Baker Hughes Unveils New Line of Drill Bits
New Bits Combine PDC and Tricone Technology
Baker Hughes released a new line of bits, Kymera XTreme (XT) hybrid drill bits, designed to help oil and gas operators lower well construction costs through faster and more durable drilling performance.
The bits, which combine the strengths of PDC and tricone bit technology, offer the same performance of previous generations of hybrid bits, while improving penetration rates and run life. Kymera XT drill bits are available in a variety of designs, each capable of addressing specific challenges in numerous applications, formation types and hole sizes.
“Kymera XTreme hybrid bits combine the control and rock-crushing strength of a tricone bit with the speed and shearing action of a PDC bit and, in almost every case, are more durable than either of the alternatives,” says Scott Schmidt, vice president, drill bits at Baker Hughes. “This combination delivers a bit capable of drilling longer vertical and curve sections at higher speeds and in a variety of challenging formations — an extremely valuable tool to help our customers effectively manage their well construction costs in this challenging business environment.”
The Kymera XT bits drill much faster than previous generation hybrid bits and offer a dynamic-balanced design that reduces torque fluctuations to minimize damage to the bit. They also offer superior steerability and control in tough environments, including carbonates and interbedded formations, where conventional drill bits are often pushed to their limits.
The Kymera XT bits’ sharper, more durable cutting structures incorporate enhanced shapes and carbide grades for improved aggressiveness and accelerated penetration rates. The advanced designs provide added tool face control, enabling the drilling of longer distances at higher buildup rates than previously possible. Blade and roller cone designs can be optimized based on the operator’s application to deliver a variety of benefits that include long, section-to-section runs and enhanced durability during transitions between formations.
In one recent Middle East application, a Kymera XT hybrid drill bit demonstrated its durability by drilling 2,721 feet of hard and abrasive limestone, sandstone and shale formations in one fast run. Rate of penetration was improved by 138 percent over the field average and reduced the operator’s cost-per-foot by 50 percent. As a result, the operator finished the section 2.3 days ahead of schedule, saving nearly $100,000.
Baker Hughes is a supplier of oilfield services, products, technology and systems to the worldwide oil and natural gas industry. The company's 60,000 employees today work in more than 80 countries. For more information, visit www.bakerhughes.com.
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