Page 24 - Diamond Products Catalog

CASE STUDY: ULTRAMATRIXTM DIAMOND BITS-SSUMXTM
ACHIEVED 80% INCREASE IN BIT LIFE
Vital Stats:
• 44% reduction in cost per bit compared to past surface set bits used
• Achieved 80% increase in bit life compared past surface set bits used
• Increased bit penetration rate per minute by 187%
• Maintained core recovery rate at 97.5%
While performing surface exploration for coal in the Galilee Basin, Queensland, Australia, L2 Drilling was in need of a diamond core
bit that would reduce cost, and increase
bit life and penetration rates without losing
core recovery. Ground conditions presented
the greatest challenge. The unconsolidated ground formations caused severe stress on the equipment and caused the surface set bits they were using to wear quickly. Bore holes would have to be reamed multiple times, because the unconsolidated ground would crumble in. When the bit needed to be switched out, the bore hole would have to be reamed to the bottom before starting to drill again.
“The SSUMX is so 80% versatile, we changed our
Product: UltramitrixTM (UMXTM) diamond core bits
Location: Galilee Basin, Queensland, Australia
Application: Surface coring exploration (coal)
• Significant reduction in overall operating costs
Increased Bit Life
450 - - - 400 -
- 350 - - - 300 -
- 250 -
- 200 - - - 150 - - - 100 - - - 50 - - - 0 -
300 - 450 M
Other Bits SSUMXTM
Increase in bit life
drilling methods instead of switching out the bit through various ground conditions”
Trevor Edwards, Manager for L2 Drilling
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200 - 250 M
The SSUMXTM bit excelled through the various ground conditions, reducing the number of times the drill string had to be tripped out to change bits. Very little outside diameter (OD) wear
was observed on the SSUMX when compared to the amount of reaming that was done.
The SSUMX also held up well when ground conditions demanded less than optimum water flows. SSUMX bits with 12 mm crown heights were used to achieve an 80 percent gain in bit life while increasing bit penetration rate by 187 percent. Other advantages were seen through
a 44 percent reduction in per bit cost and a consistent core recovery rate of 97.5 percent. These benefits resulted in a significant reduction in operating costs for L2 Drilling.
Drilling Depth in Meters