Status and Development Trend of Digital Bit Technologies

Due to the limitation of the operating characteristics of the conventional bottom hole assembly (BHA) and the power drilling tool, the measuring device fails to obtain the real data at the bit position, which leads to the risk of intelligent drilling at the decision-making and control levels. Chinese and foreign oilfield service companies have developed a variety of digital bit measurement systems. These digital bit measurement systems can be installed inside the bit for data acquisition without changing the structure of the bit, providing data support for theoretical research, drilling design, and drilling decision control. In order to promote the development of digital bits in China, various kinds of digital bits were investigated. The status, application scenarios, and development trend of digital bits were discussed, and development suggestions were put forward.