Air Storage System for Drilling Downtime Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Air drilling operations face challenges such as loss of air pressure and volume during pipe connections, leading to increased drilling downtime, potential well bore sticking, and reduced efficiency due to the need for air pressure build-up, which increases the chances of mud rings forming and causing costly issues.
Innovation Solution
An air storage system, also known as an air pack or hi-pass, diverts high-pressure air for storage during pipe connections, allowing quick resumption of drilling by utilizing stored compressed air, reducing downtime and minimizing the risk of well bore sticking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If air pressure is bled off to make new pipe connections during drilling, then pipe connections can be made to continue drilling deeper, but air pressure and volume are lost to the atmosphere requiring time to build back up
Solution Approach 1:
The air storage tank stores compressed air in advance during normal drilling operations. When pipe connections need to be made, the stored air is released to maintain wellbore pressure, eliminating the downtime that would otherwise be required to rebuild air pressure from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The air storage tank acts as an intermediary between the air compressor and the wellbore. It buffers the pressure fluctuations that occur during pipe connections, providing a reservoir of pressurized air that can be quickly deployed to maintain drilling operations without direct compressor intervention.
2Length of moving object
If air pressure is bled off during pipe connections, then new pipe sections can be added, but drill motors and air hammers cannot operate without proper air pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The air storage tank pre-stores compressed air at the required pressure and volume. When pipe connections are made, this stored air immediately becomes available to power drill motors and air hammers, preventing any interruption in drilling productivity while allowing the drill string to be extended.
3Stability of the object's composition
If air pressure build-up time is extended to maintain wellbore pressure, then drilling can resume, but mud rings form and pack off the wellbore causing drill string to stick
Solution Approach 1:
The air storage tank has already pressurized the air before it is needed. When pipe connections are made, the pre-stored high-pressure air is immediately available to prevent mud ring formation, eliminating the harmful delay that would otherwise allow mud to accumulate and pack off the wellbore.
Solution Approach 2:
The stored air provides advance counter-pressure to prevent the harmful effect of mud ring formation. By maintaining wellbore pressure with stored air during the connection process, the system preemptively counteracts the tendency of mud to accumulate and solidify around the drill string.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The air storage system reduces drilling downtime, decreases the likelihood of well bore sticking, and saves costs by maintaining consistent air pressure and volume, enabling continuous operation of drill motors and air hammers, thus enhancing overall drilling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
An air storage system, also known as an air pack or hi-pass, diverts high-pressure air for storage during pipe connections
Implementation Method 2
The air storage system may also have a pressure regulating valve that reduces the pressure of the stored air to a safe level
Implementation Method 3
The air storage system may also have a pop-off valve that allows excess air pressure to exit to the atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to air drilling and an apparatus, system and process for air storage for speeding up and making the air drilling process in a wellbore more efficient. The present air storage system is used to divert high pressurized air from the air compressors into an air storage tank for storage during drilling process of adding another piece of pipe to the well. In the present invention, the compressed air can be stored in the air storage system until the connection is made and the driller is ready to resume drilling. This high pressurized, large volume of stored air in the air storage system helps the compressors quickly build up enough air to resume the drilling process thus reducing the amount of drill downtime during the process of making a new pipe connection in a well.