The project addresses long-term developments in deep well and hard-rock drilling. Researchers in Phase 1 demonstrated that significant improvements in drilling deep, hard rock could be obtained by applying optimal ultra-high (34,000 rev/min) rotational speed on a 0.775-inch diameter core bit (1128 in/sec) average surface speed. The Phase 1 work included a feasibility-of-concept research effort aimed at development and test results that ultimately will result in the ability to reliably drill “faster and deeper,” possibly with rigs having a smaller footprint to be more mobile The principal focus on demonstration-testing of diamond bits rotating at >10,000 rev/min to achieve a high rate of penetration (ROP) with lower inputs of energy and weight-on-bit (WOB) loads.
Phase 2 is a demonstration and testing the ability to extend the Phase 1 results to larger, full-face bits at high rotational speeds less than 10,000 rev/min, but at optimal surface speeds. This effort to scale and extend Phase 1 results will benchmark ultra-high speed performance and development of advanced bits for such high rotational speed applications.
TerraTek (Schlumberger), Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Shell Exploration and Production, Houston, TX
BP America, Inc., Houston, TX
Collaborators
ReedHycalog, Conroe, TX
Technology International, Inc, Kingwood, TX
Smith Neyrfor, Houston, TX
Hughes Christensen, Woodlands, TX
The progression of drilling for the oil and gas industry has required drilling to ever more difficult geological locations. This incorporates drilling to deeper targets through rock made harder by high borehole pressures and confining stresses. Attempting to drill harder rock has resulted in extremely low rates of penetration resulting in additional drilling costs in the several hundreds of millions of dollars.
It has been shown that there is a reduction in mechanical specific energy required to drill when using higher rotation speeds. However, traditional drilling has not extended drilling to rotational speeds above 1000 rpm.
The significance of an ultra-high-speed drilling system is the ability to drill rock with very low bit weights and specific energy while maintaining and even exceeding conventional penetration rates. This improvement in penetration rates is an opportunity to reduce drilling costs and drastically improve project economics. The estimated annual cost to drill hard rock in North America is in excess of $1.2 billion. The net result for operators is improved profit margin as well as increases in domestic reserves and production.
Phase 1 and 2 testing has been competed. Analysis indicates there is significant promise for improved drilling economics at high rotational speeds.
A summary of the research accomplishments made during the ultra-high speed diamond drilling test program include:
(January 2010)
The project formally started July 2003. Phase 1, development of the ultrahigh-speed drilling concept, was completed in June 2006. Phase 2, demonstrations of microhole drilling at ultra-high rotary speeds, were conducted with the help of industry collaborators July 2006 through March 2009. The project is completed.
$769,712
$268,091
NETL - Virginia Weyland (virginia.weyland@netl.doe.gov or 281-494-2517)
TerraTek, A Schlumberger company – Homer Robertson (hrobertson2@slb.com or 801.584.2443)
Terra Tek. A Schlumberger company – Jeffrey Lund (jlund@salt-lake-city.oilfied.slb.com or 801-584-2407)
Publications
Final Project Report [PDF-1.52MB]
Judzis, Arnis, Robertson, Homer, Black, Alan, “Smaller-Footprint Drilling System for Deep and Hard Rock Environments; Feasibility of Ultra-High-Speed Diamond Drilling,” Phase 1 Final Report, DOE Award Number—DE-FC26-03NT15401, January 2007.
Judzis, Arnis, Black, Alan, and Robertson, Homer, “Smaller-Footprint Drilling System for Deep and Hard Rock Environments; Feasibility of Ultra-High-Speed Diamond Drilling,” 2005 annual report to DOE, DOE Award Number—DE-FC26-03NT15401, March 2006.
Judzis, Arnis, Boucher, Marcel, McCammon, Jason, and Black, Alan, “Investigation of Smaller-Footprint Drilling System; Ultra-High-Rotary-Speed Diamond Drilling Has Potential for Reduced Energy Requirements,” IADC/SPE 99020, IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, Miami, FL, February 21-23, 2006.
Judzis, Arnis, and Black, Alan, “Smaller Footprint Drilling System for Deep and Hard Rock Environments; Feasibility of Ultra-High-Speed Diamond Drilling,” 2004 annual report to DOE, DOE Award Number—DE-FC26-03NT15401, September 2004.
Annual Report submitted to DOE on September 30, 2004.
Rasheed, W., Harnessing Dental Drills, Hart’s E&P, August 2003, page 25