Patent Publication Number: US-2023160265-A1

Title: Polycrystalline Diamond Compact Cutter With Plow Feature

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Various types of tools are used to form wellbores in subterranean formations for recovering hydrocarbons such as oil and gas lying beneath the surface. Examples of such tools include rotary drill bits, hole openers, reamers, and coring bits. One common type of drill bit used to drill wellbores is known as a “fixed cutter” or “drag” bit. Rotary drill bits include cutting elements, such as polycrystalline diamond (“PDC”) cutters. 
     In conventional wellbore drilling, a fixed-cutter drill bit is mounted on the end of a drill string, which may be several miles long. At the surface of the wellbore, a rotary table or top drive may turn the drill string, including the drill bit arranged at the bottom of the hole to penetrate the subterranean formation. As the fixed-cutter drill bit rotates, the cutting elements may shear the subterranean formation. Generally cutting elements have a cutting face and a cutting edge at an outer edge of the cutting face. In some orientations (e.g., a negative back rake angle), the cutting face is configured to engage the subterranean formation. 
     However, engaging the cutting face of the cutting element (e.g., PDC cutter) with the subterranean formation may wear the cutting face during drilling operations. Further, some subterranean formations (e.g., heterogeneous and/or nodular subterranean formations such as chert) may cause fracturing and/or delamination of the cutting element at the cutting face, which may lead to the development of ring out or core out wear in the fixed-cutter drill bit. Such wear to the cutting elements and/or the fixed-cutter drill bit may hinder the efficiency of drilling operations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These drawings illustrate certain aspects of some of the embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be used to limit or define the method. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a side elevation, partial cross-sectional view of an operational environment, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of a fixed cutter drill bit having a plurality of cutting elements, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of a cutting element having a hexagonal plow feature, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a top view of the cutting element having the hexagonal plow feature, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cutting element engaging a downhole formation with the plow feature, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a perspective view of the cutting element having a circular plow feature, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a top view of the cutting element having a pyramidal plow feature, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a top view of the cutting element having a triangular plow feature, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Disclosed are cutting elements (e.g., PDC cutters) for use with downhole drill bits. Aspects of the disclosure include particular plow features formed in a cutting face of the cutting element that are configured engage downhole formations in advance of other portions of the cutting face. The plow feature may crush or fracture the formation prior to the other portions of the cutting face and/or a cutting edge engaging the downhole formation. As such, the inclusion of the plow feature may, for example, reduce fracturing, delamination, or other wear of the cutting elements, which may extend an operational life of the drill bit. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a side elevation, partial cross-sectional view of an operational environment, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. While  FIG.  1    generally depicts a land-based drilling assembly, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the principles described herein are equally applicable to subsea drilling operations that employ floating or sea-based platforms and rigs, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As illustrated, the drilling assembly  100  may include a drilling platform  102  that supports a derrick  104  having a traveling block  106  for raising and lowering a drill string  108 . The drill string  108  may include, but is not limited to, drill pipe and coiled tubing, as generally known to those skilled in the art. A kelly  110  is lowered through a rotary table  112  and is used to transmit rotary motion from the rotary table to the drill string  108 . A drill bit  114  is attached to the distal end of the drill string  108  and is driven by a downhole motor and/or via rotation of the drill string  108 . As the hybrid drill bit  114  rotates, it creates a wellbore  116  that penetrates various subterranean formations  118 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a perspective view of a fixed cutter drill bit having a plurality of cutting elements, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the drill bit  114  has a bit body  210 . In some embodiments, the bit body  210  may be formed by a metal-matrix composite (e.g., tungsten carbide reinforcing particles dispersed in a binder alloy). As used herein, the term “drill bit” encompasses rotary drag bits, drag bits, fixed-cutter drill bits, and any other drill bit having a bit body and capable of incorporating the teaching of the present disclosure. A plurality of indentations or pockets  218  are formed in the bit body  210  and are shaped or otherwise configured to receive cutting elements  220  as described herein. The drill bit  114  includes a plurality of cutting elements  220  secured within respective pockets  218 . As set forth in detail below, the cutting elements  220  may be comprised of any number of suitable materials including a PDC composition. 
     Moreover, the drill bit  114  may include a metal shank  204  with a mandrel or metal blank  207  securely attached thereto (e.g., at weld location  208 ). The metal blank  207  extends into bit body  210 . The metal shank  204  includes a threaded connection  206  distal to the metal blank  207 . Bit body  210  may include a plurality of blades  212  formed on the exterior of the bit body  210 . The blades  212  may be spaced from each other on the exterior of the bit body  210  to form fluid flow paths or junk slots  222  there between. 
     As illustrated, the plurality of pockets  218  may be formed in the blades  212  in predetermined positions. Each cutting element  220  may be securely mounted (e.g., via brazing) in a respective pocket  218  to engage and remove portions of a subterranean formation during drilling operations. Accordingly, the cutting elements  220  may be positioned on the plurality of blades  212  of the drill bit. Moreover, each cutting element  220  may crush and shear formation materials from the bottom and sides of a well bore during rotation of the drill bit  114  driven by an attached drill string. A nozzle  216  may be positioned in each nozzle opening  214  and positioned to clear cuttings/chips of formation material from cutting elements  220  through evacuation features of the bit  114 , including junk slots  222 . 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of a cutting element  220  having a hexagonal plow feature  300 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The cutting element  220  may be used with the drill bit  114  shown in  FIG.  2   . However, it will be appreciated that the cutting element  220 , as discussed herein, is not limited to use with a fixed-cutter drill bit  114  and may be utilized on any downhole tool, such as drilling casing tools, reading casing tools, hole openers, core heads, coring bits, and back-up cutters. As shown, the cutting element  220  includes a polycrystalline diamond portion  302  secured (e.g., sintered) to a substrate  304 . The substrate  304  may include a carbide material (e.g., tungsten carbide). Further, the substrate  304  may include a substantially cylindrical shape configured to at least partially fit within the plurality of pockets  218  set forth above with respect to  FIG.  2   . Moreover, the polycrystalline diamond portion  302  may be secured to a first axial end  306  of the substrate  304 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the polycrystalline diamond portion  302  includes a substantially cylindrical shape having a radial sidewall  308  that is coplanar with a radially outer surface  310  of the substrate  304 . Further, the polycrystalline diamond portion  302  includes a cutting face  312  and a cutting edge  314  formed at a transition from the radial sidewall  308  to the cutting face  312 . In some embodiments, the cutting face  312  and/or cutting edge  314  are configured to engage the subterranean formation  118  to crush and/or shear formation materials from the bottom and sides of the wellbore  116  during rotation of the drill bit  114 . 
     The cutting face  312  includes a plow feature  300  disposed at the center of the cutting face  312 . The plow feature  300  has a face portion  316  and a shoulder portion  318 . In the illustrated embodiment, the face portion  316  of the plow feature  300  includes a hexagonal shape. However, as set forth below, the face portion  316  may include geometric shapes (e.g., circular, triangular, etc.) or freeform shapes based at least in part on expected wear conditions in the wellbore  116 . For example, the face portion  316  may include a triangular shape to aggressively plow the subterranean formation  118  (i.e., pre-crush the formation in advance of the cutting edge  314  and/or other portions of the cutting face  312  engaging the formation). Alternatively, the face portion  316  may include a circular shape to conservatively plow the subterranean formation  118 . However, the circular shape may provide greater durability to fracturing than the triangular shape. Further, as illustrated, the face portion  316  may include a hexagonal shape to semi-aggressively plow the subterranean formation  118  while providing greater durability that the triangular shape. 
     Moreover, as illustrated, the face portion  316  may have a planar surface  320 . Indeed, the face portion  316  may be formed with the planar surface  320  during a sintering process and/or subsequent grinding, lapping, or other material removal processes. Further, lapping procedures and/or laser ablation may finish (e.g., plane, polish, etc.) the planar surface  320  to reduce friction on the face portion  316  during drilling operations. For example, the cutting face  312  may be formed with a substantially planar surface  320  during the sintering process. However, the substantially planar surface  320  may include imperfections. In some embodiments, a lapping procedure may be used to polish or smooth the substantially planar surface  320  of the face portion  316  and remove the imperfections. In another embodiment, the face portion  316  may be planed via laser ablation and then polished or smoothed via a lapping procedure. In a further embodiment, the face portion  316  may be planed, as well as polished or smoothed, via laser ablation. 
     However, in some embodiments, the face portion  316  may have a non-planar surface (e.g., concave, convex, pyramidal, conical, etc.). The face portion  316  may be formed with the non-planar surface during the sintering process. Alternatively, the non-planar surface may be formed by removing material from the face portion  316 . For example, machining, grinding, laser ablation, or other suitable techniques may be used to remove material from the face portion  316  to form the non-planar surface. Further, lapping procedures and/or laser ablation may finish (e.g., plane, polish, etc.) the non-planar surface to reduce friction on the face portion  316  during drilling operations. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder portion  318  of the plow feature  300  extends radially outward from the face portion  316 . In some embodiments, the face portion  316  may be symmetrical about a central axis  322  of the cutting element  220 . Further, the shoulder portion  318  may be symmetrical about a central axis  322  of the cutting element  220  such that the shoulder portion  318  may extend radially outward from face portion  316  by a same distance from each point of an outer face edge  324  of the face portion  316 . Accordingly, the shoulder portion  318  extending radially outward from a hexagonal face portion  316  may have a hexagonal shaped inner shoulder edge  326  (e.g., shared with the outer face edge  324 ) as well as a hexagonal shaped outer shoulder edge  328 . Further, as set forth below, the shoulder portion  318  extending radially outward from a circular face portion  316  may have a circular shaped inner shoulder edge  326  (e.g., shared with the outer face edge  324 ) as well as a circular shaped outer shoulder edge  328 . Indeed, the shoulder portion  318  may have a same shape (e.g., hexagonal) as the face portion  316 . However, in some embodiments, some portions (e.g., shoulder corners  330  and shoulder sides  332 ) of the shoulder portion  318  may extend radially outward further than other portions of the shoulder portion  318 . For example, regarding a shoulder portion  318  for a plow feature  300  with a hexagonal shaped face portion  316 , a first shoulder corner  334  may extend radially outward further than a second shoulder corner  336  of the shoulder portion  318 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the face portion  316  of the plow feature  300  comprises a hexagonal shape. As such, the shoulder portion  318  may have a plurality of ridges  338  extending radially outward from respective face corners  340  of the hexagonal shaped face portion  316  to the radially outer shoulder edge  328  of the shoulder portion  318 . Further, the shoulder portion  318  may include a plurality of side portions  342  extending outward from respective sides  344  of the hexagonal shaped face portion  316 . The plurality of ridges  338  may include straight edges formed in the shoulder portion  318  between adjacent side portions  342 . However, in the illustrated embodiment, the respective face corners  340  of the hexagonal shaped face portion  316  may be rounded or curved. As such, the plurality of ridges  338  may be a rounded transition formed in the shoulder portion  318  between the adjacent side portions  342 . Further, a width of each of the ridges  338  may be based at least in part on a radius of the respective face corner  340 . In some embodiments, at least one ridge  338  of the plurality of ridges  338  may be configured to engage the subterranean formation  118  to plow the formation material. 
     Moreover, the shoulder portion  318  may be recessed into the cutting face  312 . That is, the shoulder portion  318  may extend in an axially downward from the face portion  316  in a direction toward the substrate  304  as the shoulder portion  318  extends radially outward from the face portion  316 . The shoulder portion  318  may be formed by removing material from the cutting face  312 . For example, machining, grinding, laser ablation, or other suitable techniques may be used to remove material from the cutting face  312  to form the shoulder portion  318 . In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder portion  318  has a curved surface extending from the face portion  316  to a radially outer shoulder edge  328  of the shoulder portion  318 . That is, the shoulder portion  318  may be curved in a radial direction between the inner shoulder edge  326  and the corresponding outer shoulder edge  328  of the shoulder portion  318 . In the illustrated embodiment, a radius of curvature of the curved surface of the shoulder portion  318  is constant. However, in some embodiments, the curved surface extending from the face portion  316  to a radially outer shoulder edge  328  may have a variable radius of curvature. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the curved surface of the shoulder portion  318  is concave. In some embodiments, the shoulder portion  318  may include a planar surface  320  extending from the face portion  316  to the radially outer shoulder edge  328 . Alternatively, the shoulder portion  318  may include a convex surface extending from the face portion  316  to the radially outer shoulder edge  328 . However, forming the shoulder portion  318  with a concave surface may retain a larger portion of the residual compressive stresses in the plow feature  300  than planar and/or convex surfaces. 
     As set forth in greater detail below, a recessed portion  346  of the cutting face  312  extends from the radially outer shoulder edge  328  of the shoulder portion  318  to the cutting edge  314 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting edge  314  has a greater axial height that the radially outer shoulder edge  328  of the shoulder portion  318 . As such, the recessed portion  346  may extend in an axially upward direction away from the substrate  304  as the recessed portion  346  extends radially outward from the radially outer shoulder edge  328  of the shoulder portion  318  toward the cutting edge  314 . That is, the recessed portion  346  may extend from the radially outer shoulder edge  328  of the shoulder portion  318  toward the cutting edge  314  at an angle. In some embodiments, the recessed portion  346  may be offset from the face portion  316  by an angle  350  that is less than ten degrees. 
     In some embodiments, the axial height of the cutting edge  314  may be constant. Indeed, the axial height of the cutting edge  314  may be a same axial height as the face portion  316  of the plow feature  300 . Alternatively, the cutting edge  314  may include a variable axial height. For example, the cutting edge  314  may have a maximum axial height of the cutting edge  314  that is a same height as the face portion  316  and a minimum axial height of the cutting edge  314  that is less than the axial height of the face portion  316 , but greater than an axial height of the radially outer shoulder edge  328  of the shoulder portion  318 . The axial height may be measured as an axial distance from an interface  348  (e.g., an interface between the substrate  304  and the polycrystalline diamond portion  302 ) and a surface of a feature (e.g., the face portion  316 , the shoulder portion  318 , the recessed portion  346 , the cutting edge  314 , etc.) 
     As set forth above, the cutting edge  314  is formed at the transition from the cutting face  312  to the radial sidewall  308 . The cutting edge  314  may be a straight edge (e.g., a ninety-degree edge). However, in the illustrated embodiment, the cutting edge  314  includes one or more chamfers. In some embodiments, the cutting edge  314  may also include a fillet. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a top view of the cutting element  220  having the hexagonal plow feature  300 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The cutting element  220  includes the cutting face  312  having the plow feature  300  with the face portion  316  and the shoulder portion  318  extending radially outward from the face portion  316 . The plow feature  300  may include a face portion  316  having any suitable polygonal shape (e.g., triangular, square, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the face portion  316  has a hexagonal shape. As set forth above, the shoulder portion  318  may have a plurality of ridges  338  extending radially outward from respective face corners  340  of the hexagonal shaped face portion  316  to the radially outer shoulder edge  328  of the shoulder portion  318 . Similarly, for plow features  300  having other polygonal shaped face portions  316 , the shoulder portion  318  may also have a plurality of ridges  338  extending radially outward from respective face corners  340  of the correspondingly shaped face portion  316 . 
     Moreover, the respective face corners  340  of the hexagonal shaped face portion  316  may be rounded or curved such that the plurality of ridges  338  may be rounded transitions formed in the shoulder portion  318  between the adjacent side portions  342 . Further, a width of each of the ridges  338  may be based at least in part on a radius of the respective face corner  340 . In some embodiments, the radius of each respective face corner  340  may be between 0.03 inches to 0.09 inches for a hexagonal shaped face portion  316  spanning 0.3 inches between opposite face corners  340  of the hexagonal shaped face portion  316 . However, in some embodiments, the radius of each respective face corner  340  may be larger to help reduce fracturing of the plow feature  300  at the respective face corners  340  and/or ridges  338 . 
     Further, the plow feature  300  may be sized with respect to the cutting face  312  to help reduce fracturing of the plow feature  300 . As such, the plow feature  300  may be sized such that the respective face corners  340  of the face portion  316  are disposed proximate the cutting edge  314 . Indeed, at least one face corner  340  of the polygonal shaped face portion  316  may be disposed between 50-90% of a radial distance between a center  400  of the face portion  316  and the cutting edge  314 . Additionally, the shoulder portion  318  may span 55-95% of the diameter of the cutting element  220  from a first side  402  of the shoulder portion  318  to an opposite side (e.g., second side  404 ) of the shoulder portion  318 . However, in some embodiments, at least one face corner  340  of the polygonal shaped face portion  316  may be disposed between 20-50% of a radial distance between the center  400  of the face portion  316  and the cutting edge  314 . Additionally, the shoulder portion  318  may span 25-70% of the diameter of the cutting element  220  from the first side  402  of the shoulder portion  318  to the opposite side  404  of the shoulder portion  318 . For example, the plow feature  300  may have a hexagonal shaped face portion  316  spanning substantially 0.15 inches from the center  400  of the hexagonal shaped face portion  316  to the face corner  340  for a cutting element  220  having a diameter of 0.615 inches. 
     Moreover, the cutting face  312  includes the recessed portion  346  extending from the radially outer shoulder edge  328  of the shoulder portion  318  to the cutting edge  314 . In the illustrated embodiment, the recessed portion  346  includes three regions  412  (e.g., a first region  406 , a second region  408 , and a third region  410 ) that are symmetric about a central axis  322  of the cutting element  220 . However, the recessed portion  346  may include any suitable number of regions  412  (e.g., two, four, five, six, etc.) Further, each region  412  of the recessed portion  346  may be planar. That is, each of the respective regions  412  may have a flat surface. The recessed portion  346  of each region  412  may extend linearly from the outer shoulder edge  328  of the shoulder portion  318  to the cutting edge  314 . However, in some embodiments, the regions  412  of the recessed portion  346  may be non-planar (e.g., concave, convex, etc.). Further, the recessed portion  346  may include channels, grooves, or ridges in the surface of the recessed portion  346 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the recessed portion  346  also includes at least three planar intersections  414  (e.g., a first planar intersection  416 , a second planar intersection  418 , and a third planar intersection  420 ) formed at boundaries between adjacent regions  412 . For example, the first planar intersection  416  may be formed at a boundary between the first region  406  and the second region  408  of the at least three regions  412 . As such, the number of planar intersections  414  is based on the number of regions  412  on the cutting face  312 . The planar intersections  414  may extend radially outward from the outer shoulder edge  328  of the shoulder portion  318  to the cutting edge  314 . Further, an axial height of the planar intersections  414  may increase in the direction from the outer shoulder edge  328  of the shoulder portion  318  to the cutting edge  314 . In the illustrated embodiment, the planar intersections  414  are linear. However, in some embodiments, the planar intersections  414  may be curved (e.g., concave or convex). 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cutting element  220  engaging the subterranean formation  118  with the plow feature  300 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As set forth above, each cutting element  220  may be securely mounted to the drill bit  114  (shown in  FIG.  2   ) at particular orientations to engage and remove portions of a subterranean formation  118  in a corresponding cutting path as the drill bit  114  rotates. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting element  220  is oriented at a negative back rake angle  500 . The negative back rake angle  500  may be between 0-45 degrees. Further, with the plow feature  300 , having a negative back rake angle  500  may provide increase rate of penetration during drilling operations. However, in some embodiments, the cutting element  220  may be oriented with a neutral or positive back rake angle. 
     With the cutting element  220  oriented at a negative back rake angle  500 , the plow feature  300  may engage portions of the subterranean formation  118  in advance of other portions of the cutting element  220  (e.g., the shoulder portion  318 , the recessed portion  346 , the cutting edge  314 ) engaging the subterranean formation  118 . In some embodiments, at least one ridge  338  of the plurality of ridges  338  of the shoulder portion  318  of the plow feature  300  may be configured to engage the subterranean formation  118  to plow the formation material. Further, in some embodiments, a combination of the at least one ridge  338  and the face portion  316  may engage the subterranean formation  118  to plow the formation material. Moreover, as the plow feature  300  impacts the subterranean formation  118 , the plow feature  300  may crush (e.g., fracture, crack, etc.) portions of the subterranean formation  118 . Crushed formation material  502  may cause less wear on the other portions of the cutting element  220  configured to shear the subterranean formation  118 . Thus, at the negative rake angle, the cutting edge  314 , as well as portions of the cutting face  312  may shear the subterranean formation  118  after the plow feature  300  crushes a portion of the subterranean formation  118  such that the cutting element  220  experiences less wear during drilling operations. 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a perspective view of the cutting element  220  having a circular plow feature  300 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The cutting element  220  includes a cutting face  312  having the plow feature  300  with the face portion  316  and the shoulder portion  318  extending radially outward from the face portion  316 . In the illustrated embodiment, the face portion  316  of the plow feature  300  has a circular shape. As set forth above, a circular plow feature  300  may provide less aggressive plowing than the hexagonal plow feature  300  shown in  FIG.  3   , but the circular plow feature  300  may be beneficial in reducing fracturing of the cutting element  220  from ablation lines (shown in  FIG.  7   ) formed in the cutting face  312 . As set forth above, material may be removed from the cutting face  312  to form the shoulder portion  318  and the recessed portion  346 . In the illustrated embodiment, shoulder portion  318  and the recessed portion  346  may be formed by removing material from the cutting face  312  via laser ablation. During the removal process, the laser may form ablation lines (e.g., grooves) in the surface of the removed portions. In particular, the ablation lines may be formed along a path of the laser during the removal process. To remove the material for the cutting element  220  having the circular face portion  316 , the laser may follow a curved path. As such, the ablation lines may form a non-linear pattern. During drilling operations, fracturing in the cutting element  220  may occur along ablation lines. Thus, having the ablation lines formed in a non-linear pattern may redirect fracture paths away from the center of the cutting element  220 ; thereby extending the wear life of the cutting element  220 . 
       FIG.  7    illustrates a top view of the cutting element  220  having a pyramidal plow feature  300 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the cutting element  220  includes the cutting face  312  having a non-planar face portion  316 . That is, the face portion  316  includes a variable height with respect to the substrate  304  (shown in  FIG.  3   ) of the cutting element  220 . In particular, the face portion  316  has a three-sided pyramidal shape. Each side  344  of the non-planar face portion  316  may extend downward from a tip  700  to a lower edge  702  of the face portion  316 . In the illustrated embodiment, each side is planar. However, in some embodiments, the sides  344  may have curved surfaces (e.g., concave, convex, etc.). The non-planar face portion  316  may be formed by removing material from the cutting face  312  via laser ablation or any other suitable technique. Further, the sides  344  of the face portion  316  may be finished via lapping and/or laser ablation. The non-planar face portion  316  may be configured to engage the subterranean formation  118  to fracture portions of the formation in advance of other portions of the cutting element  220  (e.g., the recessed portion  346 , the cutting edge  314 , etc.) engaging the formation. The tip  700  of the face portion  316  may be configured to pierce the subterranean formation  118  such that face portion  316  and/or face ridges  704 , formed at the transitions between the sides  344  of the face portion  316 , may fracture the portions of the subterranean formation  118 . 
     Further, the recessed portion  346  may include the regions  412  (e.g., the first region  406 , the second region  408 , and the third region  410 ) and the planar intersections  414  (e.g., the first planar intersection  416 , the second planar intersection  418 , and the third planar intersection  420 ) disposed at the boundaries between adjacent regions  412  of the at least three regions  412 . In the illustrated embodiment, each planar intersection  414  extends radially outward toward the cutting edge  314  from a middle of the lower edge  702  of each side  344  of the face portion  316 . Such alignment of the planar intersections  414  with respect to the sides  344  of the face portion  316  may reduce fracturing of the cutting face  312 . Moreover, each region  412  of the recessed portion  346  may be planar. Further, as set forth above, the recessed portion  346  may be formed via laser ablation of the cutting face  312  of the polycrystalline diamond portion  302 . In the illustrated embodiment, the ablation lines  708  are oriented to direct fractures away from the center of the cutting face  312 . In particular, the ablation lines  708  may include a curved pattern extending from a first portion  710  of the cutting edge  314  toward the face portion  316  and back toward a second portion of the cutting edge  314 . However, some ablation lines  708  may extend into the planar intersections  414  and/or the lower edges  702  of the face portion  316 . 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a top view of the cutting element  220  having a triangular plow feature  300 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The cutting element  220  includes the cutting face  312  having the plow feature  300  with the face portion  316  and the shoulder portion  318  extending radially outward from the face portion  316 . The face portion  316  and/or shoulder portion  318  may be configured to engage the subterranean formation  118  to plow the formation material. 
     As illustrated, the face portion  316  has a tip portion  800  and a plurality of side surfaces  802  extending radially outward and axially downward from the sides  344  of the tip portion  800 . In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of side surfaces  802  are planar. However, the plurality of side surfaces  802  may also be concave, convex, or otherwise curved. In the illustrated embodiment, the tip portion  800  has a planar surface. However, in some embodiment, the tip portion  800  may have any suitable surface. For example, the tip portion  800  may include channels or grooves in the surface of the tip portion  800 . Alternatively, the tip portion  800  may have a non-planar surface (e.g., convex, etc.). Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, tip portion  800  has a triangular shape, but may include any suitable geometric or freeform shape. As illustrated, the tip portion  800  having the triangular shape may include respective face corners  340 . The face ridges  704  may extend radially outward and axially downward from respective face corners  340  such that the face ridges  704  form respective transitions between adjacent planar sides of the plurality of side surfaces  802 . Further, the face corners  340  may be rounded or curved. In some embodiments, the face ridges  704  may extend linearly from the face corners  340  at an angle in the radially outward and/or axially downward directions. However, in some embodiments, the face ridges  704  may be concave, convex, or have another suitable curve. 
     Moreover, the shoulder portion  318  extends radially outward and axially downward from the plurality of side surfaces  802  and the plurality of face ridges  704 . In particular, the plurality of ridges  338  (e.g., shoulder ridges  804 ) may extend radially outward and axially downward from the plurality of face ridges  704 . The shoulder ridges  804  may have a convex surface. However, in some embodiments, the plurality of shoulder ridges  804  may include concave surfaces. Further, the plurality of shoulder sides  332  may extend radially outward and axially downward from the plurality of side surfaces  802  of the face portion  316 . The shoulder ridges  804  may form transitions between adjacent shoulder sides of the plurality of shoulder sides  332 . In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder sides  804  are concave. However, the shoulder sides  804  may include any suitable shape. 
     The recessed portion  346  may extend radially outward and axially upward from the shoulder portion  318  to the cutting edge  314 . That is, the regions  412  of the recessed portion  346  may extend radially outward and axially upward from the shoulder ridges  804  and the shoulder sides  332  of the shoulder portion  318 . Further, as illustrated, the planar intersections  414  may be disposed between adjacent regions  412  of the recessed portion  346 . In the illustrated embodiment, the planar intersections  414  have a curved surfaces. In particular, the planar intersections  414  have a convex surface extending from the shoulder portion  318  to the cutting edge  314  between adjacent regions  412 . However, the planar intersections  414  may have a straight edge or other curved surfaces such as a concave surface. 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure may provide cutting elements with plow features for crushing subterranean formations in advance of other portions of the respective cutting faces of the cutting elements. The systems and methods may include any of the various features disclosed herein, including one or more of the following statements. 
     Statement 1. A cutting element may comprise a substrate configured to couple to a pocket formed in a blade of a downhole drill bit; and a polycrystalline diamond portion secured to the substrate, wherein the polycrystalline diamond portion includes a cutting face, a radial sidewall, and a cutting edge formed at a transition from the radial sidewall to the axial the cutting face, and wherein the cutting face comprises: a plow feature disposed at a center of the cutting face, the plow feature having a face portion and a shoulder portion, wherein the shoulder portion extends radially outward from the face portion and axially downward toward the substrate; and a recessed portion extending between the cutting edge and a radially outer edge of the shoulder portion. 
     Statement 2. The cutting element of statement 1, wherein the shoulder portion of the plow feature comprises a concave surface extending from the radially outer edge to the face portion. 
     Statement 3. The cutting element of statement 1 or statement 2, wherein the face portion of the plow feature comprises a hexagonal shape, and wherein the shoulder portion comprises a plurality of ridges extending radially outward from respective corners of the hexagonal shaped face portion to the radially outer edge of the shoulder portion. 
     Statement 4. The cutting element of statement 1 or statement 2, wherein the face portion of the plow feature comprises a circular shape. 
     Statement 5. The cutting element of any preceding statement, wherein a surface of the face portion of the plow feature is planar. 
     Statement 6. The cutting element of any preceding statement, wherein a surface of the face portion of the plow feature comprises a variable axial height relative the substrate. 
     Statement 7. The cutting element of any preceding statement, wherein the cutting edge has a variable axial height, wherein a maximum axial height of the cutting edge is a same height as the face portion, and wherein a minimum axial height of the cutting edge is a less than the axial height of the face portion. 
     Statement 8. The cutting element of any preceding statement, wherein the recessed portion comprises at least three regions that are symmetric about a central axis of the cutting element, and wherein each region of the recessed portion is planar. 
     Statement 9. The cutting element of any preceding statement, wherein the recess portion comprises at least three planar intersections formed at boundaries between the at least three regions, wherein each planar intersection extends radially outward from the shoulder portion to the cutting edge at an angle between 0-10 degrees. 
     Statement 10. The cutting element of any preceding statement, wherein the shoulder portion of the plow feature comprises a planar surface extending from the outer edge to the face portion. 
     Statement 11. The cutting element of any of statements 1-3 and 5-10, wherein the face portion of the plow feature comprises a polygonal shape, wherein the shoulder portion comprises a plurality of ridges extending radially outward from respective corners of the polygonal shaped face portion to the radially outer edge of the shoulder portion, and wherein at least one corner of the polygonal shaped face portion is disposed between 40-80% of a radial distance between the center of the face portion and the cutting edge. 
     Statement 12. The cutting element of any preceding statement, wherein the recessed portion is formed via laser ablation of the polycrystalline diamond portion. 
     Statement 13. The cutting element of any of statements 1, 2, 5, 6-10, and 12, wherein the face portion of the plow feature comprises a planar tip portion and a plurality of planar side surfaces extending radially outward from the planar tip portion, wherein the face portion further comprises a plurality of face ridges extending radially outward from respective corners of the planar tip portion, and wherein the shoulder portion extends radially outward from the plurality of planar side surfaces and the plurality of face ridges. 
     Statement 14. A drill bit may comprise a bit body; at least one blade attached to the bit body; at least one pocket formed in the at least one blade; at least one cutting element having a substrate coupled to the at least one pocket and a polycrystalline diamond portion secured to the substrate, wherein polycrystalline diamond portion includes a cutting face, a radial sidewall, and a cutting edge formed at a transition from the radial sidewall to the axial the cutting face, the cutting face comprising: a plow feature disposed at a center of the cutting face, the plow feature having a face portion and a shoulder portion, wherein the shoulder portion extends radially outward from the face portion and axially downward toward the substrate, and wherein the plow feature is configured to crush a portion of the subterranean formation to reduce stress on the cutting edge; and a recessed portion extending between the cutting edge and a radially outer edge of the shoulder portion. 
     Statement 15. The drill bit of statement 14, wherein the at least one pocket is oriented to position the at least one cutting element at a negative rake angle during drilling operations. 
     Statement 16. The drill bit of any of statements 14-15, wherein the negative rake angle is between 0-45 degrees. 
     Statement 17. The drill bit of any of statements 14-16, wherein the face portion of the plow feature comprises a polygonal shape, and wherein the shoulder portion comprises a plurality of ridges extending radially outward from respective corners of the hexagonal shaped face portion to the radially outer edge of the shoulder portion. 
     Statement 18. The drill bit of any of statements 14-17, wherein the respective corners are rounded such that the plurality of ridges forms curved transitions between adjacent sides of the shoulder portion, wherein the sides of the shoulder portion extend radially outward from respective sides of the hexagonal shaped face portion. 
     Statement 19. A method may comprise rotating a drill bit to extend a wellbore into a subterranean formation, wherein the drill bit comprises at least one cutting element disposed in a corresponding pocket formed in a blade of the drill bit, and wherein the at least one cutting element includes a plow feature formed in a cutting face of the at least one cutting element; plowing the geological formation with the plow feature of the at least one cutting element as the drill bit rotates to crush at least a portion of the geological formation, wherein the cutting element is positioned at a negative rake angle; and shearing at least the crushed portion of the geological formation with the cutting face of the cutting element. 
     Statement 20. The method of statement 19, wherein the plow feature is positioned at a center of the cutting face, the plow feature having a face portion and a shoulder portion, wherein the shoulder portion extends radially outward from the face portion and axially downward toward the substrate, and wherein a recessed portion extends radially outward from a radially outer edge of the shoulder portion to a cutting edge of the cutting face. 
     For the sake of brevity, only certain ranges are explicitly disclosed herein. However, ranges from any lower limit may be combined with any upper limit to recite a range not explicitly recited, as well as, ranges from any lower limit may be combined with any other lower limit to recite a range not explicitly recited, in the same way, ranges from any upper limit may be combined with any other upper limit to recite a range not explicitly recited. Additionally, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range are specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values even if not explicitly recited. Thus, every point or individual value may serve as its own lower or upper limit combined with any other point or individual value or any other lower or upper limit, to recite a range not explicitly recited. 
     Therefore, the present embodiments are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Although individual embodiments are discussed, all combinations of each embodiment are contemplated and covered by the disclosure. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.