CASE STUDY

Drill Bits
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 manufacturers 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 applicationa 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 manufacturers 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.
CHALLENGE
Design a drill bit to overcome stick/slip,
severe shock and vibration, and erratic rpm.
SOLUTION
Use IDEAS* integrated drillbit design
platform to analyze drilling parameters and
evaluate drilling mechanics issues in the
field. Compare bit performance to identify
best bit design.
RESULTS
Documented significant reduction of shock
and vibration and stick/slip when using
SDi519 directional drill bit designed with
the IDEAS platform. Final reports indicated
drilling mechanics issues faced by other
manufacturers bits were related to the bit
design itself.
Custom Bit Design Overcomes Drilling Mechanics
Issues, Significantly Improves Performance
Drillbit performance analysis reduces BHA damage and stabilizes RSS to
eliminate risk of shock and vibration
Using the SDi519 directional drill bit custom designed
with the IDEAS platform, the team documented
significant reduction of drillstring dynamics issues such
as shock and vibration and stick/slip.
Eliminate drilling risks with superior design
In the postjob analysis of performance and drilling conditions based
on both companies drilling mechanical logs, it was concluded that
the SDi519 PDC drill bit designed using the IDEAS platform drilled its
16-in sections without trouble. When the alternative bit was used in the
same field for the same hole size, the BHA experienced high stick/slip
and high-to-severe shock and vibration. The operator and Smith Bits
determined from the comparison analysis that the drilling mechanics
issues faced by the other manufacturers bit were related to drillbit
design. The team indicated in final reports that the SDi519 directional
drill bit proved its ability to deliver superior performance and a drilling
environment conducive to safer operations.
slb.com/directional
*Mark of Schlumberger
Other company, product, and service names
are the properties of their respective owners.
Copyright 2013 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. 13-BT-0059
CASE STUDY: Custom design drillbit eliminates risk of shock and vibration and stick/slip for optimized performance
Comparison of the performance data from bit runs showed no issues associated with shock and vibration or stick/slip
when using the SDi519 PDC drill bit. The alternative bit encountered severe drilling mechanics issues.
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Axial vibration for alternative bit
SDi519 Bit Alternative Bit