SPE Denver General Meeting December 2026

Abstract: The invention of diamond synthesis in the 1950s led to polycrystalline diamond cutters (PDC) that revolutionized oil and gas drilling. Early PDCs worked only for short intervals in soft formations, but technological advances extended their reach in harder rock, boosting U.S. shale drilling efficiency almost threefold over the last two decades. Effective problem-solving at the dull bit level with good drilling context improved PDC reliability, and these advancements now benefit geothermal energy projects where PDCs remain highly cost-effective. This talk will highlight strategies for increasing PDC performance in hard rock, including granite, through identifying and addressing root-cause failure modes in a collaborative process. Biography: Neil has been part of the effort at US Synthetic to improve the strength, toughness and thermal stability of polycrystalline diamond cutters (PDC) for the oil and gas industry for over 20 years. He has worked closely with PDC bit manufacturers throughout the world, testing and developing PDC’s for drilling in challenging formations. He has extensive experience in cutter forensics and currently works with a team of scientists and engineers to develop products that help the industry drill more efficiently in hard rock, including geothermal formations. Neil received a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Brigham Young University and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.