Matthew R. Isbell

Rolling Cone Bits With Novel Gauge Cutting Structure Drill Faster, More Efficiently

Roller cone bit design practices that focus on improving gauge durability have resulted in heavily reinforced and rugged, but highly inefficient, cutting structures. This dilemma prompted an in-depth study of the cutting mechanics in the corner of the borehole. The study consisted of a review of gauge cutting structure design and kinematics, laboratory testing with individual cutting elements to determine cutting forces and full-scale simulator and field tests. The work not only confirmed the original supposition, but led to the development of a novel, patented gauge cutting structure that is more aggressive, faster, and at least as durable and wear resistant as conventional designs.

Application-Specific Bit Technology Leads to Improved Performance in Unconventional Gas-Shale Plays

Unconventional gas plays in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana have become increasingly important. Operators have been able to produce unconventional gas in these shale formations through better well profiles and completion/fracture technology. One key to the continued success of these fields is reducing the cost to drill these wells with the current depressed pricing of natural gas. Two general types of drilling programs are vertical/curve/horizontal profiles and more complex wells drilled from a pad. Each of these types of wells brings their own challenge to the bit design. A new applicationspecific bit design package has been developed for these applications. This new design comprises features that include improved stability, steerability, optimized hydraulics, depth of cut control, diamond volume management, and cutters optimized for wear and durability.