A novel PDC bit design, the result of high end numericalmodeling and laboratory testing set the Gulf of Thailand fieldrecord for rate of penetration during its first run by averaging840 ft/hr over the 5,040 ft section. This was accomplishedwhile building inclination from 26o up to 56o before droppingback to 37o at total depth. The bit also made the plannedazimuth turn from 305o to 258o. The same design later pushedthe performance record further by averaging 1,023 ft/hr over a6,144 ft. section. Instantaneous rates in excess of 2,000 ft/hrwere documented over a 1,000 ft section of this hole.Designing a bit that maximizes rate of penetration whilemaintaining a neutral walk tendency in rotate mode ispresented in this paper.
展开▼
