Mon, 05 October, 2020
Amidst the challenges of pandemic, Geo-Drill hits its 18-month milestone. From developing prototypes for Down-The-Hole (DTH) hammer to sensor technology, and coatings to improve the life-time of drilling components, the project has made some remarkable progress, contributing to its ‘holistic’ approach to develop drilling technologies that have the potential to drastically reduce the cost of drilling to large depths (5km or more) and at high temperatures (250ºC or more).
For an update on the project progress, click to download the 3rd issue of the Geo-Drill newsletter to find out more about:
GEO-DRILL TO HOST ITS FIRST WEBINAR
Geothermal is increasingly coming onto the low carbon energy radar, as governments realise that their policies need to mitigate against fossil fuels, while not inducing economic stress, which is especially relevant now due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, there are still a number of issues that hold back global utilisation of this energy source, both technical and political/commercial.
This webinar hopes to explain, in broad terms, the issues and how we can progressively overcome them, embracing existing technologies and developing the fit-for-purpose solutions that deep geothermal energy presents. Register here
DOWN-THE-HOLE FLUID HAMMER
Led by our partner, IEG Fraunhofer (Germany), Geo-Drill is working on a Down-The-Hole (DTH) fluid hammer that will operate with an innovative valve system, providing a more durable and longer lasting performance of the whole device. An initial prototype of the fluid switch has been developed via 3D printing. Discover more.
ROTARY FRICTION WELDING FOR GEOTHERMAL APPLICATIONS
Rotary friction welding (RFW) has long been the joining method of choice for drill pipes used in the oil and natural gas industry. So much so that the use of RFW is the enforced joining method to meet the current industry standards (API 5DP & BS EN IS ISO 11961). The process will be employed in the Geo-Drill project to produce full size demonstrator parts. Discover more
ENABLING COST-EFFECTIVE DTH TECHNOLOGY
The air and water-hammer systems have successfully been used for geothermal drilling over the past several years. However, challenges associated with cuttings transport/removal can lead to increased tripping times due to reduced lifetime of drilling components. Geo-Drill enabled DTH hammer provides the benefits of high rates of penetration (ROP), as well as the ability to use drilling fluids for improved cutting transport and wellbore stability. The use of a fluidic oscillator rather than the conventional valve allows much less strict tolerances in the percussion mechanism, thereby enabling usage of drilling fluids that have higher solids content. Discover more
For more information visit website: https://www.geodrill-project.eu/