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Title: High Temperature 300°C Directional Drilling System

Abstract

Many countries around the world, including the USA, have untapped geothermal energy potential. Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) technology is needed to economically utilize this resource. Temperatures in some EGS reservoirs can exceed 300°C. To effectively utilize EGS resources, an array of injector and production wells must be accurately placed in the formation fracture network. This requires a high temperature directional drilling system. Most commercial services for directional drilling systems are rated for 175°C while geothermal wells require operation at much higher temperatures. Two U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP) projects have been initiated to develop a 300°C capable directional drilling system, the first developing a drill bit, directional motor, and drilling fluid, and the second adding navigation and telemetry systems. This report is for the first project, “High Temperature 300°C Directional Drilling System, including drill bit, directional motor and drilling fluid, for enhanced geothermal systems,” award number DE-EE0002782. The drilling system consists of a drill bit, a directional motor, and drilling fluid. The DOE deliverables are three prototype drilling systems. We have developed three drilling motors; we have developed four roller-cone and five Kymera® bits; and finally, we have developed a 300°C stable drilling fluid, along withmore » a lubricant additive for the metal-to-metal motor. Metal-to-metal directional motors require coatings to the rotor and stator for wear and corrosion resistance, and this coating research has been a significant part of the project. The drill bits performed well in the drill bit simulator test, and the complete drilling system has been tested drilling granite at Baker Hughes’ Experimental Test Facility in Oklahoma. The metal-to-metal motor was additionally subjected to a flow loop test in Baker Hughes’ Celle Technology Center in Germany, where it ran for more than 100 hours.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations, Houston, TX (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations, Houston, TX (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
OSTI Identifier:
1208637
Report Number(s):
DOE-BHI-0002782
DOE Contract Number:  
EE0002782
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY; Geothermal; drilling technology; drilling motors; drilling bits; drilling fluid; directional drilling

Citation Formats

Chatterjee, Kamalesh, Aaron, Dick, and Macpherson, John. High Temperature 300°C Directional Drilling System. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.2172/1208637.
Chatterjee, Kamalesh, Aaron, Dick, & Macpherson, John. High Temperature 300°C Directional Drilling System. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1208637
Chatterjee, Kamalesh, Aaron, Dick, and Macpherson, John. 2015. "High Temperature 300°C Directional Drilling System". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1208637. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1208637.
@article{osti_1208637,
title = {High Temperature 300°C Directional Drilling System},
author = {Chatterjee, Kamalesh and Aaron, Dick and Macpherson, John},
abstractNote = {Many countries around the world, including the USA, have untapped geothermal energy potential. Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) technology is needed to economically utilize this resource. Temperatures in some EGS reservoirs can exceed 300°C. To effectively utilize EGS resources, an array of injector and production wells must be accurately placed in the formation fracture network. This requires a high temperature directional drilling system. Most commercial services for directional drilling systems are rated for 175°C while geothermal wells require operation at much higher temperatures. Two U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP) projects have been initiated to develop a 300°C capable directional drilling system, the first developing a drill bit, directional motor, and drilling fluid, and the second adding navigation and telemetry systems. This report is for the first project, “High Temperature 300°C Directional Drilling System, including drill bit, directional motor and drilling fluid, for enhanced geothermal systems,” award number DE-EE0002782. The drilling system consists of a drill bit, a directional motor, and drilling fluid. The DOE deliverables are three prototype drilling systems. We have developed three drilling motors; we have developed four roller-cone and five Kymera® bits; and finally, we have developed a 300°C stable drilling fluid, along with a lubricant additive for the metal-to-metal motor. Metal-to-metal directional motors require coatings to the rotor and stator for wear and corrosion resistance, and this coating research has been a significant part of the project. The drill bits performed well in the drill bit simulator test, and the complete drilling system has been tested drilling granite at Baker Hughes’ Experimental Test Facility in Oklahoma. The metal-to-metal motor was additionally subjected to a flow loop test in Baker Hughes’ Celle Technology Center in Germany, where it ran for more than 100 hours.},
doi = {10.2172/1208637},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1208637}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jul 31 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Fri Jul 31 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}