Types of Drilling Bits: Roller Cone, PDC & Diamond
The main types of drilling bits used in oil and gas wells are roller-cone bits and fixed-cutter bits. Roller-cone bits use rotating cones with milled teeth or tungsten-carbide inserts; fixed-cutter designs include polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC), natural-diamond, and thermally stable polycrystalline (TSP) bits. This illustrated guide compares their cutting mechanisms, typical applications, and design differences. …