Abstract This work investigates the drilling performance by reaming while drilling (RWD) using a dual-body bit and compared it with conventional drilling by a standard drilling bit. The dual-body bit consisted of a 2.45-in. pilot bit located at a short distance ahead of a 2.47 × 3.97-in. reamer. Conducting a series of drilling experiments at a simulation drilling rig with full monitoring sensors, we further studied the drilling performance as a function of the distance between the pilot bit and the reamer. This distance is a greatly important parameter affecting mud diffusion and the resultant change in pore pressure and stress. A method was devised to eliminate the drill-string vibration and its effect on the drilling performance and the energy consumed. The mechanical-specific energy (MSE) calculated for each case was considered as a drilling performance indicator. Using two laboratory experiments as well as analytical thermo-poro-elastic calculations of the Mechanical Specific Energy (MSE), the MSE changes were monitored and recorded. Comparison of this drilling performance indicator was used in both the RWD and the conventional drilling assembly to analyze the effect of RWD. Based on the results, with increasing the distance between the pilot bit and reamer, there is an increase in improvement of drilling performance in terms of MSE reduction. The best drilling performance indicator (MSE reduction of 84%) was observed with the greatest distance between the pilot bit and the reamer of 43.3 cm. The best drilling performance indicator (MSE reduction of 84%) was observed with the distance between the pilot bit and the reamer of 43.3 cm. This is considered a novel finding in reaming while drilling.