The Stinger conical diamond element provides an innovative cutting structure enhancement that significantly increases a PDC bit’s performance. Located at the bit’s center, the element enables high-point loading to fracture rock more efficiently for increased durability and ROP. In field tests comparing standard PDC bits and PDC bits fitted with a Stinger element, across a wide range of formations and operating parameters, the bits with a Stinger element demonstrated greater durability and stability while increasing ROP as much as 46%.