Volga Burmash polycrystalline diamond compact bits in steel-body and matrix-body designs for vertical, directional and horizontal oil and gas wells, in soft to medium formations including those with hard interlayers. Six lines cover full-hole drilling, reaming, open-hole sidetracking, underreaming while drilling and coring, from 83.0 mm (3 9/32") to 444.5 mm (17 1/2").
Six Volga Burmash PDC families cover the full offshore bit programme — from general-purpose drilling and abrasive-interval protection to sidetracks, hole opening and coring. Each line is matched to formation, hole size and BHA so every section drills to plan.
The all-purpose steel-body PDC line for full-hole drilling of vertical, directional and horizontal oil and gas wells. The cutter layout is designed with BitScan software, and flushing through open channels at the bottom cleans the hole bottom. Available with 3 to 9 blades and 8–19 mm cutters, in sizes from 83.0 mm (3 9/32") to 444.5 mm (17 1/2").
The matrix-body counterpart of the FastDrill series, also designed with BitScan software. The matrix body provides high abrasion and erosion wear resistance; sizes from 149.2 mm (5 7/8") to 311.1 mm (12 1/4") for medium formations, including those with hard interlayers.
Steel-body PDC bits for hole reaming and gauging (wiper trips). The parabolic profile prevents spontaneous sidetracking. Sizes from 117.5 mm (4 5/8") to 220.7 mm (8 11/16").
PDC bits designed for open-hole sidetracking, providing fast execution of operations. Sizes from 124.0 mm (4 7/8") to 295.3 mm (11 5/8").
Eccentric PDC bits that drill a hole larger than the nominal bit diameter using a bicentric (under-reamer) design, for underreaming while drilling: the pilot section drills the drift-size hole while the eccentric section enlarges it to the opening size (for example 215.9 x 250.8 mm) in one pass. Drift sizes from 120.6 mm to 311.1 mm.
Steel-body PDC core bits for core drilling and formation evaluation. They cut an annular ring around a central core, preserving an intact cylindrical rock sample for laboratory analysis. Bit sizes from 139.7 mm (5 1/2") to 295.3 mm (11 5/8") cut cores of 52 to 100 mm.
Choosing the right body material is critical for PDC bit performance. The comparison below sets the steel-body lines (FD, WT, BD, CB) against the matrix-body FastDrillMatrix to help you decide.
| Feature | Steel Body (FD, WT, BD, CB) | Matrix Body (FDM) |
|---|---|---|
| Body Material | Steel | Matrix |
| Blade Count | 3 to 9 blades (FD); up to 10 on CB core bits | 5 to 7 blades |
| Catalogue Feature | All-purpose full-hole drilling (FD) | High abrasion and erosion wear resistance |
How the six lines map onto real work in the Stabroek Block and the wider Guyana-Suriname basin — from deepwater long laterals to abrasive intervals, sidetracks and formation evaluation.
The long horizontal sections that maximize reservoir contact in deepwater Stabroek wells demand high ROP and predictable steering. Steel-body FastDrill bits are designed for full-hole drilling of vertical, directional and horizontal wells, with BitScan-designed cutter layouts and 3 to 9 blades to match the formation.
Where drilling fluid carries abrasive sand, the matrix-body FastDrillMatrix is the choice: its matrix body provides high abrasion and erosion wear resistance, in sizes from 149.2 mm to 311.1 mm.
For open-hole sidetracking, SideTrack (ST) bits provide fast execution of operations. When a section needs underreaming while drilling, BicentricDrill (BD) enlarges the drift-size hole to the opening size in the same run — saving rig time on costly deepwater days.
When the well programme calls for intact rock for the lab, CoreBits (CB) cut an annular ring and preserve a cylindrical sample. Steel-body PDC core bits from 139.7 mm to 295.3 mm cut cores of 52 to 100 mm in diameter.
PDC and tricone bits are complementary, not interchangeable. Fixed-cutter PDC bits shine in the soft-to-medium clastics and carbonates of Guyana's offshore upper and intermediate sections, where they can stay in the hole for long, trip-saving intervals. Their lack of moving parts also suits the long motor runs typical of directional and horizontal drilling on the Stabroek Block.
Tricone bits keep the edge in harder, more interbedded or chert-laden formations, in spudding tophole, and wherever shock loading and unpredictable lithology would risk cutter breakage on a PDC. Many Guyana well plans run both — a PDC for the long drillable sections and a tricone bit for the hard stringers and surface hole — selected against offset data rather than habit.
To match a bit to your formation by IADC code and dull-grading history, see our guide on how to choose a drill bit by IADC code, and for the offshore supply picture read drill bits for the Stabroek Block. Or send us your well data and we will spec the run.
A PDC bit shears rock with fixed diamond cutters and has no moving parts, so in the right formation it drills longer intervals faster than a tricone.
In fractured, bouldery or very abrasive rock, a tricone bit remains the safer choice.
Steel bodies allow tall blades and aggressive profiles. VBM's matrix-body FastDrillMatrix bits offer high abrasion and erosion wear resistance.
Fixed-cutter bits use four characters: body material (S steel, M matrix), cutter density from 1 (25–50%) to 4 (over 90%), cutter size (1 = over 24 mm, 2 = 14–24 mm, 3 = 8–14 mm, 4 = under 8 mm) and profile from 1 (short fishtail) to 4 (long). An S223 is a steel-body bit with 50–75% cutter density, 14–24 mm cutters and a medium profile. VBM does not publish IADC codes for its PDC models; they are identified by blades, cutter size and formation category.
We hold FastDrill steel-body PDC bits in Dubai, mostly in 8 1/2", plus sizes from 3 11/32" to 11 5/8". The table below shows current stock. When to run PDC versus tricone offshore is covered in the Stabroek Block guide.
33 pcs across 17 line items, ready to ship from our warehouse in Dubai (United Arab Emirates). Stock list updated 23 September 2026. Prices on request.
Shipping to Guyana from Dubai by air or sea freight. Exact lead time is confirmed with every quote.
| Model | Size | Application | Available | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FD608SM | 3 11/32" (85 mm) | Oil & gas | 1 pc | Quote |
| FD613MH | 4 3/4" (120.6 mm) | Oil & gas | 2 pcs | Quote |
| FD513SMF | 4 31/32" (126 mm) | Oil & gas | 1 pc | Quote |
| FD613MH | 4 31/32" (126 mm) | Oil & gas | 1 pc | Quote |
| FD613M | 5 1/2" (139.7 mm) | Oil & gas | 4 pcs | Quote |
| WT613S | 5 5/8" (142.9 mm) | Oil & gas | 1 pc | Quote |
| FD513SMF | 6" (152.4 mm) | Oil & gas | 1 pc | Quote |
| FD416SM | 8 1/2" (215.9 mm) | Oil & gas | 1 pc | Quote |
| FD419S | 8 1/2" (215.9 mm) | Oil & gas | 4 pcs | Quote |
| FD513SM | 8 1/2" (215.9 mm) | Oil & gas | 1 pc | Quote |
| FD516MHB | 8 1/2" (215.9 mm) | Oil & gas | 4 pcs | Quote |
| FD516SM | 8 1/2" (215.9 mm) | Oil & gas | 2 pcs | Quote |
| FD516SMF | 8 1/2" (215.9 mm) | Oil & gas | 1 pc | Quote |
| FD613SMF | 8 3/4" (222.3 mm) | Oil & gas | 4 pcs | Quote |
| FD519SM | 11 5/8" (295.3 mm) | Oil & gas | 3 pcs | Quote |
Showing the 15 line items with the most units out of 17.
Polycrystalline diamond compact: synthetic diamond tables sintered onto tungsten carbide substrates that cut rock by shearing.
PDC is faster and lasts longer in soft to medium homogeneous formations; tricone is safer in hard, fractured or abrasive rock. Many wells use both, section by section.
Yes, FastDrill steel-body bits, mostly 8 1/2". We ship from our Dubai warehouse by air or sea; the exact lead time is confirmed in each quotation.
Tell us your hole size, formation and target depth. As the authorized Volga Burmash distributor in Guyana, we'll match a tricone, PDC or mining bit and respond with availability and pricing.
info@vbm.gy