Gazprom Neft completes pilot testing of Russia's first-ever PDC drill bit

ST PETERSBURG, Russia -- Gazprom Neft has successfully completed pilot testing of Russia’s first-ever domestically produced polycrystalline diamond composite (PDC) drill bit, during pilot drilling at its Vyngapurovskoye field, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

The tool, developed by Samara-based company VolgaBurServis, is designed for drilling vertical, directional and horizontal wells in soft strata interbedded with medium-hard rock—consistent with the construction of most wells in the Noyabrsk district of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. The new equipment demonstrated high durability in testing, with the drill passing through the test section of the well—running to a length of 2,237—without any damage or loss of bit inserts (cutters), and showing good handle-ability and a high bit-penetration rate.

Pilot testing of PDC drilling with a domestically-produced PDC bit will continue under the more complex geological conditions of the Yarainerskoye field in the Purovsky district of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug in February 2017. Once testing success has been confirmed the equipment will be put forward for implementation in production activities throughout Gazprom Neft’s upstream subsidiaries.