Exceptional Applications of Polycrystalline Diamond Bit in Oil Extraction

In the vast field of energy exploration and extraction, petroleum, known as the blood of industry, has always held a crucial position in its exploration and development. Drilling, as a key step that directly touches underground oil and gas layers, is not only technically complex but also places very high demands on the tools used—the drill bits. Among the many types of drill bits, polycrystalline diamond bit, with its unique performance advantages, has shone brightly in the field of petroleum extraction, becoming an important support for modern drilling technology.

Overview of Polycrystalline Diamond Bit

As an advanced form of diamond drill bits, the core of polycrystalline diamond bit lies in their use of Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) inserts as cutting elements. This material, through high-temperature, high-pressure technology, tightly combines tiny diamond particles with a tungsten carbide substrate, forming cutting edges with high hardness, high wear resistance, and high thermal stability. Compared with traditional diamond drill bits, polycrystalline diamond bit not only inherits the excellent properties of diamond material but also further enhances drilling efficiency and cost-effectiveness through structural optimization design.

The Important Role of Polycrystalline Diamond Bit in Petroleum Drilling

Enhancing Drilling Efficiency and Quality

In the petroleum drilling process, polycrystalline diamond bit, with its excellent hardness and wear resistance, can maintain efficient and stable drilling speeds in various complex formations. Whether in soft plastic formations or hard brittle rocks, polycrystalline diamond bit can quickly crush rocks with relatively low drilling pressure and high rotational speeds, significantly improving drilling efficiency. At the same time, their uniform cutting effect and good gauge protection performance ensure the quality and stability of the borehole, reducing the difficulty and cost of subsequent operations.

Reducing Drilling Costs

Although the cost of polycrystalline diamond material itself is relatively high, the long lifespan and high efficiency of polycrystalline diamond bit during the drilling process make its overall use cost much lower than traditional drill bits. Due to their low wear and high footage, polycrystalline diamond bit can significantly reduce the number of bit replacements, decrease downtime, and lower labor costs during the drilling process. Moreover, their excellent drilling quality can reduce the difficulty and cost of subsequent casing and completion processes, further lowering overall drilling costs.

The Structural Features and Working Principle of Polycrystalline Diamond Bit

Structural Features

Polycrystalline diamond bit adopts an integrated design with no moving parts, making the structure compact and robust. It mainly consist of five parts: bit body, crown, hydraulic structure, gauge protection section, and cutting edge (PDC inserts). The crown, as the working area for cutting rocks, is embedded with carefully arranged PDC inserts. These inserts are not only sharp and wear-resistant, but through reasonable hydraulic structure design, they achieve efficient cuttings removal and cooling, ensuring the continuous and stable operation of the drill bit.

Working Principle

The working principle of polycrystalline diamond bit is based on the microscopic cutting action of diamond particles. During the drilling process, the diamond particles on the PDC inserts simultaneously act on the rock surface under the action of drilling pressure and torque. For plastic formations, the diamond particles cut into the formation like a plow, achieving rock fragmentation or plastic flow; in brittle formations, they cause the rock to crack and break through crushing action; and in hard formations, polycrystalline diamond bit gradually wears the rock surface through micro-cutting and scoring, achieving efficient drilling.

Correct Use and Maintenance of Polycrystalline Diamond Bit

• Applicable Formations and Working Environments: Polycrystalline diamond bit is particularly suitable for medium to hard, highly abrasive formations, as well as complex conditions such as turbine drilling, deep well and ultra-deep well drilling, and coring operations. When selecting and using polycrystalline diamond bit, it is necessary to reasonably match the bit model and specifications according to specific formation conditions and drilling requirements to ensure the best drilling results.

• Preparation before Use: Before using polycrystalline diamond bit, it is essential to ensure that the bottom of the well is clean and free of metal debris to avoid damaging the bit. Additionally, it is necessary to check whether the bit is securely installed and whether all parts are intact. When initially lowering the drill bit, use low drilling pressure and low rotational speed to run it in and observe its adaptiveness and stability.

• Key Points during Drilling: During the drilling process, strictly control parameters such as drilling pressure, rotational speed, and flow rate to avoid damage to the drill bit or a decline in drilling efficiency due to excessive or insufficient operation. Especially when encountering complex formations, promptly adjust drilling parameters to ensure safe and efficient operation of the drill bit. Additionally, avoid unnecessary reaming operations to reduce wear on the bit's gauging section.

• Maintenance: Although polycrystalline diamond bit has high wear resistance, it still require regular inspection and maintenance during long-term use. If severe wear or damage to the cutting edge is found, promptly replace the PDC insert or the entire bit. Additionally, pay attention to cleaning and maintenance of the bit to extend its service life and maintain good working condition.