Effect of Size and Shape of PDC Cutter on Wear Rate in Multi Layer Formation

During a normal drilling operation, the rate of penetration (ROP) often over focused while the wear rate is less taken care of. However, wear rate is a more severe problem faced in a long run drilling operation in multi-layer formation rather than focusing solely on the ROP. The project is to investigate the effect of Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) bit design features on the bit wear rate during the operation in multi-layer formation, which is sandstone formation and dolomite formation. The bit design features studied in the project is the shape of the cutters and the size of the cutters. The effect of drilling fluid is assumed to be optimum. Using ABAQUS, models with different shape of cutter and size of cutter are simulated and compared. Results are analyzed and compared to study the effects on wear rate and select the best model which has minimum wear rate. Result showed that 16mm size cutter and cone shape cutter are best design to minimize the cutter wear compared to other size and shape of cutter used in the project.