MegaDiamond

Premium polycrystalline diamond cutter technology

Overview

Diamond technology built to perform

Founded in Provo, Utah, in 1966, MegaDiamond helped advance synthetic diamond materials for cutting and drilling applications. Smith International acquired the company in 1985. MegaDiamond technology later became part of Schlumberger (now SLB) through the acquisition of Smith International in 2010.

Today, the MegaDiamond portfolio includes premium PDC cutters, laser-shaped and direct-pressed 3D cutters, and solid polycrystalline diamond (SPCD) components. These products are engineered to improve cutting efficiency and resist abrasion, erosion, and corrosion across demanding formations and industrial environments.

Technical expertise and collaboration support manufacturing operations at MegaDiamond’s facility in Utah, where employees review production details beside industrial equipment.

Precision machining operations at MegaDiamond’s manufacturing facility in Utah, which continues to operate as MegaDiamond Product Center US.

MegaDiamond Legacy Page Overview Image 3

Rigorous testing during cutter development at MegaDiamond’s facility in Utah.

From MegaDiamond to SLB

MegaDiamond technology has progressed from early synthetic diamond development to advanced cutting elements for drilling and industrial applications. The milestones below connect that history with the products available today.

1966

MegaDiamond is founded in Provo, Utah, to commercialize synthetic diamond materials.

1985

Smith International acquires MegaDiamond and adds diamond materials expertise to its drilling technology portfolio.

2010

Schlumberger (now SLB) acquires Smith International, bringing MegaDiamond technology into the well construction portfolio.

2025

During review of the planned ChampionX acquisition, SLB confirms that it will retain MegaDiamond to provide PDC cutters for drill bits and other industrial uses.

Today

MegaDiamond PDC cutters, 3D cutters, and SPCD components are available through SLB.

Where MegaDiamond technology is available today

For diamond cutter technologies previously offered under the MegaDiamond name, use the current product and category pages below to find PDC cutters, drill bits, and related well construction capabilities.

Formerly offered by MegaDiamond	Available today through SLB
Standard, flat, and cylindrical PDC cutters	Premium PDC cutters in multiple diamond grades, sizes, and configurations
Laser-shaped and direct-pressed 3D cutters	3D cutters engineered for specific rock formations and geometrical requirements
SPCD components	Solid sintered diamond components in complex geometries and close tolerances
PDC cutting elements for drill bits	PDC cutter and PDC bit portfolios for drilling applications
Diamond products for other industries	PCD-tipped picks for road construction and diamond buttons and inserts for mining

Find MegaDiamond capabilities at SLB

For diamond products and technologies offered under the MegaDiamond name, explore current solutions for oil and gas drilling, road construction, and mining.

Related SLB business lines and solutions

If you are looking for a specific capability previously provided under the Gyrodata name, the links below show where those wellbore positioning, surveying, and drilling technologies are available today within SLB.

PDC Cutters

The ridged cutting elements improve cutting efficiency, enabling our PDC bits to drill with higher ROP.

Drill Bits

Meet the drilling challenges of any formation with the widest range of rock-destruction methods.

Well Construction

Faster ROP & better well placement in extended-reach, horizontal, unconventional, pad, high-dogleg, and other challenging oil and gas well schemes.

SLB Products and Services for Various Industry Sectors

SLB products and services increase efficiency and safety across a range of industries beyond oil and gas.

Frequently asked questions about MegaDiamond

Can I still purchase MegaDiamond PDC cutters through SLB?

Yes. MegaDiamond polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutters remain available through SLB. The portfolio includes premium PDC cutters, 3D cutters, and solid polycrystalline diamond (SPCD) components for drilling and other industrial applications.

What happened to MegaDiamond after Smith International was acquired?

Schlumberger (now SLB) acquired Smith International in 2010, bringing MegaDiamond technology into the well construction portfolio. In February 2025, SLB confirmed that it would retain MegaDiamond to provide PDC cutters for drill bits and other industrial applications.

Which drilling environments are MegaDiamond PDC cutters engineered for?

MegaDiamond PDC cutters are engineered for onshore and offshore drilling, geothermal drilling, highly abrasive formations, and interbedded formations. Cutter configurations can be selected for specific rock types, thermal environments, lithologies, and wellbore profiles.

Which MegaDiamond PDC cutter configurations are available?

MegaDiamond PDC cutters are available in multiple diamond grades, standard sizes, and configurations, including standard, flat, cylindrical, and 3D cutters. This range enables cutter selection based on formation characteristics and drilling requirements.

How do MegaDiamond 3D cutters support formation-specific drilling?

MegaDiamond 3D cutters use laser-shaped or direct-pressed geometries engineered to improve cutting efficiency in specific rock formations. Cutter geometries can also be developed to address specific application requirements.

What resistance do MegaDiamond SPCD components provide?

MegaDiamond solid polycrystalline diamond components are solid sintered diamond products manufactured in complex geometries with close tolerances. They provide high resistance to abrasion, erosion, and corrosion for demanding drilling and industrial applications.

Which MegaDiamond products are available for road construction and mining?

For road construction, MegaDiamond PCD-tipped picks are designed for applications such as asphalt milling, reclaiming, resurfacing, stripe channel cutting, and rumble-strip milling. For mining, diamond buttons and dome inserts are available for percussion drilling, roller cone bits, and depth-of-cut-limiting applications in PDC bits.