| Title | Continuous Chain Bit Development |
|---|---|
| Authors | St. Clair, J. A.; Duimstra, F. A.; Varnado, S. G. |
| Year | 1979 |
| Conference | Geothermal Resources Council Transactions |
| Keywords | Drilling; Drill Bits; Bit Life; USA; Utah; Nevada; Prototype; Development; Economic; Cost; Laboratory Test; Field Test; US DOE; Sandia; Terra Tek |
| Abstract | The continuous chain drill is a diamond drill bit in which cutting surface can be replaced while the bit is still in the hole. The first prototype of the chain drill system was fabricated and tested in 1977. Problems were encountered with the mechanism used to cycle the bit. A second prototype bit was designed to circumvent these problems. An accelerated development and test program has provided field test results on Prototype II in less than 2 years. Field testing at Nevada Test Site has proven feasibility of the downhole changing mechanism. This paper describes the development and testing of this prototype. |