WO1997046786A1 - Procede et dispositif de forage - Google Patents

Procede et dispositif de forage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997046786A1
WO1997046786A1 PCT/AU1997/000341 AU9700341W WO9746786A1 WO 1997046786 A1 WO1997046786 A1 WO 1997046786A1 AU 9700341 W AU9700341 W AU 9700341W WO 9746786 A1 WO9746786 A1 WO 9746786A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fluid
cutting
hole
cutter
bore
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1997/000341
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Paul Gregory Dunn
Matthew Stockwell
Yuzhou Liu
Original Assignee
The University Of Queensland
Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The University Of Queensland, Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation filed Critical The University Of Queensland
Priority to AU28816/97A priority Critical patent/AU2881697A/en
Publication of WO1997046786A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997046786A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
    • E21B7/18—Drilling by liquid or gas jets, with or without entrained pellets
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B10/00—Drill bits
    • E21B10/08—Roller bits
    • E21B10/18—Roller bits characterised by conduits or nozzles for drilling fluids
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21F—SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
    • E21F7/00—Methods or devices for drawing- off gases with or without subsequent use of the gas for any purpose

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a drilling apparatus and method and particularly relates to a drilling apparatus and method to drill long, substantially straight holes in a solid such as coal.
  • the bores need to be several hundred metres long and have a typical diameter of between 5cm - 15cm. Bore holes of 1 kilometre or more would also be useful, but difficulties exist with forming and dewatering the bore hole over such distances .
  • Mechanical cutting suffers from three mam disadvantages.
  • the first disadvantage is the high torque required to turn the cutter and to rotate t he drillstnng. Also, a large feed force is required to push the drillstring along the bore and to ensure that the mechanical cutter is hard up against the coal face
  • the second main disadvantage with rotary drilling using mechanical cutters is the difficulty in keeping the bore straight as it is being drilled.
  • deviation of the drillstring causes shorter holes to be drilled than otherwise required. For instance, it has been estimated that more than 50% of holes have problems of one sort or another. It is estimated that 46% of the holes do not go the required distance due to the drillstring deviation, or collapse, and up to 7% of the holes do not go in the desired direction, or intersect another hole by not being drilled straight. Non straight holes make it hardei to push in the drill rods and increases the probability of the drill string buckling in the hole.
  • the third main disadvantage is that the drill string is not readily steerable.
  • Drilling systems using mechanical cutters and fluid ets are known.
  • a common system uses mechanical cutting with the fluid jets functioning to flush away the cuttings from the cutter.
  • US Patent 4,784,231 describes such a system.
  • Drilling systems using mainly mechanical cutting but also a small amount of fluid cutting are less well known.
  • US Patent 4,106,577 describes a hydromechanical drilling device where most of the cutting is by a conventional roller cone but where a central high pressure water jet bit cuts a small diameter pilot hole m advance of the ma mechanical cutter. Thit- device does not overcome all the problems associated with mechanical drilling, such as the high torque and feed forces and deviation of the bore hole.
  • US Patent 4,535,853 describes a mechanical cutter having a central bursting cone shaped wedge and a peripheral cutter. Fluid jets are positioned peripherally to assist with the mechanical cutting. In one embodiment, the central wedge is removed and replaced with a single fluid cutting jet. This cutter does not overcome the disadvantage of irregular wall diameter as fluid cutting jets are positioned on the periphery of the cuttei .
  • Another known drilling system uses pure fluid cutting without using any mechanical bit. Fluid cutting has a number of advantages. Firstly, there is less torque required and less feed force required as the cutting is done largely or wholly by fluid power as opposed to mechanical cutters. Another advantageous effect of fluid cutting is that a fluid cutting drill does not appear to be affected by the cleat a coal seam Thus, a fluid cutting assembly wil] dill. a straighter hole than a purely mechanical cutting assembly .
  • the invention resides in a method for drilling holes in a solid such as coal, the method comprising using a combination of simultaneous fluid cutting and mechanical cutting characterised m that the fluid cutting is performed in the central area of the hole to be drilled, and the mechanical cutting is performed in the peripheral area of the hole to be drilled.
  • the invention resides in a cutting apparatus for forming holes in a solid such as coal, the apparatus having a leading cutting face having at least one fluid cutter to cut a central area of the hole and at least one mechanical cutter to cut a peripheral area of the hole .
  • the conventional fluid only cutters are not able to cut a smooth wall bore of the correct srze. It appears that the fluid only cutters cut a bore which is larger than necessary and irregular in diameter and this results in the fluid cutter drooping downwardly by a gravity effect, and also produces an unstable hole which can affect gas drainage.
  • the method and apparatus according to the invention minimises drooping of the bore hole by providing a combination of peripheral mechanica] cutting to ensure that the bore hole is of an acceptable constant diameter to create a stable hole, and central area fluid cutting to cut the central area .
  • This combination enhances the efficiency of the drilling action.
  • a further advantageous property of the method and apparatus is that the combination of fluid and mechanical cutting can result in smaller cuttings winlch are easier to flush from the borehole.
  • the cutting apparatus may have a main body portion and a forward or leading cutting face.
  • the cutting face may be rotatable relative to the main body portion (with a non-rotating drillstring) , or may be fixed to the main body portion such that the drillstring is rotated to rotate the apparatus .
  • the at least one fluid cutter is positioned in a central area on the cutting face.
  • the fluid cutter may comprise one or more high pressure nozzles.
  • High pressure fluid can be passed through the drillstring or through an hydraulic hose and to the fluid cutter.
  • the fluid pressure can vary between 10 - lOOMPa in coal, with a preferred range being between 20 - 40MPa. In other harder materials, higher pressures of up to 400MPa may be required.
  • the pressure should be such that when drilling a straight hole, the fluid cutters cut the central area of the bore without extending the cutting to the peripheral area and this will vary depending on the solid .
  • a typical fluid flow range is between about 100 to 250 litres per minute, and the preferred fluid is water which may optionally contain additives, lor instance acids to provide a dilute acidic solution.
  • the fluid cutting can be seen as high pressure/low volume relative to flushing nozzles.
  • the one or more nozzles are positioned such that high pressure fluid cuts only a central area of the bore to be cut .
  • central area is meant the area in front of the fluid cutter and extending from a central point up to but not including the peripheral area of the
  • the nozzle (s) can be fixed relative to the remainder of the apparatus, and/or can comprise a spinning nozzle (s) .
  • the nozzles can jet cutting flui ⁇ in line with the direction of travel of the apparatus, but can also be inclined to direct cutting fluid towards the periphery.
  • a combination of in line nozzles and angled nozzles can be used. If an angled nozzle is used, the pressure should be adjusted such that the cutting fluid does not cut beyond the central area.
  • the cutting face also includes a peripheral mechanical cutter to mechanically cut the peripheral area of the bore but not the central area of the bore .
  • the type of mechanical cutter can vary and may include a drag drill bit, a PDC (Polycrystalline Diamond Compact) drill bit or a Pineapple-shaped drill bit (tungsten carbide) .
  • the mechanical cutter cuts a peripheral area of the bore by which is meant the outer part of the bore not cut by the fluid cutter.
  • the peripheral area of the bore is preferably the same or only slightly larger than the diameter of the cutting apparatus.
  • the diameter of the bore can be maintained fairly constant over the length of the bore. This turn minimises droop of the bore by what appears to be gravity effect as the cutter moves along, and minimises hole instability. If desired, stabilisers can be fitted to the drill string.
  • the fluid cutter cuts tne majority of the bore as fluid cutting is independent of the cleat effect, but that the fluid cutter does not cut the peripheral portion of the bore which is to be cut by the mechanical cutter which allows the bore to have a
  • the method and apparatus according to the invention allows acceptably straight bore holes to be drilled in coal for several hundred metres with a water pressure of about 20MPa and a water flow rate of about 150 litres per minute.
  • the method and apparatus requires about a quarter of the feed force required for normal rotary drilling, this being due to the fluid cutter cutting a significant portion of the bore while the mechanical cutter cuts only a minor portion of the bore.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of a cutting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • Figures 2A and 2B illustrate section and end views of the forward part of a cutting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figures 3A and 3B illustrate section and end views of the forward part of a cutting apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention.
  • Figures 4A and 4B illustrate section and end views of the forward part of a cutting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
  • cutting apparatus 10 for cutting a bore 11 in a coal seam 12.
  • Cutting apparatus 10 has a leading cutting face 13 which has a central fluid cutter 14 in the form of a high pressure nozzle, and a peripheral mechanical cutter 15 which can be of various types. Mechanical cutter 15 is attached to a cutter head 16 which is itself attached to
  • Cutting head 25 is mounted for spinning rotation according to known techniques.
  • Cutting head 25 is formed from steel and has three lobes 29-31.
  • the cutting head has three fluid cutting nozzles 26 -28.
  • Two of the nozzles 26,27 pass high pressure (about 20MPa) fluid directly in front of the cutting head to damage the central zone of the coal, or other solid being cut.
  • the third nozzle 28 is angled at about 30 degrees to pass high pressure fluid towards the periphery of the bore.
  • the fluid pressure is regulated such that the third nozzle cuts the central area of the solid inwardly from the periphery, when a straight bore is being cut. For coal, a fluid pressure of about 20 MPa is satisfactory. If the fluid pressure is too high, third nozzle will start to cut into the peripheral area and this is not desirable when a straight hole is to be cut.
  • Each of the lobes 29-31 has a forwardly projecting mechanical cutting bit 32 - 34.
  • the bits are positioned to cut and smooth the periphery of the bore, and the bits extend beyond the fluid nozzles 26 - 28.
  • One additional bit 35 is positioned adjacent the nozzles and this bit assists in cutting away the central area of the solid being cut. This bit is however ancillary to the main cutting of the central area which is carried out by the fluid cutters
  • FIG. 3A and 3B a third "" embodiment of the invention is illustrated.
  • like parts have been given like numbers.
  • the main difference is that fixed nozzles 27, 28 in figures 2A, 2B have been replaced by a single in line spinning nozzle 40.
  • Nozzle 40 is more or less of known design and has two ets 41, 42 offset at 45 degrees to each other. When nozzle 40 spins, the two jets 41, 42 form a cone of cutting fluid which extends straight ahead.
  • Nozzle 40 is positioned 20mm. from the centre line of the cutting head. Again, the pressure needs to be regulated to ensure that the cone of cutting fluid cuts only the central portion of the coal or other solid, and does not extend into the peripheral area when a straight bore is being cut .
  • Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a variation of the cutting head of figures 3A and 3B, where the spinning nozzle 43 is angled towards the periphery of the boie to be cut .
  • the fluid cutters are designed to cut most of the hole, with tne mechanical cutter cutting only a minor portion. Typically, over 50% and usually 50% - 90% of the hole is cut by the fluid cutters. This arrangement gives the advantages of fluid cutting ( straighter holes, less power consumption) while minimising the disadvantages of fluid cutting ( irregular
  • the reason for having the angled or offset fixed nozzle 28 (see figures 2A, 2B) , or the spinning nozzles of figures 3A,3B,4A and 4B, is to allow .he cutting apparatus to change direction at any desired position, for instance, should the bore require deviation. In brief, this is achieved by stopping the drill string, increasing the fluid pressure to deliberately allow the angles or spinning fluid nozzles to cut into the periphery of the bore. This provides a wash out cavity in the bore wall, and the apparatus will pass into the wash out cavity.
  • a bore is cut in coal using the dull of figures i or 4 and at a pressure of 20 MPa which prevents the offset nozzles from cutting into the peripher of he bore as the drill advances.
  • the drill string is stopped.
  • Th rutting head is positioned (for instance by ⁇ light rotation cf the drill string) to point the offset nozzle towards the desired part of the bore hole wall.
  • the water pressure is raised to 40 MPa which will cause the offset nozzle to cut towards and into the periphery of the bore wall.
  • the remaining nozzles will continue to cut straight ahead.
  • the bore wall is washed out, or cavitised, by the offset nozzle. Forward thrust is resumed on the drill string which will cause the cutting apparatus to move to the wash out area and thus change direction.
  • the water pressure is reduced to 20 MPa and the straight hole drilling process is continued.
  • the apparatus and the method allows acceptably straight long bore holes to be drilled.
  • the feed forces and the torque forces are considerably less as much of the cutting is done by the fluid cutter which does not require the cutter to be forced hard-up against the coal seam.
  • the peripheral mechanical cutter cuts only a relatively small portion of the bore and therefore requires reduced torque and much less feed force to make it operate effectively.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un appareil hydromécanique de coupe destiné à des corps solides tendres tels que le charbon. Cet appareil, qui réalise la majeure partie de la taille au moyen d'un outil de coupe central à jet de fluide, comporte également un outil de coupe périphérique mécanique permettant de garder constant le diamètre du trou de forage. L'appareil permet d'obtenir des forages rectilignes, mais il peut dévier en inclinant l'outil de coupe à jet de fluide de façon à provoquer un gauchissement sous l'effet de l'augmentation de la pression du fluide de coupe.
PCT/AU1997/000341 1996-06-04 1997-05-30 Procede et dispositif de forage WO1997046786A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU28816/97A AU2881697A (en) 1996-06-04 1997-05-30 A drilling apparatus and method

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPO0229A AUPO022996A0 (en) 1996-06-04 1996-06-04 A drilling apparatus and method
AUPO0229 1996-06-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997046786A1 true WO1997046786A1 (fr) 1997-12-11

Family

ID=3794548

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1997/000341 WO1997046786A1 (fr) 1996-06-04 1997-05-30 Procede et dispositif de forage

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AUPO022996A0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1997046786A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA974889B (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102635389A (zh) * 2012-03-26 2012-08-15 山东科技大学 含屏蔽软岩的高位巷煤层瓦斯抽放方法
CN102966310A (zh) * 2012-12-17 2013-03-13 中国矿业大学 一种钻孔内水射流割缝诱喷装置及方法
WO2021159666A1 (fr) * 2020-02-11 2021-08-19 山东科技大学 Dispositif et procédé de forage pour forer-fendre-étanchéifier-fracturer une couche profonde à faible perméabilité et à haute teneur en grisou

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4106577A (en) * 1977-06-20 1978-08-15 The Curators Of The University Of Missouri Hydromechanical drilling device
US4262757A (en) * 1978-08-04 1981-04-21 Hydronautics, Incorporated Cavitating liquid jet assisted drill bit and method for deep-hole drilling
US4341273A (en) * 1980-07-04 1982-07-27 Shell Oil Company Rotary bit with jet nozzles
US4535853A (en) * 1982-12-23 1985-08-20 Charbonnages De France Drill bit for jet assisted rotary drilling
US4543427A (en) * 1982-06-11 1985-09-24 Basf Aktiengesellschaft Preparation of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone
US4624327A (en) * 1984-10-16 1986-11-25 Flowdril Corporation Method for combined jet and mechanical drilling
US5542486A (en) * 1990-09-04 1996-08-06 Ccore Technology & Licensing Limited Method of and apparatus for single plenum jet cutting

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4106577A (en) * 1977-06-20 1978-08-15 The Curators Of The University Of Missouri Hydromechanical drilling device
US4262757A (en) * 1978-08-04 1981-04-21 Hydronautics, Incorporated Cavitating liquid jet assisted drill bit and method for deep-hole drilling
US4341273A (en) * 1980-07-04 1982-07-27 Shell Oil Company Rotary bit with jet nozzles
US4543427A (en) * 1982-06-11 1985-09-24 Basf Aktiengesellschaft Preparation of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone
US4535853A (en) * 1982-12-23 1985-08-20 Charbonnages De France Drill bit for jet assisted rotary drilling
US4624327A (en) * 1984-10-16 1986-11-25 Flowdril Corporation Method for combined jet and mechanical drilling
US4624327B1 (fr) * 1984-10-16 1990-08-21 Flowdril Corp
US5542486A (en) * 1990-09-04 1996-08-06 Ccore Technology & Licensing Limited Method of and apparatus for single plenum jet cutting

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102635389A (zh) * 2012-03-26 2012-08-15 山东科技大学 含屏蔽软岩的高位巷煤层瓦斯抽放方法
CN102635389B (zh) * 2012-03-26 2014-11-12 山东科技大学 含屏蔽软岩的高位巷煤层瓦斯抽放方法
CN102966310A (zh) * 2012-12-17 2013-03-13 中国矿业大学 一种钻孔内水射流割缝诱喷装置及方法
CN102966310B (zh) * 2012-12-17 2015-08-19 中国矿业大学 一种钻孔内水射流割缝诱喷装置及方法
WO2021159666A1 (fr) * 2020-02-11 2021-08-19 山东科技大学 Dispositif et procédé de forage pour forer-fendre-étanchéifier-fracturer une couche profonde à faible perméabilité et à haute teneur en grisou

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA974889B (en) 1997-12-30
AUPO022996A0 (en) 1996-06-27

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