Ulterra PDC bit sets record time, distance in Oklahoma “chat” well
An Ulterra 6.125-in. U613M PDC bit combined with a TorkBuster performance-drilling tool has drilled a Mississippian formation lateral well further and faster than any offset drilled in Woods County, Okla. Drilling 3,370 ft of high-chert, Mississippian formation at 71.7 ft/hr, the run saved the operator US $207,000 compared to the average offset “chat” well.
The “chat” is the upper zone of the Mississippian formation and is composed of extreme levels of chert cemented with limestone and dolomite. The chert exerts heavy damage to PDC bits, resulting in short runs and severe dulls. The roller cone bits typically employed have less ROP potential, easily go undergage and have moving parts, which can fail and be left in the hole as junk.
The U613M has been adapted to the harsh drilling conditions through Ulterra’s innovative design process. This latest design better distributes loading over the entire cutting structure than previous designs, thus preventing cutter damaging spikes. The TorkBuster generates a rapid torsional impact to the drill bit, fracturing the cherty formation and allowing the PDC to effectively shear the formation at higher ROP and without bit damaging vibrations.
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