Rock Cutting with Cavitating Jets under Simulated Deep-Hole Conditions
- Key words
- Drilling; R & D; Jet Cutting; Laboratory; USA; Cavitating Jet; Downhole Pressure; Rock Samples; Hole Cleaning; Deep Simulation; US DOE; Sandia
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1979
- Session
- Drilling; Deep drilling; Drill bits; Nozzles
- Language
- English
Abstract
The feasibility of adapting the CAVIJET cavitating fluid jet method for augmenting the performance of deep hole drilling bits has been demonstrated. Rock cutting tests in a chamber using drilling mud, and with ambient pressures up to 27.6 Mpa (4,000 psi), defined the effects of pressure on CAVIJET performance. Enhanced cutting rates to simulated depths of about 1,200 m (4,000 ft) were observed, and no adverse effects were seen when comparing 1.1 to 1.4 gm/cm3 (9.3 to 12 ppg) mud versus water as working fluid. Preliminary roller bit laboratory trials indicated that improved rates of penetration can be achieved by substituting CAVIJET nozzles for conventional nozzles.
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