Oil exploration experts do their best to discover the right places to drill for oil, but often the presence of oil cannot be determined until a drill bit penetrates the pocket. This can take many days or weeks of hard work in extreme circumstances. Utilization of the right drilling equipment is essential for a successful and profitable operation.
Once a promising site has been identified by explorers, operators must evaluate the site to determine an efficient drill plan. Geologists assist with this step using techniques such as mechanical earth modelling (MEM). By compiling information from core samples taken at the site, and correlating with information from other wells in the area geologists can generate a picture of the earth strata that drillers may encounter. This information consists of the depth that different types of sediments will be encountered as well as the rock density and hardness. All of this enables drillers to select the appropriate drilling equipment for the operation.
Pre 1900’s most holes were done using percussion drilling. This is when a heavy object is lifted up and dropped to the ground repeatedly. This method only allows for depths of several hundred feet and the work can take many years. With the drive to reach deeper depths in shorter time frames technology has rapidly evolved. Today companies like Triple Diamond Energy Corp depend on hydraulic rotary drilling, which allows rig operators to reach the deepest oil reservoirs between 30,000 and 40,000 feet below the earth’s surface and oceans. Beyond 40,000 feet the intense heat from the earth’s core will have vaporized any useable crude oil.
Hydraulic rotary drilling consists of a tungsten carbide drill bit impregnated with synthetic or natural diamonds on the end of a hollow pipe assembly. Drilling mud, a gel like mixture of bentonite, clay, and other additives, is used to lubricate and cool the pipes and drill bit. Cuttings and rock chips travel up the hole on the outside of the drilling assembly. Samples of rock chips are collected at various depths. Drill bits are often between 18 and 26 inches in diameter. The largest drill bit in the world is over 3’ in diameter. Larger holes are required to reach attain higher flow rate of crude, therefore faster production times. If stability of the bore hole becomes a problem, as it can in softer sedimentation, steel collars or casings must be put in place to keep the hole from collapsing. A rotating three cone drill bit, like the one pictured in the popular Bruce Willis movie “Armageddon”, reduces friction and increases wear
One of the latest advancements is a rotary steerable system (RSS). This system allows deviations from the vertical up to several hundred feet. By reducing the friction and wear on the drill bit there is less chance of stuck pipes, or a jammed drill bit twisting off. The benefits substantially reduce production costs by saving time and equipment costs.
About the Author: Robert Jent is President & CEO of Triple Diamond Energy Corp. Triple Diamond Energy is an independent producer of oil and natural gas. Located in the Dallas area, the company specializes in acquiring the highest quality prime oil and gas properties.
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2 comments:
I would like to know if anyone in this field can possibly steer me in the right direction. My friend's father who is now in very poor health has industrial size diamond drill bits that he sold overseas I believe. My understanding is that they are used to do a lot of ocean drilling and in mines. I an going to assist in selling these and am needing to begin some research. Does Triple Diamond Energy Corp. have an interest in these bits or at least how to go about marketing them.... Thanks. Carrie 541 822-3597 or candoitcarrie@yahoo.com
One of the most promising ways of hard-rock drilling is vibratory-rotary drilling. Its essence consists in that high-frequency and high-amplitude longitudinal vibration accelerations are imparted to the rock cutting tool. The advantage of this method consists in the fact that it combines the merits of vibratory drilling and rotary drilling. In combined drilling methods of this kind, the rock is acted upon not only by static forces, but also by intermittent dynamic loads.
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