PDC Bit

PDC Bit Steel Body 8 1/2 Inch

 

What is PDC drill bit

 

A PDC (Polycrystalline Diamond Compact) drill bit is a high-performance cutting tool used in drilling operations. Obviously, it is named under its cutting structure, check figure 1 to check what Polycrystalline Diamond Compact looks like.

• Design: Features synthetic diamond layers bonded to tungsten carbide studs. Besides, the diamond-edged cutters deliver extreme hardness and wear resistance.
• Function: Grinds through rock formations (soft to medium-hard) efficiently. So,  in most cases, it is ideal for horizontal directional drilling (HDD), oil/gas wells, and geothermal projects.
• Advantages:
  • Outlasts traditional roller-cone bits by 5-10x in abrasive conditions.
  • Reduces downtime with consistent penetration rates.
  • Handles high temperatures and complex geology.
• Market Use: Dominates shale drilling and trenchless projects. Leading manufacturers (e.g., Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, Vermeer, Kingdream) optimize PDC designs for HDD rigs.

 

Specs of this bit

 

Bit Type                          Steel Body 8-1/2″

IADC Code                     S223

Blade                               3

Cutter Size (mm)          Φ16MM; Φ13MM

Cutter Qty Φ16×24;      Φ16×3; Φ13×18

Nozzle Qty/Type           6NZ

Gauge Length (mm)      55

Connection                     4-1/2″ API REG

N.W./ G.W.(KG)           47/62

Nozzle Size(inch)          10/32

 

Steel body PDC bit VS Matrix body PDC bit

 

Steel body PDC bits and matrix body PDC bits are both commonly used in drilling operations. However, they have distinct characteristics that make them suitable for different applications. Now, here are some key points:   

1. Material:

• Steel body: Made from high-strength steel alloy. Therefore, this makes them durable and able to withstand significant impact loads.   

Whereas,

• Matrix body: Constructed from a composite material containing tungsten carbide grains embedded in a metallic binder. This provides excellent wear resistance, especially in abrasive formations.   

2. Durability and Wear Resistance:

• Steel body: While durable, steel bodies are more susceptible to wear and erosion in abrasive formations compared to matrix bodies.

By contrast,

• Matrix body: Offers superior wear resistance and can withstand harsher drilling environments with high sand content or abrasive rock.   

3. Repairability:

• Steel body: Can be repaired by replacing worn or damaged cutters and through hardfacing techniques. This makes them cost-effective for multiple runs.   

On the other hand,

• Matrix body: Generally not repairable. Once the cutters are worn or damaged, the entire bit needs to be replaced.   

4. Impact Resistance:

• Steel body: Better able to withstand high impact loads and vibrations encountered in challenging drilling conditions.   

Meanwhile,

• Matrix body: More susceptible to damage from impacts, making them less suitable for formations with sudden changes in hardness.

5. Applications:

• Steel body: Often preferred for:
  • Softer formations   
  • Applications where impact resistance is crucial
  • Cost-effective drilling with multiple bit runs

Meanwhile,

• Matrix body: Ideal for:
  • Harder and more abrasive formations
  • High-volume drilling with less frequent bit changes
  • Situations where wear resistance is paramount

6. Cost:

• Steel body: Typically less expensive to manufacture than matrix body bits.
• Matrix body: The use of tungsten carbide makes them more expensive initially. However, their longer lifespan in abrasive conditions can offset this cost.

For more info about PDC bit dulling analysis, click here.