National Oilwell Varcos Downhole division proudly introduces its newly engineered Seeker S-Series

drill bits. Over the years, NOV engineers have worked with customers evolving the Seeker drill bit
designs, one of NOV name brand premium directional bits, into a product with distinct design
characteristics of its own. The S-Series combines the excellent directional capabilities of the Seeker drill
bit design with high open-face volume, optimized hydraulics, minimized bit length and enhanced
hardfacing to solve the challenges of shale applications.
In recent years, unconventional shale drilling has become a mainstay in the oilfield industry.
Advancements in drilling technology have continued to make shale play drilling more economical and has
allowed for increased production. Although production has continually increased and will do so for the
foreseeable future, it will not be able to keep pace with demand. Understanding this climate and being
aware of customers needs, NOVs Downhole division has engineered a drill bit product line that provides
distinct features answering the specific challenges inherent in this segment of drilling.
The true challenge of shale drilling is to evacuate the high volume of drilled formation away from the bit
as quickly and efficiently as possible. The S-Series design incorporates thin blades with increased height
to maximize open-face volume, which is the space needed for the high volume of cuttings to flow away
from the bit face. The S-Series design involves precise positioning of the nozzles in order to provide
optimal directed flow to complement the blade and bit body geometry and support the efficient
evacuation of drilled formation up the annulus.
In typical applications, bits must drill the tougher build section prior to drilling the shale section.
Therefore S-Series bits have been designed to incorporate our leading edge cutter technology, capitalizing
on the directional capabilities of Seeker drill bit cutting structures. These cutting structures are designed
to ensure adequate cutter exposure for maximum Rate of Penetration (ROP) and optimized backrakes and
siderakes to provide durability and stability.
The Seeker S-Series drill bit uses the unmistakable Seeker directional features known as SmoothTorque
laterals, which are Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) components placed on the shoulder to
enhance directional capabilities and increase durability. The S-Series takes the directional capabilities a
step further by minimizing the bit length to provide superior directional response when needed. Improved
DuraShell Hardfacing allows for the use of ultra-dense tungsten carbide material to enhance bit body
durability, increasing the life of the bit for multiple sections or multiple runs.
These technologies, coupled with an aggressive cutting structure and the Seeker directional drill bit
design philosophies, deliver efficient drilling in shale play applications. Through both the testing phase
and the commercial launch, the Seeker S-Series drill bit performed exceptionally for customers, breaking
records in several different applications. In the Eagle Ford Shale in McMullen County, Texas, USA; the
Seeker S-Series bit was able to drill an Interval of 5,279 feet while maintaining an average ROP of 91.8
feet per hour with an 8 513. Compared to competitor offsets within the area, the Seeker S-Series bit
drilled the formation 101% faster ROP than the field average and 40% better than the best field offset
while still accomplishing all of the directional objectives.
Another success in the Eagle Ford was in Webb County, Texas, USA. There, the Seeker S-Series bit was
able to drill the vertical, curve, and lateral to complete the longest run in the area while maintaining an
average ROP of 141.2 feet per hour. This run yielded the fastest ROP in the lateral section, maintaining
134 feet per hour as well as the fastest ROP in the vertical section, drilling 117 feet per hour.
Similar successes came in the Utica Shale and the Bakken Shale. A run in Beaver County, PA, USA; with
an 8 SK513 drilled 3,470 feet while maintaining an average ROP of 69.7 feet per hour. When compared
with competitor runs in the area, the Seeker S-Series drill bit maintained a 28% faster ROP over the top
competitor and a 57% faster ROP over the second best competitor run in the area.
While in the Bakken Shale in ND, USA; the Seeker S-Series drill bit was able to drill an interval of
10,100 feet while maintaining an average ROP of 77.4 feet per hour. This S-Series drill bit increased the
footage drilled by 76% and increased the ROP by 46% compared to offsets throughout the area.
NOVs new ReedHycalog Seeker S-Series drill bits are an evolution in bit design. These bits are
engineered to maximize ROP in a variety of directional applications while maintaining superior
directional control. As stated earlier, these unique designs allow for maximizing open-face volume
coupled with optimized hydraulics and aggressive cutting structures to deliver unsurpassed ROP in the
vertical, build, tangent, and lateral sections. Superior engineering combined with regional technical
expertise allows NOV to provide experienced personnel and ReedHycalog drill bits to answer your
directional problems and your drill bit needs.