Field Testing a Downhole Pneumatic Turbine Drilling Machine at the Geysers

Abstract

A new air turbine-powered drilling has been successfully tested at the Geysers Steam Field. machine consists of a turbine, a transmission, and a thrust bearing assembly contained inside a housing. Special seals, bearings, lubricants, and alloys were used in construction so the tool could operate at up to Before the Geysers test the hardware was bench tested and field performance was predicted with a numerical simulation. The field run both at normal geothermal temperatures in and at high temperatures at the verified the accuracy of the predictions and the viability of the design. This machine provides the first technology for making course corrections while drilling with air.