BIT GRADING SYSTEM

OUTLINE
Bit Nomenclature
IADC Dull Bit Grading
Field Observation
Conclusion
BIT NOMENCLATURE
PDC Bit Roller Cutting Bit
BIT NOMENCLATURE (CONTD)
Nomenclature for PDC drill bits consists
of one letter and three numbers.

The letter indicates body type: M for
matrix,S for steel, and D for diamond

The next three numbers indicate the
following:
1. Formation Type To Be Drilled
2. Cutting Structure
3. Bit Profile

BIT NOMENCLATURE (CONTD)
Geological formation type to be
drilled are classified in the following
manner:
(1) or (2) Soft and soft sticky-Highly
drillable formations such as clay, marl,
gumbo and unconsolidated sands.
(3) Soft-medium-Low compressive
strength sands, shales and anhydrites
with hard layers intermixed.
(4) Medium-Moderate compressive
strength sand, chalk, anhydrite and
shale.
(6) Medium hard-Higher compressive
strength with non or semi-sharp sand,
shale, lime and anhydrite.
(7) Hard-High compressive strength
with sharp layers of sand or siltstone.
(8) Extremely hard-Dense and sharp
formations such as quartzite and
volcanic rock.
Cutting Structure
-for geological formation type 1-4 :
2 - this bit has mostly 19mm cutters
3 - this bit has mostly 13 mm
cutters
4 - this bit has mostly 8 mm cutters

-for geological formation type 6-8 :
1 - Natural Diamond
2 - TSP (Thermally Stable
Polycrystalline)
3 - Combination
4 - Impregnated Diamond
BIT NOMENCLATURE (CONTD)
BIT PROFILE
1 - Short Fishtail
2 - Short Profile
3 - Medium Profile
4 - Long Profile

BIT NOMENCLATURE (CONTD)
IADC DULL BIT GRADING
Purpose of Dull Bit Grading System:
-to obtain information about formation
characteristics.
-better selection of bit.
-to improve drilling performance.
IADC DULL BIT GRADING (CONTD)
1. Inner Rows
2. Outer Rows
3. Dull Characteristic
4. Location
5. Bearing/Seal
6. Gauge
7. Other Dull Characteristic
8. Reason Pulled
IADC DULL BIT GRADING (CONTD)
1. Column 1 (I-Inner) is used to report the condition of the
cutting elements not touching the wall of the hole (Inner).
The change from inner 2/3 of the cutting structure was
made to reduce variations in grading and increase
understanding of the system.
2. Column 2 (O-Outer) is used to report the condition of
the cutting elements that touch the wall of the hole
(Outer). In the previous version, this was the outer 1/3 of
the cutting structure. This change reflects the importance
of gauge and heel condition to good bit performance.

In columns 1 and 2 a linear scale from 0-8 is used to
describe the condition of the cutting structure as follows:
A measure of combined cutting structure reduction due
to lost, worn and/or broken inserts/teeth.
0 - No loss of cutting structure.
8 - Total loss of cutting structure.
IADC DULL BIT GRADING (CONTD)
3. Column 3 (D - Dull Characteristic - Cutting Structure) uses a
two-letter code to indicate the major dull characteristic of the
cutting structure.
BC (Broken Cone) or
BF (Bond Failure)
BT (Broken Teeth)
BU (Balled Up)
CC (Crocked Cone)
CD (Cone Dragged)
CI (Cone
Interference)
CR (Cored)
CT (Chipped Teeth)
ER (Erosion)
FC (Flat Crested
Wear)
HC (Heat Checking)
WT(Worn
Teeth/Cutters)
JD (Junk Damage)
LC (Lost Cone)
LN (Lost Nozzle)
LT (Lost Teeth)
OC (Off Center Wear)
PB (Pinched Bit)
PN (Plugged Nozzle)
RG (Rounded Gage)
RO (Ring Out)
SD (Shirttail Damage)
SS (Self Sharpening
Wear)
TR (Tracking)
WO (Washed Out Bit)
IADC DULL BIT GRADING (CONTD)
4. Column 4 (L - Location) uses a letter or number code to
indicate the location on the face of the bit where the cutting
structure dulling characteristic occurs.
C Cone
N Nose (Row)
T Taper
G Gage
S Shoulder
M Middle Row
H Heel Row
A All Areas Rows
IADC DULL BIT GRADING (CONTD)
5. Column 5 (B - Bearing/Seals) uses a letter or a number
code,depending on bearing types, to indicate bearing
condition of roller cone bits. For non-sealed bearing roller cone
bits, a linear scale from 0-8 is used to indicate the amount of
bearing life that has been used. A zero (0) indicates that no
bearing life has been used (a new bearing) and an 8 indicates
that all of the bearing life has been used (locked or lost).
Non-sealed Bearings:
0 No Life Used
8 All Life Used
Sealed Bearings:
E Seals Effective
F Seals Failured
X- Fixed Cutter Bit
IADC DULL BIT GRADING (CONTD)
6. Column 6 (G - Gage) is used to report on the gage
of the bit. The letter "T" (IN) indicates no gage
reduction. If the bit does have a reduction in gage it
is to be recorded in 1/16th's of an inch.
1 - in gage
1/16 - 1/16" out of gage
2/16 - 1/8" out of gage
3/16 - 3/16" out of gage
4/16 - 1/4" out of gage
IADC DULL BIT GRADING (CONTD)
7. Column 7 (O - Other Dull Characteristics) is used to report any
dulling characteristic of the bit, in addition to the cutting
structure dulling characteristic listed in column 3 (D).
8. Column 8 (R - Reason Pulled) is used to report the reason for
terminating the bit run.
BHA - Chg. Bottom Hole
Assembly
CM - Conditional Mud
CMF - Downhole Motor
Failure
DP - Drill Plug
DSF - Drill String Failure
DST - Drill Stem
DTF - Downhole Tool Failure
FM - Formation
HP - Hole Problems
HR - Hrs. on Bit
LIHCP - Left in Hole
LOG - Core Point Run
Logs
PP - Pump Pressure
PR - Penetration Rate
RIG - Rig Repair
TD - Test Total/Casing
Depth
TW - Twist Off
TQ - Change Torque
WC - Weather
Conditions
CONCLUSIONS
Dull Grading is used as a way to
evaluate bit performances.
Information of bits dull grade can be
used to improve drilling bit selection
for next drilling operation.

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