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Thursday, August 1, 2013
Varel Impregnated Bit Sets Performance Records with Debut Application in Bolivia
Release
In its initial application in Bolivia, where hard and abrasive formations limit penetration rate and accelerate bit wear, Varel’s 6” impregnated bit VI1213DGX smashed existing performance records to set new benchmarks in footage and ROP while delivering the lowest cost per foot to date for the slim hole section.
The new VI1213DGX impregnated bit was designed to drill effectively on a turbine in 6” hole through a formation composed mainly of sandstone and naturally fractured quartz, with the objective being to drill as much footage as possible from 5,206 m (17,080 ft) measured depth, while maintaining an average ROP of 1.5 to 2.0 m/hr (5 to 6.5 ft/hr).
The matrix body bit features 12 blades, with each blade incorporating 13-millimeter diamond-impregnated cylinder blocks and 13-millimeter Vulcan PDC cutters – a combination designed to withstand wear and tear while delivering effective performance in high compressive strength formations. To accommodate the extreme drilling conditions in this turbine application, bit hydraulics were optimized to improve mud circulation for better cooling and cleaning.
In its debut run in Bolivia, the new 6” VI1213DGX was run in hole on the turbine and drilled to 5,636 m (18,490 ft) MD in a single run of 430 m (1,410 ft), for a 120% increase in footage drilled compared to the previous-best 6” run.
In addition, the bit achieved instantaneous penetration rates ranging from 2.0 to 4.0 m/hr (6.5 to 13 ft/hr) to deliver a final outstanding average ROP of 2.43 m/hr (8 ft/hr), again outperforming the next-best ROP. With this single run performance, the impregnated VI1213DGX bit from Varel exceeded all previous 6” runs in Bolivia to establish new ROP, footage and CPF records in one single shot. What’s more, when pulled due to MWD hours, the bit was dull-graded: 2-2-WT-A-X-I-BT-DTF, RE-RUNNABLE.
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