Here’s a problem: You may have noticed there are many versions of Mechanical Specific Energy (MSE) in the pick lists provided by data vendors and the values they produce vary by as much as 200%.  This is not a new problem, but it’s becoming a critical issue as more companies are using MSE in daily surveillance, big data analysis, and particularly algorithms for automated rig control.  It’s time to standardize.   Recommendations will be presented for both equations and nomenclature that have been developed by an ad hoc industry committee.  The committee’s objective is to implement these industry-wide by early 2021.  It’s coming to a rig near you soon.

 In addition, the operational uses of MSE continued to evolve in recent  years will be discussed.  Examples include methods for continually assessing the condition of the bit, assessment of the effect of WOB on wear rate, identification of the specific depth of bit damage, assessment of the motor wear rate and loss of power, and evaluation of the critical depth of cut needed to minimize wear due to bit whirl.    These are practices field personnel are implementing right now, and they can help change your team’s performance, as well.