Chapter-2

Drilling Bits

General:
1. Roller bits with long, sharp and widely spaced teeth are the first
choice for soft and sticky formations that are prone to Bit
Balling. In this case, ROP is high and drilling action is by
gouging & scraping the rock.
2. At deeper depths, roller bits with short and closely spaced teeth/
inserts drill by crushing &chipping action.
3. Bits with Roller Bearings are run at lower WOB and higher RPM
as compared to Journal Bearings.
4. Bits with Journal Bearings are run at higher WOB and lower
RPM as compared to Roller Bearings.
5. Bits with Sealed Bearings have a longer life than bits with non-
sealed Bearings.
6. Hard-facing and gauge protection are good choice for hard and
abrasive formations with alternating layers of shales and
sandstone.
7. PDC Bits drill longer as there are no bearings.
8. PDC Bits drill the rock by shearing action and generally ROP is
much higher.
9. PDC Bits can run at higher RPM as compared to Roller bits.
10. Shale has a better drilling response to RPM whereas Limestone
has a better drilling response to WOB.

Bit Operational Guidelines:

1. Change nozzles as per hydraulic program.
2. Measure size of all nozzles.
3. Ensure nozzles are not plugged prior to RIH.
4. Do not use worn out bit breaker.
5. Use proper size bit breaker plate.
6. Make up the bit to recommended torque.
7. Hoist & lower bit slowly through BOP, doglegs and tight spots.
8. Lower the bit slowly at liner hanger tops.

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Bit Breaking (Commence Drilling with a New Bit):
1. Approach bottom with circulation and rotation to prevent
Plugging of nozzles
2. Tag bottom with low WOB and low RPM.
3. If torque is normal, gradually increase RPM first and then WOB in
steps.
4. If abnormal torque is observed while breaking in bit, do not drill
ahead. Pick up string and go down with rotation and circulation. Tag
bottom and start drilling with low WOB and RPM and observe
torque. This process may be repeated many times till torque
becomes normal.
5. If torque remains abnormal even after repeated attempts, pull out the
bit as there may be junk at bottom.

Optimizing Drilling Parameters:

Drill-off Test optimizes WOB & RPM and maximizes ROP.
Drill-off tests should be carried out:
1. At the start of the new bit runs.
2. On encountering a new formation with significant reduction in
ROP.

 Drill-off test procedure:

1. Start test with low RPM and WOB. (Refer to appropriate
manufacturer’s recommended range of RPM & WOB).
2. Start with minimum WOB, say W Tonnes.
3. Record the time to drill off by 2 T ie till WOB reduces to (W-
2) Tonnes.
4. Record length of kelly drilled in step-3 and calculate ROP in
m/hr.
5. Increase WOB to W+2 and record time and length drilled by
the time WOB drops to W.
6. Step-5 may be repeated for next WOB ie W+4, W+6 etc and
subsequent drop by 2 T.
7. The last test should be at the same value as the first test. This
will determine if any formation change has taken place.
8. Select the WOB with best ROP.

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 9. Now maintain this WOB constant and repeat the above
procedure by choosing 50 rpm and then varying RPM values in
increments of 10 in soft formations and 5 in hard formations.
10. Select the RPM with best ROP.
11. Select the optimum WOB and RPM

Do’s & Don’ts for Roller Bits:

 Do’s :
1. Use lifting plug for handling the bit with crane to avoid thread
damage.
2. Make up small size bit initially by hand to avoid cross threading.
3. Make up bit to recommended torque.
4. Use proper size bit breaker.
5. Rollers of non-sealed bearing bit should be made free before
lowering it into the well.
6. Gauge the bit before lowering into the hole with ring gauge and
record it.
7. For drilling float collar and float shoe, run only standard bearing
bit.
8. Grading of pulled out bit should be done carefully and ring gauge
should be used to measure gauge wear of pulled out bit.
9. A wooden plank or rubber sheet should be placed below insert bit
while making up.
10. Junk sub should be run on the last roller bit to collect broken/ lost
inserts if the next run is insert bit.

 Don’ts :
1. Do not make up the bit in reverse rotation and with jerk.
2. Do not try to free the roller of the sealed bearing bit before
lowering.
3. Do not try to push the bit through tight spots.
4. Do not touch the bottom with a jerk.
5. Do not give excessive weight on bit while reaming.
6. Do not load new bit immediately with normal WOB while
resuming drilling.

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Do’s and Don’ts for PDC Bit
 Do’s:
1. Junk sub should be run on the last roller bit to collect broken/ lost
inserts if the next run is PDC or Core bit.
2. Handle PDC bit very carefully.
3. Ensure all nozzles are properly tight.
4. A wooden plank or rubber sheet should be placed below the PDC
bit while making up.
5. Initially rotate the PDC bit at 50-60 RPM, with full discharge for 5-
10 minutes. This will pump up junk or loose formation off bottom
through the junk slots on bit.
6. Always use PDC bit with maximum pump discharge.

 Don’ts:
1. Do not run PDC bit if the previous pulled out bit is found under
gauge and with broken teeth/ inserts.
2. Do not ream long sections of the hole because the bit is not stable
off bottom. PDC breakage may occur near the gauge point.
3. Do not try to push PDC bit through tight spots.
4. Do not allow the PDC bit to vibrate or bounce on formation being
drilled. Optimize WOB and RPM to reduce vibration or bit
bouncing.

Bit Selection:
Guidelines for bit selection are as follows:
1. Bit selection generally calls for the most aggressive ROP and
suited for anticipated lithology.
2. Soft formation mill teeth bit is suitable for surface hole drilling.
3. Sealed journal bearing bit is recommended for drilling entire
soft surface section in one run.
4. Sealed journal bearing bit is recommended for drilling at deeper
depths with high WOB and less RPM.
5. In deeper hole sections requiring multiple bit runs, new bit
should be selected based on Dull Bit Grading of pulled out bit.
6. Offset well bit records may be used to know the performance of
bits used previously in the corresponding formations.

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Roller bit
Bit Bit thread Max pin Bit sub Min make-up torque
Size(in) ID (in) OD(in) daN.m ft.lb
3-11/16 2 3/8 Reg 1 3 243 1,791
to 3-1/8 328 2,419
4½ 3¼ 418 3,085
4-17/32 2 7/8 Reg 1¼ 3½ 417 3,073
to 3¾ 626 4,317
5 3-7/8 632 4,658
5-1/32 3 ½ Reg 1½ 4-1/8 701 5,171
to 4¼ 855 6,306
7-3/8 4 ½ 1,039 7,660
7-13/32 4 ½ Reg 2¼ 5 ½ 1,668 12,451
to 5 ¾ 2,234 16,476
9-3/8 6 2,380 17,551
6 ¼ 2,408 17,757
9-13/32 6-5/8 Reg 3 ¼ 7½ 5,030 37,100
to 7¾ 5,133 37,857
14 ½ 8 5,178 38,193
8¼ 5,224 38,527
14-9/16 7-5/8 Reg 3 ¾ 8½ 6,548 48,296
to18 ½ 8¾ 7,824 57,704
9 8,130 59,996
9¼ 8,194 60,430
9½ 8,256 60,895

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Threads & Make-Up Torques for Drilling & Core Bits
Bit size (in) Bit thread type
3 ½ to 4 ½ 2-3/8 Reg
4-5/8 to 5 2-7/8 Reg
5-1/8 to 7-3/8 3-1/2Reg
7 ½ to 9-3/8 4-1/2Reg
9 ½ to14-3/8 6-5/8 Reg
14 ½ to18 ½ 6-5/8 or 7-5/8 Reg
18-5/8 to 26 7-5/8 or 8-5/8 Reg

Diamond and PDC bits

Bit Make-up torque
thread (daN.m) (ft.lb)
2-3/8 Reg 400 – 480 3,000 – 3,500
2-7/8 Reg 600 – 750 4,500 – 5,500

3-1/2Reg 950 – 1,200 7,000 – 9,000

4-1/2Reg 1,600 – 2,200 12,000 – 16,000

6-5/8 Reg 3,800 – 4,300 28,000 – 32,000
7-5/8 Reg 4,600 – 5,400 34,000 – 40,000
8-5/8 Reg 5,400 – 8,100 40,000 – 60,000

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IADC Roller Bit Classification System:
 First Digit: Cutting Structure Series:
Eight categories or “Series” numbers 1 to 8describe general
formation characteristics.
a. Series 1, 2 and 3 refer to steel tooth (milled tooth) bits.
b. Series 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 refer to insert (tungsten carbide) bits.
Within the steel tooth and insert group, series numbers increases as
the formation becomes harder and more abrasive.

 Second Digit: Cutting Structure Types:

Each Series is divided into 4 “Types” or degrees of hardness from
1 to 4:
 Type 1 refers to bits designed for the softest formation in a
particular Series.
 Type 4 refers to the hardest formation within the Series.

 Third Digit: Bearing/Gauge:

Seven categories of bearing design and gauge protection are
defined as “Bearing/Gauge”.
 1= standard roller bearing
 2= roller bearing, air-cooled
 3= roller bearing, gauge-protected
 4= sealed roller bearing
 5= sealed roller bearing, gauge-protected
 6= sealed friction bearing
 7= sealed friction bearing, gauge-protected.
 8 & 9= Categories reserved for future use.

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  Fourth Digit: Additional Features:
1. A= air application
2. B= special bearing seal
3. C= center jet
4. D= deviation control
5. E= extended jets
6. G= gauge/body protection
7. H= horizontal/steering
8. J= jet deflection application
9. L= lug pads
10. M = motor application
11. S= standard steel tooth model
12. T= two cone bits
13. W= enhanced cutting structure
14. X = predominantly chisel insert
15. Y = conical tooth insert

IADC Fixed Cutter Drill Bit Classification System:

 First Character:
The first character specifies body construction:
 M = matrix body construction
 S = steel body construction

 Second Character:
The second character tells density of cutters on bit and ranges from
 PDC bits: 1 to 4 for in increasing order of no of cutters
 1 = 30 or fewer ½” cutters
 2 = 30 to 40 ½ in cutters
 3 = 40 to 50 ½ in cutters
 4 = 50 or more ½ in cutters
Note: Cutters larger than ½” and smaller than ½” are converted to ½”
equivalent size.
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  6 to 8 for surface bits using diamond-type cutters in
increasing order of no of cutters.
 6 = diamond sizes larger than 3 SPC*
 7 = from 3 SPC to 7 SPC*
 8 = diamond size smaller than 7 SPC*
*SPC= Stones (Pieces of diamonds) per carat
 0, 5 and 9 are reserved for future use.

 Third Character:
The third character represents digits 1 to 4 about the size of PDC cutter on
this type of bit, or
1 : Cutter size larger than 24 mm dia
2 : Cutter size 14 to 24 mm dia
3 : Cutter size 9 to 14 mm dia
4 : Cutter dia 8 mm or less
Note: One bit may have different size of compacts

 Fourth Character:
The fourth character (digits 1 to 4) gives an idea of profile of the bit based
on overall length of the cutting face of the bit.
1 = Fishtail PDC bit or flat TSP and natural diamond bit
2 = Short bit profile
3 = Medium bit profile
4 = Long bit profile
For example, a long flanked “turbine style” bit would be clearly
categorized as 4.

Examples:
Code S323
This is a (S) Steel body PDC bit with a cutters density (3) of 40 to 50
cutters and a size (2) (14 to 24mm) for the cutters. The profile (3) is a
medium profile.

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 Code M713
This is a (M) Matrix body Surface-Set bit using diamond-type cutter with a
density/size (7) of 3 to 7 stones per carat of (1) natural diamonds. The
profile (3) is medium longer.

IADC Dull Bit Grading:

All pulled out bit should be graded for wear and damage according to the
IADC Dull Bit Grading System.
The dull grading system applies both to roller bits and fixed cutter bits.

Cutting structure Bearing Gauge Other Reason

Inner Outer Dull Loca seals Dull pulled
charact -tion charact- out
-eristic eristics
Col-1 Col-2 Col-3 Col-4 Col-5 Col-6 Col-7 Col-8

Column-1 and 2:
Inner cutting structure (inner is 2/3rd of the bit body from centre point)
Outer cutting structure (outer remaining 1/3rd of bit body beyond inner
body)

In the columns 1 and 2 a linear scale from 0 to 8 is used to describe

the wear condition of the cutting structure according to the following:
Steel tooth bits:
0 = No loss of tooth height
8 = total loss of tooth height
Insert bits:
0 = No lost, worn and/or broken inserts
8 = All inserts lost, worn and/or broken
Fixed cutter bits:
0 = no lost, worn and/or broken cutting structure
8 = All of cutting structure lost, worn and/or broken.

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Column-3 and 7:
Write only cutting structure (Cone and cutters) related codes in
Column -3. All other problems may be indicated in Column-7.
BC* = Broken Cone LN = Lost Nozzle
BF = Bond Failure LT = Lost Teeth/Cutter
BT = Broken Teeth/Cutters OC = Off Center Wear
BU = Balled Up Bit PB = Pinched Bit
CC* = Cracked Cone PN = Plugged Nozzle
CD* = Cone Damage RG = Rounded Gauge
CI = Cone Interference RO = Ring Out
CR = Cored SD = Shirttail Damage
CT = Chipped Teeth/Cutters SS = Self Sharpening Wear
ER = Erosion TR = Tracking
FC = Flat Crested Wear WO= Washed Out Bit
HC = Heat Checking WT = Worn Teeth/Cutters
JD = Junk Damage NO = No Dull Characteristics
LC* = Lost Cone
Show cone # or #’s under Column-3

Column-4: Location:
Roller cone Bit Fixed cutter Bit
N=Nose row C=Cone
M=Middle row N=Nose
G=Gage row T=Taper
A=All rows S=Shoulder
Cone #1or Cone #2 or Cone #3 or G=Gauge
all Cones A=All rows

Column-5: Bearings/Seals:
Non-sealed bearings Sealed bearings
A linear scale estimating bearing life E=Effective seals
on 0-8 scale is used: F=Failed seals
0=No life used N=Not able to grade
8=All life used X=Fixed cutter bit

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 Loose cones, stuck cones and bearing exposure caused by shirttail
wear are all indicators of bearing wear.
Column-6– Gauge Condition:
Code Remarks
I Pulled out bit is in Gauge
1/16 Under gauge up to 1/16”
2/16 Under gauge 1/16” to 1/8”
3/16 Under gauge 1/8” to 3/16”

Degree of under gauge can be measured using a standard gauge

ring of steel with a known I.D. with the ring touching two of the cones.
Measurement of under gauge is calculated from the gap between the third
cone and inside of the ring.
Under gauge for roller bit (In 1/16th of an inch)=
Gap measured (Inch) x 2/3
Under gauge for PDC bit (In 1/16th of an inch)
= Gap measured (Inch)

Coumn-8– Reason for Pulling out bit or Terminating Bit Run:

BHA = Change Bottom Hole Assembly LIH = Left In Hole

DMF = Down hole Motor Failure HR = Hours On Bit
DTF = Down hole Tool Failure LOG = Run Logs
DSF = Drill String Failure PP = Pump Pressure
DST = Drill Stem Test PR = Penetration Rate
DP = Drill Plug RIG = Rig Repair
CM = Condition Mud TD = Total /Casing
Depth
CP = Core Point TW = Twist Off
FM = Formation Change TQ = Torque
HP = Hole Problems TR = Weather Conditions

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