Northeast U.S.

Case Studies of Drilling with PDC Bits on Air

Smith Technologies
Smith Bits / Northeast US Appalachian Basin

What is a PDC Bit?

Polycrystalline Diamond Compact

Fixed Cutter Bit

PDC Terminology and Features

PDC Cutter Junk Slot Lo-Vibe Blade

Waterway Interchangeable Nozzle

Drilling Mechanics
How do Bits Drill? Roller Cone Bits
Crushing

PDC Bits
Shearing

Roller Cone Mechanics

Roller Cone Bits drill by crushing and/or gouging the rock Rock requires high energy (WOB) to fracture the rock with compressive loading

PDC Mechanics

PDC Bits drill by shearing the rock Rocks typically fracture more easily with shear loading (less energy, WOB) Most efficient cutting action
Polycrystalline Diamond Compact

Fixed Cutter Bits:

MSi616 (6x3)

MSi616 (6x6)

Mi716 (Straight 7)

MSi716 (7x3)

Transition from TCI Bits to PDC Bits

PDC Improvements 1 yr Time Period

Last Frontier for TCI bits in East Texas

Robertson County in East Texas still requires TCI bits in the Travis Peak and Cotton Valley Formations. This interval is drilled with 8 FHi90YOD (IADC - 837Y) type bits. WOB = 70,000 lbs is common.

Robertson County Texas

Accomplishments in other Basins

What has happened in other areas that use PDC Bits? Less bits are used per well Wells are drilled to TD faster Marginal Wells become more economical due to reduced drilling costs

Faster Rates of Penetration NEW YORK

AIR DRILLING WITH PDC BITS - NEW YORK
ALL BITS PULLED AT TD OF INTERVAL
0-1-WT-G-X-X-X-IN-NO-TD 0-0-WT-G-X-X-X-IN-NO-TD 0-0-NO-A-E-E-E-IN-NO-TD 0-0-NO-A-E-E-E-IN-NO-TD 0-0-NO-A-E-E-E-IN-NO-TD

Depth Out

Depth In

ROP

118% INCREASE IN ROP PDC VS TCI

0 20

---------

560

560

643

615

750

705

678

500

560

40 60

59.2

DEPTH INTERVAL

73.0

80 1500
99.0
1385

1665

100
1750

2015

2000

1835

120
2163

149.3
2498

140
159.3

2500
2755

169.3

160 180

3000
8 7/8" F40YA 1265' 66.5 fph 8 7/8" F40YA 2112' 67.0 fph 8 7/8" F40YA 1793' 98.95 fph 8 3/4" GF27YODV 770' 59.2 fph 8 7/8" M72NSVPX 1275' 169.3 fph 8 3/4" M72NSVPX 1105' 149.3 fph AVERAGE TCI BITS ROP 73.0 fph AVEAGE PDC BITS ROP 159.3 fph

TUNGSTEN CARBIDE INSERT BIT RUNS

PDC BIT RUNS

BIT SIZE-BIT TYPE-FOOTAGE DRILLED-ROP

AVERAGES FOR TCI & PDC RUNS

PENETRATION RATE

1000

66.6

67.0

Faster Rates of Penetration - OHIO

Case Study Roller Cone vs. PDC (AIR)

CASE 1 (2) TCI BITS DEPTH IN: 3,444 DEPTH OUT: 6,199 FOOTAGE: 2,755 ROP: 32.57 fph MAX DEVIATION: 5.5 degrees

CASE 2 (1) MSi716WUPX PDC BIT DEPTH IN: 3,698 DEPTH OUT: 6,145 FOOTAGE: 2,447 ROP: 47.1 fph MAX DEVIATION: 1.5 degrees

CASE 3 (1) MSi716WUPX PDC BIT DEPTH IN: 3,614 DEPTH OUT: 6,115 FOOTAGE: 2,501 ROP: 40.0 fph MAX DEVIATION: 1.2 degrees

Operating Parameters for Tungsten Carbide Insert Bits and PDC Bits

Operating Parameters
Hard Rock Drilling in Appalachia
TCI
Low RPM (50-65) High WOB (40-60 klbs)
Gage Rounding in abrasive formations

PDC
Low RPM (50-80) High WOB (22-40 klbs)
Low RPM for optimum Wear resistance Load/Impact resistance of the cutting element

Soft to Medium Rock Drilling in Appalachia

TCI
High RPM (65-100) Low WOB (25-40 klbs)

PDC
High RPM (65-140) Low WOB (5-18 klbs)

Same Air Volume as Normal Air Drilling Applications

Limitations of PDC bits in Hard Formation

Hard Rock Drilling with PDC Bits in Appalachia
PDC Cutter Wear Resistance
This abrasion has been one of the top limitations of drilling hard rock (>20 kpsi) formations in Appalachia Clinton-Medina Oriskany 100 Foot

PDC Cutter Impact Resistance

Cutter impact resistance has improved greatly in the past few years Interface Geometry Sintering Processes Bevel Size High weight on bit (22-40 klbs) has to be applied to the PDC bits to achieve efficient shearing action

PDC Bit Design

Cutting structure design is critical Back-up cutters (SHARC) may be needed in hard abrasive formations to add durability and longevity to the bit

Field Operating Guidelines

Hard Rock Drilling with PDC Bits in the Appalachia
Bit Technology is only half the battle
Rig personnel must be properly trained Handling bit on Rig Floor Running bit through BOP Equipment

The drillers must address downhole vibrations

Torsional Axial Lateral vibrations

Why Use PDC Bits on Air

Faster Rates of Penetration Wellbore stays more straight in Air Applications Less Drill Collar Weight required

Questions?

Thank you