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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Steerable percussion air drilling system

Conference ·
OSTI ID:86189

In the Steerable Percussion Air Drilling System (SPADS), air percussion is used to drill directionally in hard formations. Compared to mud or air powered PDM motors, SPADS offers directional drilling at high penetration rate, reduced mud costs, negligible formation damage, and immediate indication of hole productivity. Field tests turned up problems ranging from tool design to operation procedures; remedies were developed. There is an optimum WOB (weight on bit) at which torque is reasonably low. The hammer was tested at three different line pressures (200, 300, 350 psig) at optimum WOB in granite, limestone, and sandstone.

Research Organization:
Smith International, Inc., Houston, TX (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC21-92MC28182
OSTI ID:
86189
Report Number(s):
DOE/MC/28182--95/C0489; CONF-950494--32; ON: DE95015006
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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