A new family of PDC bits that targets shale plays has been developed by Smith Bits. The Spear shale optimized steel-body PDC bit addresses the most persistent challenges of shale well bit performance – steerability and penetration rate.

The Spear drill bit has a sleek profile; thin, high steel blades; and wide junk slots ideal for shale well drilling. (Photo courtesy of Smith Bits)

The Spear drill bit has a sleek profile; thin, high steel blades; and wide junk slots ideal for shale well drilling. (Photo courtesy of Smith Bits)

The new IDEAS certified cutting structure enhances the directional response of the bit in both the curve and lateral hole sections. Lo-Vibe depth-of-cut control inserts back up the cutters at the outer blade edges to improve bit life. Built around a steel body that allows reduced blade width and increased blade height, the bits feature expanded flow-by area between the bit body and the borehole wall. The hydraulically optimized design provides 66% more junk slot area and boosts face volume by 26% for enhanced cuttings removal, the company says. Face volume area also is boosted by 26%. The bit’s bullet-shaped profile reduces the opportunity for bit balling and nozzle plugging to improve penetration rates.

Because of the abundance of cuttings generated by the bit at high penetration rates, hydraulics capability was boosted using optimized nozzle placement to adequately clean the cutting structure face and avoid issues with nozzle plugging. Minimizing cuttings beds along the low side of the lateral is a critical attribute for high penetration rates, reduced axial and torsional friction, and maximum effective use of hydromechanical energy to deliver improved performance over conventional PDC bits.
www.slb.com/spear ?

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