Simplified Approach to Air Drilling Operations

Puon, P.S.; Ameri, Saleh Al

doi:10.2118/13380-ms

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Flushing of cuttings with a continuous flow of gas has been modeled quite successful before by Tian and Adewumi [1991, 1992], Temple et al [1996], and Puon and Ameri [1984]. These models were based on the empirical equations developed by studying the actual flow of gas in the controlled environment.…”

Section: Modeling Of Gas Flushingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing cuttings removal with gas blasts while drilling on Mars

2005

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[1] Future missions to Mars envision use of drills for subsurface exploration. Since the Martian atmosphere precludes the use of liquids for cuttings removal, proposed drilling machines utilize mechanical cuttings removal systems such as augers. However, an auger can substantially contribute to the total power requirements, and in the worst scenario it can choke. A number of experiments conducted under Martian pressures showed that intermittent blasts of gas at low differential pressures can effectively lift the cuttings out of the hole. A gas flushing system could be incorporated into the drill assembly for assistance in clearing the holes of rock cuttings or for redundancy in case of auger jamming. A number of variables such as the particle size distribution of the rock powder, the type of gas used, the bit and auger side clearances, the initial mass of cuttings, and the ambient pressure were investigated and found to affect the efficiency. In all tests the initial volume of gas was close to 1 L and the differential pressure was varied to achieve desired clearing efficiencies. Particles were being lifted out of the hole at a maximum speed of 6 m/s at a differential pressure of 25 torr and ambient pressure of 5 torr. Flushing tests lasted on average for 2 s. The power required to compress the thin Martian atmosphere to achieve a sufficient gas blast every minute or so at 10% efficiency was calculated to be of the order of a few watts.Citation: Zacny, Z. A., M. C. Quayle, and G. A. Cooper (2005), Enhancing cuttings removal with gas blasts while drilling on Mars,

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Section: Modeling Of Gas Flushingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing cuttings removal with gas blasts while drilling on Mars

2005

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“…It is reported in [7] that the gas flow rate values obtained from Angel's method were at least 25% below the actual field's needs. This motivated numerous investigators to develop more accurate models to determine the minimum required gas injection rate for gas drilling, for example, see [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Development of Air and Gas Drilling Technology

Jun¹,

Yang²,

Guo³

et al. 2018

Drilling

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Gas drilling technology has been widely promoted and applied in recent years. Known for being capable of discovering and protecting reservoirs, improving the penetration rate and avoiding loss circulation, two key issues of gas drilling still need to be addressed. First, a more accurate way of determining the gas injection rate is needful. In this text, we present a modified mathematical model for predicting the optimum range of gas injection rate required to balance the borehole cleaning and well-integrity issues. The optimum gas injection rate should be sought between the minimum value required for hole cleaning and the maximum permissible value to avoid hole erosion. Good consistency between the model prediction and field problem-free nitrogen gas injection rate indicates the reliability of the proposed model. Second, the problem of environmental pollution and wasting of resources caused by direct discharging or combustion of the returned gas is to be solved. To address the latter issue, we introduce a new technology of gas recycling system (GRS). Our research group has carried out a comprehensive investigation, including integration design, technological process, cuttings transport analysis, separation and filter equipment selection, and control system design. The feasibility of GRS has been verified through an open-loop pilot test.

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“…This motivated numerous investigators to develop more-accurate models to determine the minimal required gas-injection rate for gas drilling. These models include those presented by Capes and Nakamura (1973), Sharma and Crowe (1978), Ikoku et al (1980), Machado and Ikoku (1982), Mitchell (1983), Puon and Ameri (1984), Sharma and Chowdry (1984), Wolcott and Sharma (1986), Adewumi and Tian (1989), Supon and Adewumi (1991), and Tian and Adewumi (1992). Guo et al (1994) believed that Angel's method gives values lower than field requirements because Weymouth's friction (derived for flow in smooth pipes) was used in Angel's calculations for flow in rough wellbores.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Optimal Range of the Nitrogen-Injection Rate in Shale-Gas Well Drilling

Guo

Liu

et al. 2013

SPE Drilling &Amp; Completion

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Given the downturn of natural-gas prices in North America, it is vitally important to reduce the cost of drilling shale-gas wells. Gas-percussion drilling with nitrogen gas recently has been used in shale-gas field development. It has increased footage capacity by approximately 60%. Because the rate of penetration (ROP) is fast in gas-percussion drilling, it requires injection of an adequate quantity of nitrogen gas to clean the hole. However, a high rate of gas injection often causes wellbore erosion and deviation problems. It is imperative to determine the optimal range of the nitrogen-gasinjection rate that can mitigate the problem.This paper presents an analytical method for predicting the optimal range of the nitrogen-gas-injection rate required to balance the borehole-cleaning and -integrity issues. The optimal gas-injection rate was sought between the minimal value required for hole cleaning and the maximal permissible value to avoid hole erosion. The minimal value was determined on the basis of Angel's kinetic-energy theory for cuttings removal modified with Charles' theory of particle-grinding energy. The maximum required value was estimated by use of the sonic flow criterion at the bit. Good consistency was observed between the predicted optimal range of gas-injection rate and field problem-free nitrogen-gas-injection rates. This paper provides drilling engineers a practical tool for designing the optimal range of nitrogen-gas-injection rate to cut shale-gas drilling cost.

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Simplified Approach to Air Drilling Operations

Cited by 10 publications

References 2 publications

Enhancing cuttings removal with gas blasts while drilling on Mars

Enhancing cuttings removal with gas blasts while drilling on Mars

New Development of Air and Gas Drilling Technology

The Optimal Range of the Nitrogen-Injection Rate in Shale-Gas Well Drilling

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