About 70% of the footage drilled worldwide is performed with polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits. This percentage is projected to increase with the continued pursuit of hydrocarbons and geothermal energy in more challenging environments.In these more demanding applications, conventional PDC cutting elements have often failed because of formation abrasiveness, impact damage, and thermal fatigue. To improve PDC bit drilling, a tougher, more abrasion-resistant cutter technology is required.An extensive research and manufacturing effort was launched to develop new technology that would enable a cutter to withstand harder, more abrasive formations. Attention focused on manufacturing processes involving diamond sintering and advanced materials development.
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