Increasing drilling efficiency with a bit that adjusts on the fly

FLORENCE, ITALY - When drilling in conglomerates, stick slip is a common problem that hinders ROP. A bit that can change its depth of cut based on downhole conditions reduces shock loads that can damage both the bit and the bottomhole assembly, while also increasing drilling efficiency.

The TerrAdapt bit features a combination of traditional, fixed PDC cutting structures and pressure-activated, moving structures. When pressure on the bit becomes too great, as happens in stick slip conditions, the moving structures are actuated by pressure-sensitive devices that push forward and increase the bit’s aggressiveness. Once the weight on the bit returns to normal, the moving structures return to their original positions.

The new bit design is delivering meaningful improvements to rig operations, increasing efficient drilling time by as much as 45% on a project in Texas’ Delaware basin.

The bits are manufactured using matrix steel, which is lower in carbon than base materials typically used in bit manufacture. “It’s a combination of manufacturing processes and operations strategies that help these tools contribute to our CO₂ goals,” said Baker Hughes’ Jennifer Cardoe at the Baker Hughes Annual Meeting in Florence, Italy.