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The Deep Trek Program
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The Deep Trek Program is implemented by the DOE's
National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
The Program incorporates three phases:
(1) feasibility and concept definition, (2)
prototype development or research, development
and testing, and (3) field/system demonstration
and commercialization. |
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Goal and Objectives
The goal of the DOE/NETL Deep Trek Program is to
develop technologies that lower the cost and
improve the efficiency of drilling and
completing deep wells. New tools and
technologies that help operators safely drill
faster, deeper, cheaper, and cleaner will help
ensure an adequate supply clean-burning natural
gas for the nation. |
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DOE/NETL has incorporated input from industry
experts to help focus the research and
development objectives of the Deep Trek program.
The primary objectives are to increase deep
drilling penetration rates and decrease deep
drilling and completion costs. Safely increasing
the overall rate of penetration during deep
drilling is a primary objective of the Deep Trek
Program because drilling faster directly reduces
rig time. In addition, fewer bits are required
to reach the target, meaning fewer trips are
required and, because many problems are
associated with trips, fewer time-consuming
problems need to be solved.
These objectives are to be met through projects
that will help develop technologies in four key
areas:
- Smart drilling systems that employ
advanced sensors and monitoring systems,
- Low-friction, wear-resistant materials
that can extend the life of drillstring
components,
- Advanced approaches to drilling and
completing deep wells, and
- New drill bit technologies.
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