IADC PDC BIT CLASSIFICATION

November 15, 2017 Drilling Manual

The IADC Classification System For Fixed Cutter Bits

(PDC) 
Contents hide
1 The IADC Classification System For Fixed Cutter Bits (PDC)
1.1 PDC Bits History
1.2 What is IADC PDC Drill Bits Classification System?
1.3 How To Classify PDC Drill Bits Using IADC Classification System?
1.3.1 The First Character Of IADC PDC Drill Bit Codes
1.3.2 The Second Character Of IADC PDC Drill Bit Codes
1.3.3 The Third Character Of IADC PDC Drill Bit Codes
1.3.4 The Fourth Character Of IADC PDC Drill Bit Codes
1.4 Useful Papers For IADC PDC Bits Classification System
1.4.1 PDC Bit Classification According to Steerability

PDC Bits History

Polycrystalline diamond materials, for use in polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits, are
one of the most important material advances for oil drilling tools in recent years. Fixed-head bits
rotate as one piece and contain no separately moving parts. When fixed-head bits use PDC
cutters, they are commonly called PDC bits. Since their first production in 1976, the popularity
of bits using PDC cutters has grown steadily, and they are nearly as common as roller-cone bits
in many drilling applications.

What is IADC PDC Drill Bits Classification System?

The IADC PDC Bit Classification system, developed by the International Association of Drilling
Contractors has been the representative voice of drillers worldwide since 1940. This system has
enabled drillers worldwide to exchange information using standard nomenclature and dull
grading methods for PDC drill bits and tricones. This system is not as widely used for PDC drill
bits as it is for tricones as the IADC system for tricones is used the world over. However, it’s
helpful to have a knowledge of the IADC classification system for PDC drill bits.

How To Classify PDC Drill Bits Using IADC Classification System?

IADC PDC Drill Bits Classification System Codes are consists from 4 characters:

The First Character Of IADC PDC Drill Bit Codes

The first letter of the IADC Classification Code For PDC Bit describes the body material and it
is either: 
1) M which is for matrix body 
“Matrix” is a very hard, rather brittle composite material comprising tungsten carbide grains
metallurgically bonded with a softer, tougher, metallic binder. Matrix is desirable as a bit
material, because its hardness is resistant to abrasion and erosion. It is capable of withstanding
relatively high compressive loads, but, compared with steel, has low resistance to impact
loading.
2) S for steel body construction.
Steel is metallurgically opposite of matrix. It is capable of withstanding high impact loads, but is
relatively soft and, without protective features, would quickly fail by abrasion and erosion.
Quality steels are essentially homogeneous with structural limits that rarely surprise their users

The Second Character Of IADC PDC Drill Bit Codes

Diamond is the hardest material known. This hardness gives it superior properties for cutting any
other material. PDC is extremely important to drilling, because it aggregates tiny, inexpensive,
man-made diamonds into relatively large, intergrown masses of randomly oriented crystals that
can be formed into useful shapes called diamond tables. The second letter of the IADC
Classification Code For PDC Bit describes the cutter density. As it is known as more you
increase the number of PDC cutter as more The PDC bit can drill harder formations. (refer to
PDC Bit Design Article for more informations).

This IADC Code character ranges from 1 to 4 for PDC bits and from 6 to 8 for Diamond bits as
below. 

 For PDC bits : ranges from 1 for soft formations to 4 for hard formation
o 1 refers to 30 or fewer 1/2” cutters
o 2 refers to 30 to 40 cutters
o 3 indicates 40 to 50 cutters
o 4 refers to 50 or more cutters.

 For diamond bits : ranges from 6 for soft formations to 8 for hard formation
o 6 refers to diamond sizes larger than 3 stones per carat 
o 7 refers to  3 stones to 7 stones per carat
o 8 refers to sizes smaller than 7 stones per carat. 

 Numerals 0, 5 and 9 are reserved for future use. 

The Third Character Of IADC PDC Drill Bit Codes

As a general rule, large PDC cutters sizes  (19mm to 25mm) are more aggressive than small
cutters. However, they may increase torque fluctuations. Smaller PDC cutters sizes (8mm,
10mm, 13mm and 16mm) have been shown to drill at higher ROP than large cutters in certain
applications. One such application is limestone for example. (refer to PDC Bit Design Article
for more informations)
Additionally, small cutters produce smaller cuttings while large cutters produce larger cuttings.
Large cuttings may cause problems with hole cleaning if the drilling fluid cannot carry the
cuttings up.

The third letter of the IADC Classification Code For PDC Bit describes the size of cutter.

 For PDC bits

1 indicates cutter larger than 24 mm in diameter  clay, marl, gumbo and unconsolidated
sands.
2 represent 14-24 mm,
3 indicates 13.3 mm (1/2”), and
4 is used for the smaller 8 mm in diameter. 

The third letter of the IADC Classification Code For Diamond Bit describes the type of cutter. 

 For diamond bits: the third digit represents diamond type

1 indicating natural diamonds
2 to TSP material
3 represents mixed natural diamonds and TSP
4 applies only to the highest density bit, indicating an impregnated diamond bit.

The Fourth Character Of IADC PDC Drill Bit Codes

The Fourth Character Of IADC PDC Drill Bit Codes gives the basic description of bit’s profile.
Bit profile affects both cleaning and stability of the PDC bit. The two most widely used profiles
are: Double cone & Shallow cone (refer to PDC Bit Design Article for more informations)

This fourth letter of IADC code ranges from 1 to 4 which:

1 represents both fishtail PDC bit and ‘flat’ TSP and natural diamond bits.

 
2 & 3 & 4 indicate increasingly longer bit profiles
 REVISED CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM TABLE (PDC)

Classification Of Diamond Bits

Useful Papers For IADC PDC Bits Classification System

 PDC Bit Classification According to Steerability

Paper Abstract: With the emergence of rotary steerable systems (RSSs), the technical issue
concerning bit design for a specific directional application has reappeared. Today, a bit must be
specifically designed for use with a particular directional system: rotary bottomhole assembly
(BHA), steerable mud motor, or RSS. The reason is that the bit must have the ability to respond
properly and rapidly to a side force applied by the steering system to initiate a deviation. To do
so, the bit must have a predetermined steerability compatible with the directional system to
provide the optimum dogleg potential. The new generation of directional-drilling systems
differentiates “pointing the bit” from “pushing the bit.” As a consequence, the bit’s directional
response is a key factor that operators and directional drillers need to know to make a good
adaptation between the bit and the BHA. However, at the moment there is no standard method
for classifying bits by steerability and walking tendency. On the basis of a comprehensive
analysis of the directional behavior of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits (numerical
simulation and pilot and field tests), a simple methodology has been developed that defines and
evaluates their steerability and walking tendency. This methodology is used to classify the PDC
bits defined with their IADC bit profile codes. Because PDC bit steerability is mainly a function
of the bit profile, the gauge cutters, and the gauge pad, some design recommendations are given
concerning these three parts. For each IADC bit profile code, the bit steerability and walking
tendency are estimated through some formulas linking only the heights and lengths of the cutting
profile. Some guidelines are also given about the gauge-pad length and gauge-cutter
characteristics to achieve improved steerability. This simple method based on geometrical
criteria allows quick estimation of not only the PDC bit steerability but also the maximum
dogleg potential achievable by the bit when it is coupled with the steering system.