The Smith Bits, stand-alone, drilling hydraulics and hole cleaning optimization program is named Yield Point®. Yield Point software provides conventional jet nozzle optimization and selection. It uses a graphical user interface, graphical outputs, and includes simulation capabilities that are unique in the industry. After initialization data is input, the program makes graphical simulations of mud properties, flow rates, rate of penetration, and total flow area, then demonstrates respective effects on observed bit hydraulic factors and on hole cleaning. Yield Point can assess potential hole cleaning problems in the planning stage, rather than have an operator experience expensive problems during actual drilling operations.

 The latest version of the Yield Point software is Yield Point RT (Real Time). Using the WITSML (well site information transfer standard markup language) capabilities, the customer's data from the well site can be linked directly to Yield Point RT. The data can then be analyzed in near real time to make recommendations for the operator that can be implemented immediately. As a result, hydraulics can be optimized to maximize efficiency as the well is being drilled. Yield Point RT is another example of the commitment of Smith Bits to providing customers with solutions that reduce costs.