From Bit to Rig Floor: An Integrated Systems Approach to the BHA

摘要

The first patent for the rotary rock bit, issued in 1909, marked the birth of the modern drillbit industry. At that time, bits were designed with two cones of interlocking milled teeth, and drilling a few feet was considered a good run. It wasn't until the 1950s that engineers designed three-cone bits that more closely resemble those currently in use. Today, demands on drill bits are more exacting. While fixed cutter and roller cone bits were originally designed to be run to destruction, they are now expected to not only exceed drilling performance expectations but also to end the run in pristine condition. The modern drill bit must be able to drill fast, provide good steerability for directional control and last an extended period of time downhole in even the most extreme environments.