ONYX II PDC Cutters

Next generation cutter for today’s

toughest drilling environments
The ONYX II cutter enables PDC bits to drill even more efficiently in the harshest conditions.

New technology increases performance Seamless teamwork

When the original ONYX* PDC cutter was
introduced, its resistance to abrasive wear and
thermal degradation significantly increased PDC
bit performance in hard and abrasive formations.
Pushing the limits of PDC bit performance still
further would mean creating an entirely new
cutter technology. After extensive dull bit analysis
and the introduction of new materials and
manufacturing processes, Smith Bits introduced
the ONYX II* premium PDC cutter. Capable of
retaining its sharp edge longer than previous
cutters, the new ONYX II enables PDC bits to drill
even more efficiently in the harshest conditions,
which has significantly improved overall PDC bit
performance while reducing drilling costs.
Manufacturing
Enhanced high pressure, high temperature
(HPHT) sintering processes
ONYX II is the result of an extensive collaboration
between our engineering, manufacturing, and
research and development groups. A comprehen-
sive analysis of dull cutter conditions, combined
with aggressive new drilling objectives from our
clients, drove the development team to push the
boundaries of synthetic diamond manufacturing
and materials science. Technical achievements
included:
■■ optimizing the density of the diamond structure
■■ synthesizing the diamond under elevated HPHT
conditions
■■ applying advanced processes to enhance
thermal stability

These efforts combined to produce the most tech-

nically advanced PDC cutter available today.

Engineering Research & Development

Detailed cutter wear and performance analysis Advanced materials technology and evaluation
 Comprehensive laboratory evaluation
ONYX ONYX II
A continued investment in the most advanced
component testing facilities by Schlumberger
has resulted in an improved understanding of
the fundamental cutter/rock interaction. Using
specialized laboratory equipment, our research
and development engineers evaluated the Extended granite abrasion test
new generation ONYX II cutter to measure it
against the original ONYX shearing element. In
a controlled laboratory comparison, ONYX II cut
20% more footage and maintained a significantly
better dull condition when compared to the

Resistance to Abrasion
original ONYX cutter. These results clearly indi-
cate improved thermal stability enables ONYX II to
maintain its structural integrity and resist diamond
spalling and chipping.

Advanced modeling system

To successfully expand the PDC application enve-
lope into harder and more abrasive formations, at
high rates of penetration, requires superior cutter
technology combined with enhanced cutting
structure design. Using our industry-leading
Integrated Dynamic Engineering Analysis System
(IDEAS*), bit designers can take full advantage of
the ONYX II cutter to develop PDC bits that can
drill the most challenging formations. The IDEAS
design platform enables engineers to understand
how a bit interacts as part of an entire drilling
system and offers unique tools that can optimize First generation Second generation ONYX ONYX II
the placement of the ONYX II cutter in the cutting premium PDC cutters premium PDC cutters 2009 2011
structure for maximum bit performance. 2003 2006

Cutter technology has evolved over the years to enhance the performance of PDC bits. Wear char-
acteristics have been evaluated in controlled laboratory simulations on granite, and ONYX II shows
significantly improved resistance to abrasion, as measured against previous generations of PDC cutters.
(above cutters shown after standard granite abrasion test)

Proven field performance

Sublette County, Wyoming, US
■■ 6-in MDi516 with original ONYX cutters (left) drilled 3,900 ft ONYX
in 79.4 h with an average ROP of 49.1 ft/h
■■ 6-in MDi516 with new ONYX II cutters (right) drilled 4,775 ft
in 78.5 h with an average ROP of 60.8 ft/h

5000 70

60
4000
50

3000 ONYX II
Footage drilled

40
ROP, ft/h

30
2000

20
1000
10

0 0 The ability of ONYX II cutters to retain a sharp edge and resist impact damage signifi-
ONYX ONYX II cantly enhances cutter durability to deliver increased footage drilled with superior ROP
ONYX II

An evolution
in cutter
technology…
a revolution
in drilling
performance

www.slb.com/onyxII

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Other company, product, and service names are the properties of their respective owners.
Copyright © 2011 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. 11-BT-0058