BIT SELECTION

• The selection of the best available bit for the job can

be determined only by trial & error.

• The most valid criterion for comparing the performance

of various bits is the drilling cost per foot.

Cb  Cr t b  t c  t t 
Cf 
D
• Comparison must be • Or, between bits used to
made between drill same formations at
succeeding bits in a different wells.
given well.
• The formations drilled with a given bit on a previous
nearby well can be correlated to the well in progress
using well logs and mud logging records.
Exercise
Footage Drilling Time tb+tc Drilling Cost
Cr = $2160/hr D (ft) (hrs) ($/ft)
0 0 INFINITY
Cb = $20000 30 2 1675
tt=12 hrs 50 4 1091
65 6 906
77 8 870
87 10 776
96 12 748
104 14 732
111 16 725
• Bit selection in a wildcat area can be
made on the basis of:
– Drilling cost
– Drillability & abrasiveness.
Drillability
– A measure of how easy is to drill.
– Inversely related to the compressive strength of
the rock

Abrasiveness
– A measure of how rapidly the teeth of a milled
tooth bit will wear when drilling the formation.
– The abrasiveness tends to increase as the
drillability decreases.
• In the absence of previous bit records,
several rules of thumb often are used for
initial bit selection.

• Note that the $/ft must eventually be the

final criterion applied.

1. The IADC classification charts provide an

approximate listing of the bit types applicable
in a given formation hardness.
 IADC Bit
Classificatio Formation
n
1-1 Soft formations having low compressive strength and high drillability
1-2
5-1 (soft shales, clays, red beds, salt, soft limestone, unconsolidated formations,
6-2 etc.)
Soft to medium formations or soft interspersed with harder streaks
1-3
6-1 (firm, unconsolidated or sandy shales, red beds, salt, anhydrite, soft limestones,
etc.)
Medium to medium hard formations
2-1
6-2 (harder shales, sandy shales, shales alternating with streaks of sand and
limestones, etc.)
Medium hard abrasive formations
2-3
6-2
(high compressive strength rock, dolomite, hard limestone, hard slaty shale, etc.)
3-1 Hard semi abrasive formations
7-2
(hard sandy or chert bearing limestone, dolomite, granite, chert, etc.)
3-2 Hard abrasive formations
3-4
8-1 (chert, quartzite, pyrite, granite, hard sand rock, etc.)
2. The initial bit type and features selected
should be governed by bit cost
considerations.
– CBit< CRig/day

i.e.
– Premium RCB features and high-cost
diamond and PCD drag bits tend to be more
applicable when CRig/dayis high.
– Tri-cone RCB are the most versatile bit type
available and are a good initial choice for the
shallow portion of the well.
3. When using RCB:

– Use the longest tooth size possible.

– A small amount of tooth breakage should be
tolerated rather than selecting a shorter tooth
size.
– When enough WOB cannot be applied
economically to a milled tooth bit to cause
self-sharpening tooth wear, a longer tooth size
should be used.
– When the rate of tooth wear is much less than
the rate of bearing wear, select a shorter tooth
size, a more economical bearing design, or
apply more WOB.
4. Diamond drag bits perform best in
nonbrittle formations having a plastic
mode of failure.

– i.e. in the bottom portion of a deep well, where

the high cost of tripping operations favors a
long bit life, and a small hole size favors the
simplicity of a drag bit design.
5. PCD drag bits perform best
in uniform sections of
carbonates or evaporites
that are not broken up with
hard shale stringers or
other brittle rock types.

6. PCD drag bits should not be

used in gummy formations,
which have a strong
tendency to stick to the bit
cutters.
• Bit selection is done largely by
TRIAL & ERROR, therefore, it is
extremely important to carefully
evaluate a dull bit.

• It is also important to maintain

careful written records of the
performance of each bit for future
reference.
Rolling Cutter Bit Dull Grading

• The IADC has adopted a numerical code

for reporting the degree of bit wear
relative to

Teeth,
Bearings,
Gauge.
 Grading Tooth Wear
• The tooth wear of milled tooth bit is graded in terms of
the fractional tooth height that has been WORN AWAY

– It is reported to the nearest eighth.

1
8

½ 1

New T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
– It may be difficult to characterize the tooth wear of an entire
bit with a single number. Some teeth may be worn more
than others, and some may be broken.

– Generally, the broken teeth are indicated by recording “BT”

in a “remarks” column, and the average wear of the row
teeth with the most severe wear is reported.

– The best way to obtain the tooth wear is to measure the

tooth height before and after the bit run. With experience,
more rapid visual estimates are usually satisfactory.

– There are times when T3 will not drill, but this does not
mean it should be reported as T8.
• The cutting structures of insert bits generally are too
hard to abrade as significantly as a milled steel tooth.

– The tooth inserts become broken or lost rather than worn.

– Thus, the tooth wear usually is reported as the fraction of the

total number of insets that have been broken or lost to the
nearest eight.

– Thus, an insert bit with half the inserts broken or lost would
be graded a T4

i.e., 4/8 of the inserts are broken or lost

 Grading Bearing Wear
• Field evaluation of bearing wear is very difficult.

– i.e.,the bit would have to be disassembled to examine the

condition of the bearings and journals.

– An examination of the dull bit will reveal only whether the

bearings have failed or are still intact.

• Bearing failure usually results in:

1. One or more “locked” cones so that they will no longer rotate or

2. One or more extremely loose cones so that the bearings have
become exposed
• A bearing failure is reported using the code ‘B’

– i.e., B8 means the bearings are 8/8 worn.

– A slightly loose cone usually is reported as B7

• When bearing wear cannot be detected, it usually is

estimated based on the number of hours of bearing life
that the drilling engineer thought the bearings would last.

– Linear bearing wear with time is assumed.

– i.e., if a bit was pulled after 10 hrs of operation and the drilling
engineer felt the bearings should have lasted an additional 10
hrs, the bearing wear will be reported as a B4.
Grading Gauge Wear
• When the bit wears excessively in the base area of
the rolling cones, the bit will drill an undersized hole.

– Causes damage of the next bit run.

• A ring gauge and a ruler must be used to measure

the amount of gauge wear.

– The lost of diameter must be reported to the nearest eighth.

– G-O-4 indicates out-of-gauge and 50% worn
– G-I indicates in-gauge
• In addition to grading the bearings, teeth, and gauge of the bit,
additional comments about the bit condition may be necessary.

Bit Body Conditions Bearing

Conditions
Damaged bit DB Bearing failure BF
Eroded nozzle EN Broken bearing pin BP
Lost nozzle LN Broken rollers BR
Plugged nozzle PN Cone locked CL
Cone teeth Lost cone LC
Conditions
Broken teeth BT Lost rollers LR
Balled up BU Seal failure SF
Cone dragged C
D
Cored C
 Tooth Wear Equation
Relates the rate of tooth wear with the effects of tooth geometry, WOB & RPM

 W 
H       4  1  H 2 
dh 1
1  N    b m d 
    2 
dt H  60  W  W    1  H 2h 
      
  

  d b m  d b  

h = Fractional tooth height that has been worn

away
t = Time, hrs
H1, H2, (W/db)m = Constants
W = Bit weight, 1,000 lbf
N = Rotary speed, RPM
H = Formation abrasiveness constant, hrs
Recommended tooth-wear parameters for rolling cutter
bits:

Bit Class H1 H2 (W/d)max

1-1 to 1-2 1.9 7 7.0

1.3 to 1-4 1.84 6 8.0
2-1 to 2-2 1.8 5 8.5
2-3 1.76 4 9.0
3-1 1.7 3 10.0
3-2 1.65 2 10.0
3-3 1.65 2 10
4-1 1.5 2 10
  W 
H      4  1  H 2 
dh 1  N  1   d b m  2 
   
dt H  60  W 
 W   1  H 2h 
       

d d
  b m  b  

 W   W 

        
H
  b m  b   60   1
d d 1 
J2   
 W  N   H
    4  1 2 
  d b m   2 

tb hf 
 h f2 
 dt  J 2H  1  H 2h dh  t b  J 2H  h f  H 2
0 0  2 
 

tb
The average formation abrasiveness, H 
H encountered during a bit run can be

 h f2 
J2  hf  H2
evaluated at WOB 2000 lb/in & 60  2 
 
RPM
Example
• An 8 ½ in Class 1-3-1 bit drilled from depth of 8,179 to 8,404 ft
in 10.5 hrs. The average WOB=45,000 lbf and rotary speed =
90 RPM.

• When the bit was pulled out it was graded T5, B4, G1.

• Compute the average formation abrasiveness for this depth

interval. Also estimate the time required to dull the teeth
completely using the same WOB and RPM.
 tb
H 
 h f2 
J 2  h f  H 2 
 2 

 W   W  
       
H1 

d b  m  d b   60  1 
J2     
 W  
 N   H 2 
    4  1 
  d b  m   2 
Solution
• For Class 1-3-1 bit we obtain H1=1.84, H2=6 and (W/db)m=8

Bit Class H1 H2
(W/d)max

1-1 to 1-2 1.9 7 7.0

1.3 to 1-4 1.84 6 8.0
2-1 to 2-2 1.8 5 8.5
2-3 1.76 4 9.0
3-1 1.7 3 10.0
3-2 1.65 2 10.0
3-3 1.65 2 10
4-1 1.5 2 10
 W
H1  1.84 & H2  6    8
 d b m
 W  45
   & N  90
 d b  8 .5

 W   W 
      
 
H
 
  d b m  d b   60  1  1 
J2   
 W  N   H2 
    4   1  
  d b m   2 

 45   
8  1 .84 
 8.5  60  1 
J2        0.08
6
 8  4  90   1  
   2
t b  10.5 hrs
5
T5  h f   0.625
8
tb
H 
 h 2
 
J2  hf  H2 f 
 2 
 
10.5
H   73 hrs
 6 2
0.08 0.625  6 
 2 
 
• The time required to dull the teeth completely (i.e. T8) can be obtained as:

8
hf   1
8
 h 2
 
t b  J 2H  h f  H 2 f 
 2 
 

 6 2
t b  0.0873 0.625  6   23.4 hrs
 2 
 
Factors Affecting Bearing
Wear
db
• Instantaneous rate of bearing wear, , depends on
the current condition of the bit dt

– i.e. after the bearing surfaces become damaged, the rate

increases.

– Since the bearing surfaces can not be examined readily during

the dull bit evaluation, a linear rate of bearing wear usually
assumed.
WOB

– Depends on the type of bearing type. i.e., sealed or not

sealed.

Mud properties and Type

– Especially when the bearings are not sealed, lubrication is

accomplished with the drilling fluid.

Hydraulic action of the drilling fluid at the bit

– As Q increases ability of the fluid to cool the bearings

increases.
Bearing Wear Equation

B1 B2
db 1  N   W 
    
dt B  60   4 d b 

b : fractional bearing life that has been consumed,

t : time, hours
N : rotary speed, rpm,
W : Bit weight, 1,000 lbf
db : Bit diameter, inches
B1, B2 : Bearing wear exponents, and
B : Bearing constant, hours
Recommended values for bearing wear exponent for rolling
cutter bits:

Bearing type Drilling Fluid Type B1 B2

Non-sealed Barite mud 1.0 1.0

Sulfide mud 1.0 1.0
Water 1.0 1.2
Clay/Water mud 1.0 1.5
Oil-based mud 1.0 2.0

Sealed roller bearings 0.70 0.85

Sealed journal bearings 1.6 1.0
 60 B1 4 d B2
   
J3     b 
N  W 

tb bf
 dt  J3B  db  t b  J3Bbf
0 0

tb
B 
J3bf
Example
• Compute the bearing constant for a 7.875 in, Class 6-1-6
(sealed journal bearings) bit that was graded T-5, B-6, G-I after
drilling 64 hours at 30,000 lbf and 70 RPM.
Solution
d b  7.875 in
N  70 RPM & W  30 (1,000  lb)

B B
 60  1  4 d b  2
J3     
N
   W 
1.6 1.0 t b  64
 60   4  7.875 
J3       0.82 6
 70   30  B6  bf   0.75
8

tb
B 
J3bf
64
B   104 hrs
0.82  0.75
 TERMINATING A BIT RUN
– The use of bearing and tooth wear equations will provide a
rough estimate of when the bit will be completely worn.

• Monitor the rotary table torque.

– When the bearings become badly worn, one or more of the

cones frequently will lock and cause a sudden increase or
large fluctuation in the rotary torque.

• Monitor the ROP

– When the ROP decreases rapidly, it may be advisable pull bit

out.
• If the lithology is somewhat uniform, the total drilling
cost can be minimized by minimizing the cost of each
bit run.

– So, the best time to terminate the bit run can be at min cost
per foot.
$/ft

$/ft

tb

tb
Cost Per Foot Equation

$ Cb  Cr t b  t c  t t 

ft D

Cb : Bit cost, $
Cr : Rig operation cost, $/hr
Tb : bit run time, hr
Tc : connection time, hr
Tt : trip time, hr
D : drilling interval, ft
Example
• The lithology is known to be essentially uniform in this area.
Determine the optimum bit life for the bit run described in the table

D, ft tb+tc, Remarks

J2=0.4 (the tooth parameter) hrs
H2=6 0 0 New bit
J3=0.55 (the bearing parameter) 30 2 267
H= 50 hrs 50 4 184
B= 30 hrs 65 6 160
Cb=$800 77 8 151
Cr=$600/hr 87 10 147
tt=10 hrs 96 12 146
104 14 146
111 16 147
Solution
The time required to The time required to
wear out the teeth: wear out the bearings:


 h f2 
t b  J 2 H  h f  H 2
 2  t b  J3Bbf
 
 12
t b  0.04501  6   80 hrs t b  0.55301  16.5 hrs
 2
 

Verifies that bearing fails first

 280

Using the cost per foot 260

equation:
240

220

D, ft tb+tc, Drilling Cost, Cf

hrs ($/ft)
200

0 0 0
30 2 266.66
180
50 4 184
65 6 160
160
77 8 150.65
87 10 147.12
96 12 145.83 140
0 5 10 15 20

104 14 146.15
111 16 147.75
Example
 Following performance data is given:
 
ITEM STEEL TOOTH INSERT TOOTH
 
Bit Cost $277.88 $1521.32
Trip 6:18 hrs/min 6:32 hrs/min
Rotation Time 10:01 hrs/min 58:42 hrs/min
Down Time None None
Bit Footage 180 ft 880.5 ft
Rig Cost Rate 375 $/hr Same
Fraction Tooth Wear 1/2 Not Applicable
Fraction Bearing Wear 6/8 8/8
Average Drilling Rate 18 ft/hr 12.5 ft/hr
Bit Size 7-7/8 in. 7-7/8 in.
Bit Weight 30,000 lbs 40,000 lbs
Rotary Speed 85 rpm 60 rpm
 277.88  375 (6.3  10.1) 1521.32  375 (6.3  58)
TCFSteel  TCFInsert 
10.01 18 58 12.5

35.54 35.28
TCFSteel  $ TCFInsert  $
ft ft
 OPTIMAL BIT LIFE
160

140
120
T
C 100
F
80
optimal
$/ft 60
40

20
0 50 100 150 200
BIT FOOTAGE (ft)

 The plot shows that had the steel tooth bit been pulled at
its optimal life (6 hours and 34 minutes) it would have had
a lower cost per foot: $34.05/ft versus $35.47/ft.
 Factors Affecting ROP

• The most important ones are

1. Bit type
2. Formation Characteristics
3. Drilling Fluid Properties
4. Bit operating conditions (WOB and RPM)
5. Bit tooth wear
6. Bit hydraulics
• A considerable amount of experimental work has
been done to study the effect of these variables on
the ROP.

• For most, the effect of a single variable was studied

while holding the other variables constant.
BIT TYPE

• For RCB, the initial ROP is often highest in a given

formation when using bits with long teeth and a large
cone offset angle.

• Drag bits are designed to obtain a given ROP

FORMATION CHARACTERISTICS

• The most important formation properties affecting ROP

are:

Elastic limit & Ultimate strength

• The shear strength predicted by the Mohr failure criteria

often is used to characterize the strength of the
formation.

– To determine the shear strength from a single compression test,

1 assumed.
an average angle of 1internal friction of 35o was
0  1  0 sin 90    cos 
2 2
The threshold force, (W/db)t, required to initiate drilling

ROP

(W/db)t W/db

Obtained by plotting ROP vs W/db then extrapolating to zero ROP.

• The formation ‘k’ also has a significant effect on the ROP.

The pressure difference Communication relieves

Cracks form
"clamps" the rock fragments the chip hold-down
against intact rock (chip forces.
hold-down forces)
• The mineral composition of the rock also has some
effect.

– Hard, abrasive minerals can cause rapid dulling of the bit

teeth.
– Gummy clay minerals can cause the bit to ball up.
DRILLING FLUID PROPERTIES

• The properties reported to affect are:

– Density
– Rheological flow properties
– Filtration characteristics
– Solids content and size distribution
– Chemical composition
 ROP

MW Filtration
Solids characteristics
content
PV

The MW, solids content, and filtration characteristics control

the P across the zone of crushed rock beneath the bit.

The PV controls the Pf in the drillstring and, thus, the

hydraulic energy available at the bit jets for cleaning.
• Drilling fluid particle size also has some effect on
ROP.

– Particles less than 1 micron are an order of magnitude more

detrimental to ROP than particles coarser than ~ 30 micron.

– The colloidal particles are much more efficient at plugging off

the filtration beneath the bit.
• The chemical composition of the mud has an effect on
ROP

– The hydration rate and bit balling tendency of some clays are
affected by the chemical composition of the fluid
• The effect of drilling fluid density and the resulting
BHP on ROP can be represented by:

 R 
log 
  0.052mD g p  c 
 Ro 
 R 
log 
  a 4D g p  c 
 Ro 

Log (R/Ro)
R : ROP, fph
Ro : ROP at zero overbalance,
fph
m : the slope of the line
a4 : Coefficient
gp : Pore pressure gradient
c : Circulating mud density Overbalance (psi)
Example

Log (R/Ro)
• The slope of the shale line in
the figure has a value of -
0.000666.

• Evaluate the coefficient a4 for

this value of m and estimate
the change in ROP in this
shale at 12,000 ft to be
expected if the mud density is
increased from 12 to 13 ppg.

• The current ROP is 20 fph.

Overbalance (psi)
Solution
a 4  0.0520.000666  log
R
Ro

 a 4 D g p  c 
a 4  35  106

a D g p 1
R1  R o  10 4


a D g p  2
R 2  R o  10 4


 e2.303a 4D12 
R2
R1
R 2  R1  e2.303a 4D12 

2.303  35106 12000 1213

R 2  20  e  
R 2  7.6 fph
OPERATING CONDITIONS (WOB & RPM)

• Typical plots are as followings (all other drilling variables

held constant):

At high values of W Slight

improvement. At extremely high values
R of W, sometimes, decrease in R-Bit
Floundering
R
d e c
c b Less efficient bottomhole cleaning

Linear curve for moderate

b W Linear curve for low values of RPM

a ROP increases rapidly with

a
W

No ROP is until the threshold

W RPM
W
• Bingham suggested following drilling equations:

a
W 5
R  K  N
 db 

R  KNa 6

R : Drilling rate,
K : Constant of proportionality that
includes the effect of rock strength.
W/db : WOB per inch of Drill bit diameter
N : Rotary table RPM
a5 & a 6 : Bit weight and rotary speed
exponents
• A drilloff test is usually conducted to accurately
measure the a5 & a6 coefficients.

– Values of bit weight exponent, a5, obtained from field data

range from 0.6-2.0

– Values of the rotary speed exponent, a6, range from 0.4-0.9

 40 40 40
30 50 30 50 30 50 HL=50,000 lb

20 60 20 60 HL=60,000 lb 20 60

10 70 10 70 10 70
HL=70,000 lb

WOB=0 lb WOB=10,000 lb WOB=20,000 lb

 40 40 40
30 50 HL=50,000 lb 30 50 30 50
HL=55,000 lb
20 60 20 60 20 60 HL=60,000 lb
10 70 10 70 10 70

WOB=5000 lb WOB=5000 lb

WOB=20,000 lb WOB=15,000 lb WOB=10,000 lb

 40 40 40
30 50 HL=50,000 lb 30 50 30 50

60 20 60
HL=55,000 lb 60 HL=60,000 lb
20 20

10 70 10 70 10 70

12 12 12
11 1 11 1 11 1
10 2 10 2 10 2
9 3 9 3 9 3
8 4 8 4 8 4
7 5 7 5 7 5
6 6 6

t=30 min t=35 min

 40 40
30 50 30 50

20 60 20 60 WOB = 5000 lb
10 70 10 70

  E  &   E 
W

A
L
L
 
L
W L
E
A L

L
L  W
L E A
t=30 min
 L
L  W
E A

L L W

t E  A t

L W
R
E  A t

0.95L W
R
E  A t
 DRILLOFF TEST

 A drilloff test consists of applying a large WOB and then

locking the brake and monitoring the decrease in WOB with
time while maintaining a constant RPM.

 Hook's law of elasticity then can be applied to compute the

amount the drill string has stretched as the WOB decreased
and the hook load increased.

 In this manner, the response in ROP to changing WOB can be

determined over a very short depth interval.
 Care must be taken to establish the bottomhole pattern of the bit at
the initial WOB of the test before performing the drilloff test.

 The following procedure was adapted from a Chevron U.S.A.

recommended practice.

1. Select a depth to run the drilloff test where a section of uniform

lithology (usually shale) is expected.

2. While drilling with the WOB currently in use, lock the brake
and determine the time required to drill off 10% of this weight.
This is called the characteristic time.
3. Increase the WOB to the initial value of the drilloff test. This
initial value should be at least a 20% increase in WOB over the
WOB currently in use.

4. Drill at this WOB long enough to establish the new bottomhole

pattern of the bit. The time allowed is usually one characteristic
time per 10% increase in WOB—e.g., a time interval of twice
the characteristic time would be used for a 20% increase in
WOB.

5. Lock the brake and maintain a constant rotary speed. Record

the time each time the bit weight falls off 4,000 lbf. If the weight
indicator is fluctuating, use the midpoint of the fluctuations as
the WOB. Continue the test until at least 50% of the initial WOB
has been drilled off.
6. Make a plot of t vs. W or R vs. W using log-log graph paper. A
straight-line plot should result having a slope equal to the bit
weight exponent. Deviation from straight-line behavior may
occur at high bit weights if bit floundering occurs or is
impending. h

7. If time permits, repeat the test at a different rotary speed. If bit

floundering (nonlinear behavior at high bit weights) was
observed in the initial test, use a lower rotary speed in the
second test. If no bit floundering occurred in the initial test, use
a higher rotary speed in the second test.
Example
 Following drilloff test data
given. N=150 RPM N=100 RPM

W t W t

1000-lb sec 1000-lb sec

 Evaluate the drilling
76 0 76 0
performance bit weight
72 52 72 54
exponent
68 105 68 114

64 160 64 180

 Evaluate the rotary speed 60 218 60 253

exponent 56 281 56 334

52 352 52 424

LDP=10,000 ft 48 432 48 525

X-Area DP=5.275 44 522 44 641

Young’s modulus=30x106psi 40 626 40 773

36 746 36
 The penetration rate can be evaluated using

L W
R  0.95
E A s t
10,000 4,000
 0.95
30(10) 6 5.275 t
0.24

t

 Expressing R in ft/hr and t in sec,

0.24  3,600 sec  864

R  
t  1 hr  t
• Graphical evaluation of
R  KN a 6
the slope of the straight-
line portion of either line
13.7  K 150 6
a
yields a value of 1.6
10.7  K 100 6
a

a5=1.6
a6
13.7  150 
 
10.7  100 
• The rotary speed
exponent a6 can be
evaluated from the a6 

log 13.7
10.7
  0.6
spacing between the log150 
100
lines in the parallel
region.
 N=150 RPM N=100 RPM
Elapsed Time, Avg Bit Wt, t R fph Elapsed Time, Avg Bit Wt, t R fph
Bit Wt K-lbm Bit Wt , K-lbm
Sec K-lbm Sec Sec K-lbm Sec
76 0       76 0      
    74 52 16.6     74 54 16.6
72 52       72 54      
    70 53 16.6     70 60 14.4
68 105       68 114      
     66  55 15.7       66  66 13.1 
64 160       64 180      
     62  58 14.9       62  73 11.8 
60 218       60 253      
    58  63  13.7      58  81  10.7 
56 281       56 334      
     54 71  12.2       54 90  9.6 
52 352       52 424      
     50 80  10.8       50 101  8.6 
48 432       48 525      
     46 90  9.6       46 116  7.4 
44 522       44 641      
    42 104  8.3      42 132  6.5 
40 626       40 773      
    38  120   7.2
36 746      
BIT TOOTH WEAR

• Most bits tend to drill slower as the bit run

progresses because of tooth wear.

• Several authors have published mathematical

models for computing the effect of tooth wear on
ROP for RCB

a 7h
Bourgoyne & Young
R  Ke
suggested
Example
 An initial ROP of 20 fph was observed in shale at
the beginning of a bit run.

 A ROP of 12 fph was observed with a bit in the

same shale formation just before pulling the bit.

The previous bit was identical to the current bit and was
operated under the same conditions of WOB, RPM, MW,
etc.

 If the previous bit was graded T6, compute the

approximate value of a7.
Solution
 The value of h for the R  Ke  a 7 h
previous bit just before
the end of the bit run is 20  Ke a 7 ( 0 )
6/8 or 0.75.
12  Ke 0.75 

 The value of h for the

new bit is zero. 20
 e 0.75a 7
12

a7 
ln 20 
12  0.68
0.75
 ROP EQUATIONS
• ROP equations for RCBs have been proposed by
various authors.

– The approach usually taken is to assume that the effects of

WOB, RPM, tooth wear, etc., on ROP are all independent of
one another

– The composite effect can be computed using an equation of

the form:

R=f1 × f2 × f3 × f4 × f5 × f6 × f7 × f8 Functional relations

between the ROP and
various drilling parameters
The Bourgoyne-Young drilling model defines
functions as: a
 RPM 
6

f1  e 2.303a1  K f6   
 60 
f 2  e 2.303a 2 10, 000 D  f 7  e a 7 h

2.303a 3 D 0.69 g p  9.0  a8
f3  e  Fj 
  f8   
 60 
2.303a 4 D g p   c
f4  e
a5
W W 
    
 d b  d b t  K: Formation strength or drillability
f5 
 W  D: TVD (ft)
 4     gp : Pore pressure gradient, ppg
  d b  t  c: ECD, ppg
(W/db)t: Threshold WOB per inch of bit diameter (K-
lb)
h: Fractional tooth dullness
Fj: Hydraulic impact force, lb
a1-a8: Constants based on local drilling conditions.
BIT HYDRAULICS Hydraulic Parameter: i.e., BHHP, IF, Vn

Hydraulic
Penetration Rate (fph)

Parameter

Hydraulic
Parameter

Hydraulic
Parameter

The Flounder Point

WOB/db
• At low WOBs and ROPs, the level of hydraulics
required for hole cleaning is small.

• As more WOB is applied to the bit and cuttings are

generated faster, a flounder point is reached
eventually where the cuttings are not removed as
quickly as they are generated.

• If the level of hydraulics is increased, a higher WOB

and ROPS will be reached before bit floundering
occurs.
Example
• A 9.875-in. milled tooth bit operated at 40,000-lb/in
and 80 RPM is drilling in a shale formation at a
depth of 12,000 ft at a ROP of 15 fph.

• The formation pore pressure gradient is equivalent

to a 12 ppg mud, and the equivalent mud density
on bottom is 12.5 ppg. The computed jet impact
force beneath the bit is 1,200 lbf, and the computed
fractional tooth wear is 0.3.

• Compute the apparent formation drillability, K.

Solution
d b  9.875 a2  0.00007

WOB  40
a3  0.000005
N  80
a4  0.00003
D  12000
ROP  15 a5  1

g p  12 a6  0.5

MW  12.5 a7  0.5
Fj  1200
a8  0.5
h  0.3
W t  0
f2  0.724
 h  0.3
2.303a2( 10000 D)
f2  e f2  0.724

f3  e
2.303a3D
0.69

 gp 9  f3  1.023

f4  e

2.303a4D gp MW  f4  0.661

a5
 WOB
  W t 
db
f5 
 
 4  Wt  f5  1.013
 
a6
N
f6    f6  1.155
 60 
 a7 h
f7  e f7  0.861

a8
 Fj 
f8    f8  1.095
 1000 

ROP  f1  f 2  f 3  f 4  f 5  f 6  f 7  f 8
ROP
f1  K   27.796 fph
f 2  f 3  f 4  f 5  f 6  f 7  f8
• The example assumes the tooth wear was constant
(i.e. h=0.3). Note that the tooth wear may be dramatic
in some formations.

– In such case, following equation can be used to relate the footage

drilled to the final bit tooth wear observed.

 
1  e a 7 h f H 2 1  e  a 7 h f  a 7 h f e  a 7 h f 
D  J1J 2  H   2 
 a 7 a 7 

J1  f1  f 2  f 3  f 4  f 5  f 6  f 8

 W   W  
       
H1 


 d b  m  d b   60   1
J2   
 W  N   H 2 
    4  1 
  d b  m   2 
In some cases, it is desirable to compute the footage
(D) drilled after a given time interval (tb) of bit
operation

In such case we need to determine bit tooth dullness (hf ):

2
 1   2t b   1 
h f         
 H 2   H 2J 2 H   H 2 

 
1  e a 7 h f H 2 1  e  a 7 h f  a 7 h f e  a 7 h f 
D  J1J 2  H   2 
 a 7 a 7 
Example
• An 8 ½ in Class 1-3-1 bit drilled from depth of 8,179 to
8,404 ft in 10.5 hrs. The average WOB=45,000 lbf and
rotary speed = 90 RPM.

• Compute the average formation drillability (K) . Assume

the average Fj=1,000 lb, the formation drilled was shale
with normal formation pressure gradient (equivalent to
9 ppg fluid), and the ECD was 9.5 ppg.

• Use the threshold bit weight and constants a2-a8 as

given before.
Solution
• Recalling from the earlier example

H2=6
J2=0.08
H=73 hrs
D from 8,179 ft to 8,404 ft
tb=10.5 hrs
hf=5/8 or 0.625 for (T5)
a7=0.5
  
1  e a 7 h f H 2 1  e  a 7 h f  a 7 h f e  a 7 h f 
D  J1J 2  H   2 
 a 7 a 7 
 
1  e 0.50.625 6 1  e 0.50.625  0.50.625e 0.50.625 
8,404  8,179  J1 0.0873  
 0 . 625  0. 625 2

J1  25.8 fph
J1  f1  f 2  f 3  f 4  f 5  f 6  f 8

f 2  e 2.303a 2 (10, 000 D )

f 2  e 2.3030.00007 (10, 0008, 292)
f 2  1.32

2.303a 3D 0.69 ( g p 9 )
f3  e
for g p  9 ppg  f 3  1

2.303a 4 D ( g p   c )
f4  e
f 4  e 2.3030.000038, 292(99.5)  0.751
 a5 1
W W   45  0  
         
 db  db t   8.5  d b  t 
f5    1.32
 W    0 
 4      4    
  d b  t    d b  t 

a 0.5
 N   90 
6

f6       1.225
 60   60 

a a
 Fj 
8
 1,000 
8

f 8       1
 1,000   1,000 

J1  f1  f 2  f 3  f 4  f 5  f 6  f 8
25.8  f1  1.32 1.0  0.751 1.32 1.225 1.0
f1  K  16.1 fph
 Bit Operation
• The drilling engineer must see that the selected bit is
operated as efficiently as possible.

– Items of primary concern include:

1. Selecting of BHA,
2. Prevention of accidental bit damage,
3. Selection of WOB and RPM, and
4. Bit run termination
 BHA
• Has a significant effect on bit performance.

• The length of DCs used should be adequate to

prevent the development of bending moments in the
DP for the range of WOBs used.

• Stabilizers should be used above the bit in the string

of DCs to prevent bending of lower portion of the
DCs.
• A severe wobbling bit action
results as the bit is rotated if
the DCs above the bit are not
held in a concentric position in
the borehole. This can cause

1. Severe shock loading on teeth,

bearings, and grease seals of
RCBs
2. Shock loading on diamond or
PCD cutters and uneven fluid
distribution beneath diamond bits,
3. A below-gauge borehole
diameter, and
4. A crooked borehole
• The use of stabilizers having a diameter near the
hole size can reduce the severity of these problems
greatly.

• Special shock absorbing devices called shock subs

also can be used above the bit to dampen the shock
loads further.

• The additional cost of shock subs is justified more

easily for the more expensive journal bearing bits,
which have the potential of extremely long bit runs if
the grease seals and bearing surfaces are not
damaged
 PREVENTION OF
ACCIDENTAL BIT DAMAGE
– Accidental bit damage before placing the bit in service at the
bottom of the hole can reduce the life of the bit greatly.

• The bit should be tightened in the drillstring to the

recommended torque using a special breaker plate
designed for the bit type in use.

• Care also should be taken to see that the jet nozzles

are installed properly using a shroud to minimize fluid
erosion of the nozzle passages.
• The bit is especially susceptible to damage during the
tripping operations.

– The presence of tight spots observed when pulling the

previous bit out of the hole should be noted in writing so that
slower pipe velocities can be used a these points when
running the new bit to bottom.

– Tight spots may be especially noticeable when running a

fully stabilized BHA assembly after a bit that was observed
to have significant gauge wear.

– When reaming is necessary, low WOBs should be used.

The bit bearings are not designed for the inward thrust
present during reaming operations.
• It is also possible to catch a bit cone on an irregular
ledge in the borehole wall while running back to bottom.

– Plastic bit guides can be installed beneath the bit to minimize

the risk of this type of damage

• Once the new bit reaches bottom, it should be ‘broken

in’ properly using a low WOB and RPM for the first foot
or two drilled.

– This allows any microscopic irregularities in the bearing

surfaces to be smoothed and allows the bottomhole pattern of
the new cutters to be established in the rock.

– The WOB and RPM then can be increased slowly to the

desired values.
• Also, it always is important to establish drilling fluid
circulation before resuming drilling operations.

– Heat build up can quickly damage the bit when fluid

circulation stops during drilling operation.
 SELECTION OF WOB & RPM
• WOB & RPM both have major effect on both the
ROP and the life of the bit.

– The determination of the best WOB & RPM for a given bit
run is one of the routine problems faced by the Drilling Eng.

• Consideration must be given to following items:

1. The effect of the selected operating conditions on the cost

per foot for the bit in question and on subsequent bit runs
2. The effect of the selected operating conditions on the
crooked hole problems.

3. The maximum desired ROP for the fluid circulating rates

and mud processing rates available and for efficient kick
detection.

4. Equipment limitations on the available WOB & RPM.

• In many instances, a wide range of WOB & RPM can be selected

without creating crooked hole problems or exceeding equipment
limitations. Also ROPs that can be achieved are usually less than the
maximum desirable ROP in the deeper portions of the well.

– Under these conditions the drilling engineer is free to

select the WOB & RPM that will result in the minimum $
/ft
• Several published methods for computing the
optimum WOB & RPM combinations for achieving
minimum $/ft are available.

– All of these methods require the use of mathematical models

to define the effect of WOB & RPM on ROP and Bit Wear.

• Methods are available for computing both:

– The best variable WOB/RPM schedule and

– The best constant WOB/RPM for entire bit run.
• Galle & Woods have reported that the simpler
constant WOB/RPM method results in only slightly
higher $/ft than the methods allowing the WOB/RPM
to vary as the bit dulls or encounters different
formation characters.

– Reed indicated a difference of less than 3% in $/ft between

the variable and constant WOB/RPM schedules for the
cases studied.
• One straightforward technique that can be used to
determine the best WOB/RPM schedule is to
generate a $/ft table

– The $/ft for various assumed WOB/RPM can be computed

using ROP and bit wear models and the results tabulated.

– The best combination of WOB/RPM, the best WOB for a

given RPM, or the best RPM for a given WOB can be read
from the table.

– The use of the best WOB for a given RPM may be desirable
when the RPM selection is limited by the rotary power
transmission system.

– The best RPM for a given WOB may be desirable when the
WOB is limited due to hole deviation problems.
The Bourgoyne-Young
ROP and Bit Wear Model
1. Assume a WOB & RPM
2. Compute the tb
3. Compute the tB
4. Using the smaller of the two
computed times, compute the
footage that would be drilled.
5. Compute the $/ft
Example
• A class 1-3 bit will be used to drill a formation at 7,000 ft
having a drillability of 20 fph. The abrasiveness constant H
has a value of 15.7 hrs, The bearing constant B has a value
of 22 hrs, and the bearing exponents B1 and B2 are equal to
1.0. The formation pore pressure gradient is equivalent to a
9 ppg fluid, and the mud density is 10 ppg. The bit costs
$400, the operating cost of the drilling operation is $500/hr,
the time required to trip for a new bit is 6.5 hrs, and 3
minutes are required to make a connection. Using a
threshold bit weight of 0.5 and values of a 2 through a8 as
given, compute the $/ft that would be observed for W/d b=4 &
N=60 RPM, and Fj=900 lbf.
Solution
a2  0.000087 For Class 1-3

a3  0.000005
H1  1.84
a4  0.000017
H2  6
a5  1.2

a6  0.6 Wd bm  8

a7  0.9 Wd b  4
a8  0.4
N  60
 H1
Wd bm  Wd b 60  1
J2      
Wd bm  4  N  H2 
1  J2  0.25
 2 
H  15.7

8
h f 
 8
hf 
2

t b  J2  H   h f  H2  
 2  t b  15.7

B1  1

B2  1
B1 B2
60  4
J3       J3  1
 N Wd b 
 
B  22

8
b f 
8

t B  J3  B  b f t B  22
 f1  20

D  7000
2.303a2( 10000 D)
f2  e f2  1.824

g p  9
2.303a3D
0.69

 gp 9 
f3  e f3  1

MW  10
f4  e

2.303a4D gp MW  f4  0.76

Wd bt  0.5
a5
 Wd b  Wd bt 
f5   
4  Wd bt f5  1
 
a6
N
f6    f6  1
 60 
a8 Fj  900
 Fj

f8   
 1000 f8  0.959
J1  f1  f2  f3  f4  f5  f6  f8 J1  26.592


t BIT  if t B  t b  t B t b  t BIT  15.7

1 
2
 t BIT  1

h f    2   hf  1
  
 H2   H2  J2  H  H2

  a7 hf  1  e a7 hf  a  h  e a7hf   H 

D  J1  J2  H 
1 e 
 7 f  2
 a7 a7
2  D  244.724
 
 D 1 tc  3
t c    tc
30 60
tc  0.408

Cb  400

Cr  500

tt  6.5

Cb  Cr  tBIT  tc  tt 
Cf  Cf  47.825
D
W / Db ---> wd b  3 wd b  3.5 wd b  4 wd b  4.5 wd b  5 wd b  5.5 wd b  6 wd b  6.5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Cf  Cf  Cf  Cf  Cf  Cf  Cf  Cf 
i Ni  i0 i1 i2 i3 i4 i5 i6 i7
0 20 38.384 30.934 26.815 24.818 24.584 26.491 32.565 53.867
1 25 41.779 33.744 29.317 27.199 27.013 29.198 36.02 57.387
2 30 44.931 36.372 31.672 29.452 29.325 31.785 39.338 55.942
3 35 47.916 38.876 33.927 31.621 31.56 34.296 42.571 55.74
4 40 50.78 41.292 36.114 33.732 33.743 36.759 45.75 56.401
5 45 53.554 43.643 38.25 35.803 35.892 39.189 48.895 57.7
6 50 56.258 45.945 40.351 37.845 38.017 41.598 49.856 59.493
7 55 58.91 48.21 42.424 39.867 40.127 43.995 50.17 61.68
8 60 61.519 50.448 44.478 41.875 42.226 46.385 50.787 64.193

 
min Cf  24.584