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| Title: |
Advanced Geothermal Turbodrill |
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| Creator/Author: |
W. C. Maurer
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| Publication Date: | 2000 May 01 |
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| OSTI Identifier: | OSTI 765115 |
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| Report Number(s): | DOE/ID/13680 |
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| DOE Contract Number: | FG07-98ID13680 |
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| Document Type: | Technical Report |
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| Specific Type: | |
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| Coverage: | Final |
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| Resource Relation: | Other Information: PBD: 1 May 2000 |
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| Other Number(s): | |
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| Research Org: | USDOE Idaho Operations Office, Idaho Falls, ID; Maurer Engineering, Inc., Houston, TX (US) |
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| Sponsoring Org: | USDOE Office of Geothermal Technologies (EE-12) (US) |
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| Subject: | 15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY; 03 NATURAL GAS; GEOTHERMAL ENERGY; GEOTHERMAL FIELDS; GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS; GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS; GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES; GEOTHERMAL WELLS; IGNEOUS ROCKS; METAMORPHIC ROCKS; NATURAL GAS WELLS; TURBODRILLS |
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| Keywords: | Geothermal Legacy; POWER PLANT; GEOTHERMAL WELLS; CRYSTALLINE ROCK FORMATIONS; DOWNHOLE TEMPERATURE; FLUID COMMUNICATION; DIRECTIONAL WELL; FRACTURES; HOT GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS; ELASTOMERS; TURBODRILL |
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| Description/Abstract: | Approximately 50% of the cost of a new geothermal power plant is in the wells that must be drilled. Compared to the majority of oil and gas wells, geothermal wells are more difficult and costly to drill for several reasons. First, most U.S. geothermal resources consist of hot, hard crystalline rock formations which drill much slower than the relatively soft sedimentary formations associated with most oil and gas production. Second, high downhole temperatures can greatly shorten equipment life or preclude the use of some technologies altogether. Third, producing viable levels of electricity from geothermal fields requires the use of large diameter bores and a high degree of fluid communication, both of which increase drilling and completion costs. Optimizing fluid communication often requires creation of a directional well to intersect the best and largest number of fracture capable of producing hot geothermal fluids. Moineau motor stators made with elastomers cannot operate at geothermal temperatures, so they are limited to the upper portion of the hole. To overcome these limitations, Maurer Engineering Inc. (MEI) has developed a turbodrill that does not use elastomers and therefore can operate at geothermal temperatures. This new turbodrill uses a special gear assembly to reduce the output speed, thus allowing a larger range of bit types, especially tri-cone roller bits, which are the bits of choice for drilling hard crystalline formations. The Advanced Geothermal Turbodrill (AGT) represents a significant improvement for drilling geothermal wells and has the potential to significantly reduce drilling costs while increasing production, thereby making geothermal energy less expensive and better able to compete with fossil fuels. The final field test of the AGT will prepare the tool for successful commercialization. |
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| Publisher: | |
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| Country of Publication: | US |
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| Language: | English |
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| Size/Format: | Medium: ED; Size: 92 pages |
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| Rights: | |
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| Availability: | OSTI as DE00765115 |
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| System Entry Date: | 2007 Apr 16 |
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