Drill bit manufacturers
Drill Bit Technical Specifications – By Type and Formation
The table below presents key specifications for our drill bit families. All parameters are configurable based on formation type, drilling depth, and operating conditions.
| Bit Type | IADC Range | Formation Hardness | Size Range | Bearing Type | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milled Tooth Tricone | 1-1-1 to 4-3-6 | Soft – Medium | 3 7/8" – 26" | Open / Sealed | Cost-effective, good for top hole |
| TCI Tricone | 5-1-7 to 8-3-7 | Medium – Very Hard | 3 7/8" – 17 1/2" | Journal / Roller | Wear-resistant, long life in abrasive rock |
| PDC Matrix Body | N/A (fixed cutter) | Soft – Medium hard | 3 7/8" – 17 1/2" | No moving parts | High ROP, long intervals in shale |
| PDC Steel Body | N/A (fixed cutter) | Soft – Medium hard | 4 3/4" – 12 1/4" | No moving parts | Higher impact resistance |
| Hybrid (PDC + Roller) | N/A | Interbedded / Variable | 6" – 12 1/4" | Sealed bearing | Adapts to changing geology |
| Diamond (Impregnated) | N/A | Very hard / Abrasive | 3 7/8" – 12 1/4" | No moving parts | Extreme hardness, core drilling |
IADC Code Explanation:
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First digit (1-8): Formation hardness (1=soft, 8=extra hard)
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Second digit (1-4): Formation characteristic (1=low compressive strength, 4=highly abrasive)
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Third digit (1-8): Bearing and gauge design features
Connection types: All bits available with standard API connections (REG, IF, NC series) to match your bottomhole assembly.
Application Areas – Matching Bits to Your Well Program
| Application | Recommended Bit Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Top hole / surface hole (soft formations) | Milled tooth tricone (IADC 1-1-1 to 2-3-6) | Large diameter sizes available; open bearing for low cost |
| Intermediate section (medium shale/sandstone) | PDC bit (matrix body) | High ROP; stays in hole longer between trips |
| Hard limestone / dolomite | TCI tricone (IADC 5-1-7 to 7-2-7) | Tungsten carbide inserts crush through hard rock |
| Interbedded formations (mixed hard/soft) | Hybrid bit | PDC shears soft sections; roller cones crush hard stringers |
| Horizontal laterals in shale | PDC bit (steel body) | Impact resistance for directional work; high ROP |
| Extremely hard abrasive rock (granite, basalt) | Diamond impregnated bit | Diamonds maintain cutting ability even as matrix wears |
| Deep well / HPHT environment | TCI tricone or high-quality PDC | High-temperature bearing seals; premium cutter grades |
| Directional drilling / motor applications | PDC bit with optimized hydraulics | High ROP with lower weight-on-bit; precise toolface control |
Market context: The global drill bits market was valued at approximately 2.87billionin2025andisprojectedtoreach2.87billionin2025andisprojectedtoreach4.65 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.13%. Growth is driven by increasing drilling activity in unconventional resources and deepwater projects. China's petroleum drilling equipment exports reached $18.83 billion in 2025 with year-over-year growth of 18.49%—evidence of rising global trust in Chinese manufacturing.
Innovation and Technical Features
What sets SJ Petroleum's drill bits apart from standard offerings? Several engineering details.
1. Optimized Cutter Placement and Hydraulics
Our PDC bits are not generic designs. We map cutter placement based on the specific formation you are drilling. More blades mean each cutter bears less impact load—better controllability and longer bit life. Fewer blades mean higher drilling efficiency and faster speed. The higher the formation strength, the more cutters and blades are required.
2. Premium Diamond Cutters
We use synthetic polycrystalline diamond compacts manufactured with strict quality controls. These cutters provide wear resistance and thermal stability for high-speed drilling operations. In suitable formations, our PDC bits deliver significantly higher ROP with lower weight-on-bit compared to tricone alternatives.
3. Advanced Bearing Systems for Tricone Bits
Our tricone bits are available with:
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Open bearing – For shallow, low-cost applications where bit life requirements are modest
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Sealed roller bearing – Grease-packed and sealed to keep debris out; for medium-depth wells
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Journal bearing – Highest load capacity; for deep wells and high-weight-on-bit applications
4. Hardfacing and Gauge Protection
We apply premium hardfacing alloys to bit bodies and cones to resist abrasive wear. Gauge protection cutters maintain hole diameter and prevent bit body erosion—critical for directional wells where gauge consistency matters.
5. Custom Thread Connections
Standard API connections? Covered. Need a premium connection to match your existing BHAs? We can do that too. Our thread machining is gauged to API 7-2 standards.
6. Third-Party Inspection Welcome
We operate with full transparency. Our inspection lab is CNACL-accredited, and we welcome third-party inspectors (BV, DNV, SGS) at any stage of manufacturing.
Product Range – Complete Bit Portfolio
We manufacture the following drill bits, all API 7-1 certified:
Tricone Bits
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Milled tooth steel tooth bits – all standard IADC series
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TCI tungsten carbide insert bits – all standard IADC series
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Open bearing, sealed roller bearing, and journal bearing designs
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Sizes: 3 7/8" to 26"
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Shrouded and non-shrouded cone options
PDC Bits
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"Xianfeng" (先锋) series – premium diamond cutters
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Matrix body and steel body options
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Blade counts: 3 to 10 blades
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Sizes: 3 7/8" to 17 1/2"
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Gauge protection standard
"Long" Series Hybrid Bits
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PDC cutters + roller cone elements
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For interbedded and variable formations
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Sizes: 6" to 12 1/4"
Diamond Bits
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Impregnated diamond bits
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Surface-set natural diamond bits
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For ultra-hard formations and coring operations
Why Choose SJ Petroleum as Your Drill Bit Manufacturer?
When evaluating drill bit manufacturers, here is what makes us different.
1. Sinopec Subsidiary – Large-Scale, Backed by Real Field Experience
We are not a small trading company. SJ Petroleum is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sinopec Oilfield Equipment Corporation (SOFE), which means our products are field-validated in Sinopec's own drilling operations. Sinopec drills thousands of wells annually across China's most challenging basins. That field feedback goes directly into our bit designs.
2. Complete Product Portfolio – One Supplier, All Bit Types
Why manage multiple suppliers for different bits? We manufacture the full range: tricone (both steel tooth and TCI), PDC, hybrid, and diamond. You can consolidate your supply chain with us.
3. API 7-1 Certified – Monogrammed Products Available
We maintain API Spec 7-1 certification and can supply bits with the API monogram when required. API 7-2 threading and gauging standards are followed rigorously.
4. Quality Infrastructure – 17 Production Lines, 7 Professional Labs
Our parent company has built 17 production lines covering drill bits, drilling rigs, and other equipment, along with 7 professional labs including an 8,000 hp pump test center and the National Quality Supervision and Testing Center for Oil and Gas Drilling and Production Equipment. We have passed API, GOST, and CE international certifications.
5. Global Export Track Record – Over 30 Countries
Our drill bits and downhole tools have been supplied to oilfields across Central Asia, the Middle East (Saudi Aramco, Kuwait KOC, Oman PDO), Africa, and Southeast Asia. Our international sales team understands LC documentation, shipping logistics, and site acceptance.
6. Competitive Pricing – Factory Direct
As a manufacturer, we sell direct. No distributor markups. Volume discounts available for large-quantity contracts and framework agreements.
7. Fast Turnaround – Short Lead Times
We maintain inventory of common bit sizes and IADC codes. Custom orders typically require 4–6 weeks for manufacturing. Expedited options available for urgent requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Drill Bit Manufacturers
Q1: How do I choose between a PDC bit and a tricone bit?
The short answer: formation type.
Choose PDC when:
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Drilling soft to medium formations (shale, sandstone, limestone)
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High ROP is your priority
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You want longer intervals between trips
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Running a downhole motor or rotary steerable system
Choose tricone when:
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Formation is hard, fractured, or severely interbedded
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You need to drill through stringers that would damage PDC cutters
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Drilling top hole with large diameter (tricone is more economical)
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Budget constraints on shallow wells
If your formation is variable (changing hardness within the same section), consider a hybrid bit.
Q2: What IADC codes do you manufacture?
We manufacture the full range of IADC codes for tricone bits:
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Series 1-3: Steel tooth (milled) bits for soft to medium formations
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Series 4-8: Tungsten carbide insert (TCI) bits for medium to very hard formations
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All bearing codes: Open, sealed roller, and journal bearing designs
Tell us your IADC code. We deliver.
Q3: What API certifications do your drill bits carry?
Our drill bits are manufactured under API Spec 7-1 (rotary drill stem elements). We also maintain API Q1 (quality management) and follow API 7-2 for threading and gauging. API monogram license is available for qualified orders.
Q4: Can you supply drill bits for offshore applications?
Yes. We have supplied drill bits for offshore platforms and jack-up rigs operating in the South China Sea, Persian Gulf, and Southeast Asian waters. All bits can be supplied with appropriate coatings and corrosion protection for marine environments.
Q5: What is your typical lead time for drill bits?
| Order Type | Typical Lead Time |
|---|---|
| Standard bits in stock | 1–2 weeks |
| Standard bits (IADC common sizes) | 2–4 weeks |
| Custom bits (non-standard sizes/configurations) | 4–6 weeks |
| Large quantity orders (50+ bits) | Phased delivery schedule |
Expedited manufacturing is available for urgent requirements.
Q6: Do you offer drill bit repair and refurbishment services?
Yes. We offer:
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Cone replacement for tricone bits
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Cutter replacement for PDC bits
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Bearing refurbishment
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Re-certification and testing
Refurbished bits are a cost-effective option for top hole sections and low-ROP intervals.
Q7: How do I verify bit quality before shipment?
We welcome third-party inspection. Options include:
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Factory visit to witness manufacturing and testing
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Third-party inspector (your choice of agency – BV, DNV, SGS, etc.)
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Detailed material test reports and dimensional inspection records
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Photos and video of the completed bits before packaging
Q8: What is your warranty on drill bits?
Standard warranty: 12 months from shipment against manufacturing defects (material, heat treatment, machining, assembly). Bit life is formation-dependent and not covered under warranty. We focus on getting you the right bit for your formation to maximize life.
Q9: Do you provide technical support for bit selection?
Absolutely. Our engineering team can:
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Review your well program and formation data
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Recommend specific bit types and IADC codes
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Suggest operating parameters (RPM, WOB, flow rate) for optimal performance
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Provide offset well analysis using your drilling data
We treat bit selection as a partnership—not just a sale.












