Circulation Systems
The first hydraulic features incorporated into drilling tools dated back to
the original use of hollow drillpipe with direct circulation of drilling fluids.
As the first fishtail bits became popular, around the turn of the century,
circulation though water courses was used for the first time. The first
rolling cutter rock bits of 1909 introduced a central water course system
which directed fluid discharge towards the cutters.
In 1942, rock bits with jet nozzles were introduced to the oil industry. The
“jet bit” concept is considered to be the major hydraulic design
improvement in drill bits and remains state-of-the-art.
Further improvements in the circulation systems include extended nozzle
bits, seven to twelve nozzles in PDC bits, and the various water courses in
diamond bits.
The first hydraulic features incorporated into drilling tools dated back to
the original use of hollow drillpipe with direct circulation of drilling fluids.
As the first fishtail bits became popular, around the turn of the century,
circulation though water courses was used for the first time. The first
rolling cutter rock bits of 1909 introduced a central water course system
which directed fluid discharge towards the cutters.
In 1942, rock bits with jet nozzles were introduced to the oil industry. The
“jet bit” concept is considered to be the major hydraulic design
improvement in drill bits and remains state-of-the-art.
Further improvements in the circulation systems include extended nozzle
bits, seven to twelve nozzles in PDC bits, and the various water courses in
diamond bits.
