Pulsing Drilling Device for High Amplitude Pressure Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling technologies face challenges in achieving high amplitude, low frequency pressure pulses necessary for efficient rock penetration, especially at greater depths and with heavier drilling fluids, leading to reduced drilling efficiency and increased risk of gas kicks due to underbalanced drilling conditions.
Innovation Solution
A pulsing drilling device (PDD) that rapidly closes and opens to generate high amplitude, short duration pressure pulses, applying force directly above the drill bit and releasing pressure to clear cuttings, while allowing for programmable frequency and duration to optimize rate of penetration (ROP) and reduce bit wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional flow interruption methods are used to generate pressure pulses, then the drilling fluid flow is interrupted to create pulses, but the amplitude of the pulses is insufficient to work in harder lithologies and the frequency is too high to generate large enough amplitude forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using a programmable controller to cycle the flow interruption valve between open and closed positions, creating repeated pressure pulses that periodically impact the drill bit. This periodic forcing allows the system to accumulate sufficient amplitude over multiple cycles while maintaining controlled frequency and duration parameters to optimize drilling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing adjustable frequency and duration of the pressure pulses through programmable control. The system can modify these parameters to optimize the balance between pulse amplitude and frequency, enabling the generation of large amplitude forces necessary for harder lithologies while controlling the overall drilling rate through parameter optimization.
2Force
If higher pump operating pressures are used to generate larger amplitude pressure pulses, then the penetration rate increases, but the cost and complexity of the drilling system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic flow interruption to generate pressure pulses that accumulate sufficient force without requiring continuously high pump operating pressures. By cycling the valve open and closed, the system creates impulsive forces that are effective for penetration while maintaining lower average pressure requirements compared to continuous high-pressure pumping.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow interruption valve is actuated by the drilling fluid flow itself through a pilot valve mechanism, where the fluid pressure differential automatically opens and closes the main valve. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for complex external actuation systems or continuously high pump pressures, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective penetration forces.
3Force
If the flow interruption valve is closed for longer durations to increase pulse amplitude, then the force applied to the drill bit increases, but the frequency of pulsing decreases and drilling efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing independent adjustment of pulse duration and frequency through programmable control. The system can optimize the balance between these parameters to achieve sufficient force application to the drill bit while maintaining an appropriate pulsing frequency that preserves drilling efficiency, preventing either excessive force concentration or insufficient frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic control of the flow interruption valve timing, where the controller adjusts the open and closed durations based on drilling conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt pulse characteristics to the specific lithology and drilling requirements, optimizing both force application and overall drilling efficiency through real-time parameter modification.
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 PDD significantly enhances ROP by doubling or quadrupling conventional drilling rates, improves borehole stability, and reduces bit wear by applying force directly to the rock face without drill string dampening, while minimizing friction and shock to the drill bit.
Implementation Method 1
periodically interrupting the fluid flow to produce pressure pulses in the fluid and in so doing, generating a water-hammer effect which acts on the drill string to increase the penetration rate of the bit
Implementation Method 2
A flow-pulsing apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,114 to Bruno Walter, relies on this Bernoulli effect
Data Source
AI summary
The system and device described relates to flow pulsing for use in down-hole drilling rate of penetration (ROP) enhancement and measurement while drilling (MWD) using a pulse drilling device (PDD) with a fast acting valve in conjunction with a pilot valve to produce high pressure, high amplitude, low duration pressure pulses.