PDC Bits
Polycrystalline diamond compact bits from Volga Burmash deliver high rates of penetration in directional, horizontal, and vertical drilling. Available in steel-body and matrix-body designs with advanced cutter technologies for formations from soft clays to medium-hard carbonates.
Product Lines
FastDrill (FD)
The primary PDC bit line for general-purpose drilling. FastDrill bits feature a steel body with precision-machined blade profiles and premium polycrystalline diamond cutters. Optimized hydraulic designs ensure efficient bottom-hole cleaning at typical flow rates. Available with 3 to 9 blades and 8–19 mm cutters depending on formation requirements, in sizes from 83.0 mm (3 9/32") to 444.5 mm (17 1/2").
- Body: Steel
- Blades: 3 to 9
- Cutters: 8 to 19 mm PDC
- Sizes: 83.0 - 444.5 mm
- Application: Vertical, directional and horizontal drilling
FastDrillMatrix (FDM)
The matrix-body counterpart of the FastDrill series. FastDrillMatrix bits use a tungsten carbide matrix body that provides superior erosion resistance in abrasive formations. The matrix body also allows more aggressive gauge protection geometries. Ideal for applications where abrasive sands or high fluid velocities would erode a steel body.
- Body: Tungsten carbide matrix
- Blades: 5 to 7
- Cutters: 13, 16 and 19 mm PDC
- Sizes: 149.2 - 311.1 mm
- Application: Abrasive formations, extended runs
WiperTrip (WT)
Specialized PDC bits designed for reaming and wiper trip operations. WiperTrip bits feature aggressive gauge cutting elements and a profile optimized for cleaning and conditioning the wellbore. The enhanced gauge row design ensures full-gauge hole even after extended drilling intervals with other bit types.
- Body: Steel
- Blades: 4 or 6
- Cutters: 9 mm and 13 mm PDC
- Sizes: 117.5 - 220.7 mm
- Application: Hole reaming and gauging, wiper trips
SideTrack (ST)
PDC bits engineered for open-hole sidetracking. SideTrack bits combine an aggressive cutting structure with fast execution of the sidetrack, enabling an efficient kickoff in open hole. The compact blade geometry provides good steerability when used with directional assemblies.
- Body: Steel
- Blades: 6 or 9
- Cutters: 10 mm and 13 mm PDC
- Sizes: 124.0 - 295.3 mm
- Application: Open-hole sidetracking
BicentricDrill (BD)
Eccentric PDC bits that drill a hole larger than the nominal bit diameter using a bicentric (under-reamer) design. BicentricDrill bits are designed for underreaming while drilling, so the hole is opened in the same run. The pilot section drills the drift-size hole while the eccentric section enlarges it to the opening size (for example 8 1/2" x 9 7/8") in one pass.
- Body: Steel
- Design: Bicentric / eccentric
- Cutters: 13mm and 16mm PDC
- Sizes: drift 120.6 - 311.1 mm, opening 142.9 - 342.9 mm
- Application: Underreaming while drilling
CoreBits (CB)
PDC core bits designed for formation evaluation and geological sampling. CoreBits cut an annular ring around a central core, preserving an intact cylindrical rock sample for laboratory analysis. Steel-body PDC core heads from 139.7 mm (5 1/2") to 295.3 mm (11 5/8") cut cores of 52 to 100 mm in diameter.
- Body: Steel
- Cutters: 9 mm and 13 mm PDC
- Core sizes: 52 - 100 mm (bit sizes 139.7 - 295.3 mm)
- Application: Coring, formation evaluation
Steel Body vs. Matrix Body PDC Bits
Choosing the right body material is critical for PDC bit performance. Here is a comparison to help you decide.
| Feature | Steel Body (FD, WT, BD, CB) | Matrix Body (FDM) |
|---|---|---|
| Body Material | AISI 4145H modified alloy steel | Tungsten carbide matrix (infiltrated) |
| Erosion Resistance | Good — hardfacing applied to critical areas | Excellent — inherent carbide hardness |
| Impact Resistance | Excellent — steel absorbs shock loads | Good — matrix is harder but more brittle |
| Repairability | Easily rebuilt — cutters can be replaced and body re-machined | Limited — matrix body cannot be welded |
| Blade Count | 3 to 9 blades (FD); up to 10 on CB core bits | 5 to 7 blades |
| Hydraulics | Highly customizable nozzle positions | Nozzle positions set during casting |
| Cost | Lower initial cost, lower rebuild cost | Higher initial cost, limited rebuild |
| Best For | Non-abrasive to mildly abrasive formations, directional work, short to medium intervals | Highly abrasive formations, long intervals, high flow rates, extended motor runs |
PDC Bits for Middle East Applications
PDC bit usage in the Middle East has grown significantly over the past decade as operators increasingly adopt directional and horizontal drilling techniques to maximize reservoir contact and production efficiency. The relatively soft to medium-hard formations found in many Gulf region oilfields are well suited to PDC bit technology, which can deliver rates of penetration two to five times higher than roller cone bits in favorable conditions.
Volga Burmash PDC bits have been successfully deployed across the region in formations including the Dammam limestone, Simsima dolomite, Nahr Umr shale, Shuaiba limestone, and the soft Tertiary clastics of the upper well sections. Our engineering team maintains a database of regional bit records and can recommend the optimal blade count, cutter size, and body material based on your specific offset well data.
The FastDrill steel-body series is our most popular PDC line in the Middle East, favored for its versatility and rebuild potential. Operators drilling multiple wells in the same field often rebuild FastDrill bits between runs, reducing the cost per bit run by up to 40 percent compared to purchasing new bits each time.
For the abrasive sandstone intervals common in parts of Saudi Arabia and Oman, the FastDrillMatrix series provides superior body protection that extends bit life and maintains gauge throughout long lateral sections. The matrix body resists the erosive action of high-velocity drilling fluid carrying abrasive sand particles, which can quickly wear through steel body hardfacing.
All Volga Burmash PDC bits are available from VBM Middle East with competitive delivery timelines from our Dubai warehouse. Our technical team offers pre-run bit selection support, real-time drilling parameter monitoring guidance, and post-run dull grading analysis to continuously optimize bit performance across your drilling program.
Request a PDC Bit Recommendation
Share your well data and our engineers will design a customized PDC bit solution for your application.