Turbine drilling's potential. Part I. Bit design is key to deep drilling with turbines

Journal Article · Mon Jun 09 04:00:00 EDT 1975 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6776123

Fontenot, J E

A Shell Oil Co. series examines why, despite the apparent potential of the downhole turbine for straight-hole drilling, its application has often proved unfeasible or uneconomical in the U.S. for other than special circumstances. The 3-part series updates the potential of turbodrilling, discusses key design and operational factors, and presents the requirements needed to make turbodrilling more versatile. Advantages include fewer trips, faster rotating speeds, increased penetration rates, less drillpipe wear and fishing, less casing wear, and less hole damage due to tripping and rotating. Some disadvantages include the added cost of the tool, increased maintenance associated with higher pump pressures and flow rates, and the need for diamond bits for use at turbine speeds. A plan formulated to correct shortcomings in the current design and application of diamond bit/turbine systems included these elements: (1) prediction of the performance of diamond bits designed to provide fast drilling in field tests, (2) acquisition of turbine-performance characteristics, (3) development of theoretical diamond bit/turbine system characteristics, (4) design of adequately stabilized drilling assemblies, (5) development of a turbine tachometer, and (6) a field-test program to compare actual field experience with theoretical predictions.

• OSTI ID: 6776123
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 73; ISSN OIGJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
DESIGN
DRILL BITS
DRILLING
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
TURBOMACHINERY
WELL DRILLING
WELLS