Enhanced diamond protection improves drilling efficiency
Varel International has expanded its offering of enhanced diamond protection to improve rate of penetration (ROP), enhance bit life and reduce drilling costs in motor, directional and rotary steerable applications. The enhanced package will be offered to customers drilling with the company’s roller cone products.
“Due to higher drill rig costs and increased extended reach applications, more diamonds are being used to improve roller cone bit life,” says Dewayne Fuller, roller cone product manager, Varel International.
“At Varel, we customize the bit to the specific application, e.g. build sections in directional drilling and horizontal applications where maximum abrasive resistance is required,” says Fuller. “The objective is to keep the cutting structure sharper for better ROP and maintain gage for longer on-bottom time.”
Diamond protection is added during the manufacturing process of the bit. Polycrystalline diamond capped inserts are inserted along the gage, backrow, and/or the leading edge of the shirttails to provide added protection to the bit in abrasive formations.
Diamond protection is recommended on motor, directional and rotary steerable applications, particularly those drilling through abrasive formations such as sandstone, siltstone, granite and limestone.
Varel offers the following diamond protections:
- Enhanced backrow protection - Increases gage holding in abrasive applications. It is available in varying percentages
- Enhanced gage row protection - Provides longer gage hold in abrasive and directional applications
- Enhanced shirttail protection - Provides maximum wear resistance in extreme drilling environments
- Enhanced diamond protection packages are available on Varel’s challenger tungsten carbide insert bits and steel tooth bits.
“As an added value to customers, Varel can retrofit most of our existing roller cone inventory with backrow and shirttail diamond protection,” adds Fuller. “This ability provides quick response to customers needing diamond enhanced options.”
