Optimize body and cutter design to drill hard, abrasive formations

摘要

New ONYX PDC cutters deliver unprecedented wear and impact resistance, improved thermal stability. Drilling hard, abrasive, and interbedded formations with polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits remains difficult. To develop new cutter technology, Smith Bit's engineering team started by analyzing the frictional heat generated at the rock/cutter interface, a critical factor that makes drilling difficult. Smith also analyzed thermal degradation and micro-chipping commonly experienced during long bit runs in deep, high-temperature boreholes. The study revealed that different applications require different cutter properties. Generally, wear resistance and thermal stability are required to efficiently drill abrasive formations, while a more impact-resistant cutter is best suited for interbedded sections and formations with higher rock strength. This differentiation was the basis of a research and development effort that focused on raw PDC material selection and a new high pressure-high temperature manufacturing process.