Design concept for an advanced geothermal drilling system
- Pajarito Enterprises, Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Experience with geothermal drilling performance and effectiveness indicates that for future deeper, hotter reservoirs; and larger diameter wells, potential improvements may require consideration of an advanced drilling system. Current production drilling is conducted with equipment, tools, and methods adapted from petroleum or mining practices, materials, and operations. Current trends toward greater depths, 4 km, and higher temperature reservoirs, 400 C, suggest that it may be appropriate to initiate a study of advanced drilling systems; that is a study to devise a system developed for geothermal drilling. The problems of very hard, fractured, and abrasive rock formations; severe lost circulation, and especially extremely high temperatures have been extensively reviewed, and the impacts on high geothermal drilling costs recorded. A significant amount of both private sector and Federal funds have been expended over the past two decades that essentially attempted incremental improvements. While some of these efforts have provided gains, it seems timely to search out the possibilities for an advanced system that could address the technical problems to be encountered. One such application-directed approach based upon percussion hammer drill bits, a dual-wall drill string, and some of the advanced technologies potentially associated with such a system are set forth. A feasibility design effort seems appropriate.
- OSTI ID:
- 93057
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940113--; ISBN 0-7918-1182-4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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