Qn1:Drill bits are essential tools in drilling operations, designed to create well bores in different rock fotmations.

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There are various types of drilll bits used in oil and gas drilling, but they can generally be divided into two main
cotegories
(1) Roller cone bits
(2) Fixed cutter bit s

1. Roller cone Bits

These have cutting components arranged on cones and these cones rotate around their axis when the drill body
rotates. The numter of drill cones can be one, two, three, Four, Five or even six.But the most common rotary
cone bits made with three cones which are called tri-cone bits.

Architecture of tri-cone bits

A tri-cone bit consists of three cone-Shaped rollers, with the bit body welded together and threaded at the top for
connection. The rollers are made of metal with teeth, and the bit is categoried into two types based on tooth
design,these are;
(a) milled teeth (steel teeth )
(b) Insert troth (tungsten Carbide teeth).

milled teeth are suitable for soft to medium to hard formations while insert teeth are made of extremely
hardtungsten carbide, which makes them more suitable for harder and complex the Formation.

Figure1:

Roller cone Bits working Principle.

when a roller Cone bit operates at the bottom the well, the bit rotate around it’s axis, knoun as "revolution" while
the three cones rotate around there own axes, known as “rotation”. The weight applied to the bit is transmitted
through the teeth to the rock crushing it. As the cones rotate, single and double teeth alternately contact the
bottom of the well, causing the bit to vibrate vertically. This vertical vibration compresses and stretches the drill
string leading to an impact force on the formation which aids in rock fragmentation

Advantages:

i) High Durability:
• PDC and natural diamond cutters provide exceptional wear resistance, lasting longer than roller cone bits in
hard and abrasive formations.
ii) Efficient Shearing Action:
• Fixed cutters are designed to shear through rock efficiently, offering faster penetration rates in homogeneous
formations.
iii) Reduced Vibration:
• The smooth cutting action minimizes vibrations, improving operational stability and reducing the risk of bit
failure.

Disadvantages:
i) Shorter Lifespan:
• Roller cone bits wear out more quickly, especially in abrasive or hard formations.
ii) Lower Efficiency:
• The crushing and grinding action is less efficient than the shearing action of fixed cutter bits, resulting in slower
penetration rates.
iii) Complex Design:
• The moving parts (cones and bearings) are prone to mechanical failures, especially under high loads or in high-
temperature environments.
iv) Higher Maintenance:
• Bearings and other moving parts require lubrication and are more susceptible to wear and damage.

2. Fixed cutter bits

These bits utilizes stationary cutting elements rather than rotating cones to shear and grind the rock formation.
the cutting elements are fixed onto the body of the bit and do not rotate.These bite are categorized primarily
based on the type of cutting elements they use. These cutting elements a typically made of extremely hard
materials to withstand the high pressure and friction encountered during drilling. These bits can be divided based
on the material and function of the cutting edges as;

i) Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) Bits

ii) Natural diamond bits (mainly impregnated diamond bits)

i) PDC Bits
These are also known as synthetic diamond bits or composite cutter bits. These bits have become widely used in
oil drilling due to their high speed, long life, and high penetration rates.

Figure2:PDC Bits

Architecture OF PDC Bits

Based on manufacturing processe and structure PDC bits can be divided into two types known as Steel-body
PDC bits and matrix-body PDC bits.

Steel body PDC bits are made from medium-carbon steel and manufactued through mechanical processes ,while
matrix body PDC bits feature a steel upper section and a wear- resistant tungsten carbide lower section, formed
using powder metallugy.

Fig 3: Steel body PDC bits

Fig 4: matrix body PDC bits

PDC Bits working principle

PDC bits break rock through a cutting action. Under applied weight, the self- sharpening PDC cutters easily
penetrates formations and shear the rock as they move forward under torque.Multiple PDC cutters works
simultaneously, creating multiple free Surfaces in the rock, which makes it easier to break. This results in high
drilling efficiency and faster penetration rates.
 ii) Natural Diamond Bits
These are the hardest and most wear-resistant material making them ideal for hard and abrasive formations,
allowing for higher penetration rates.

Fig5: Diamond bits

Architecture of Diamond Bits

Diamond bits are solid-body bits withought without any moving parts, mainly composed of the bit body, crown,
hydraulic structure, gauge protection and cutting edges (teeth).

Diamond Bits Working principle

When drilling, the multiple diamonds embedded in the bit's surface act simultaneously on the rock. The way
diamonds break rock varies with different rock types.

In plastic formations, diamonds penetrate the formation under pressure, causing the rock ahead to fracture or
deform platically under torque.

In brittle formations the primary mechanism of diamond bit rock destruction is crushing. Under pressure and
torque, stress causes the rock beneath the cutting edges to fracture along the plane of maximum shearstress,
leaving grooves behind the diamonds.

QN2:Bit classification
Bits are classified according to IADC system (International Association of Drilling Contractor). Drill bit
classification is subdivided into two sections known as Roller Bit classification and Drag Bit classification.
i)Roller Bit classification
The IADC classification system for roller cone identification, established in 1987 and expanded in
1992, offers comprehensive insights into bit performance and capabilities. The first digit delineates
tooth or button bits and the formation hardness they can drill, while the subsequent digits unveil
bearing types and specific bit characteristics, ranging from air application to enhanced cutting
structures.

Ex fig

The first digit denotes two things: whether the bit is a tooth or a button
bit and the hardness of the geological formation it can drill.

 The numbers 1, 2, and 3 indicate a tooth bit, with 1 being used

for soft formations, 2 for medium, and 3 for hard.

 The numbers 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 denote tungsten carbide inserts

designed for different formation hardnesses, with 4 being the
softest and 8 being the hardest.
The second digit indicates the hardness of the formation the bit can drill.
The number 1 indicates the softest formation, and 4 indicates the hardest.

The third digit indicates the bearing type. The numbers 1, 2, and 3
indicate a roller bearing, 4 and 5 a sealed roller bearing, and 6 and 7
indicate a sealed journal bearing.

The fourth digit is a letter code indicating specific characteristics:

A – Air Application
B – Special Bearing
C – Center Jetted
D – Deviation Control
E – Extended Jets
G – Extra Gauge/Body Protection
H – Horizontal/Steering Application
J – Jet Deflection
L – Lug Pads
M – Motor Application
S – Standard Steel Tooth
T – Two Cone
W – Enhanced Cutting Structure
X – Chisel Inserts
Y – Conical Inserts
Z – Other Inserts

ii) Drag Bit Classification

Drill bit Selection and evalution are critical steps in ensuring successful drilling operations . The right drill bit
improves efficiency,longevity and overall quality of work.Here are more detailed on how to select and evaluate
drill bits
• Drill Bit sharpening
Regularly shapern drill bits mantain performance and ensures accurate drilling but dull bits create more heat,
require more force and can damage material

•Drill Bit size

Choosing a drill bit base on the diameter and depth of the hole is essential.A bit selected should match the
desired hole size, drill bits are available in various diameter to accommodate different requirements considering
the depth of the hole.Example for deep holes bits with longer shanks and flutes.
•Types of drill bit

The selection of drill bit is based on the types of drill bits

Iv) How bit type affects penetration rate.

Answer

The type of drill bit used in drilling operation significantly influences the rate of
penetration (ROP). different bit types have distinct cutting mechanism, wear
characteristics and optimal operating conditions, all of which affect how quickly
the bit can cut through the formation.

Common drill bit and their impact on ROP.

A) Roller cones bits
These bits use rotating cones with teeth to crush and grind the formation. The ROP
depends on the hardness of the formation and roller cone, in softer formations
milled tooth roller cones perform well whereas tungsten carbides insert roller cones
work better in hard formation.
· Tooth Design: The length and shape of the teeth are crucial. Longer teeth with a
large cone offset angle are effective in soft formations but wear out quickly in
harder formations. The tooth design must balance penetration rate and durability.
· Formation Characteristics: These bits perform best in soft formations like
sandstone. In harder formations like shale, the teeth wear out faster, reducing the
penetration rate.
· Hydraulics: Efficient bottom-hole cleaning is essential. Poor cleaning can lead
to bit balling, where cuttings accumulate around the bit, reducing its effectiveness.
High rotary speeds can exacerbate this issue.
B) Fixed Cutter Bits
These bits have fixed cutters that wedge and shear the formation. These bits have
no moving parts (e.g. bearings) and can drill very long hole sections. Have ROP
typically lower than roller cone bits, but they can be more efficient in
harder formations. Its divided into natural diamond bits and polycrystalline
diamond compact.

1. PDC (Polycrystalline Diamond Compact) Bits

Cutter Design: The width and number of cutters determine the effective
number of blades. The length of the cutters projecting from the face of the bit
limits the depth of the cut. PDC bits with more cutters and longer projections
can achieve higher penetration rates.
Formation Characteristics: PDC bits perform best in soft, firm, and
medium-hard, nonabrasive formations. They are less effective in very hard or
abrasive formations.
Weight on Bit (WOB) and Rotary Speed (RPM): PDC bits tend to drill
faster with low WOB and high RPM. However, too low a WOB can cause
premature cutter wear and a slow penetration rate. Optimal WOB and RPM
settings are crucial for maximizing penetration rate.
Hydraulics: Effective bottom-hole cleaning is crucial to maintain a high
penetration rate. Poor cleaning can lead to bit balling and reduced
effectiveness.
2. Natural Diamond Bits
Size and Number of Diamonds: The performance of diamond bits depends
on the size and number of diamonds. Larger and more numerous diamonds
can increase the penetration rate by providing more cutting edges.
Formation Characteristics: Diamond bits are designed for specific
penetration per revolution and perform best in soft, firm, and medium-hard,
nonabrasive formations. They are less effective in very hard or abrasive
formations.
Hydraulics: Effective bottom-hole cleaning is crucial to maintain a high
penetration rate. Poor cleaning can lead to bit balling and reduced
effectiveness.
C)Coring Bits.
These are specialized drilling tools designed to extract cylindrical rock sample
from the subsurface. These cores provide valuable geological information about
the formation being drilled such as stratigraphy, lithology and mineral content.
Design: Coring bits have a hollow center to allow the core sample to be collected.
The cutting elements are designed to minimize damage to the core sample while
maintaining an efficient penetration rate.
Formation Characteristics: The choice of coring bit depends on the formation
being drilled. Roller cone coring bits are suitable for softer formations, while fixed
cutter coring bits are better for harder formations.

Hydraulics: Effective bottom-hole cleaning is crucial to maintain a high

penetration rate and to ensure the core sample is not damaged or lost during
drilling.

Additional Factors Affecting Penetration Rate

Drilling Fluid Properties: The type of drilling fluid used can affect the
penetration rate. Oil-based muds generally provide better results due to increased
lubricity and decreased cutter wear temperature. The fluid's viscosity, density, and
additives also play a role in maintaining an optimal penetration rate.
Operating Parameters: The weight on bit (WOB), rotary speed (RPM), and
torque determine the rate at which the drill bit penetrates the rock mass.
Optimizing these parameters is crucial for maximizing the penetration rate.
Formation Variability: Geological formations encountered during drilling
operations can vary widely in terms of composition, hardness, abrasiveness, and
structural integrity. These variations significantly impact the penetration rate