<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The rapid drop in the penetration rate or failure of the drill bit during the drilling process delays the drilling process. In our investigation, the ‘<italic>in situ</italic>’ drilling parameters were monitored during the drilling process along with the roller cone drill bit, which is suitable for drilling in soft rock formations (IADC 136). The drill bit was thoroughly examined to determine its damage and wear occurred during drilling along with decreasing penetration rate. The modern and standardised investigation methods were used to analyse the rock materials and the micro- and macro-structure of the materials of the roller cone bit. The analyses were performed by means of optical and electron microscopes, simultaneous thermal analysis of the steel materials, analysis of the chemical composition of the materials of the drill bit and determination of the geomechanical parameters of the drilled rock. The resulting wear, localised fractures and cracks were quantitatively and qualitatively defined and the parameters were correlated to the drilling regime and the rock material. The results of our investigation of the material of the roller cone bit can serve as a good basis for the development of new steel alloys that can withstand higher temperatures and allow effective drilling without structural changes of the steel material.</p>
</abstract>

The rapid drop in the penetration rate or failure of the drill bit during the drilling process delays the drilling process. In our investigation, the ‘in situ’ drilling parameters were monitored during the drilling process along with the roller cone drill bit, which is suitable for drilling in soft rock formations (IADC 136). The drill bit was thoroughly examined to determine its damage and wear occurred during drilling along with decreasing penetration rate. The modern and standardised investigation methods were used to analyse the rock materials and the micro- and macro-structure of the materials of the roller cone bit. The analyses were performed by means of optical and electron microscopes, simultaneous thermal analysis of the steel materials, analysis of the chemical composition of the materials of the drill bit and determination of the geomechanical parameters of the drilled rock. The resulting wear, localised fractures and cracks were quantitatively and qualitatively defined and the parameters were correlated to the drilling regime and the rock material. The results of our investigation of the material of the roller cone bit can serve as a good basis for the development of new steel alloys that can withstand higher temperatures and allow effective drilling without structural changes of the steel material.

Characterisation of the Wear of the Roller Cone Drill Bit Caused by Improperly Chosen Drilling Regime

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, Department of Geotechnology, Mining and Environment

Materials and Geoenvironment

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Karakterizacija obrabe kotalnega dleta povzročene z nepravilno izbiro režima vrtanja

The rapid drop in the penetration rate or failure of the drill bit during the drilling process delays the drilling process. In our investigation, the ‘in situ’...

Characterisation of the Wear of the Roller Cone Drill Bit Caused by Improperly Chosen Drilling Regime

Article Category: Original scientific article

Published Online: Mar 23, 2021

Page range: 91 - 102

Received: Dec 07, 2020

Accepted: Dec 11, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rmzmag-2020-0013

Keywords
drilling regime, roller cone bit, wear, reduced penetration rate, change of the material properties

© 2020 Jurij Šporin, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Characterisation of the Wear of the Roller Cone Drill Bit Caused by Improperly Chosen Drilling Regime

Article Category: Original scientific article

Published Online: Mar 23, 2021

Page range: 91 - 102

Received: Dec 07, 2020

Accepted: Dec 11, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rmzmag-2020-0013

Keywordsdrilling regime, roller cone bit, wear, reduced penetration rate, change of the material properties

© 2020 Jurij Šporin, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
drilling regime, roller cone bit, wear, reduced penetration rate, change of the material properties