PETE 203

DRILLING ENGINEERING

Chapter 5

Drilling Bits

Contents:
Various bit types available (classification).

Criteria for selecting the best bit for a given

situation.

Standard methods for evaluating dull bite

Factors affecting bit wear and drilling speed. Different Rock Failure mechanisms Optimization of bit weight and rotary speed

Ideal Bit (Lowest Cost $/ft)

High drilling rate Long life

Drill full-gauge, straight hole

Moderate cost

Selecting Ideal Bit

Drilling Cost per foot

Drillability
Abrasiveness Type of Reservoir

Cost of the Bit

Depth

Improving Bit Performance

Stabilize the Bit

Maintain minimum mud weight, sand & solids

Maintain adequate bottom hole cleaning Protect the seals - avoid pressure surges Thoroughly inspect bit before re-running Keep oil from the mud, and from the seals Follow manufacturers recommendations (e.g.
6,000 lb/in of diameter and 40-60 RPM)

Common Types of Drilling Bits

Types of Bits
1. Drag Bits: Fixed cutter blades Consist of fixed cutter blades that are integral with the body of the bit and rotate as a unit with the drill string (19th

century).
2. Rolling Cutter Bits: Rock bits - with cones

(1909) have two or more cones containing

the cutting elements which rotate about the axis of the cone as the bit is rotated

Drag Bits
Design Features
Number & shape of cutting blades/stones Size and location of the water courses Metallurgy of the bit and cutting elements

Drag Bits
Drilling is achieved by physically blowing

cuttings from the bottom of the bore-hole

Drag Bits
Advantages
No rolling parts which require strong clean bearing surfaces Because it is made from one solid piece of steel there is less chance of bit breakage, which would leave junk in the bottom of the

hole

Fishtail Drag Bit

Drag Bits
Cutter may be made from:
Steel Tungsten carbide Natural diamonds

Polycrystalline diamonds (PDC)

Drag Bits
Types of Drag Bits
Steel cutter bits (Fishtail Type) Diamond bits Polycrystalline diamond bits

Steel Cutter Bits

Best for
Soft formations Uniform formations unconsolidated formations

Now, replaced by other types in all area

When Using Natural Diamond Bit?

Penetration rate of rock bit < 10 ft/hr

Hole diameter < 6 inches

When it is important to keep the bit and pipe in the hole When bad weather precludes making trips When starting a side-tracked hole

When coring
When a lower cost/ft would result

Diamond Bits
Best for hard non-brittle formations The face or crown of the bit consists of many diamonds set in a tungsten carbide matrix

Fluid courses are provided in the matrix to

direct the flow of drilling fluid over the face of the bit.

Diamond Bits
Shape of crown profit:
Step type
Long taper (straight hole, high wt.)
Short taper (easier to clean)

Non taper (directional drilling)

Diamond Bits
Size and number of diamonds, depend on

the hardness of the formation

Hard formations:
Many small stones
0.07-0.125 carrot

Soft formations:
Few large stones 0.75-2.0 carrot

Diamond Bits
Pressure drop across the face of the bit
Pump pressure measured with the bit off
bottom-pump pressure with the bit drilling = 500 : 1000 psi

Manufacturer usually provide estimate of approximate circulating rate required establishing the needed pressure drop across the bit.

Top View of Diamond Bit

Side View of Diamond Bit

Natural Diamond Bits

PDC Bits

Natural Diamond bit

junk slot cuttings radial flow

high Dp across face

Soft Formation Diamond bit

Larger diamonds Fewer diamonds Pointed nose

Hard Formation Diamond bit

Smaller diamonds More diamonds Flatter nose

PolyCrystalline Diamond (PCD) Bits

Since mid 1970s a PDC Bits has been made

possible by the introduction of a sintered

polycrystalline diamond drill blanks, as a bit cutter element The drill blanks consist of a layer of a synthetic polycrystalline diamond about 1/64 in. thick that is

bonded to a cemented tungsten carbide substrate

in a high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT)

process

PDC bits

Courtesy Smith Bits

PolyCrystalline Diamond (PCD) Bits

It contains many small diamond crystals bonded

together
The PCD is bonded either to a tungsten carbide

bit-body matrix or to a tungsten carbide stud that

is mounted in a steel bit body

They perform best in soft, firm, and medium-hard,

non-abrasion formations (not gummy)

PolyCrystalline Diamond (PCD) Bits

Good results are obtained in carbonates or

evaporates that are not broken up with hard shale

stringers. Also good in a sandstone, siltstone, shale Design of crown profile is important, double-cone and flat profile Size, shape, number of cutters and angle of attack back rake, side rake and exposure

PolyCrystalline Diamond (PCD) Bits

Advantages:
Increase penetration rates in oil & gas wells
Reduce drilling time and costs

Cost 5-15 times more than roller cone bits

1.5 times faster than those 2 years earlier

Work better in oil based muds; however, these

areas are strictly regulated

PDC Bits

At about $10,000-150,000 a piece, PDC bits cost five to 15 times more than roller cone bits

Relative Costs of Bits

$/Bit
Diamond Bits WC Insert Milled Bits Tooth Bits

Diamond bits typically cost several times as much as tricone bits with tungsten carbide inserts (same bit diam.) A TCI bit may cost several times as much as a milled tooth bit.

Grading of Worn PDC Bits

CT - Chipped Cutter
Less than 1/3 of cutting element is gone

BT - Broken Cutter
More than 1/3 of cutting element is broken to the substrate

Grading of Worn PDC Bits contd

LT - Lost Cutter
Bit is missing one or more cutters

LN - Lost Nozzle
Bit is missing one or more nozzles

Table 7.7 - Commonly Used Bit Sizes For Running API Casing
Casing Size (OD in.) 4 1/2 5 5 1/2 6 6 5/8 7 7 5/8 8 5/8 9 5/8 10 3/4 13 3/8 16 20 Coupling Size Common Bit (OD in.) Sizes Used (in.) 5.0 6, 6 1/8, 6 1/4 5.563 6 1/2, 6 3/4 6.050 7 7/8, 8 3/8 6.625 7 7/8, 8 3/8, 8 1/2 7.390 8 1/2, 8 5/8, 8 3/4 7.656 8 5/8, 8 3/4, 9 1/2 8.500 9 7/8, 10 5/8, 11 9.625 11, 12 1/4 10.625 12 1/4, 14 3/4 11.750 15 14.375 17 1/2 17 20 21 24, 26