Project: Evaluation of Physics-Based Drilling and Alternative Bit Design
Initiative: Drilling Demonstrations Initiative
Project Lead: Geysers Power Company, LLC
Project Subs: Sandia National Laboratories, Energy and Geoscience Institute at the University of Utah, and Texas A&M University
Project Timeline: 10/01/2023 – 11/30/2025
The Geysers Power Company’s Evaluation of Physics-Based Drilling and Alternative Bit Design project leveraged innovative drilling technology and methodologies from the Office of Geothermal-funded Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) site to improve drilling rates for geothermal wells. The project achieved rate of penetration gains—increases in the speed at which the drill bit breaks the rock under it to deepen the borehole—in all three sections of its first successfully drilled well.
Part of OG’s Drilling Demonstrations initiative, the project used the physics-based limiter redesign workflow process developed by the oil and gas industry, as well as polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) drill bits. The physics-based approach varies drilling parameters to identify the parts of the system that are limiting improved drilling performance (i.e., the “limiter”). Once the physical nature of those limiters is identified, the project team redesigns those parts of the system (e.g., drill bit design, bottom-hole assembly design, etc.) to alleviate that limiter and improve drilling performance. Physics-based limiter redesign workflows also continue to address limiters as they occur: a cyclical approach of identify » redesign » apply that is always working to improve drilling efficiency with every step.
Learn more OG’s drilling RD&D and work in enhanced geothermal systems and hydrothermal resources.
More about the project:
- GDR: Latest Literature Collection for the Evaluation Of Physics-Based Drilling and Alternative Bit Design At The Geysers
- Evaluation of Physics-Based Limiter Redesign Drilling and Bit Performance Analysis at The Geysers (Conference Paper)
- Evaluation of Physics-Based Limiter Redesign Drilling and Alternative Bit Design at The Geysers (Conference Poster)