US Synthetic Grants Limited License for High-Performance Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) Intellectual Property

Utah-based manufacturer protects patents by issuing approved legal agreement

OREM, Utah, Jan. 13, 2026 – US Synthetic Corporation, a leading provider of polycrystalline diamond cutters for oil and gas drilling, has chosen to settle an intellectual property dispute originating at the International Trade Commission (ITC).

US SYNTHETIC’S CUTTER TECHNOLOGY ASSISTS WEATHERFORD UNDERREAMER IN DEMANDING WORK

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Jerry Lee reports on the development of Weatherford’s latest advancement in underreamer technology, the RipTide RFID.

The premium cutter blocks on the RipTide drilling reamer are designed as a single set to evenly distribute the work, ensuring a smooth, concentric underreamed hole. Photo from Weatherford. While drillbits have evolved to keep up with the demands of drilling challenging wells, most underreamer technology used to enlarge the well has not. A new version of Weatherford’s RipTide RFID (radio-frequency identification) drilling reamer aims to narrow the gap.

Performance of diamond bearings for boundary, mixed-mode and hydrodynamic lubrication regimes

Extreme operating and environmental conditions, such as high and varying load, high temperature, high or varying speed, and less than ideal lubricating fluids can cause excessive wear, damage, and even failure in conventional thrust bearings. This paper discusses the advantages of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) bearings operating in boundary, mixed-mode and hydrodynamic lubrication regimes.