TRICONE BITS OR PDC BITS: WHICH DOES YOUR PROJECT REQUIRE?

Posted on March 15, 2013

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TRICONE BITS AND PDC FIXED CUTTER BITS
The most straightforward difference between Tricone bits and PDC bits is the moving parts used in tricones bits. Tricone bits consist of three cones which must all rotate on lubricated bearings. This lubrication in turn requires a grease reservoir and for any medium or large scale project some sort of bearing seal to prevent debris from entering the tricone and stopping rotation. Conversely, PDC fixed cutter bits are solid and consist of no moving parts. PDC bits are made by combining fine grained artificial diamonds and tungsten carbide under extremely high heat and pressure, as the metal cools the tungsten carbide shrinks more quickly, keeping the diamonds suspended in a matrix within the tungsten carbide. The specifics of this process are carefully guarded trade secrets.

ADVANTAGES OF TRICONE BITS

One of the largest advantages enjoyed by tricone bits is the length of time they have been around. This longer stretch of time has allowed the design and manufacture of tricone bits to advance significantly, incorporating advances in material technology such as Tungsten Carbide Inserts, or advances in engineering like sealed journal bearings. Tricone bits are also easier to control in tricky situations, providing more options in regards to torque and Weight On Bit. Tricone bits are also better for varied rock formations, especially for hard formations. The action of the individual rollers on a tricone bit serves to fracture the rock, making it significantly more flexible in terms of the range of formations one bit can be used on. One of the most important considerations on any drilling project is always cost, where all things being equal tricones tend to come out ahead. However, depending on the specifics of the drilling project there may be circumstances that let PDC bits pull ahead.

ADVANTAGES OF PDC FIXED CUTTER BITS

The solidity and strength of PDC bits lends them many advantages that a tricone bit cant match. Most significantly, PDC bits have a longer lifespan which means they dont need to be replaced as often as tricone bits. That reason alone explains much of the shift towards PDC bits for large scale projects. Additionally PDC bits can achieve a higher Rate Of Penetration than tricone bits under optimal circumstances. These factors combined mean that in formations where the rock type is established and the correct PDC bit is selected you can drill faster and further with a single PDC bit, bringing the cost per foot down below that of a tricone. Even though tricone bits may be cheaper up front, in the right kind of project that can take full advantage of the features of a PDC bit, you will wind up saving money in the long run by going with PDC bits. Lastly as tricone bits consist of several different moving parts, it is possible to lose part of the tricone in the borehole, a danger that does not exist with PDC bits.

Click for a list of available Tricone Bits and PDC bits.

SELECCIN DE UNA BARRENA TRICNICA O DE CORTADORES FIJOS (PDC) PARA PERFORAR.

STAFF OIL & GAS MAGAZINE 22 NOVIEMBRE 2012.

22 de Noviembre de 2012 Para el proceso de seleccin es fundamental conocer los objetivos de perforacin, que incluyen todo tipo de requisitos especiales del personal para perforar el pozo. Esta informacin ayudar a determinar las mejores caractersticas de la barrena que requiere la aplicacin y a concentrar sus esfuerzos en satisfacer las necesidades de Pemex y sus requisitos de perforacin. Rendimiento. Uno de los principales objetivos del personal tcnico es perforar el pozo en el menor tiempo posible. Esto significa orientar la seleccin de barrenas hacia la bsqueda del tipo que ms duracin tenga; se busca principalmente la mxima cantidad de metros en un tiempo de rotacin aceptable, eliminando as el costoso tiempo del viaje. Direccional. El tipo de pozo direccional es un criterio importante cuando se deben de seleccionar las caractersticas de las barrenas ya sea tricnicas o de diamante. Una ventaja especfica de las barrenas de diamante es su gran alcance y sus posibilidades para perforar en sentido horizontal.

Estos tipos de pozos, por lo general, tienen secciones homogneas muy prolongadas que son ptimas para las aplicaciones con barrenas de diamante. La densidad de los cortadores, la cantidad de aletas, el control de la vibracin y el calibre de la barrena son, todos ellos, parmetros de seleccin fundamentales cuando se estudian las aplicaciones direccionales. Economa. El medio ambiente econmico es un factor fundamental para la aceptacin de los diseos con diamante, siempre y cuando los anlisis de costos as lo determinen; en caso contrario se debe seleccionar barrenas tricnicas.

MINING INDUSTRY DRILL Drill Bit Selection: Simplifying the

Process
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Tim Lahay Jan 01, 2009 With many choices available today, selecting the proper bit for a particular application can become quite confusing. There are spade, drag and shear type bits, point attack bits, PDC bits, milled tooth and TCI (tungsten carbide insert) roller cone bits. There are IADC codes, soft, medium, and hard categories for each bit, sealed, non-sealed, roller, and friction bearings. The list goes on forever. What is a contractor to do when the success of the drilling operation is directly related to what is screwed on the end of the drill pipe? In an effort to simplify the process, I am going to suggest a simple, systematic approach. This process involves a few simple steps and will get you in the ballpark every time: Identify Soil/Rock type(s) Classify Soil/Rock category Choose Bit type within the category Optimize and Adjust Operating parameters/subsequent selection

Identify Obtain geotechnical information. This part of the process is the most important. When done correctly, it will ensure proper tool selection and application through reaming. On larger pipeline jobs, owners often supply contractors with accurate formation properties including rock compressive strengths. In many cases where detailed information is not provided, I suggest the following:

Perform a site (or sight) survey. Sometimes actual geology is exposed from pre-existing road work, other construction, or through onsite potholing. Contact the U.S. Geological Survey for geology specific to a location. Contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) for soil surveys in a specific area. Contact local water well drillers. Contact local construction companies. Contact tooling suppliers/manufacturers, they may provide information related to past experiences in specific areas.

Remember, you are interested in the geology that exists within 100 ft (or less) of the surface. The more information you obtain the better equipped youll be to make the right choice. Compressive Range Soil & Rock Strength/Hardness Types Dirt, Clay, Cobble, Talc, Shale, Siltstone, 0 to 10,000 psi/Low Unconsolidated Sandstone, Slate Limestone, Dolomite, Sandstone, Coarsely Grained Granites Finely Grained Granites, Trap Rock, Chert, Iron Formations, Quartzite

10,001 to 30,000/Mid

30,000 +/High

Classify Define soil/rock category. To simplify, I suggest the following categories. Choose Choose a bit within the category. Bit choices progress from softer to harder in descending order. Choices listed within each category should produce cost-effective results. However, there can be overlap between hardness categories. Use of a downhole motor can influence bit choice. Blade and point attack type bits are commonly used without a downhole motor.

Compressive Strength/Hardness Range Suggested Bit Types Drag or Blage Type (duckbill, spade, etc.) Point Attack, Shear Type (PDC) Milled Tooth & TCI Roller Cone, Single Cone TCI Milled Tooth Rollar Cone TCI Roller Cone with conical or round top (dome) inserts

0 to 10,000 psi/Low

10,001 to 30,000/Mid

30,000 +/High

Optimize Utilization and adjust subsequent selection if required.

Talk to suppliers and manufacturers of these products. They can provide recommended operating parameters and guidelines for optimal use.

Noting and identifying cuttings return characteristics while drilling can help in refining ongoing utilization and selection.

Other General Considerations: Rig operating limits can influence bit selection. Torque requirements become greater in softer materials. WOB (weight on bit) requirements become greater in harder materials. Sealed, friction bearing, roller cone bits are preferred for fluid applications. However, open bearing roller cone bits are used successfully on shorter bores of less than 200 ft. TCI roller cone bits with round top shaped inserts will produce the slowest ROP (rate of penetration). Maximum gage, shirttail, (skirt) and leg protection is a must for roller cone bits. Your rig operating cost investment outweighs the cost of a drill bit. Choose a bit that produces the most cost effective balance of ROP and total run time. Trip time is costly improved ROP equals less drilling hours and money spent. Conventional petroleum roller cone bits are not always best suited for HDD. Certain bits, designed specifically for HDD, can prove to be more cost effective. Re-run roller cone bits are used bits. No one can tell you how used they are. These bits are considered a risk and discarded by petroleum operators. Consider the investment in your bore and weigh the risks. Tim Lahay is responsible for product and business development for Sandvik HDD Products.

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