2026 Bits & Balls Forum/Tournament Presentations

Tuesday, February 24, 2026: 

Session 1 - Permian & Delaware Basin - Drilling Challenges

Vladimir Crvenjakov, Chevron

Halliburton, Greg Grosz: Shankless Bit Technology: from Steel to Matrix

SLB, Dalia Garduno : Taking Unconventional Curve & Lateral Next Level

NOV, Moustafa Saleh: Improving Delaware Intermediate Performance with Strategically Oriented Shaped Cutters

Taurex, Cameron Devers: Diagnostic Bit Forensics. Case study of rapid cutter development and testing for rapidly advancing lateral wells in the Delaware Basin

Baker Hughes, Armin Kueck: Smooth is Fast: A new Simulation Based Approach to Design Stable PDCs for RSS

Session 2 - Drilling Challenging Intermediate Sections in the Western United States and East Texas/Northern Louisiana.

Allen Sinor - The Competency Alliance

Ulterra, David Desormeaux: Improving Drilling Performance Of The Intermediate Section, Travis Peak Formation

Taurex, Cameron Devers : 14.5 Mm Cutter Technology And Bit Design As A Response To Hard Rock Challenges In The Travis Peak Intermediate Sections

Ulterra, Matt Case : Pdc Bit Technology Shears Fractured Granite To Access Geothermal Power

Nov, Richard Rivera : Cutter Grade And Shape Selection For Geothermal Applications

Session 3 - Technical Challenges in Jumbo-Size Drill Bit Applications for Deepwater Operations

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Oscar Sanchez, Chevron

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Piero d’Ambrosis, BP

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Presented by Operator Panelists : Drill Bits Selection Process and Cooperation with Bit Suppliers

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Baker Hughes, Brandon Cherry: 26-inch Deep Water Drill Bit Development

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Halliburton, Deysy Baez : 26” PDC Bit Development: GoA

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SLB, Dexter Trahan: GoA 26” Section Challenges and Solutions

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Ulterra, Jorge Silveus: Addressing Technical Challenges of Torque Management.

Kimberlite Research, David Bat : State of The Industry Update