Modelling and mechanical characteristics of PDC cutter-rock interaction by combining mixed fragmentation modes with dynamic rock strength

Abstract

Polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit is one of the most widely used drill bits for improving the rate of penetration in deep oil and gas well and geothermal well. However, the dynamic rock fragmentation mechanics characteristics of PDC bits are still unclearly. A coupled fragmentation mechanics model of PDC cutter-rock interaction is established by combining the mixed fragmentation modes with dynamic strength. The coupling influence laws of cutter angle, cutting depth, dynamic strength ratio, breaking modes on the horizontal force coefficient (HFC), vertical force coefficient (VFC) and specific energy are analyzed. The model of this paper can optimize cutter inclination angle, cutting depth and minimum specific energy. With the increase of the cutter inclination angle, the dynamic VFC changes into two modes. The definition of the dynamic modes depends on the dynamic strength ratio. As the cutting angle increases, the cutting force increases. The cutting force increases nonlinearly with increasing cutting depth. The specific energy of rock fragmentation increases nonlinearly with increasing cutting depth. With the increase of dynamic strength, the specific energy of rock fragmentation increases nonlinearly. When the input-energy increases, the rate of penetration response is divided into three stages. The results have important guiding significance for the PDC bit design and drilling parameters optimization to increase the rate of penetration and the efficiency of exploration and development.

Keywords

Mechanical characteristics / PDC cutter-rock interaction / Mixed fragmentation modes / Dynamic rock strength

Declaration of competing interest

We declare that we do not have any commercial or associative interest that represents a conflict of interest in connection with the work submitted.

Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the project funded by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2020M683357), Sichuan Science and Technology Program (2022NSFSC0975), CNPC-SWPU innovation alliance (2020CX040202), Open Fund (PLN2021-19) of State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation (Southwest Petroleum University). We are immensely grateful to the anonymous reviewers and editors for their constructive comments and suggestions to improve this paper.

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