A Real-World Case Study from Central Asia: A Drill Bit Changed Construction Schedule in Western Kazakhstan
🇰🇿 Case Background: Mangystau Hard Rock Drilling Project
In October 2024, our XLG team received a video from a site in Mangystau Region, western Kazakhstan. The footage showed the drilling rig operating at the boundary between white gravel and hard rock formations, with high-speed cuttings removal and slight vibrations – a typical hard rock formation of carbonate and silica, extremely abrasive to the drill bit.
The local project faced two main challenges:
- Severe Drill Bit Tooth Loss
Imported brand drill bits had an average lifespan of less than 55 meters in this formation. The carbide was quickly worn down, with teeth even falling out or breaking.
- Slow Drilling Speed
With the same equipment, a single hole depth of 18 meters took an average of over 2 hours, severely impacting the overall project schedule.
Local contractor Alik remarked:
“The rock is as hard as iron. We tried four different brands, but it still wears down too quickly.”
🔧 XLG’s Solution: A Redesigned T45 Retractable Button Drill Bit for Hard Rock
After reviewing the on-site video, our engineers noticed:
The rock exhibited highly abrasive characteristics.
Impact energy remained consistently high.
Pneumatic slag removal was smooth.
The drilling rig used a domestically produced + medium-pressure air combination.
Based on these characteristics, we recommended using:
XLG T45-89mm Retractable Button Drill Bit (ball teeth + tapered teeth combination)
and made two key adjustments:
① Replaced with a “deep groove slag removal structure” more suitable for Central Asian hard rock.
Improved airflow channels for cleaner slag removal and reduced risk of stuck drill bits.
② Upgraded the drill bit’s carbide teeth to “impact-resistant + wear-resistant composite teeth”.
Extended lifespan by 35–60% compared to ordinary teeth.
⛏️ On-site Results: Real Improvements, Not Just Advertising Figures
The project team sent us feedback 3 days after using XLG drill bits:
✔️ Increased Lifespan: From 55 meters → 118 meters
Almost doubled.
Uniform wear on drill bit teeth, no tooth loss, no chipping.
✔️ Increased Drilling Speed: Single-hole time reduced by 40%
Previously 2 hours, now only 70 minutes.
✔️ Reduced Costs: 32% savings on drill wear
Fewer drill bit replacements, less downtime, faster delivery.
Engineer Nurbol said:
“This is the most durable drill bit we’ve used this year. If you can maintain this quality, we will cooperate long-term.”
🟦 Why does XLG perform consistently in Central Asia?
Drill bits are specifically tuned for highly abrasive hard rock.
Alloy teeth use materials from leading Chinese suppliers.
All drill bits undergo 100% laboratory impact testing.
