3 Drill Bit Types and Features

Since the early days of rotary drilling, numerous drill bit types have been developed. The first rotary drill bits were drag bits with two cutters forming the shape of a fish tail. These drill bits were limited by design and metallurgy and used primarily in soft formations. Fish-tail drag bits were followed by roller cone bits having two cones with non-intermeshing teeth. The two cone bits gave low rate of penetration and it was not until a three-roller cone bit with intermeshing teeth was developed that roller cone bits were widely accepted.