Rock is not so tough after all when matched up with some of today’s drill bits. The bits are taking horizontal directional drilling probes to places previously untried and at gratifying speeds.
A tricone is probably the most universal bit employed to cut through rock. The design of the bit dates to Howard Hughes’ oilfield tool company and features three angling discs with teeth that interact to crumble rock. The toothy discs revolve on bearings and range in size from 3 inches to 3 feet.“A driller can always use a tricone,” says Steve Quisenberry, sales manager at Drillhead. He contributed to
