PDC Bit Wear

Since Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) drill bits have been developed, they have made a strong introduction into the drilling industry due to their tendency to produce a higher rate of penetration (ROP) than that of a roller cone. Even though a PDC bit is often more efficient, the effects of bit wear still decrease PDC bit life. For both geothermal wells and oil/gas wells, bit wear has been a coherent setback during the drilling process since the beginning. 

One of the main reasons for trying to model bit wear or find ways to reduce bit wear is because of the drilling cost resulting from bit wear. Besides the upfront cost of the drill bit, the overall cost is also affected by the total depth drilled by each bit. This is where bit wear has a huge impact on the drilling industry. Drilling a well efficiently is the key to being profitable and bit wear is a key factor in drilling efficiency。

The drilling process is a combination of force and rotation. Bit wear is caused by the interaction between the rock being drilled and the cutters that are attached to the drill bit itself. PDC bits constantly wear, from the time the bit begins to turn right up until it is pulled out of the hole. The best case would be to eliminate any wear, but since this is not possible, the next best thing is to reduce bit wear. There are many ways to reduce a bit’s wear rate but not all cases are economical. In this approach, the real-time measurement of overall bit wear and the thermal effect are taken into consideration when selecting real-time operating parameters. We need to ensure the best drilling performance while minimizing drill string vibrations and accelerated bit wear due to increased temperatures.

It might be possible to achieve minimal bit wear by decreasing the rate of penetration (ROP) and achieving a long run with a single bit but it would not be economical because of the drilling rig day rate. On the other hand, it is possible to maximize the ROP by increasing the WOB and RPM as high as possible, but the increased wear on the bit will decrease the life of the bit causing more bits to be used to reach the required depth. The industry is trying to achieve is somewhere in the middle, maximizing ROP while minimizing bit wear for an outcome that drills faster and longer.

Zzbetter provides a high-quality PDC cutter for your drilling bit. Our team works extremely hard to manufacture quality products. We look forward to serving your business.

If you are interested in PDC cutters and want more information and details, you can CONTACT US by phone or mail at the left, or SEND US MAIL at the bottom of the page.