BIT TYPES AND IADC CLASSIFICATIONS

Drill bits come in a broad range of types that fall into two basic categories: roller cone bits and fixed
cutter bits.

Roller Cone Bits

Roller cone bits are made up of cutting elements arranged on cones. These conessometimes two,
but usually threeare placed on bearings that allow them to turn about their own axis as the drill
string rotates. ( Figure 1 : Example of a roller cone bitVarel type L2, 4 3/4-inch diameter, steel tooth
open bearing bit used in medium-to-medium hard formations with high compressive strength.
Courtesy of Varel International. All rights reserved.).

Figure 1

The two main types of roller cone bits are defined by their types of cutting elements. A milled steel
tooth bit, like one shown in Figure 1, consists of cutting elements that are fabricated as part of the
cones. An insert or "button" bit consists of separate cutting elements, pressed into specially
machined holes in the cone ( Figure 2 : Example of a roller cone bit insert bit Varel A-Force,
designed for air-drilling applications. Courtesy of Varel International. All rights reserved.

Figure 2

Fixed Cutter Bits

Modern fixed cutter bits, in which stationary cutting elements are integral with the body of the bit and
rotated directly by the drill string, are descendants of the oldest rotary bit type, the drag or "fishtail" bit
(Figure 3), which still may see limited use in soft, unconsolidated formations.

Figure 3

Today, the most widely used fixed cutter bit types are polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits and
natural diamond bits ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 , respectively. Courtesy of Varel International. All rights
reserved.).

Figure 4

Figure 5

IADC Classification System

The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) has developed a standard system of
classifying both roller cone and fixed cutter bits, based on formation type and design variations.
Consisting of simple numbered codes, this system also provides a means of comparing different
manufacturers' bit types. For a detailed description of this system, refer to IADC/SPE paper 23937
( McGehee et. al., 1992 ) the IADC classification charts are also available from many bit
manufacturers' and distributors' web sites.
The IADC system is a valuable aid in bit selection and a useful tool for comparing the general
features and formation applicability of various bit types. But it is important to note that comparable
bits are not necessarily equivalent. Companies differ significantly in specific aspects of metallurgy
and design, manufacturing techniques and inspection standards (Craddock, 1973).

Roller Cone Bits

The classification system for roller cone bits uses a four-character code (XXXX) to describe bit
characteristics and areas of application.

The first character in the classification code indicates the cutting structure series,
while the second character further specifies the cutting structure type within each
series classification:
Series

Formations

Type
1

Steel tooth bit; Soft formations with low compressive strength and high
drillability

2
3
4
1

Steel tooth bit; Medium to medium-hard formations with high compressive

strength

2
3
4
1

Steel tooth bit; Hard semi- abrasive or abrasive formations

Insert bit; Soft formations, low compressive strength

Insert bit; Soft to medium-hard formations, low compressive strength

Insert bit; Medium-hard formations, high compressive strength

Insert bit; Hard semi- abrasive or abrasive formations

2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1

2
3
4
1

Insert bit; Extremely hard and abrasive formations

The third number indicates bearing type and whether or not the bit is gaugeprotected:
1. Standard roller bearing
2. Roller bearing (air)
3. Roller bearing (gauge protected)
4. Sealed roller bearing
5. Sealed roller bearing (gauge protected)
6. Sealed friction bearing
7. Friction bearing (gauge protected)

The fourth character designates additional special features and applications as

follows:
A. Air application
B. Special bearing seal
C. Center jet
D. Deviation control
E. Extended jet
G. Extra gauge/body protection
H. Horizontal/steering application
J. Jet deflection
L. Lug pads
M. Motor application
R. Reinforced Welds
S. Standard Steel Tooth
T. Two cone
W. Enhanced cutting structure
X. Predominantly chisel inserts

2
3
4

Y. Predominantly conical inserts

Z. Other Insert Shape
Example:
The Varel L2 bit shown in Figure 1 has an IADC classification of 211:

21 indicates that the Varel L2 is a steel-tooth bit designed for

medium to medium hard formations with high compressive
strength.;

1 indicates that the cones on this bit have standard roller bearings.

In this case, there is no fourth character to indicate special bit

features.

Fixed Cutter Bits

The classification system for fixed cutter bits also uses a four-character code to describe bit
characteristics and areas of application.

The first character of the IADC classification code for fixed cutter bits indicates
the type of body material and cutting elements:
First code
character
S
M
D
T
O

Body material, cutting elements

Steel body, PDC cutters
Matrix body, PDC cutters
Matrix body, natural diamond cutters
Matrix body, thermally stable PDC cutters
Other

The second character, a digit from 1 to 9, identifies the bit shape, or profile. This
indicates its durability and the type of cutting action it provides:
Second code
character
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Profile
Long taper, deep cone
Long taper, medium cone
Long taper, shallow or no cone (parabolic)
Medium taper, deep cone
Medium taper, medium cone
Medium taper, shallow or no cone (rounded)
Short taper, deep cone (inverted)
Short taper, medium cone
Short taper, shallow or no cone (flat)

The third character identifies the bit's hydraulic design:

Third code
character
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Hydraulic features
Bladed/changeable jets
Bladed/fixed ports
Bladed/open throat
Ribbed/changeable jets
Ribbed/fixed ports
Ribbed/open throat
Open face/changeable jets
Open face/fixed ports
Open face/open throat
Alternative codes:

10

a -- radial flow
b -- cross-flow
c -- other

The fourth character identifies the size (large, medium, small) and density (light,
medium, heavy) of the bit's cutting elements.

Bit Hydraulics
Roller cone and PDC bits are designed to accommodate nozzles of varying diameters ( Figure 6 : 17
1/2-inch TCI bit showing nozzle directly below cones. Courtesy of Varel International. All rights
reserved.). These nozzles serve as the conduits through which drilling fluid passes at high velocity to
clean the bit's cutting elements and remove drilled formation particles from the bottom of the hole.
Nozzles are made of hard metal to resist erosion.

Figure 6

Bit nozzle diameters typically are expressed in 32nds of an inch. For example, if the bit nozzles are
described as 12-13-13, this denotes that the bit contains one nozzle having a diameter of 12/32
in. and two nozzles having a diameter of 13/32 in. (note that for diameters of 20/32 inch and above,
only "even" numbered sizes are available, e.g., 22/32, 24/32 and so on). When calculating the flow
through nozzles, a nozzle discharge coefficient of 0.95 is normally recommended.

Flat-Bottom Bits
Flat-bottom bits (Figure 7: Impax percussion bit. Courtesy of Smith Technologies) are sometimes
used in air or gas drilling with air hammers. These tool combinations are employed in extremely hard
formations to allow for fast drilling with low weight on bit. They are also used for drilling surface rocks
in the mountains before enough drill collars are added to obtain weight on bit. Sometimes they are
used to drill straight holes in crooked-hole areas with low weight on bit.

Figure 7

Another application of the tools is to drill horizontal holes where limited weight on bit is available. The
connection of a flat-bottom bit to an air hammer is shown in (Figure 8: Impax 8 percussion hammer.
Courtesy of Smith Technologies).

Figure 8