Geothermal turbodrill field tests

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:6081040

Maurer, W C; McDonald, W J; Neudecker, J W; Rowley, J C; Carwile, C

A new advanced geothermal turbodrill designed to operate at temperatures in excess of 500/sup 0/F has been field tested in LASL's EE-2 hot, dry rock well. The operating characteristics of 5-3/8- and 7-3/4-in. turbodrills were measured on a dynamometer test stand, and then these tools were used to drill Texas Pink granite in the laboratory at rates in excess of 50 ft/hr. This compares to 10 ft/hr with conventional bits. A 7-3/4-in. turbodrill was then used to drill a 57 ft interval in granodiorite at LASL's Fenton Hill Hot Dry Rock geothermal site with a 12-1/4-in. insert roller bit. The turbodrill drilled at an average rate of 23 ft/hr compared to 10 ft/hr for conventional bits operated at 60 rpm. Plans are being made to use these turbodrills in the directional portions of LASL's hot-dry rock geothermal wells.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6081040
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-79-1908; CONF-790906-19
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150901* -- Geothermal Engineering-- Drilling Technology & Well Hardware
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
DRILL BITS
DRILLING
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
DRILLING FLUIDS
DRILLING RIGS
DRILLS
DYNAMOMETERS
EQUIPMENT
FIELD TESTS
FLOW RATE
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
Geothermal Legacy
HOT-DRY-ROCK SYSTEMS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
ROTARY DRILLS
TURBINE BLADES
TURBOMACHINERY
VELOCITY
WEAR
WELL DRILLING
WELLS