Cost Effective Application of Thermally Stable Synthetic Diamond Bits on Downhole Motors in the Permian Basin

Abstract

This paper provides documentation of six cases in which Thermally Stable Diamond (TSD) bits were used in combination with downhole motors yielding economically successful results in the Permian Basin. In addition, a detailed discussion of the TSD cutting element and TSD bit design is presented. This discussion compares the TSD to natural diamonds and polycrystalline diamond compacts (PDC's) and explains why TSD bits are superior in some applications.