Thermal response of polycrystalline diamond compact cutters under simulated downhole conditions

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · SPEJ, Soc. Pet. Eng. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/11947-PA· OSTI ID:6414008

Glowka, D A

An analytical method is developed to predict temperatures in polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) drag cutters under steady-state and transient downhole conditions. The method is used to determine mean wearflat temperatures for cutters under conditions used in previous experiments to measure cutter wear. A correlation between wearflat temperatures and cutter wear rates is demonstrated, and it is shown that, for the particular rock type tested, cutter wear rates increase significantly above 350/sup 0/C (662/sup 0/F). The concept of a critical weight on bit, above which wearflat temperatures exceed this value, is introduced. The effects of several parameters on the critical WOB are examined. These include cutter thermal conductivity, diamond layer thickness, rock properties, convective cooling, bit balling, and transient events such as bit bounce. Preliminary results of thermal stress modeling show that plastic yielding of the cutter structure can occur under certain downhole conditions.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories
• OSTI ID: 6414008
• Journal Information: SPEJ, Soc. Pet. Eng. J.; (United States), Journal Name: SPEJ, Soc. Pet. Eng. J.; (United States) Vol. 25:2; ISSN SSPJD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DRILL BITS
DRILLING
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
MECHANICS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PERFORMANCE
ROCK DRILLING
ROCK MECHANICS
SIMULATION
STRESSES
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THERMAL STRESSES
WELL DRILLING
WELLS