Sandia/DOE Geothermal Drilling and Completion Technology Development Program
- Key words
- Drilling; Costs; Drill Bits; Drilling R & D; USA; Technology Development; Overview; Progress Report; Completion Systems; Rock Drilling; Bore Hole Technology; Directional Drilling; Surface Equipment; Bit Lite; US DOE
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1979
- Session
- Drilling; Economics; Drill bits; Drilling fluids; Downhole m
- Language
- English
Abstract
The high cost of drilling and completing geothermal wells is an impediment to the development of geothermal energy resources. Technological deficiencies in rotary drilling techniques are evidenced when drilling geothermal wells. The Division of Geothermal Energy (DGE) of the U.S. Department of Energy has initiated a program aimed at developing new drilling and completion techniques for geothermal wells. The goals of the program are to reduce well cost by 25% by 1982 and by 50% by 1986. Sandia Laboratories managed this technology development program since October 1977, and this paper presents an overview of the program. A statement of program goals and structure is given. The content of the FY-79 program is presented and recent results of R&D projects are given. Plans for development of an advanced drilling and completion system are discussed.
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