An Overview of Oil and Gas Drill Bits
As far as the oil and gas industry is concerned, a drill bit can be defined as a tool designed to produce a generally cylindrical hole in the earth’s crust for the discovery and extraction of hydrocarbons. The tool is also commonly referred to as a rock bit, or simply a bit. Drill bits are used to produce holes of quite small diameters, from about 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) to 30 inches (76 cm), compared to the depth of the hole, which can range from 1,000 feet (300 m) to more than 30,000 feet (9,100 m). Cutting elements of the bit are used to break apart subsurface by scraping, grinding, or localized compressive fracturing. A method called direct circulation is used to remove the cuttings produced by the bits from the wellbore and continuously return those to the surface. Selecting the proper oil and gas drill bits for a well is an important decision that affects the overall well cost. Some of the many factors that must be evaluated before you bottom down on one are: Bit Cost Expected Param...