Dull Grading:

Prepared by: Mohd Zulkhairi M Z

[outlines]
PDC bit - overview Dull Grading-overview IADC Dull grading system chart
Inner/outer row cutting structure Dull characteristics Location Gauge Reason pulled

Dull grading: example Field application: SMDK-A5/ SMDK-A7 Conclusion

PDC Bit overview

Profile Blade Gauge Junk Slot TFA Design Bit Breaker Slot API Threaded Pin
From DBS Bit

PDC Cutters

PDC Bit overview

Blade 3

Junk slot

Blade 4
Nozzle

Blade 1
Blade 5 Blade 6

Dull Grading-overview
IADC fixed cutter dull grading system Developed by IADC in 1987- revised 1991 Applied for all fixed cutter bits
PDC Natural Diamond Impregnated Diamond

Bit record- in 1984

Old dull grading system (before 1987)

[example from Malong SG17.2 appraisal well] Not descriptive

T- teeth B- bearing G- gauge

Dull Grading-overview
Why??
To draw a quick view of bit condition by using visual inspection and measuring tool.

When??
Primary- just after the bit was pulled out of hole Before rerunning back the used bit

IADC Dull grading system chart

Inner Rows

Outer Rows

Dull
characteristics

Other
characteristics

Reason pulled

Applied for both fixed cutter bits and roller cone bits First 4 spaces describes cutting structure

B is for bearing and G for gauge

Remarks indicate other dull characteristics and reason pulled

Cutting Structure
Inner Rows Outer Rows

Remarks

Dull Location Bearing Gauge Other Reason CharactSeals (1/16) Charact- Pulled eristics eristics

X
0-No lost of tooth height

Grading numbers increase with amount of wear, with O representing no wear, and 8 meaning no usable cutters left. A grade of 4 indicates 50% wear.
[Brandon B.D.et al, IADC/SPE 23939]

-Round cutter - Oval cutter

8-Total lost of tooth height

Cutting Structure
Inner Rows Outer Rows

Remarks

Dull Location Bearing Gauge Other Reason CharactSeals (1/16) Charact- Pulled eristics eristics

X
Inner Rows

Outer Rows

(Does Not include gauge cutters)

Cutting Structure
Inner Rows Outer Rows Dull Characteristics

Remarks
Other Characteristics Reason Pulled

Location Bearing Gauge Seals (1/16)

Typical IADC PDC WEAR GAUGE.

13mm @ in Diameter 19 mm @ 1in Diameter

19 mm @ in Diameter

38mm @ 1 in Diameter

 Available PDC cutting sizes 8,13,16,19,24 mm

Cutting Structure
Inner Rows Outer Rows

Remarks
Reason Pulled

Dull Characteristics

Dull Location Bearing Gauge Other CharactSeals (1/16) Characteristics eristics

X
BF - Bond Failure BT - Broken Teeth/Cutters BU - Balled Up CR - Cored CT - Chipped Teeth/Cutters ER - Erosion HC - Heat Checking JD - Junk Damage LN - Lost Nozzle NR - Not Rerunnable PN - Plugged Nozzle/Flow Area RO - Ring Out RR - Rerunnable WO - Wash Out on Bit WT - Worn teeth/Cutters
LT - Lost Teeth/Cutters

NO - No Other Major Dull Characteristics

*Only PDC relevant code are shown

Cutting Structure
Inner Rows Outer Rows

Remarks
Reason Pulled

Location of the primary DC

Dull Location Bearing Gauge Other CharactSeals (1/16) Characteristics eristics

X
G gauge S shoulder N nose C cone

T taper
A all areas

Cutting Structure
Inner Rows Outer Rows

Remarks
Reason Pulled

Dull Location Bearing Gauge Other CharactSeals (1/16) Characteristics eristics

X
Code Explanation

* Use ONLY PDC gauge ring!!

I 1
2 3

In Gauge Undergauge up to 1/16

Undergauge 1/16 to 1/8 Undergauge 1/8 to 3/16

Undergauge 3/16 to 1/4

Measure the gap between ring gauge and gauge cutter

( 4/16) undergauge

Cutting Structure
Inner Rows Outer Rows

Remarks
Reason Pulled

Dull Location Bearing Gauge Other CharactSeals (1/16) Characteristics eristics

Reason pulled

X
BHA - Change Bottomhole Assembly DMF - Downhole Motor Failure DSF - Drillstring Failure DST - Drill Stem Test DTF - Downhole Tool Failure LOG - Run Logs RIG - Rig Repair CM - Condition Mud CP - Core Point DP - Drill Plug FM - Formation Change HP - Hole Problems PP - Pump Pressure PR - Penetration Rate TD - Total Depth/CSG Depth TQ - Torque TW - Twist Off WC - Weather Conditions WO - Washout Drillstring

Dull characteristics
Bond Failure [ BF ] Occur when cutter failing along the bond between two carbide substrates Formation too hard for the selected bit Bit may bouncing due to formation changes

Broken teeth [ BT ] Cutting element is considered broken when 1/3 of the cutting element is broken to the substrate Caused by lack of bit stability

Dull characteristics
Balled up [BU] A condition where formation attached to the blade and bit body/face of the cutters May results in reducing ROP Create physical damages to bits body Rotary torque as the bit balls up

Washed out [ WO ] Occur when drilling fluid eroded a passage from internal to external area May results in twist off
Causes Ppump and ROP

Dull characteristics
Cored [ CR ] A bit is considered cored if its centermost cutting elements are worn, broken or lost The cone area will show a significant wear from the formation

Heat checking [ HC ] Normally seen as cracks intersecting cutting elements Cracks initiated due to thermal shock/fatigue Can be seen at all areas: nose, shoulder, gauge

Dull characteristics
Ring out [ RO ] A bit is said to have ring out when a circular band of cutting elements are worn, broken or lost. The blade will show a significant wear from the formation. Always associated in Ppump &ROP

Plugged nozzle/waterway [ PN ] A characteristics when one/more nozzles are obstructed Always associated in Ppump

Dull characteristics
Worn Teeth [WT] A condition where bit height reduces due to cutting action Exhibit smooth wear characteristics

Lost Nozzle [ LN ] Describes a bit that missing one or more jet nozzles. Only stated at remarks column as LN Caused by improper installation

Dull characteristics
Lost Teeth [LT] No portion of cutter remain Graded as 8 in cutting structure Caused by overload condition

Erosion [ ER ] Usually occur around cutters Caused by several factors: body material, nozzle orientation, mud properties Often a secondary characteristics

Dull characteristics
Junk Damage [JD] Junk damage when contact with object other than formation Caused by foreign object in the hole

Chipped Teeth/Cutters [ CT ] Minor damage to diamond table and substrate Caused by impact damage

Example A

R437GN was run in horizontal well 1st run: drilled 118 m in 8.5 hrs, ROP = 13.9 m/hr 2nd run: drilled 218 m in 13.5 hrs, ROP = 16.2 m/hr Formation type: n/a

Example B

R437GN was run in horizontal well Drilled 387 m in 30 hrs ROP = 13.1 m/hr Formation type: brittle to plastic shale/sandstone

Example C

R435SG was run 4 times in North Sea Total footage drilled =977m in 166 hrs Formation type = salt / anhydrite

SMDK-A7 12 PDC
Smith M75HKLSBPX

IR 0

OR 1

DC CT

L S

B/S X

G IN

O/C R/P NO TD

SMDK A5-8 PDC

Varel VB552-MG2

IR 0

OR DC 0 NO

L A

B/S X

G IN

O/C R/P NO TD

Conclusion/Recommendation
Dull grading is vital in drilling campaign in order to evaluate the overall bit performance A thorough research should be conducted to optimize the bit performance For your reading pleasure:
www.smithbits.com www.bakerhughes.com www.varelintl.com SPE/IADC papers 16142,16145 and 23939

DIMS-Bit record

Q&A

 Thank you