会社のニュース Selection Comparison Between Mining Bits and Oil & Gas Bits

As core tools in the drilling field, both mining bits and oil & gas bits use tungsten carbide as the core material (to ensure hardness and wear resistance). However, due to differences in application scenarios, formation characteristics, and operational requirements, there are significant distinctions in their selection logic. Mining drilling often faces fractured formations and gravel-containing working conditions, prioritizing impact resistance and stability; oil & gas drilling mainly deals with continuous formations, emphasizing high-efficiency drilling and long service life to reduce tripping times. Selecting the right bit type and material specifications directly affects operational efficiency and costs—incorrect selection may lead to premature bit wear, sticking, or even equipment failure. This article uses clear tables and plain language to compare key dimensions, bit types, and selection steps, helping industry practitioners quickly match scenarios with bits and improve selection accuracy.

1. Comparison of Core Selection Dimensions (At a Glance)

2. Selection Differences of Mainstream Bit Types (Targeted Adaptation)

2.1 Roller Cone Bits: A "Universal" Choice for Both Scenarios, but with Different Emphases

Roller cone bits are a common choice for both mining and oil & gas due to their strong impact resistance, but their adapted scenarios are clearly differentiated:

• Mining Scenarios: Prioritized for underground coal mining and metal ore drilling (fractured formations, gravel-containing working conditions). Tungsten carbide teeth with high cobalt content (YG15) are selected to enhance impact resistance, and roller cone bearings are thickened to reduce wear;
• Oil & Gas Scenarios: Mainly used for surface and middle-layer drilling (soft-to-medium hard continuous formations). Fine-grain tungsten carbide teeth (YG8) are chosen to improve wear resistance, combined with a multi-nozzle layout to optimize cooling and cuttings removal, adapting to high-pressure drilling fluid.

2.2 PDC Bits: "High-Efficiency Main Force" for Oil & Gas, "Specific Adaptation" for Mining

PDC bits (tungsten carbide substrate + diamond composite layer) are known for high cutting efficiency but weak impact resistance, with obvious selection differences:

• Mining Scenarios: Only suitable for large mine shaft drilling and coalbed methane extraction (continuous medium-hard formations without gravel). PDC teeth with thick diamond layers and thickened bit bodies are selected to avoid tooth chipping caused by impact from fractured formations;
• Oil & Gas Scenarios: Core tool for high-efficiency drilling of shale gas and tight oil wells (continuous formations). Fine-grain tungsten carbide substrates + wear-resistant diamond layers are used, adapting to high-speed cutting (linear speed ≥200m/min) with a service life 2-5 times that of roller cone bits.

2.3 Diamond Bits: "Specialized Tools" for Hard Rock, Strict Scenario Restrictions

Diamond bits (tungsten carbide substrate + diamond particles) have extremely high hardness and are only suitable for hard rock working conditions:

• Mining Scenarios: Hard rock drilling of metal ores (granite, basalt) and geological exploration coring. Synthetic diamond particles are selected to enhance impact resistance and prevent diamond falling off caused by broken rock blocks;
• Oil & Gas Scenarios: Hard formations in ultra-deep oil & gas wells (crystalline rock). Natural diamonds or high-end composite diamonds are used to adapt to high temperature and pressure (bottom hole temperature ≥150℃), pursuing precise drilling and long service life.

2.4 Drag Bits: Only Suitable for Soft Formations, "Economical Supplement" for Both Scenarios

Drag bits have a simple structure and are only used for soft formations (clay, loose sandstone). The selection logic is consistent, but specifications differ:

• Mining Scenarios: Small water wells and shallow mine stripping. Small diameters (4-8 inches) are selected, with thickened tungsten carbide edges to handle a small amount of fine gravel;
• Oil & Gas Scenarios: Surface soft formation drilling of oil & gas wells (surface clay, sand layers). Medium-to-large diameters (8½-12¼ inches) are chosen, with a multi-nozzle design to improve cuttings removal efficiency and quickly complete surface drilling.

3. Key Selection Steps: 3-Step Quick Matching (Mining vs. Oil & Gas)

Step 1: First Judge Formation Characteristics (Core Basis)

Step 2: Clarify Core Operational Requirements

• Mining Scenarios: For large-scale mining (e.g., coal mine stripping), prioritize roller cone bits (stable with low failure rate); for hard rock coring (e.g., metal ore exploration), select diamond bits;
• Oil & Gas Scenarios: For high-efficiency shale gas drilling, select PDC bits (long service life + high speed); for ultra-deep hard rock wells, select diamond bits; for fractured surface formations, use roller cone bits as a transition.

Step 3: Balance Cost and Efficiency

• Mining Scenarios: Limited budget, complex working conditions → roller cone bits (low maintenance cost, replaceable tungsten carbide teeth); pursuit of efficiency, continuous formations → PDC bits;
• Oil & Gas Scenarios: Pursuit of low comprehensive cost → PDC bits (long service life, reduced tripping); hard rock specialized operations → diamond bits (expensive but irreplaceable).

4. Typical Application Case Comparison (Intuitive Reference)

Conclusion: The Core of Selection is "Scenario Matching", and Material is "Performance Guarantee"

The selection of mining bits and oil & gas bits essentially balances "formation characteristics + operational requirements + cost budget": mining prioritizes "impact resistance and stability", with roller cone bits as the core choice and tungsten carbide materials emphasizing toughness; oil & gas prioritizes "high efficiency and long service life", with PDC bits as the main force and tungsten carbide materials emphasizing wear resistance and high-temperature resistance.

As a tungsten carbide industry practitioner, it is recommended to first clarify the customer's core scenario (mining/oil & gas), formation report, and operational requirements when recommending bits, then match the bit type and tungsten carbide material specifications (e.g., cobalt content, grain size). For complex working conditions (e.g., gravel-containing oil & gas surface layers, continuous hard rock mining drilling), customized tungsten carbide cutting components can be provided to balance impact resistance and wear resistance.

If you need to recommend precise bit models and tungsten carbide configurations for specific scenarios (e.g., fractured formations in a coal mine, tight formations in a shale gas field), please contact us for customized solutions to help improve operational efficiency and reduce operation and maintenance costs.