Re-engineered to advance ROP and cuttings evacuation
The first Spear bit’s characteristic bullet shape and smaller diameter steel body—proven to reduce bit balling and cuttings packing around matrix-body bit blades—set the benchmark for drilling curve and lateral sections in unconventional shale plays: 10,000 runs since 2011.
Building on this performance, a redesign program using the IDEAS integrated drillbit design platform, has produced the next-generation Spear shale-optimized steel-body PDC drill bit, which delivers improved ROP while maintaining precise directional control.
This significant increase in drilling performance is the result of several key design enhancements
- Taller blades, resulting in an increased junk-slot area, promote cuttings migration from the bit face.
- A shale evacuation channel around nozzle ports directs cuttings evacuation to inhibit nozzle plugging.
- A reduced bit body profile improves cuttings evacuation into the annulus.
Advanced fluid modeling
Unconventional shale applications often produce a poor hydraulic environment: high mud weights, low flow rates, and with a bit hydraulic horsepower (HIS) of less than 0.5. In such conditions, bit nozzle placement is crucial.
An extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was conducted to ensure nozzle placement on the next-generation Spear bit resulted in an improved hydraulic configuration: Cutters are more effectively cleaned and cooled, helping to prolong cutter life and maximize ROP. The Spear bit can be fitted with optional ONYX II PDC cutters. This new range of premium cutters has greater thermal stability, impact resistance, and durability.
Improved ROP with excellent directional control
When compared with the first-generation PDCs, the next-generation Spear bits have improved ROP in curve and lateral sections 40% while providing excellent directional control for accurate wellbore placement.
For more information:
http://www.slb.com/services/drilling/drill_bits/type/pdc_bits/spear.aspx
The first Spear bit’s characteristic bullet shape and smaller diameter steel body—proven to reduce bit balling and cuttings packing around matrix-body bit blades—set the benchmark for drilling curve and lateral sections in unconventional shale plays: 10,000 runs since 2011.
Building on this performance, a redesign program using the IDEAS integrated drillbit design platform, has produced the next-generation Spear shale-optimized steel-body PDC drill bit, which delivers improved ROP while maintaining precise directional control.
This significant increase in drilling performance is the result of several key design enhancements
- Taller blades, resulting in an increased junk-slot area, promote cuttings migration from the bit face.
- A shale evacuation channel around nozzle ports directs cuttings evacuation to inhibit nozzle plugging.
- A reduced bit body profile improves cuttings evacuation into the annulus.
Advanced fluid modeling
Unconventional shale applications often produce a poor hydraulic environment: high mud weights, low flow rates, and with a bit hydraulic horsepower (HIS) of less than 0.5. In such conditions, bit nozzle placement is crucial.
An extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was conducted to ensure nozzle placement on the next-generation Spear bit resulted in an improved hydraulic configuration: Cutters are more effectively cleaned and cooled, helping to prolong cutter life and maximize ROP. The Spear bit can be fitted with optional ONYX II PDC cutters. This new range of premium cutters has greater thermal stability, impact resistance, and durability.
Improved ROP with excellent directional control
When compared with the first-generation PDCs, the next-generation Spear bits have improved ROP in curve and lateral sections 40% while providing excellent directional control for accurate wellbore placement.
For more information:
http://www.slb.com/services/drilling/drill_bits/type/pdc_bits/spear.aspx
