Improve bit performance to reduce stick/slip and shock and vibration

An operator was drilling the 16-in section of a well when they encountered high stick/slip and severe shock and vibration, which inhibited drilling performance. The operator was using a conventional drill bit and decided to try a bit from Smith Bits and compare performance in a drilling mechanics analysis across this well and the 16-in sections of the next two planned wells in the same field.

Optimize drill bit to mitigate drilling risks

In the first well, the other manufacturer's bit was used to drill from 420 to 1,534 m with documented shock and vibration and stick/slip as well as low response from the rotary steerable system (RSS) and erratic rpm. At that depth, the team switched to an SDi519 directional PDC drill bit designed by the IDEAS integrated drillbit design platform. The IDEAS platform was used for simulation and analysis to certify the bit and cutting structure design specifically for this application—a method proven to significantly reduce stick/slip and the risk of shock and vibration in even the most abrasive environments. The resulting custom designed bit drilled from 1,534 to 2,013 m with no shock and vibration or stick/slip issues.

Two additional wells were drilled. The SDi519 directional PDC bit drilled from 425 to 1,812 m in one well, and the conventional bit drilled from 332 to 880 m in the second well. Again, drilling mechanics analyses and comparison showed severe shock and vibration for the other manufacturer's bit and no notable issues for the SDi519 fixed cutter drill bit. With the SD5i19 bit, the RSS response also stabilized, and BHA component wear was reduced.