Advance Drill Bit Designed For Minimum Cost Drilling

Abstract

Abstract The Tri-Max* is a new bit developed after five years of research and field tests with the main objective of minimizing the drilling cost. The trade name Tri-Max stands for:–Maximum Footage–Maximum Rate of Penetration–Maximum Safety The Tri-Max bit runs have achieved a 38% increase in the penetration rate compared to tricone bits of the same class. The Tri-Max drill bit is completely different in configuration and performance from the tricone bit developed by H. R. Hughes in 1933, and still widely in use for oil well drilling. The Tri-Max bit's solid steel body's general configuration, when viewed from the side, is that of an inverted triangle with an upper full gage stabilizer section, intermediate taper section and a lower nose section. The patented cutting structure arrangement on patented cutting structure arrangement on the Tri-Max bit body will achieve self-advancing of the bit under reduced bit load compared to the conventional tricone bit, and hence ensure straight hole drilling. The transfer stress relief openings on the Tri-Max bit body encourage the rock failure by tension and shear, a process far more efficient than compression and shear, the rock failure mechanism inherent to conventional tricone and diamond drag bits. Introduction Drilling a deep oil or gas well is a fascinating and challenging job, but the optimization of the drilling operation in these deep wells is difficult to achieve due to the inherited weakness of the tricone bit, especially 8 1/2" in diameter or smaller. As the well gets deeper, and the formation becomes harder, the size of the hole becomes smaller, and with that, a tangible reduction of the tricone bit parts. At these depths, the friction between the drilling string and the hole increases, and the weight on bit and the tricone bit's cutting elements rotation at the bottom of the hole has a weak relation, if any, to what we observe and record at the surface. Consequently, most of the tricone bits run in deep exploration wells are more or less a trial and error experiment. In the last few years, the weakness of the tricone drill bit, especially for drilling deep wells, has been recognized by numerous individuals and organizations seriously involved in the drilling industry. The Tri-Max drill bit is a product of this effort.