Development of New PDC Bits for Drilling of Geothermal Wells—Part 2: Field Testing

In order to develop polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits of about 8-1/2 in. in diameter which are able to drill geothermal wells, we have conducted the investigation with respect to the structure of a PDC cutter and rake angles, etc., by means of fundamental laboratory and field tests. New PDC core bits of 8-15/32 in. diameter were designed and manufactured based on the results of these tests. Then, field tests using them were carried out in geothermal wells at Hijiori in Yamagata prefecture, Hot Dry Rock project site in Japan, on September 1989 and October 1990. It became clear that the new PDC core bit can be sufficiently applied to the drilling of heterogeneous hot-hard rock formations from the tests.