IADCISPE 23939

IADCISPE
First Revision to the IADC Fixed Cutter Dull Grading System
B.D. Brandon* and Jerry Cerkovnik,** Eastman Christensen; Earl Koskie, DBS: B.B. Bayoud,*
Eastman Christensen; Fred Colston, Smith Diamond; R.I. Clayton,* Security; M.E. Anderson,*
Eastman Christensen; K.T. Hollister,* Hycalog; Jim Senger,* Security Div., Dresser Industries;
and Ralph Niemi,* Cliffs Drilling Co.
'SPE Members
"IADC and SPE Member

Copyright 1992, IADCISPE Drilling Conference.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 1992 IADCISPE Drilling Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 18-21, 1992.

This paper was selected for presentation by an IADCISPE Program Committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the
paper, as presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineersor the International Association of Drilling Contractors and are subject to correction by the author(s).
The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any position of the IADC or SPE, their officers, or members. Papers presented at IADCISPE meetings are subject to publication
review by Editorial Committees of the IADC and SPE. Permission to copy is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be copied. The abstract should
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ABSTRACT
This paper is one of two describing changes to the IADC
Classification and Dull Grading Systems for fixed cutter bits.
Dull grading system revisions, described herein, were
implemented to improve utilization and effectivenessof the dull
grading system.
Classification system changes were required as a result of
improvements in bit technology and applications, and are
detailed in the companion paper SPE 23940.
INTRODUCTION
The IADC Fixed Cutter Work Group this year audited the
1987 Fixed Cutter Dull Grading System and determined that
some minor refinement was necessary. As was the case with
introduction of the fixed cutter dull grading system in 1987,
the objective of this revision was to facilitate creation of a
"mental picture" of a worn bit's physical condition through a
standardized evaluation of certain bit characteristics.'
Because the system provides an industry-wide standard for
recording the physical condition of the worn bit for future
reference, the meaning of a dull grade should be subject to as
little misinterpretation as possible. Therefore, committee
discussions focused on two specific areas: improving the
definition of "usable cutter height" as it relates to evaluation of
PDC cutter wear, and making minor enhancements to the wear
characteristic codes.
SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS
The format of the dull grading chart, shown in Figure 1, has
not changed under this revision. Eight factors are recorded: the
first four spaces describe the extent and location of wear of the
"Cutting Structure." The next two spaces address other criteria
for bit evaluation, with the fifth space reserved for grading
"Bearing" wear of roller cone bits. This space is always
marked with an "Xu when fixed cutter bits are graded.
References and illustrations at end of paper.
The sixth space indicates "Gauge Measurement". The last two
positions allow for "Remarks" which provide additional
information concerning the dull bit, including "Other (or
secondary) Dull Characteristics" and "Reason Pulled",
respectively.
The revised system grades all PDC cutters based on condition
of the visible diamond table of the cutter, regardless of cutter
shape or exposure. This differs from the former practice of
grading PDC cutters based on "usable cutter height"
remaining. It was determined that the definition of "usable
cutter height" for PDC bits was subject to misinterpretation,
given the initial positioning of some PDC cutters "withinnthe
bit blade on some designs.
Additional enhancements include addition of a dull
characteristic code, "BF", to distinguish "bond failure"
between the cutter and its support backing from "LT", loss of
a cutter. In addition, the optional designations "RR"or "NR"
were added to allow for indication of whether a bit is
"rerunnablewor not.
Application of these minor revisions will further "standardize"
the meaning of a dull grade. Examples of dull characteristics
are shown in Figure 2.
APPLICATION OF DULL GRADING SYSTEM
Evaluating "Cutting Structure"
Inner/Buter Rows: Spaces 1and 2
Using a linear scale from 0 to 8, as before, a value is given to
cutter wear in both the inner and outer rows of cutters.
Grading numbers increase with amount of wear, with 0
representing no wear, and 8 meaning no usable cutters left. A
grade of 4 indicates 50% wear.
For surface-set bits, the scale of cutter wear is determined by
comparing the initial cutter height with the amount of usable
cutter height remaining.
2 F i r s t Revision t o t h e IADC Fixed C u t t e r Dull Grading System IADC/SPE 23939
I

Rather than evaluating "usable cutter height," PDC cutter wear
is now measured across the diamond table, regardless of the
cutter shape, size, type or exposure. This eliminates the
difficulty in determining the initial cutter height on a bit in
which PDC cutters are designed with less-than-full exposure.
For both surface-set and PDC bits, the average amount of wear
for each area is recorded, with 213 of the radius representing
the "inner rows" and the remainder representing the "outer
rows". (F&ure 3) Average wear is calculated by simply
averaging the individual grades for each cutter in the area.
Dull Characteristics: Space 3
The most prominent or "primary" physical change from new
condition of a cutter is recorded in the third space. "Other"
dull characteristics of the bit are noted in the seventh space --
the difference being that space 3 describes cutter wear, while
space 7 may concern other wear characteristics of the bit as a
whole. Codes for dull characteristics of both categories are
listed in the table in Figure 1, including the addition of "BF"
for bond failure.
Reason Pulled: Space 8
The eighth space is used to record the reason the bit was
pulled. A list of codes is shown in Figure 1.
CONCLUSION
Despite their minor nat.we, the changes described in this "First
Revision to the IADC Dull Grading System" are expected to
facilitate easier, more accurate evaluation of fixed cutter bit
wear. With the addition of new dull characteristics codes, more
specific descriptions of bit wear are possible, while the revised
criteria for measuring PDC cutter wear will ensure a standard
approach is taken in each instance. Thus, a dull grade
ultimately will "mean the same thing" to everyone, as
originally intended.
REFERENCES
1. Clark, D.A., et-al., "Application of the New IADC Dull
Grading System for Fixed Cutter Bits," paper SPEIIADC
16145, presented at the 1987 SPEIIADC Drilling Conference,
New Orleans, La., March 15-18, 1987.

Location: Space 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The fourth space is used to indicate the location of the primary
dull characteristic noted in the third space. Locations are
designated in the diagrams of Figure 4. One or more of these
codes may be used to indicate the location of the
characteristic(s) noted. They include: C-cone; N-nose (row); T-
taper; S-shoulder; G-gauge; A-all areas; M-middle row; and H-
heel row.
Members of the Committee are acknowledged for their
contributions to this paper: Bethany Brandon, Jerry Cerkovnik,
Bruce Bayoud and Mark Anderson of Eastman Christensen;
Fred Colston, Smith Diamond; Robert Clayton and Jim Senger
of Security; Kelly Hollister, Hycalog; Earl Koskie, DBS; and
Ralph Niemi, Cliffs Drilling.

Other Evaluation Criteria

Beariig: Space 5
This space is used only for roller cone bits. It will always be
marked "X" for fixed cutter bits.

Gauge: Space 6
The sixth space is used to record the condition of the bit
gauge. "I" is used if the bit is still in gauge. Otherwise, the
amount the bit is undergauge is recorded to the nearest 1116th
of an inch.

Additional "Remarks"

Other Dull Characteristics: Space 7

In the seventh space, secondary evidence of bit wear is noted.
Such evidence may relate specifically to cutting structure wear,
as recorded in the third space, or may note identifiable wear of
the bit as a whole, such as "erosion." Many times, this
"secondary" dull grade identifies the cause of the dull
characteristic noted in the third space.

Codes for grading both "primary" and "secondary" dull

characteristics are listed in the table shown in Figure 1. The
designations "RR"and "NR"have been included as options for
noting whether the bit is rerunnable or not.