New Bit Designs

Drill bit designs evolve to handle new challenges

Despite decades of innovation, drill bit designers are not in danger of running out of creativity, as they respond to the demands of new drilling systems and ever-changing field conditions.

Despite decades of innovation, drill bit designers are not in danger of running out of creativity, as they respond to the demands of new drilling systems and ever-changing field conditions.

Just when one might think that all the possible innovation in drill bit design has occurred, the industry's manufacturers have proven that thought wrong again, as they unveil yet another round of new products. A smorgasbord of specialty bits, cutters, stabilizers, etc., has been developed to address the latest challenges encountered by operators in the field. These designs involve both PDC and roller cone bits, and they are tailored to everything from rotary steerable drilling systems to casing-while-drilling applications. For specifics, please read the following company summaries.

Editor's note: Many of the products featured in this section have trademarked names. However, the trademark symbols have been left off these names in the interest of reading clarity and space savings.

	Baker Oil Tools
	GeoDiamond/Smith Bits
	Halliburton Security DB
	Hughes Christensen
	RBI-Gearhart
	ReedHycalog
	Smith Tool/Smith Bits
	United Diamond
	Varel International