Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SPE/lADC 16142
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All of this points to the fact that endle. s An historical perspective makes it easier to
varieties of fixed cutter bits are run in the oil understand the new approach to classifying fixed
field. This poses a great challenge to the drilling cutter drill bits. Three bit classification prece-
person who wishes to (1) discern from bit records dents are cited.
which styles have been tried in the past, (2) relate
design and operating practice to performance and
m
16142 WARREN J . WINTERS AND NAROLD H. DDIRON 3
of the cutter/bottomhole pattern. This distinction non-restricted flow arrangements. Open face flow
is made because the cutter lbot tomhole profile is not designs generally have a more even distribution of
necessarily identical to the bit body profile. cutters over the bit face than with bladed or ribbed
designs.
Nine basic bit profiles are defined by
arranging two profile parameters--outer taper (gage A special case is defined: the numbers 6 and 9
height) and inner concavity (cone height )--in a describe the crowfoot/water course design of most
3 x 3 matrix. The rows and columns of the matrix natural diamond and many TSP bit>. Such designs are
are assigned high, medium, and low values for each further described as having either adial flow,
parameter. Cage height systematically decreases crossflow (feeder/collector), or other hydraulics.
from top to bottom. Cone height systematically Thus, the letters R (radial flow), X (crossflow), or
decreases from left to right. Each profile is O (other) are used as the hydraulic design code for
assigned a number. such bits.
Two versions of the profile MaL?ix are pre- .4. Cutter Size and pl/SCeIIIen L Density
sented. One version (Fig. 3A) is primarily for the
use of manufacturers in classifying their bit pro- The numbers i through 9 and O in the k:h char-
files. Precise ranges of high, medium, and I ow acter of the fixed cutter classification code refer
values csre given. These criteria have been care- to the cuttec size and placement density on the bit
fully selected to provide functional divisiona (Fig. 6). A 3 x 3 matrix of cutter sizes and place-
between the numerous popular bit designs. In ment densities de finea 9 numeric codes. The place-
Fig. 3A gage height and cone height dimensions are ment density varies from light to medium to heavy
normalized to a reference dimension which is taken from left to right in the matrix. The cutter size
to be the bit diameter for drill bits and the varies from large to medium to smell from top to
(0.0. - I. D.) for core bits. Figure 3B provides a bottom. The ultimate combination of smell cutters
visual reference which is better suited for use by set in a high density pattern is the impregnated
field personnel . Bold lines are drawn as examples bit, design.sted by the number O.
of typical bit profiles in each category. Cross-
hatched areas represent the range of variation for Cutter size ranges are defined for natural dla-
each category. Each of the nine profiles is given a monda based on the number of stones per carat. PDC
name. For example, “double cone” is the term used and TSP cutter sizes are defined based on the amount
to describe the profile in the center of the matrix of usable cutter height. Usable cutter height
(code 5). The double cone profile is typical of rather than total cutter height is the functional
nseny natural diamond and TSP bits. measure since various anchoring and attachment
methods affect the “exposure” of the cutting struc -
The number O is used for unusual bit profiles ture. The most common type of PM cutters, which
which cannot be described by the 3 x 3 matrix of have a diameter that is slightly more than 1/2 in. ,
Fig. 3A. For example, a “hi-center” bit which has were taken as the basis for defining medium size
an asymmetrical profile with respect to the bit pin synthetic diamond cutters.
centerline should be classified with the numeral O.
It should be noted that, according to the
3. Hydraulic Design defined size ranges, it is possible for a TSP cutter
which is classified as “small” to have more usable
The numbers 1 through 9 in the third character cutter height than a natural diamond cutcer which is
of the fixed cutter classification code refer to the defined as “large”. This may at first appear to be
hydraulic design of the bit (Fig. 5). The hydraulic an inconsistency, but priority was given to placing
design is described by two components: the type of all synthetic diamond cutters together on a consis-
fluid outlet and the flow distribution. A 3 x 3 tent scale. Long-standing practices for sizing
matrix of orifice types and flow distributions natural diamonds have been preserved by defining a
defines 9 numeric hydraulic design codes. The separate natural diamond scale.
orifice type varies from changeable jets to fixed
ports to open throat from left to right in the Cutter density ranges are not explicitly
matrix. The flow distribution varies from bladed to defined. The appropriate designation is left to the
ribbed to open face from top to bottom. There is judgement of the nsanufacturer. In many cases manu-
usual~y a close correlation between the flow distri - facturers build “1 ight-set” and “heavy-set” versions
but ion and the cutter arrangement. of a standard product. These can be distinguished
by use of the light, medium, or heavy designation
The IADC has not explicitly defined the differ- which ia encoded in the 4th character of the IADC
ence between the three flow distribution categories fixed cutter bit code. As a general guide, bits
but working definitions are offered as follows. The with minimal cutter redundancy are classified as
term bleded refers to raised, continuous flow having light placement density and those with high
restr=s with a standoff distance from the bit cutter redundancy are classified as having heavy
body of more than 1.0 in. In most cases cutters are placement density.
affixed to the blades so that the cutter arrangement
my alao be described as bladed. The term ribbed DISCUSSION
refers to raised continuous flow restrict or- a
standoff distance from the bit body of 1.0 in. or Throughout the development of the IADC f i xed
less. Cutters ●re usually affixed to most of the cutter bit classification code, several metsufac-
riba so that the cutter arrangement may also be curers voiced concern over potential weaknesses and
described ea ribbed. The term yen face refers to misapplications of the system. The greateat concern
. ..
S09
,..-
related to the potential for customers to get the attempt to include rake angle in the fixed cutter
mistaken impression that fixed cutter bit selection code,
is simply a matter of specifying the four characters
in the IADC code. Roller cone bits are often ord- The hardfacing feature pertains to steel body
ered in this manner, but the IADC roller bit classi- bits which require some degree of protection from
fication code is closely related to the inlended fluid erosion. Hardfacing is excluded from the bit
aPP~:ca\l On. whereas the IADC fixed cutter bit ClaS- code since it does not directly affect the drilling
slflcatlon code is not. The following discussion action or substantially alter the appearance of a
clarifies the purpose of the IADC fixed cutter bit fixed cutter bit. It ia reasonable to assume that
code. Design features which the IADC fixed cutter the manufacturer will apply sufficient hard coatings
bit classification code does nrc cover are also dis- to prevent fluid erosion from becoming a problem in
cussed. most cases. If fluid erosion is a problem, this can
be clearly reported in the IADC fixed cutter dull
The IAOC fixed cutter bi. code is designed primarily grading code, in which case a change in bit design
as an aid to users ai though ma:lufacturers may also or operating conditions is indicated.
find it useful. Use of the code by manufacturers is
opt ional . Manufacturers are encouraged to assist Cage protection was excluded from the IADC
their customers by printing the IADC bit design code fixed cutter code since it doea not substantially
on the shipping container and associated documents. alter the appearance of a fixed cutter bit and it is
In the event that the manufacturer fails to provide a difficuit feature to quantify. The need for gage
an IADC code, rig personnel are expected to deter- protection is largely determined by the operating
mine the most appropriate code and record this conditions, but it ie also related co the rest of
information on the IADC-API Daily Drilling Report the bic design. Thus, by virtue of their dl. sign,
Form. some fixed cutter bits require more gage protection
than others under a given set of conditions.
Improvements in fixed cutter bit utilization
are expected through use of the IADC classification Gage length was excluded from the IADC fixed
code on bit records together with proper application cutter code since it is considered to be an impor-
of the new IADC fixed cutter dull grading system. tant bottomhole assembly design factor rather than a
These IADC standards provide the drilling industry, bit design factor. It would not be useful to gener-
for the first time, with a practical approach to alize about gage length in the bit design code. The
documenting fixed cutter bit per forntance. Data ●xact gage length should be measured at the rig and
bases for roller cone bit performance have been used reported on the BHA record. Where important , exttct
favorably in the past. Now it should be possible to gage lengths should be specified when placing an
develop data bases for fixed cutter bits and relate order with a manufacturer.
their performance to some of the more prominent bit
design characteristics. It is recognized that some The four-character code applies to but does not
fixed cutter bit design features which may have a explicitly distinguish between standard drill bits
significant effect on performance are not currently and special applications models such as core heads,
addressed in the IADC classification code. Thus, sidetrack bits, and hi-center designe. Thie is not
the manufacturer’s name for a particular bit design expected to cause any problems. Core bits are
takes on added significance because it can be used recognized on the bit record by the notation of both
in conjunction with the IADC classification code to outer and inner diameters, the “reason pul led” code
provide important additional information about the for the previous bit will indicate “CP” (core
bit design. It is suggested that ma’rufacturers point), and the core barrel is listed in the BHA
systematically assign model names to their products description. Sidetracking assemblies are readily
which provide meaningful clues about important recognized in the BHA description, the “reascn
design features. pulled” codes for the previous few bits should help
to tell the story about why the hole is being side-
There are at least five sspects of fixed cutter tracked, and most sidetrack bits will be classified
bit design which the four-character code does not ics having relatively flat profiles (the numerala 8
cover: (1) cutter shape, (2) cutter back rake and or 9 wil 1 appear in the second character of the IAOC
side rake angles, (3) body hardfacing, (4) sage pro- design code). Bi-center bits are relatively rare.
tection, and (5) gage length. An increasing variet Y They can be recognized on the drilling report by the
of circular, conic, rhombic, triangular, serrated, notation of both the pilot bit diameter and the
and other PDC and TSP cutters are being used. The reamer flank diameter along with suitable notations
IADC decided that attempts to categorize cutter in the BHA description. The appropriate cutter/
shapes would soon become outdated since new cutter bottomhole profile in the IADC classification code
designs are evolving so rapidly. is O (other) for hi-center bits.
Natural Diamond and TSP Dril 1 Bits f.sce design with changeable jet nozzles. This bit
is classified as S 8 7 5.
Figure 6 shows a natural diamond drill bit
which has a long outer taper and medium inner cone, Figure 13 depicts a steel body PDC bit with
radial flow fluid courses, and 5-6 stones per carat standard-size stud-mounted cutters lightly-set on
(spc) diamonds set with a medium placement density. deep blades with changeable jet nozzles as S 9 1 4.
Using the definitions in Fig. 1, 3, 4, and 5, the The actual bottomhole profile created by this bit is
characteristics of this bit are coded O 2 R 5 as similar to the one produced by the bit in Fig. 12
follows: except that the inner cone depth is slightly shal-
lower, placing this bit in the flat profile (code 9)
Cutter/Body Type D - natural diamond, category. It is interesting to note that although
matrix body the bits pictured in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 have very
Bit Profile 2 - long taper, dissimilar appearances and applications, their cut-
medium cone ting profiles are quite similar (codes 8 and 9).
Hydraul ic Design R- open throat/open
face radial flow Figure 14 shows a matrix body PDC bit (code H)
Cutter Size/Density 5 - med. cutter size, with a parabol ic profile (code 3), changeable
med. placement nozzles /bladed hydraul ic design (code 1 ), and
density lightly-act large (> S/8 in. usable cutter height)
cutters (coda 1). The IADC classification code is
Figure 7 shows a similarly-profiled TSP diamond H311.
bit with crossflow hydraulics and 3 spc cutters set
in a medium density pattern. The IADC claasifica- Figure 15 shows a steel body PDC bit with
tion is T 2 X 8. Note that because the cutters are standard-size cutters lightly set on a deep inner
TSP diamonds rather than natural diamonds, the cone profile. This bit has changeable nozzles and
cutter size falls into the small category (less than is best described as having a ribbed flow pattern
3/8 in. exposure) for synthetic diamonds rather than although there are open face characteristics near
the medium category that is used to describe 3 spc the center and bladed characteristics near the gage.
natural diamonds. Note also that there are some The IAOC classification code in this case is
natural diamonds set in the throat of the bit but S744.
the primsry cutters are TSP diamonds and therefore
the bit is classified as a 78P bit. Core Bits
Figure 8 shows a natural diamond bit with a Core bits are classified in the same manner as
long outer taper and a deep inner *one pro fila. drill bits with the exception that profile dimen-
Although the mdjority of natural diamond bits have siona are normalized to the (0. D. - I. D.) dimension
an open face hydraul ic design, the stepped design of rather than the full bit diameter. Three core bit
this bit is best described as ribbed/open throat. A examples are provided to illustrate the class ifica-
combination of relatively large cubic and spherical tion rules.
diamonds are heavy-sat in the cutting structure.
The IADC classification code is O 1 6 3. Figure 16 shows a matrix body PDC core bit with
a long outer taper and medium depth inner cone coded
Figure 9 classifies a typical natural diamond as M265. Standard size POC cutters are mounted
bit designed for sidetracking as D 8 R 8. The on ribs with medium placement density and natural
letter It denotes natural diamond cutting elements diamonds are used for gage protection on both the
set in a matrix body, 8 indicates a short taper/ O.D. and the I.D. of the bit. The fluid sources for
medium cone profile, R stands for open throat r.sdial the bit face are open passages between the core and
flow hydraulics, and 8 designates a small natural the bit I. D., so this is classified as a ribbed,
diamond stone size (8-10 spc) with medium setting open throat hydraul ic design (code 6). If this bit
density. Other common sidetracking bits may use a was modified for face discharge rather than throat
flatter profile (such as profile 9 in Fig. 3B) and discharge flow, then the hydraulic design would be
larger cuttar sizes with lighter placement density, classified as ribbed with fixed ports (code 5).
thus yielding a different IADC code. Therefore, all
sidetracking bits will not necessarily have a Figure 17 shows a TSP core bit (code T) with a
D 8 R 8 code such as the one shown here. medium taper and deep cone (code 6), crossflow
hydra”l ics (code X), and medium-set 3 Spc TSP Cu[-
PDC Drill Bits ters (code 8). The IADC classification code is
T4 X8.
Figure 10 classifies a matrix body PDC bit with
a long taper parabolic profile, changeable jet Figure 18 shows a steel body core bit with a
nozzles, and high-density standard-size rib-mounted long-taper, stepped profile fitted with impregnated
cutters as B 3 4 6. Figure 11 classifies another natural diamond blocks as the primary cutting ele-
matrix body PDC bit with a medium taper/medium cone ments. The bit has no inner cone. Since there is
(double cone) profile, changeable jet nozzles, and no specific code for the natural diamond/steel body
medium-set standard-size rib-mounted cutters as combination, the letter O (other) is used as the
n543. cutter type/body material code. The profile code 3
is used to describe the long outer taper with little
Figure 12 shows a steel body PDC bit with a or no inner cone depth. The hydraulic design code 5
non-tapered 61 ight 1y concave profile and standard- indicatea a fixed port, ribbed design. Finally, the
size stud-mounted PDC cutters medium-sat in an open number O ia used for impregnated natural diamond
01
6 THE 1987 IADC FIXED CUTTER BIT t,: OSSIFICATION SYSTEN lrsl.L7
.“. =-
CONCLUSION
ACKNOWLEDCSNENT
REFERENCES
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—
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SIZE
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SIZE
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SET WITH
ME OIUM ~NSITY
/\
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FLAT RAOIAL FLOW
PROrlLE oPE N CONCAVE I+YORAUL ICS
THROAT PROFILE
MATRIX
BODY
F’oc
—
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;~HC::&ERS
CUTTER OENSITY
MATRIX
BOOY
Poc
—
M545 — MEOIUM
CUTTERS
SIZE
WITH MEDIuM
CUTTER CUENSITY
/\ /\
DOUSLE CONE R ISSE O
PRO; [L E WITH
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STEEL
BODY
Poc
—
S875 — MEOIUU
CUTTERS
SIZE
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SOOY
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—
S914 — MEDIUM
CUTTERS
LIOHT
SIZE
WITH
DENSITY
/\ /\
:;::AvE CHANGEABLE rLAT BLAOEO WITH
JETs oN PROFILE :::J~EgBLE
PROFILE OPEN FACE
MATRIX
f3&oY
—
M311 -— LARGE POC
CUTTERS WITH
STEEL
BOOY
Poc
—
S744 — MEOIUM
CUTTERS
L~~s:T:u
SIZE
WITH
T TER
L~O~sfJ; TER
/\
/\ INvERTEO R IBSE O
PARABOL [C PROFILE WITH
PROFILE j&NpE&LE
MATRIX
BOOY
Pet
—
M265— MEDIUM
CUTTERS
SIZE
WITH ME OIUfJ
CUTTER CKNSITY
THERMALLY
sTMLE
— — SMALL CUTTER
EXPOSURE WITH
ME OIUM KNSITY
/\
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ME OIUM TAPER CROSSFLOW
DOUBLE CONE OEEP CONE HY~AuL ICS
PROFILE OPE tA PRoFnE
THROAT
OTHER
(STEEL BODY
—0350 — IMPREGNATE
DIAMONO
:;;; ON&TURAL CUTTERS
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