Variable Diameter Ground Ring for Pulsed-Power Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pulsed-power drilling operations face challenges in efficiently varying the wellbore diameter during subterranean rock formation drilling, requiring frequent drill string removal and limiting the rate of penetration and flexibility in drilling non-standard diameters.
Innovation Solution
A pulsed-power drill bit with a variable diameter ground ring, equipped with actuatable, electrically conductive fins that can be extended or retracted to adjust the effective outer diameter, allowing real-time control of the drilling diameter without removing the drill string from the wellbore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the drill string is removed frequently to change wellbore diameter, then the drilling operation can adapt to different diameter requirements, but the rate of penetration decreases and drilling efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ground ring is designed with movable fins that can be extended or retracted to dynamically change the effective outer diameter of the ground ring. This allows the drill bit to adapt to different wellbore diameter requirements while remaining in the wellbore, eliminating the need for frequent drill string removal and maintaining high rate of penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground ring with variable diameter capability serves multiple functions: it can drill wellbores of different diameters, perform underreaming operations, and enable side tracking. This multi-functionality is achieved through the actuatable fins that modify the ground ring's effective diameter, allowing a single drill bit to replace multiple specialized tools.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ground ring has a fixed outer diameter, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the drilling operation lacks flexibility for non-standard diameters and underreaming
Solution Approach 1:
The ground ring is segmented into a base structure and multiple independent actuatable fins. Each fin can be controlled individually or collectively to adjust the effective diameter, providing flexible adaptation while maintaining a relatively simple base structure that retains the core ground ring functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground ring transitions from a static fixed-diameter structure to a dynamic variable-diameter structure through the addition of actuatable fins. These fins can be extended or retracted based on drilling requirements, enabling the ground ring to adapt its effective diameter while maintaining structural reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If drill string removal is required to change drilling parameters, then precise diameter control is achieved, but time is lost and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground ring with actuatable fins performs self-adjustment of its effective diameter while the drill bit remains in the wellbore. The fins can be extended or retracted in response to drilling conditions, allowing the system to self-regulate the wellbore diameter without requiring removal of the drill string, thus eliminating time loss while maintaining precise diameter control.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuatable fins are positioned and configured in advance to achieve the desired effective diameter before drilling begins or before diameter changes are needed. This preliminary configuration allows rapid adaptation to different diameter requirements without time-consuming drill string removal operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed pulsed-power drill bit includes a bit body, an electrode coupled to the bit body and having a distal portion, a ground ring coupled to the bit body and having a distal portion for engaging with sidewall surfaces of a wellbore and defining an outer diameter of the ground ring, and actuatable, electrically conductive fins each coupled to the ground ring such that the fin and the distal portion of the ground ring are electrically continuous. Each fin is positioned such that when actuated, a distal portion of the fin is extended in a direction away from the bit body, increasing the effective outer diameter of the ground ring, or is retracted, decreasing the effective outer diameter of the ground ring. The fins may be spring loaded within a track, channel, or slot between fluid flow ports and may be actuated individually or collectively.