- Fixed Cutter Bits (PDC Bits)
Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) Drill Bits
The most commonly used bit in modern drilling. No moving parts. They shear the rock rather than crush it.
Specification Details
Standard IADC Fixed Cutter Code (e.g., M323, M423, M613)
Body Material Steel Body, Matrix Body (Tungsten Carbide Matrix)
Cutter Size 8mm, 13mm, 16mm, 19mm
Cutter Grade Standard PDC, Premium PDC, Leached PDC (thermally stable)
OD Range 2-7/8″ to 26″ and larger
Blade Count 3 to 9 blades (fewer = higher ROP, more = better durability & directional control)
Sub-Products by Application:
· Steel Body PDC Bits — Lower cost, good for softer formations
· Matrix Body PDC Bits — Superior erosion resistance, longer life in abrasive formations
· Directional PDC Bits — Optimized for steerable motors and RSS (Rotary Steerable Systems)
· High-Temperature PDC Bits — For geothermal and HPHT wells
· Bi-Center & Eccentric Bits — Drill a hole larger than the pass-through diameter
IADC Fixed Cutter Code Example:
M 3 2 3
· M = Matrix Body
· 3 = Dense cutter distribution
· 2 = 13mm cutter size
· 3 = Medium formation hardness
- Roller Cone Bits
Tri-Cone & Two-Cone Rock Bits
Crushing action with rotating cones and teeth/inserts. Versatile across a wide range of formations.
Specification Details
Standard IADC Roller Cone Code (e.g., 117, 437, 537, 627, 837)
Bearing Type Open Bearing, Sealed Roller Bearing, Sealed Journal Bearing
Cutting Structure Milled Tooth (Steel Tooth), TCI (Tungsten Carbide Insert)
OD Range 2-7/8″ to 28″
Connection API Regular (REG), API Pin
Sub-Products by Cutting Structure:
Type IADC Code Range Best For
Milled Tooth (Steel Tooth) 111 – 346 Soft to medium formations (clays, soft shale, unconsolidated sands)
TCI (Tungsten Carbide Insert) 417 – 847 Medium to hard formations (hard shale, limestone, dolomite, abrasive sandstone)
Sub-Products by Bearing Type:
· Non-Sealed / Open Bearing — Lower cost, short interval drilling
· Sealed Roller Bearing — Moderate durability, water well and shallow oil/gas
· Sealed Journal Bearing — Premium durability, long-interval oil and gas drilling
· Air-Cooled Bearings — For air/foam drilling (mining, water well, geothermal)
Sub-Products by Application:
· Standard Tri-Cone Bits
· Two-Cone Bits (smaller sizes, workover applications)
· Heavy-Duty Bits with diamond-enhanced gauge protection
· Coring Roller Cone Bits
- Hybrid Bits
Combined PDC + Roller Cone Technology
A bit that combines fixed PDC cutters with rolling cones to handle transitional formations and interbedded lithology.
Specification Details
Technology Two or three roller cones integrated with PDC blades
Key Advantage PDC shears the formation while cones crush stringers, reducing torque fluctuations
Best Application Interbedded formations (alternating hard/soft layers), directional wells where torque stability is critical
OD Range Typically 6″ to 16″
- Coring Bits
Specialized Bits for Core Sampling
Cut a solid cylindrical core from the formation for geological analysis.
Specification Details
Type PDC Coring Bits, Diamond Impregnated Coring Bits, TCI Coring Bits
OD Range 2-3/4″ to 12-1/4″
Core Diameter Depends on core barrel assembly (1″, 1.5″, 2″, 4″)
Standard API RP 40 (Recommended Practices for Core Analysis)
Sub-Products:
· Conventional PDC Coring Bits
· Diamond Impregnated Coring Bits (for ultra-hard formations)
· Sponge Coring Bits (for unconsolidated formations, retains fluids)
· Junk Mill / Pilot Hole Openers (for sidetrack coring)
- Hole Openers & Reamers
Enlarging or Conditioning the Wellbore
Used to enlarge a pilot hole or condition the wellbore to gauge.
Tool Type Description
Fixed Hole Openers PDC or TCI cutters mounted on a solid body; opens hole from pilot diameter to final diameter
Hydraulic Hole Openers Cutters extend by hydraulic pressure; retract for tripping
Underreamers Expandable cutters that enlarge hole below casing or restrictions
Near-Bit Reamers Placed directly behind the bit to maintain full gauge
String Reamers Placed in the BHA to condition the wellbore and prevent ledges
OD Range: 6″ to 48″ and larger (for conductor hole opening)
- Bit Accessories
Item Function
Bit Subs Connect bit to drill string; Cross-over subs, Bit subs, Bit float subs
Bit Breakers Tool for making up and breaking out bits (compatible with bit size and connection type)
Nozzles Tungsten carbide or ceramic nozzles for PDC and TCI bits; sizes from 7/32″ to 32/32″
Junk Subs / Boot Baskets Captures metallic debris at the bit to prevent cutter damage
Stabilizers Integral blade or sleeve stabilizers to control bit tilt and maintain well trajectory
Bit Gauges & Rings Dimensional control tools for bit OD verification
Bit Records & Run Reports Documentation templates for tracking bit performance, dull grading per IADC system