Drilling Bit Types

Oil and gas drilling bits are essential tools in the drilling process, designed to cut through various types of rock and earth formations.  There are several types of drilling bits used in the industry, each tailored to specific conditions and requirements. 

The Main Types of Drilling Bits Are

• Roller Cone Bit  -  Roller cone bits, also called tri-cone bits, are one of the most common types of drilling bits.  They consist of three cone-shaped rollers, each with teeth that crush and break the rock as the bit rotates.
  • Milled-tooth (MT) Bit  -  These bits have steel teeth that are milled directly from the cone's body.  They are suitable for softer formations such as shale, limestone, and sand.
  • Tungsten Carbide Insert (TCI) Bit  -  These bits have tungsten carbide inserts pressed into the cones.  They are designed for harder formations and provide greater durability and wear resistance.
• Fixed Cutter Bit  -  Fixed cutter bits do not have moving parts. Instead, they use abrasive cutting elements to shear through rock formations.
  • Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) Bit  -  PDC bits are one of the most widely used fixed cutter bits.  They feature synthetic diamond cutters that provide high durability and efficiency, especially in medium to hard formations.
    • Matrix-body PDC  -
    • Steel-body PDC  -
  • Impregnated Bit  -
    • Conventional Impregnated Matrix  -
      
    • Impregnated Inserts or Segments  -
      
  • Natural Diamond Bit  -  These bits use natural diamonds embedded in the bit's surface.  They are typically used for very hard and abrasive formations where other bits might wear out quickly.
  • Bi-Centers Bit  - 
    • Matrix-body Bi-Centers  -
    • Steel-body Bi-Centers  -
• Hybrid Bit  -  Hybrid bits combine the features of both roller cone and fixed cutter bits to take advantage of the benefits of each type.  These bits can improve performance and durability in various drilling conditions by incorporating rolling cones with fixed cutters.
• Drag Bit  -  Drag bits, also called blade bits, have blades with a cutting edge that drags through the formation to create the borehole.  They are often used in softer formations where rotary drilling methods are preferred.
• Diamond Core Bit  -  Diamond core bits are used for coring, where a cylindrical sample of rock (core) is extracted for analysis.  These bits are made with industrial diamonds set in a matrix material, suitable for very hard formations.
• Specialty Bit  -  There are also specialty bits designed for specific drilling conditions or challenges, including:
  
  • Hammer Bit  -  Used in percussive drilling, where the bit is hammered into the rock, creating fractures and breaking it apart.  These bits are often used in hard rock formations.
  • Reaming Bit  -  Used to enlarge the borehole diameter, reaming bits are often used in combination with other bits to maintain a consistent hole size.

Each type of bit has its advantages and limitations, and the selection process often involves careful consideration of the drilling environment and objectives.