IADC/SPE

IADC/SPE 23938

The IADC Roller Bit Dull Grading System

D.Y. McGehee, * Reed Tool Co.; J.S. Dahlem, ** Security Div., Dresser Industries;
J.C. Gieck,* Hughes Tool Co.; Bill Kost,** Smith IntI.; Dave Lafuze, Varel Mfg. Co.;
C.H. Reinsvold, * Hughes Tool Co.; and S.C. Steinke, ** Smith IntI.
* lADe and SPE Members
**SPE Members

Copyright 1992, IADC/SPE Drilling Conference.

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

This paper was selected for presentation by an IADC/SPE 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 Engineers or 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 IADC/SPE 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
contain conspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper is presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O. Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083·3836 U.S.A. Telex, 730989 SPEDAL.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION

In 1987, the IADC adopted an improved Rock Bit The use of dull bit evaluation methods represents a
Dull Grading System. l Although it was modeled key step in the advance of rock bit technology. His-
after the previously used T-B-G System, it was torically, a driller would learn through experience
expanded to provide a much clearer "mental pic- how to examine a "dull" to determine what type of bit
ture" of a dull bit. This paper documents the to run next, and how it should be run (WOB, RPM,
changes from the 1987 version to the 1992 IADC etc.). This was part of the art that separated the best
Dull Grading System. Since the changes are drillers from the rest. An industry wide effort began
minor, they are listed at the beginning of the years ago to teach the art of bit wear analysis to a
paper. Additionally, for those needing more broader range of personnel so that dull bit evaluation
detail, the entire 1992 IADC Dull Grading System would become an integral part of daily drilling
is presented. practice.

CHANGES FROM 1987 General guidelines were established in the mid-1950's

for relating typical bit wear patterns to the possible
* Outer Cutting Structure: Definition will causes and remedies. s This approach was helpful but
change to "All cutting elements that touch limited by the lack of a common vocabulary for des-
the side of the hole". cribing bit wear and documenting the dull condition in
drilling reports. Meanwhile, basic bit performance
* Reasons Pulled Add: "LIH" - for "Left in Hole" studies produced a greater appreciation for the eco-
nomic impact of bit wear and its close relationship to
* Bearing Grade Add: "N" - for "Not Able to Grade" bit selection and operating practices. 6,7 An in-
dustry standard for reporting bit wear was clearly
* Location: "G" represents gage area, replacing "H". needed.

* IADC bit topics also updated in 1992 include IADC The Weight/Speed/Penetration Sub-Committee of the
Classification2,3, and Fixed Cutter Dull Grading. 4 American Association of Drilling Contractors
(AAODC) established the first dull grading standard in
References and Illustrations at end of paper. 1961.8 This is the origin of the familiar "tooth-

819
2 THE IADC ROLLER BIT DULL GRADING SYSTEM
bearing-gage" (TBG) format for reporting bit wear.
The AAODC bit grading method, adopted in 1963,
used a 1-8 scale to describe teeth and bearing wear.
In this method, an 8 represented teeth totally worn
flat, broken, or lost, and bearings that were either
locked or worn out. This system remained essentially
unchanged through 1985. Bit manufacturers con-
tributed substantially to the success of the technique
by teaching its use to customers via schools and
numerous publications. 9,lO,1l,12
In March of 1985, the IADC Drill Bits Subcommittee
of the IADC Drilling Technology Committee agreed
that dull bit gradings are an important part of bit
records. The dull bit gradings are essential to well
planners and field people responsible for drilling wells
in an efficient and cost effective manner. Proper dull
bit grading is critical to drillers and to bit manu-
facturers alike.
While some areas still use the old T,B,G System, most
drillers have adopted the IADC Grading System. The
IADC System provides a better description of the dull
bit, especially for journal bearing TCI and fixed cutter
bits (natural and synthetic diamond). The IADC Sys-
tem also provides a code to describe why a bit was
pulled or a run was terminated.
Although it appears that the IADC System is more
complex, it is simply an expanded version of the T,B,G
System.
The IADC System has been widely incorporated into
computer databases through the use of prescribed
fields and alpha-numeric characters. These are used
to describe cutting structure, bearing condition, gage
conditions, and "other" dull conditions, as well as the
reason the bit was pulled or run terminated. This
system provides valuable information to aid drilling
personnel in preparing well programs, and also assist
rock bit manufacturers designing new tools for the
drilling industry. The changes outlined by this paper
will result in easier and more accurate descriptions of
dull bits. This will help increase usage by the rig site
personnel, who have a vital role in applying the system
successfully.
SYSTEM STRUCTURE
The IADC Dull Grading System (Figure 1) can be ap-
plied to all types of roller cone bits as well as all types
of fIxed cutter bits. Bits with steel teeth, tungsten
820
SPE 23938
carbide inserts, natural or synthetic diamond cutters
can all be described with this system. A description of
the dull grading system follows with each of the com-
ponents explained as they apply to roller cone bits.
Applications to fixed cutter bits is discussed in another
paper. 4
Cutting Structure B G Remarks
Inner Outer Dull Loca Brng Gage Other Reason
Rows Rows Char. tion Seal 1/16 Dull Pulled
(I) (0) (D) (L) (B) (G) (0) (R)
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 con-
dition 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 gage and heel condition to good bit
performance.
In columns 1 and 2 a linear scale from 0-
8 (Figure 2) 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.
o - No loss of cutting structure.
8 - Total loss of cutting structure.
Example: A bit missing half of the inserts on the
inner rows of the bit due to loss or breakage with
the remaining teeth on the inner rows having a
50% reduction in height due to wear, should be
graded a 6 in column 1. If the inserts on the outer
rows of the bit were all intact but were reduced by
wear to half of their original height, the proper
grade for column 2 would be 4.
3. Column 3 (D- Dull Characteristic - Cutting Struc-
ture) uses a two-letter code to indicate the major dull
characteristic of the cutting structure. Figure 1 lists
SPE 23938 IADC ROLLER BIT COMMITTEE
the two-letter codes for the dull characteristics to be
used in this column.
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. Figure 1 lists the codes to be used for
describing locations on roller cone bits.
NOTE: "G" (gage area) replaces "H" for this
version.
Location is defined as follows:
* Gage - Those cutting elements which touch the
hole wall.
* Nose - The centermost cutting element(s) of the
bit.
* Middle -Cutting elements between the nose and
the gage.
* All - All Rows
Cone numbers are identified as follows:
* The number one cone contains the centermost
cutting element.
* Cones two and three follow in a clockwise
orientation as viewed looking down at the
cutting structure with the bits sitting on
the pin.
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). For
sealed bearing Gournal or roller) bits, a letter code is
used to indicate the condition of the seal. An "E"
indicates an effective seal, an "F" indicates a failed
seal(s), and an "N" indicating "not able to grade" has
been added to allow reporting when seal/bearing con-
dition cannot be determined.
6. Column 6 (G-Gage) is used to report on the gage
of the bit. The letter "I" (IN) indicates no gage
821
3
reduction. If the bit does have a reduction in gage it
is to be recorded in l/16th's of an inch. The "Two
Third's Rule" is correct for three-cone bits.
The Two Thirds Rule, as used for three cone bits,
requires that the gage ring be pulled so that it
contacts two of the cones at their outermost
points. Then the distance between the outermost
point of the third cone and the gage ring is mul-
tiplied by 2/3's and rounded to the nearest l/16th of
an inch to give the correct diameter reduction. 12
(See Fig. 3)
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). Note that this column is not restricted
to only cutting structure dulling characteristics. Figure
1 lists the two-letter codes to be used in this column.
8. Column 8 (R-Reason Pulled) is used to report the
reason for terminating the bit run. Figure 1 lists the
two-letter or three-letter codes to be used in this
column.
NOTE: "LIH" was added to indicate "Left in Hole".
DISCUSSION OF DULLING CHARACTERISTICS
Following is a discussion, and photographs where
possible, of the dulling characteristics common to
roller cone bits. While the possible causes listed and
possible solutions for problem wear modes are not
presumed to be exclusive, they do represent situations
commonly encountered in the field.
BC (Broken Cone) - (Fig. 4) This describes a bit with
one or more cones that have been broken into two or
more pieces, but with most of the cone still attached
to the bit. Broken cones can be caused in several
ways. Some of the causes of BC are:
- Cone interference - where the cones run
on each other after a bearing failure
and break one or more of the cones.
- Bit hitting a ledge on trip or connection.
- Dropped drill string.
- Hydrogen sulfide embrittlement.
BF (Bond Failure) - Refers to Fixed Cutter dull
condition. 4
4 THE lADC ROLLER BIT DULL GRADING SYSTEM
BT (Broken Teeth) - (Fig. 5) In some formations BT
is a normal wear characteristic of tungsten carbide
insert bits and is not necessarily an indicator of any
problems in bit selection or operating practices. How-
ever, if the bit run was of uncommonly short duration,
broken teeth could indicate one or more of the fol-
lowing: the need for a shock sub, too much WOB
and/or RPM, or improper bit application. Broken
teeth is not considered a normal wear mode for steel
tooth roller cone bits and may indicate improper bit
application or operating practices. Some causes of BT
are:
- Bit run on junk.
- Bit hitting a ledge or hitting bottom
suddenly.
- Excessive WOB for application. Indicated by
broken teeth predominantly on the inner and
middle row teeth.
- Excessive RPM for application. Indicated by
broken teeth predominantly on the gage row teeth.
- Improper break-in of bit when a major change in
bottomhole pattern is made.
-_Formation too hard for bit type.
BU (Balled Up) - (Fig. 6) A balled up bit will show
tooth wear due to skidding, caused by a cone, or
cones, not turning due to formation being packed
between the cones. The bit will look as if a bearing
had locked up even though the bearings are still good.
Some causes of balling up are:
- Inadequate hydraulic cleaning of the bottomhole.
- Forcing the bit into formation cuttings with the
pump not running.
- Drilling a sticky formation.
CC (Cracked Cone) - (Fig. 7) A cracked cone is the
start of a broken or lost cone and has many of the
same possible causes. Some of these causes are:
- Junk on the bottom of the hole.
- Bit hitting a ledge or bottom.
- Dropped drill string.
- Hydrogen sulfide embrittlement.
- Overheating of the bit.
- Reduced cone shell thickness due to erosion.
- Cone interference.
CD (Cone Dragged) - (Fig. 8) This dull characteristic
indicates that one or more of the cones did not turn
during part of the bit run, indicated by one or more
flat wear spots. Some of the possible causes are:
- Bearing failure on one or more of the cones.
- Junk lodging between the cones.
822
SPE 23938
- Pinched bit causing cone interference.
- Bit balling up.
- Inadequate break in.
CI (Cone Interference) - (Fig. 9) Cone interference
often leads to cone grooving and broken teeth and is
sometimes mistaken for formation damage. Broken
teeth caused by cone interference are not an indicator
of improper bit selection. Some of the causes of cone
interference are:
- Bit being pinched.
- Reaming under gage hole with excessive WOE.
- Bearing failure on one or more cones.
CR (Cored) - (Fig. 10) A bit is cored when its
center most cutters are worn and/or broken off. A bit
can also be cored when the nose part of one or more
cones is broken. Some things that can cause bits
to become cored are:
- Abrasiveness of formation exceeds the wear
resistance of the center cutters.
- Improper breaking in of a new bit when there
is a major change in bottomhole pattern.
- Cone shell erosion resulting in lost cutters.
- Junk in the hole causing breakage of the center
cutters.
CT (Chipped Teeth) - (Fig. 11) On tungsten carbide
insert bits, chipped insert often become broken teeth.
A tooth is considered chipped, as opposed to broken,
if a substantial part of the tooth remains above the
cone shell. Some causes of chipped teeth are:
- Impact loading due to rough drilling.
- Slight cone interference.
- Rough running in air drilling application.
ER (Erosion) - (Fig. 12) Fluid erosion leads to cutter
reduction and/or loss of cone shell material. The loss
of cone shell material on tungsten carbide insert bits
can lead to a loss of inserts due to the reduced sup-
port and grip of the cone shell material. Erosion can
be caused by:
- Abrasive formation contacting the cone shell
between the cutters, caused by tracking, off
center wear, or excessive WOE.
- Abrasive formation cuttings eroding the cone
shell due to inadequate hydraulics.
- Excessive hydraulics resulting in high
velocity fluid erosion.
- Abrasive drilling fluids or poor solids
control.
SPE 23938 IADC ROLLER BIT COMMITTEE
FC (Flat Crested Wear) - (Fig. 13) Flat crested wear is
an even reduction in height across the entire face of
the cutters. Interpretation of the significance of flat
crested wear are numerous, and dependent on many
factors, including formation, hardfacing and operating
parameters. One of the causes of flat crested wear is:
- Low WOB and high RPM, often used in attempting
to control deviation.
HC (Heat Checking) - (Fig. 14) This dulling charac-
teristic happens when a cutter is overheated due to
dragging on the formation and is then cooled by the
drilling fluid over many cycles. Some situations that
can cause heat checking are:
- Cutters being dragged.
- Reaming a slightly under gage hole at
high RPM.
JD (Junk Damage) - (Fig. 15) Junk damage can be
detected by marks on any part of the bit. Junk
damage can lead to broken teeth, damaged shirttail,
and shortened bit runs and therefore can become a
problem. It is sometimes necessary to clear the junk
out of the hole before continuing to drill. Some
common sources of junk, and therefore causes of junk
damage are:
- Junk dropped in the hole from the surface
(tong dies, tools, etc.).
- Junk from the drill string (reamer pins,
stabilizer blades, etc.).
- Junk from a previous bit run (tungsten
carbide inserts, ball bearings, etc.).
- Junk from the bit itself (tungsten carbide
inserts, etc.).
LC (Lost Cone) - (Fig. 16) It is possible to lose one or
more cones in many ways. With few exceptions, the
lost cone must be cleared from the hole before drilling
can resume. Some of the causes of lost cones are:
- Bit hitting bottom or a ledge on a trip or
connection.
- Dropped drill string.
- Bearing failure (causing the cone retention
system to fail).
- Hydrogen sulfide embrittlement.
LN (Lost Nozzle) - (Fig. 17) While LN is not a cutting
structure dulling characteristic, it is an important
"Other Dulling Characteristic" that can help describe a
bit condition. A lost nozzle causes a pressure
decrease which requires that the bit be pulled out of
the hole. A lost nozzle is also a source of junk in the
823
5
hole. Some causes of lost nozzles are:
- Improper nozzle installation.
- Improper nozzle and/or nozzle design.
- Mechanical or erosion damage to nozzle
and/or nozzle retaining system.
LT (Lost Teeth) - (Fig. 18) This dulling characteristic
leaves entire tungsten carbide inserts in the hole which
are far more detrimental to the rest of the bit than are
broken inserts. Lost teeth often cause junk damage.
Lost teeth are sometimes preceded by rotated inserts.
Lost teeth can be caused by:
- Cone shell erosion.
- A crack in the cone that loosens the
grip on the insert.
- Hydrogen sulfide embrittlement cracks.
OC (Off Center Wear) - (Fig. 19) This dulling
characteristic occurs when the geometric center of the
bit and the geometric center of the hole do not
coincide. This results in an oversized hole. Off center
wear can be recognized on the dull bit by wear on the
cone shells between the rows of cutters, more gage
wear on one cone, and by a less than expected pene-
tration rate. This can often be eliminated by changing
bit types and thus changing the bottomhole pattern.
Off Center Wear can be caused by:
- Change of formation from a brittle to a more plastic
formation.
- Inadequate stabilization in a deviated hole.
- Inadequate WOB for formation and bit type.
- Hydrostatic pressure that significantly exceeds
the formation pressure.
PB (Pinched Bit) - (Fig. 20) Bits become pinched
when they are mechanically forced to a less than
original gage. Pinched bits can lead to broken teeth,
chipped teeth, cone interference, dragged cones and
many other cutting structure dulling characteristics.
Some possible causes of pinched bits are:
- Bit being forced into under gage hole.
- Roller cone bit being forced into a section
of hole drilled by fixed cutter bits, due
different OD tolerances.
- Forcing a bit through casing that does not
drift to the bit size used.
- Bit being pinched in the bit breaker.
- Bit being forced into an undersized blow
out preventer stack.
PN (Plugged Nozzle) - (Fig. 21) This dulling charac-
teristic does not describe the cutting structure but can
6 THE lADe ROLLER BIT DULL GRADING SYSTEM
be useful in providing information about a bit run. A
plugged nozzle can lead to reduced hydraulics or force
a trip out of the hole due to excessive pump pressure.
Plugged nozzles can be caused by:
- Jamming the bit into fill with the pump off.
- Solid material going up the drill string
through the bit on a connection and becoming
lodged in a nozzle when circulation is reSumed.
- Solid material pumped down the drill string and
becoming lodged in a nozzle.
RG (Rounded Gage) - (Fig. 22) This dulling charac-
teristic describes a bit that has experienced gage wear
in a rounded manner, but will still drill a full size hole.
The gage inserts may be less than nominal bit dia-
meter but the cone backfaces are still at nominal
diameter. Rounded Gage can be caused by:
- Drilling an abrasive formation with
excessive RPM.
- Reaming an under gage hole.
RO (Ring Out) - Refers to fixed cutter condition. 4
SD (Shirttail Damage) - (Fig. 23) Shirttail damage may
be different than junk damage and is not a cutting
structure dulling characteristic. Shirttail wear can lead
to seal failures. Some causes of shirttail damage are:
- Junk in the hole.
- Reaming under gage hole in faulted or
broken formations.
- A pinched bit causing the shirttails
to be the outer most part of the bit.
- Poor hydraulics
- High angle well bore.
SS (Self Sharpening Wear) - (Fig. 24) This is a dulling
characteristic which occurs when cutters wear in a
manner such that they retain a sharp crest shape.
TR (Tracking) - (Fig. 25) This dulling characteristic
occurs when the teeth mesh like a gear into the
bottomhole pattern. The cutter wear on a bit that has
been tracking will be on the leading and trailing flanks.
The cone shell wear will be between the cutters in a
row. Tracking can sometimes be alleviated by using a
softer bit to drill the formation and/or by reducing the
hydrostatic pressure if possible. Tracking can be
caused by:
- Formation changes from brittle to plastic.
- Hydrostatic pressure that significantly
exceeds the formation pressure.
824
SPE 23938
WO (Washed Out Bit) - (Fig. 26) Bit washouts are not
cutting structure dulling characteristics but can pro-
vide important information when used as an "Other"
dulling characteristic. This can occur at anytime
during the bit run. If the bit weld is porous or not
closed, then the bit will start to washout as soon as
circulation starts. Often the welds are closed but crack
during the bit run due to impact with bottom or ledges
on connections. When a crack occurs and circulation
starts through the crack, the washout is established
very quickly.
WT (Worn Teeth) (Fig. 27) This is a normal dulling
characteristic of the tungsten carbide insert bits as well
as for the steel tooth bits. When WT is noted for
steel tooth bits, it is also often appropriate to note self
sharpening (SS) or flat crested (FC) wear.
NO (No Dull Characteristics) This code is used to in-
dicate that the dull shows no sign of the other dulling
characteristics described. This is often used when a bit
is pulled after a short run for a reason not related to
the bit, such as a drill string washout. Next we will
grade a dull roller cone bit, and discuss some possible
interpretations of the wear as it relates to bit selection
and application. It should be noted that there may be
more than one "correct" dull grading for any bit. This
can happen if two persons should disagree on the pri-
mary cutting structure dulling characteristic or on
what the other dulling characteristic should be.
Regardless, the new IADC dull grading system pro-
vides the man on the rig with ample opportunity to
report what he sees when examining a dull.
The dull bit (Fig. 28) is a 7 7/8" lADC 5-1-7-X bit and
has been graded as a 7,1,BT,M,E,I,NO,PR. The bit in
Fig. 28 appears to have been dulled by encountering a
harder formation than the bit was designed for. This
is indicated by the heavy tooth breakage on the inner
teeth, and by the bit having been pulled for pene-
tration rate. The reduced penetration rate may have
been caused by the tooth breakage occurring when the
bit encountered the hard formation. Excessive weight
on the bit could also cause the dull to have this
appearance. If the run was of reasonable duration,
then the bit application was proper as evidenced by
the lack of "other" dulling features, the effective seals,
and the fact that the bit is still in gage. However if
the bit had a shorter than expected run, it is probable
that the application was improper. The bit may have
been too "soft" for the formation, or it may have been
run with excessive weight on the bit.
SPE 23938 IADC ROLLER BIT COMMITTEE 7

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 10. Jackson, R A. and Kunnemann, E. A., "Drilling

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions
of Dennis Cox, Enserch; Jim Senger, Security Division
of Dresser Industries; and the 1987 Roller Bit Sub-
committee Authors.
Rate improved by Grading Insert Bits", World Oil
(March 1971).
11. Garner, C. R, "Reading the Dull Bit Appearance",
published by Smith Tool Co., Irvine, California.

12. Lyon, R C., "How to Gage Rock Bits Correctly",

REFERENCES Petroleum Engineer (October 1983) 52-59.

1. Hampton, S. D., "Application of the 1987 IADC

Roller Bit Dull Grading System." SPE IADC
16146, presented at the 1987 SPE/IADC Drilling
Conference, March 15-18, 1987, New Orleans.

2. McGehee, D.Y. et. al. , "The IADC Roller Bit

Classification System." SPE/IADC 23937,
presented at the 1992 SPE/IADC Drilling
Conference, Feb. 18-21, 1992, New Orleans.

3. IADC Fixed Cutter Drill Bit Commit-

tee,"Development of a New IADC Fixed Cutter
Drill Bit Classification System". SPE/IADC
23940, presented at the 1992 SPE/IADC
Drilling Conference, February 18-21, 1992,
New Orleans.

4. IADC Fixed Cutter Drill Bit Committee, "First

Revision of the IADC Fixed Cutter Dull Grading
System". SPE/IADC 23939, presented at the 1992
SPE/IADC Drilling Conference, February 18-21,
1992, New Orleans.

5. Bentson, H. G., "Rock-Bit Design, Selection, and

Evaluation", presented at the spring meeting of
the Pacific Coast Angeles, May 1956).

6. Decker, E. L., et. aI., "Progress Report of the

Weight/Speed/Penetration Study", presented at the
17th annual AAODC convention, Tulsa, Oct. 13-15,
1957.

7. Galle, E. M. and Woods, H. B., "Variable Weight

and Rotary Speed for Lowest Drilling Cost",
presented at the 20th annual AAODC convention,
New Orleans, Sept. 25-27, 1960.

8. "Code of Bit Condition", Drilling, (November 1961)

51-53.

9. "The Study of Dulls: Importance of Proper

Grading", Hughes Rigway (Fall 1958) 20-21.

825
 Figure 1

lADe DULL BIT GRADING

CUTTING STRUCTURE BEARINGS/ OTHER
GAGE DULL
REASON
INNER OUTER DULLCHAR. LOCATION SEALS CHAR. PULLED

CD ® ® @ ® ® (J) ®
CD INNER CUTTING STRUCTURE (All inner rows.) @ LOCATION FIXED CUTTER
® OUTER CUTTING STRUCTURE (Gage row only.)
N -
ROLLER CONE
Nose Row
C - Cone
In columns 1 and 2 a linear scale from 0 to 8 is used to CONE# N - Nose
describe the condition of the cutting structure according M - Middle Row 1 T - Taper
to the following: G - Gage Row 2 S - Shoulder
A - All Rows 3 G - Gage
STEEL TOOTH BITS
A measure of lost tooth height due to abrasion and/or damage. A - All Areas
o- NO LOSS OF TOOTH HEIGHT.
8 - TOTAL LOSS OF TOOTH HEIGHT.
® BEARINGS / SEALS
NON-SEALED BEARINGS SEALED BEARINGS
INSERT BITS A linear scale estimating bearing life E - seals effective.
A measure of total cutting structure reduction due to lost, worn used. (0 - No life used, 8 - All life F - seals failed
and/or broken inserts. used, ie. no bearing life remaining.) N - not able to grade
o- NO LOST, WORN AND/OR BROKEN INSERTS. X - fixed cutter bit
8 - ALL INSERTS LOST, WORN AND/OR BROKEN.
® GAGE Measure in fractions of an inch. (bearingless)
FIXED CUTTER BITS I - in gage
A measure of lost, worn and/or broken cutting structure. 1/16 - 1/16" out of gage
2116 - 1/8" out of gage
o- NO LOST, WORN AND/OR BROKEN CUTTING STRUCTURE. 4/16 - 1/4" out of gage
8 - ALL OF CUTTING STRUCTURE LOST, WORN AND/OR BROKEN.

® DULL CHARACTERISTICS (J) OTHER DULL CHARACTERISTIC

(Use only cutting structure related codes.)
Refer to column 3 codes.
* BC - Broken Cone LN - Lost Nozzle
BF
BT
-
-
Bond Failure
Broken Teeth/Cutters
LT - LostTeeth/Cutters
OC - Off Center Wear
® REASON PULLED OR RUN TERMINATED
BU - Balled Up Bit PB - Pinched Bit BHA - Change Bottom Hole Assembly HR - Hours On Bit
* CC - Cracked Cone PN - Plugged Nozzle/Flow Passage DMF - Downhole Motor Failure LOG - Run Logs
* CD - Cone Dragged RG - Rounded Gage DTF - Downhole Tool Failure PP - Pump Pressure
CI - Cone Interference RO - Ring Out DSF - Drill String Failure PR - Penetration Rate
CR - Cored SO - Shirttail Damage DST - Drill Stem Test RIG - Rig Repair
CT - Chipped Teeth/Cutters 55 - Self Sharpening Wear DP - Drill Plug TO - Total Depth/Casing Depth
ER - Erosion TR - Tracking CM - Condition Mud TW - Twist Off
FC - Flat Crested Wear WO - Washed Out Bit CP - Core Point TO - Torque
HC - Heat Checking WT - Worn Teeth/Cutters FM - Formation Change WC - Weather Conditions
JD - Junk Damage NO - No Dull Characteristic HP - Hole Problems
* LC - Lost Cone *Show cone # or #'s under location @). LlH - Left In Hole February 1992
o 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

TOOTH HEIGHT MEASUREMENT

FIGURE 2

MEASURED DISTANCE

AMOUNT OUT MEASURED X

OF GAGE = DISTANCE

FIG. 3 TWO THIRDS RULE & HOW TO MEASURE GAGE

827
 SPE 2 H3 8

Fig. 4-Broken cone (BC). Fig. 5-Broken teeth (BT).

Fig. 6-Balled up (BU). Fig. 7-Cracked cone (CC).

 SPE 2 393 8

FIg. 8-Cone dragged (CO). FIg. 9-Cone Interierence (CI).

FIg . 10-Cored (CR). FIg. l1-Chlpped teeth (Cn.

 SPE 23938

Fig. 12-Erosion (ER). Fig. l3-Flat-crested wear (FC).

Fig. 14-Heat checking (HC).

 SPE 2 J93 B

Fig. 16-lolt cone (Le).

FIg. IS-Junk damage (JD).

Fig. 17-Lolt nozzle (LN).

 SPE :23938

FIg. 18-Lost teeth (LT). FIg. 19-0ff-center wear (OC).

FIg . 20-Plnched bIt (PB). Fig. 21-Plugged noule (PN).

 SPE 2 :J93 8

Fig. 22-Rounded gauge (RG). Fig. 23-5hirttail damage (5D).

Fig. 24-5elf-sharpening wear (55). Fig. 25-Tracking (TR).

 SPE 23 q:s 8

Fig. 26-Washed·out bit (WO).

Fig. 28-0ul1 grading example.

Fig. 27-Worn teeth (WT).