It may sound simple but the difference between reaching depth quickly and cleaning and having to unplug your bit truly comes down to a science. 

Science, and understanding that there is a ratio to consider in that your bits are only as good as the muck it’s broken through that it doesn’t still have to contend with. Keeping solids of all kinds free and clear of the hole and not allowing them to seep back into the drill path is a big one but there’s also others. 

But keeping things clear is a big one. Why? Consider this scenario.

You’re drilling into a deep bore hole. Your solids are chewed up, but the mud and debris past the face begins to form around the bit itself. The weight of it all causes all of that mud to back down into the face of the drill. It’s a mix that becomes heavy, sticky and it’s not long before you plug up. 

Where one might suggest raising the level of intensity of the pump, intensify drilling power or get a larger hammer, consider using a stopwatch to time how long it takes for cuttings to travel from the face of the drill to the surface, industry expert Brock Yordy suggests targeting around 150 feet of annular velocity, if it took longer than 3-4 minutes it’s a good indicator that something could be off. 

“No amount of wishful thinking is going to outweigh gravity, physics, or fluid dynamics, all of which affect your pump output,” Yordy said. “Understanding your pump output and timing how long it takes for cuttings to travel from the bit face to the surface can prevent a sticky grinding mess.”

But in addition to that, also considering things like a rate of penetration, rotation speed, wear and tear on bit patterns all play a role, over just simply opting for a bigger hammer, or turning up the mud pump. Plus doing so, creates excessive pressure which overtime will cause returns, destabilize the borehole, or even collapse the structure around the hole. 

Additionally, consider the weight on your bits. From tricone to PDCs these are impressive and powerful bits and can handle a good deal but they’re only as effective as how they’re utilized. And a plugged bit truly is a clear indicator that among a chain reaction of decisions to be made when drilling one or more might have been missed.

“Good drilling is less about brute force and more about understanding your machinery.” Yordy said. “It’s not about horsepower, but recognizing that the right drill bit matters, the right bottom hole assembly matters, the right stabilizers matter, all of that and more comes into play.”