Polycrystalline Diamond Compact Bits
In the early days of oilwell drilling, fishtail/drag bits were used extensively
throughout the oilfields. Around 1909, it was realized that these drag bits
would not penetrate many of the formations which overlay deeper oil and
gas reservoirs, and were eventually replaced by roller cone bits.
General Electric, recognizing that drag bits had advantages (most notably
the absence of moving parts and the efficiency of shear cutting) began in
the early 70's the testing of new cutting structures for these drag bits. Since
their introduction into the oilfields in 1976, the cutting structure of the
polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) has made the drag bit competitive
with the conventional roller cone and diamond bits.
In the early days of oilwell drilling, fishtail/drag bits were used extensively
throughout the oilfields. Around 1909, it was realized that these drag bits
would not penetrate many of the formations which overlay deeper oil and
gas reservoirs, and were eventually replaced by roller cone bits.
General Electric, recognizing that drag bits had advantages (most notably
the absence of moving parts and the efficiency of shear cutting) began in
the early 70's the testing of new cutting structures for these drag bits. Since
their introduction into the oilfields in 1976, the cutting structure of the
polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) has made the drag bit competitive
with the conventional roller cone and diamond bits.
