polycrystalline Diamond Compact) removes formation from the rock face
by shearing the rock in a similar manner to the way a machinists tool removes metal
from a part being turned in a lathe (Figure 8-3b).
Figure 8-3 Roller cone (a) and PDC (b) bits
A TSP Bit (Thermally Stable PDC ) has a similar cutting action to the PDC but the TSP
is more tolerant to heat so will cut much harder rock, but the cutting element itself is
much smaller than a PDC which results in smaller cuttings being made which results in a
slower penetration rate (Figure 8-4a).
Natural Diamond Bits will drill the hardest formations. The cutting action is the same
as for the PDC and TSP Bits but the size of the diamonds dictate that very small amounts
of rock are removed by each diamond (Figure 8-4b). A good analogy for the effect of
cutter size to penetration rate would be to think of various grits of sandpaper and how
each one removes some wood with each rub but the courser (largest cutters) sandpaper
removes the most wood with each pass similar to how the different bits remove different
amounts of rock with each revolution. PDC, TSP and Natural Diamond Bits drill more
efficiently with less WOB than a Roller Cone Bit but are more sensitive to the rotary
speed. Having no moving parts, the fixed cutter type bits can safely operate at high rotary
speeds for extended periods of time.
Figure 8-4 TSP diamond (a) and natural diamond (b) bits
If a bit is to be run on a downhole motor, the type or absence of bearings should be
considered. In hole sizes 12-1/4" and smaller, bits with sealed friction bearings or fixed
cutter type bits should be run on downhole motors. The usually higher than normal rotary
speeds (the surface rotary + the speed of the downhole motor) encountered on downhole
motor runs can lead to premature bearing failure and in some cases parts of the bit can be
lost in the hole.
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-4
In hole sizes larger than 12-1/4" the bearing surface area is usually large enough to
prevent damage from the excess rotary speed. Downhole motor runs usually mean that
the boreholes path is being deflected which causes more stress to be shifted from the
face of the bit to the gauge area.
For downhole motor runs the profile of the bit will greatly effect the ability of the
deflecting tool to move the well path sideways. The effective gauge length of a Roller
Cone Bit is short which will allow it to easily be steered" to the side.
Fixed Cutter Bits come in a multitude of shapes, but the single biggest influence on
"steerability" is the gauge length. The longer the gauge section, the better the bit will
drill straight ahead. Hence, if we want to steer our hole to a different direction, we
should choose a bit with a shorter gauge section.
Special care should be taken in selecting a drill bit for a downhole motor run that will
address:
1. Appropriate cutting structure for the formation.
2. Bearings (or lack thereof) to handle the operating speed.
3. Gauge protection.
4. Bit Profile
The best indicator of how a bit will drill in a given location is from bit records of past
performance in close offset wells. In order to do this one should become familiar with
the three-digit IADC code used to identify the various types of Roller Cone Bits so that
the examination of bit records will yield information pertinent to bit type and not bit
manufacturer.
The code has two parts:
The first two digits designate the formation hardness and the type of cutting
structure (milled tooth or tungsten carbide insert).
The third digit shows unique characteristics, i.e., bearing type.
The first digit indicates formation hardness and is called the formation hardness series:
1 thru 3 Milled Tooth Types
1 Soft Formations
2 Medium Formations
3 Hard Formations
4 thru 8 Insert Types
4 Very Soft
5 Soft
6 Medium
7 Hard
8 Very Hard
The second digit is called type and represents a further classification of the formation
hardness designation by the first digit:
1 Softest in its group
2 Soft in its group
3 Medium in its group
4 Hardest in its group
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-5
The third digit is called the feature classification:
1 thru 5 Anti-friction roller bearing bits
1 Standard, non-sealed
2 Air-lubricated bearing for air circulation drilling
3 Standard non-sealed w/cutters/reinforced gauge
4 Sealed roller bearing
5 Sealed roller bearing w/cutters/reinforced gauge
6 and 7 Sealed friction (journal) bearing
6 Sealed bearing with standard gauge
7 Sealed bearing with Insert reinforced gauge
8 and 9 Reserved for future use
8 Directional
9 Special application
Using this convention it is now possible to gather bit records from other wells drilled in
the area and determine which types of bits (not specific brands ) were used to drill the
various formations. By using the bit records, one can determine what was successful and
what was not. By following this convention one also learns much about how the present
well is progressing and can use this information as part of his comprehensive bit
selection criteria.
8.1.2 IADC bit grading system
The IADC Dull Grading System (Figure 8-5) can be applied to all types of roller cone
bits as well as all types of fixed cutter bits. Bits with steel teeth, tungsten carbide inserts,
natural or synthetic diamond cutters can be described with this system. A description of
the dull grading system follows with each of the components explained as they apply to
roller cone and fixed cutter bits.
1. Column 1 (I-Inner) is used to report the condition of the cutting elements not
touching the wall of the hole (Inner). The change from inner 2/3 of the cutting
structure was made to reduce variations in grading and increase under-standing of
the system.
2. Column 2 (O-Outer) is used to report the condition of the cutting elements that
touch the wall of the hole (Outer). In the previous version, this was the outer 1/3 of
the cutting structure. This change reflects the importance of gauge and heel condition
to good bit performance.
In columns 1 and 2, a linear scale from 0-8 is used to describe the condition of the
cutting structure as follows:
A measure of combined cutting structure reduction due to lost, worn and/or broken
inserts/teeth/cutters.
0 - No loss of cutting structure.
8 - Total loss of cutting structure.
Example: A bit missing half of the inserts on the inner rows of the bit due to loss or
breakage with the remaining teeth on the inner rows having a 50% reduction in
height due to wear, should be graded a 6 in column 1. If the inserts on the outer rows
of the bit were all intact but were reduced by wear to half of their original height, the
proper grade for column 2 would be 4.
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-6
IADC DULL BIT GRADING SYSTEM
CUTTING STRUCTURE
INNER OUTER DULL CHAR. LOCATION
I O D L B G O R
BEARINGS/
SEALS
GAGE
OTHER
DULL
CHAR.
REASON
PULLED
I INNER CUTTING STRUCTURE (All Inner rows)
O OUTER CUTTING STRUCTURE (Gage row only)
In columns 1 and 2 a linear scale from 0 to 8 is
used to describe the condition of the cutting
structure according to the following:
STEEL TOOTH BITS
A measure of lost tooth height due to abrasion
and / or damage.
0
8
NO LOSS OF TOOTH HEIGHT
TOTAL LOSS OF TOOTH HEIGHT
INSERT BITS
A measure of total cutting structure reduction due
to lost, worn and / or broken inserts.
0
8

NO LOST, WORN AND / OR BROKEN

INSERTS
ALL INSERTS LOST, WORN AND / OR
BROKEN

FIXED CUTTER BITS

A measure of lost, worn and / or broken cutting
structure.
0
8

NO LOST, WORN AND / OR BROKEN

CUTTING STRUCTURE
ALL OF CUTTING STRUCTURE LOST, WORN
AND / OR BROKEN
D DULL CHARACTERISTICS
(Use only cutting structure related codes)
BC
BF
BT
BU
CC
CD
CI
CR
CT
ER
FC
HC
JD
LC
LN
Show cone # or #' under location 4.

Broken Cone
Bond Failure
Broken Teeth / Cutters
Balled Up Bit
Cracked Cone
Cone Dragged
Cone Interference
Cored
Chipped Teeth / Cutters
Erosion
Flat Crested Wear
Heat Checking
Junk Damage
Lost Cone
Lost Nozzle
*
*
*
*
*
LT
OC
PB
PN
RG
RO
SD
SS
TR
WO
WT
NO

Lost Teeth / Cutters

Off-Center Wear
Pinched Bit
Plugged Nozzle /
Flow Passage
Rounded Gage
Ring Out
Shirttail Damage
Self-Sharpening
Wear
Tracking
Washed Out Bit
Worn Teeth / Cutters
No Dull
Characteristics
L LOCATION
ROLLER CONE
N
M
G
A

Nose Row
Middle Row
Gage Row
All Rows
CONE #
1
2
3
FIXED CUTTER
C
N
T
S
G
A

Cone
Nose
Taper
Shoulder
Gage
All Areas
B BEARING SEALS
NON-SEALED BEARINGS
A linear scale estimating
bearing life used. ( 0 - No
life used, 8 - All life used,
i.e. no bearing life
remaining.)
E
F
N
X

seals effective
seals failed
not able to grade
fixed cutter bit
FIXED CUTTER
G GAGE
I
1/16
2/16
4/16

in gage
1/16" out of gage
1/8" out of gage
1/4" out of gage
O OTHER DULL CHARACTERISTICS
Refer to Column 3 codes
R REASON BEING PULLED OR RUN TERMINATED
BHA
CM
CP
DMF
DP
DSF
DST
DTF
FM
HP
HR

Change Bottom Hole

Assembly
Condition Mud
Core Point
Downhole Motor Failure
Drill Plug
Drill String Failure
Drill Stem Testing
Downhole Tool Failure
Formation Change
Hole Problems
Hours on Bit
LIH
LOG
PP
PR
RIG
TD
TQ
TW
WC

Left in Hole
Run Logs
Pump Pressure
Penetration Rate
Rig Repair
Total Depth /
Casing Depth
Torque
Twist Off
Weather Conditions
Figure 8-5 IADC dull bit grading system
3. Column 3 (D-Dull Characteristic - Cutting Structure) uses a two-letter code to
indicate the major dull characteristic of the cutting structure. Figure 8-5 lists the
two-letter codes for the dull characteristics to be used in this column.
4. Column 4 (L-Location) uses a letter or number code to indicate the location on the
face of the bit where the cutting structure dulling characteristic occurs. Figure 8-5
lists the codes to be used for describing locations on bits.
Note
G (gauge area) replaces H for this version.
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-7
Location is defined as follows:
Gauge- Those cutting elements which touch the hole wall.
Nose - The centermost cutting element(s) of the bit.
Middle- Cutting elements between the nose and the gauge.
All - All Rows
Cone numbers are identified as follows:
The No. 1 cone contains the centermost cutting element.
Cones No. 2 and No. 3 follow in a clockwise orientation as viewed looking down at
the cutting structure with the bits sitting on the pin.
5. Column 5 (B-Bearing-Seals) uses a letter or a number code, depending on bearing
types, to indicate bearing condition of roller cone bits. For non- sealed bearing roller
cone bits, a linear scale from 0-8 is used to indicate the amount of bearing life that
has been used. A zero (0) indicates that no bearing life has been used (a new bearing)
and an 8 indicates that all of the bearing life has been used (locked or lost). For
sealed bearing journal or roller) bits, a letter code is used to indicate the condition of
the seal. An E indicates an effective seal, an "F" indicates a failed seal(s), and an
N indicating "not able to grade" has been added to allow reporting when
seal/bearing condition cannot be determined.
6. Column 6 (G-Gauge) is used to report on the gauge of the bit. The letter I (IN)
indicates no gauge reduction. If the bit does have a reduction in gauge it is to be
recorded in increments of 1/16". The Two Thirds Rule" is correct for three-cone
bits.
Note
The Two Thirds Rule, as used for three cone bits, requires that the gauge ring be pulled
so that it contacts two of the cones at their outermost points.
Figure 8-6 Two thirds rule and how to measure gauge
Then the distance between the outermost point of the third cone and the gauge ring is
multiplied by 2/3 and rounded to the nearest 1/16th of an inch to give the correct
diameter reduction (Figure 8-6).
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-8
7. Column 7 (O-Other Dull Characteristics) is used to report any dulling
characteristic of the bit, in addition to the cutting structure dulling characteristic
listed in column 3 (D). Note that this column is not restricted to cutting structure
dulling characteristics. Figure 8-5 lists the two-letter codes to be used in this column.
8. Column 8 (A-Reason Pulled) is used to report the reason for terminating the bit run.
Figure 8-5 lists the two-letter and three-letter codes used in this column.
8.1.3 Dulling characteristics
Following is a discussion, with photographs where possible, of the dulling characteristics
common to roller cone and fixed cutter bits. While the possible causes listed and possible
solutions for problem wear modes are not presumed to be exclusive, they do represent
situations commonly encountered in the field.
BC (Broken Cone) - This describes a bit with one or more cones that have been broken
into two or more pieces, but with most of the cone still attached to the bit (see Figure 8-
7). Broken cones can be caused in several ways. Some of the causes of BC are:
Cone interference - where the cones run on each other after a bearing failure and
break one or more of the cones.
Bit hitting a ledge on a trip or connection.
Dropped drill string.
Hydrogen sulfide embrittlement.
Figure 8-7 Broken cone
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-9
BF (Bond Failure) - The cutter has come completely off the tungsten carbide substrate.
This is abnormal and usually indicates that the cutters were poorly bonded during
manufacture (Figure 8-8)
Figure 8-8 Bond failure
BT (Broken Teeth) - In some formations, BT is a normal wear characteristic of tungsten
carbide insert bits and is not necessarily an indicator of any problems in bit selection or
operating practices (Figure 8-9) . However, if the bit run was of uncommonly short
duration, broken teeth could indicate one or more of the following: the need for a shock
sub, too much WOB and/or RPM, or improper bit application. Broken teeth is not
considered a normal wear mode for steel tooth roller cone bits. It may indicate improper
bit application or operating practices. Some causes of BT are:
Bit run on junk.
Bit hitting a ledge or hitting bottom suddenly.
Excessive WOB for application. Indicated by broken teeth predominantly on the
inner and middle row teeth.
Improper break-in or when a major change in bottomhole pattern is made.
Formation too hard for bit type
Figure 8-9 Broken teeth
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-10
BU (Balled-Up) - A balled-up bit will show tooth wear due to skidding, caused by a
cone, or cones, not turning due to formation being packed between the cones (Figure 8-
10) . The bit will look as if a bearing had locked up even though the bearings are still
good. Some causes of balling up are:
Inadequate hydraulic cleaning of the bottomhole.
Forcing the bit into formation cuttings with the pump not running.
Drilling a sticky formation.
Figure 8-10 Balled up bit
CC (Cracked Cone) - A cracked cone is the start of a broken or lost cone and has many
of the same possible causes (Figure 8-11).
Figure 8-11 Cracked cone
Some of these causes are:
Junk on the bottom of the hole.
Bit hitting a ledge or bottom.
Dropped drill string.
Hydrogen sulfide embrittlement.
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-11
Overheating of the bit.
Reduced cone shell thickness due to erosion.
Cone interference.
CD (Cone Dragged) - This dull characteristic indicates that one or more of the cones did
not turn during part of the bit run, indicated by one or more flat wear spots (Figure 8-12).
Some of the possible causes are:
Bearing failure on one or more of the cones.
Junk lodging between the cones.
Pinched bit causing cone interference.
Bit balling up.
Inadequate break in.
Figure 8-12 Cone dragged
CI (Cone Interference) - Cone interference often leads to cone grooving and broken
teeth and is sometimes mistaken for formation damage (Figure 8-13). Broken teeth
caused by cone interference are not an indicator of improper bit selection.
Figure 8-13 Cone interference
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-12
Some of the causes of cone interference are:
Bit being pinched.
Reaming under gauge hole with excessive WOB.
Bearing failure on one or more cones.
CR (Cored) - A bit is cored when its centermost cutters are worn and/or broken off
(Figure 8-14). A bit can also be cored when the nose part of one or more cones is broken.
Some things that can cause bits to become cored are:
Abrasiveness of formation exceeds the wear resistance of the center cutters.
Improper breaking in of a new bit when there is a major change in bottomhole
pattern.
Cone shell erosion resulting in lost cutters.
Junk in the hole causing breakage of the center cutters.
Figure 8-14 Cored bit
CT (Chipped Teeth/Cutters) - On tungsten carbide insert bits, chipped inserts often
become broken teeth. A tooth is considered chipped, as opposed to broken, if a
substantial part of the tooth remains above the cone shell (Figure 8-15).
Figure 8-15 Chipped teeth/cutters
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-13
Part of the diamond layer and/or part of the tungsten carbide substrate has fragmented
and left a sharply irregular cutter. Some causes of chipped teeth/cutters are:
Impact loading due to rough drilling.
Slight cone interference.
Rough running in air drilling application.
ER (Erosion) - Fluid erosion leads to cutter reduction and/or loss of cone shell material.
The loss of cone shell material on tungsten carbide insert bits can lead to a loss of inserts
due to reduced support and grip of the cone shell material (Figure 8-16). Erosion can be
caused by:
Abrasive formation contacting the cone shell between the cutters, caused by
tracking, off-center wear, or excessive WOB.
Abrasive formation cuttings eroding the cone shell due to inadequate hydraulics.
Excessive hydraulics resulting in high velocity fluid erosion.
Abrasive drilling fluids or poor solids control.
Figure 8-16 Erosion
FC (Flat Crested Wear) - This is an even reduction in height across the entire face of the
cutters (Figure 8-17). Interpretations of the significance of flat crested wear are
numerous, and operating factors include formation, hardfacing and operating parameters.
Figure 8-17 Flat crested wear
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-14
One of the causes of flat crested wear is:
Low WOB and high RPM, often used in attempting to control deviation.
HC (Heat Checking) - This dulling characteristic happens when a cutter is overheated
due to dragging on the formation and is then cooled by the drilling fluid over many
cycles (Figure 8-18). Some situations that can cause heat checking are:
Cutters being dragged.
Reaming a slightly under-gauge hole at high RPM.
Figure 8-18 Heat checking
JD (Junk Damage) - Junk damage can be detected by marks on any part of the bit. Junk
damage can lead to broken teeth, damaged shirttail, and shortened bit runs and therefore
can become a problem (Figure 8-19). It is necessary to clear the junk out of the hole
before continuing to drill. Some common sources of junk, and therefore causes of junk
damage are:
Junk dropped in the hole from the surface (tong dies, tools, etc.).
Junk from the drill string (reamer pins, stabilizer blades, etc.).
Junk from a previous bit run (tungsten carbide inserts, ball bearings, etc.).
Junk from the bit itself (tungsten carbide inserts, etc.).
Figure 8-19 Junk damage
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-15
LC (Lost Cone) - It is possible to lose one or more cones in many ways (Figure 8-20).
With few exceptions, the lost cone must be cleared from the hole before drilling can
resume. Some of the causes of lost cones are:
Bit hitting bottom or a ledge on a trip or connection.
Dropped drill string.
Bearing failure (causing the cone retention system to fail).
Hydrogen sulfide embrittlement.
Figure 8-20 Lost cone
LN (Lost Nozzle) - While LN is not a cutting structure dulling characteristic, it is an
important "Other Dulling Characteristic" that can help describe a bit condition(Figure 8-
21). A lost nozzle causes a pressure decrease which requires that the bit be pulled out of
the hole. A lost nozzle is also a source of junk in the hole. Some causes of lost nozzles
are:
Improper nozzle installation.
Improper nozzle and/or nozzle design.
Mechanical or erosion damage to nozzle and/or nozzle retaining system.
Figure 8-21 Lost nozzle
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-16
LT (Lost Teeth/Cutters) - This dulling characteristic leaves entire tungsten carbide
inserts or PDC Cutters in the hole which are far more detrimental to the rest of the bit
than are broken insert (Figure 8-22). Lost teeth often cause junk damage. Lost teeth are
sometimes preceded by rotated inserts. Lost teeth can be caused by:
Cone shell erosion.
A crack in the cone/crown that loosens the grip on the insert/cutters.
Hydrogen sulfide embrittlement cracks.
Figure 8-22 Lost teeth/cutters
OC (Off-Center Wear) - This dulling characteristic occurs when the geometric center of
the bit and the geometric center of the hole do not coincide (Figure 8-23). This results in
an oversize hole. Off center wear can be recognized on the dull bit by wear on the cone
shells between the rows of cutters, more gauge wear on one cone, and by a less than
expected penetration rate. This can often be eliminated by changing bit types and thus
changing the bottomhole pattern.
Figure 8-23 Off center wear
Off center wear can be caused by:
Change of formation from a brittle to a more plastic formation.
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-17
Inadequate stabilization in a deviated hole.
Inadequate WOB for formation and bit type.
Hydrostatic pressure that significantly exceeds the formation pressure.
PB (Pinched Bit) - Bits become pinched when they are mechanically forced to a less
than original gauge (Figure 8-24). Pinched bits can lead to broken teeth, chipped teeth,
cone interference, dragged cones and many other cutting structure dulling characteristics.
Some possible causes of pinched bits are:
Bit being forced into under-gauge hole.
Roller cone bit being forced into a section of hole drilled by fixed cutter bits, due
to different OD tolerances.
Forcing a bit through casing that does not drilling to the bit size used.
Bit being pinched in the bit breaker.
Bit being forced into an undersized blowout preventer stack.
Figure 8-24 Pinched bit
PN (Plugged Nozzle) - This dulling characteristic does not describe the cutting structure
but can be useful in providing information about a bit run (Figure 8-25). A plugged
nozzle can lead to reduced hydraulics or force a trip out of the hole due to excessive
pump pressure.
Figure 8-25 Plugged nozzle
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-18
Plugged nozzles can be caused by:
Jamming the bit into fill with the pump off.
Solid material going up the drill string through the bit on a connection and
becoming lodged in a nozzle when circulation is resumed.
Solid material pumped down the drill string and becoming lodged in a nozzle.
RG (Rounded Gauge) - This dulling characteristic describes a bit that has experienced
gauge wear in a rounded manner, but will still drill a full size hole (Figure 8-26). The
gauge inserts may be less than nominal bit diameter but the cone backfaces are still at
nominal diameter. Rounded Gauge can be caused by:
Drilling an abrasive formation with excessive RPM.
Reaming an under gauge hole.
Figure 8-26 Rounded gauge
RO (Ring Out) - This dull characteristic describes a bit that has lost all of its cutting
structure in a ring around the face of the bit. A groove will actually be cut into the body
of the bit by the formation. Excessive pump pressure while on bottom with a decrease in
pressure back to the expected value upon pulling off bottom is a good downhole
indicator of a ringed bit. A ringed bit can be caused by junk in the hole and regardless of
the cause may leave junk in the hole. Care should be taken on subsequent runs. Some
possible causes of ringed bits are:
Junk in the hole.
Chert and or pyrite.
SD (Shirttail Damage) - Shirttail damage may be different than junk damage and is not a
cutting structure dulling characteristic (Figure 8-27). Shirttail wear can lead to seal
failures. Some causes of shirttail damage are:
Junk in the hole.
Reaming under-gauge hole in faulted or broken formations.
A pinched bit causing the shirttails to be the outer part of the bit.
Poor hydraulics.
High angle well bore.
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-19
Figure 8-27 Shirttail damage
SS (Self-Sharpening Wear) - This is a dulling characteristic which occurs when cutters
wear in a manner such that they retain a sharp crest shape (Figure 8-28).
Figure 8-28 Self sharpening wear
TR (Tracking) - This dulling characteristic occurs when the teeth mesh like a gear into
the bottomhole pattern (Figure 8-29). The cutter wear on a bit that has been tracking will
be on the leading and trailing flanks.
Figure 8-29 Tracking
Drilling Operations
January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-20
The cone shell wear will be between the cutters in a row. Tracking can sometimes be
alleviated by using a softer bit to drill the formation and/or by reducing the hydrostatic
pressure if possible. Tracking can be caused by:
Formation changes from brittle to plastic.
Hydrostatic pressure that significantly exceeds the formation pressure.
WO (Washed Out Bit) - Bit washouts are not cutting structure dulling characteristics but
can provide important information when used as an "Other dulling characteristic
(Figure 8-30). This can occur at anytime during the bit run. If the bit weld is porous or
not closed, then the bit will start to washout as soon as circulation starts. Often the welds
are closed but crack during the bit run due to impact with bottom or ledges on
connections. When a crack occurs and circulation starts through the crack, the washout is
established very quickly.
Figure 8-30 Washed out bit
WT (Worn Teeth/Cutters) This is a normal dulling characteristic of the tungsten carbide
insert bits and steel tooth bits as well as for the fixed cutter bits(Figure 8-31). When WT
is noted for steel tooth bits, it is also often appropriate to note self sharpening (SS) or flat
crested (FC) wear.
Figure 8-31 Worn teeth or cutters
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January 1997 Confidential Directional Drilling 8-21
NO (No Dull Characteristics) This code is used to indicate that the dull shows no sign
of the outer dulling characteristics described. This is often used when a bit is pulled after
a short run for a reason not related to the bit, such as a drill string washout. Next we will
grade a dull roller cone bit, and discuss some possible interpretations of the wear as it
relates to bit selection and application. It should be noted that there may be more than
one "correct" dull grading for any bit. This can happen if two persons should disagree on
the primary cutting structure dulling characteristic or on what the other dulling
characteristic should be. Regardless, the new IADC dull grading system provides the
man on the rig with ample opportunity to report what he sees when examining a dull.
By using the information available from offset bit records and from examining the dull
bits on your location, you should be able to make sound recommendations as to the best
bit selections.