A study of electro-osmosis as applied to drilling engineering

In the present research project. the application of the process of electro-osmosis has been extended to a variety of rocks during the drilling operation. Electro-osmosis has been utilized extensively to examine its influence in reducing (i) bit balling, (ii) coefficient of friction between rock and metal and (iii) bit/tool wear. An attempt has been made to extend the envelope of confidence in which electro-osmosis was found to be operating satisfactorily. For all the above cases the current requirements during electro-osmosis were identified and were recorded.; A novel test method providing repeatable results has been developed to study the problem of bit balling in the laboratory through the design of a special metallic bob simulating the drill bit. A numerical parameter described as the Degree-of-Balling (DOB) defined by the amount of cuttings stuck per unit volume of rock cut for the same duration of time is being proposed as a means to quantitatively describe the balling process in the laboratory. Five different types of shales (Pierre I & II, Catoosa, Mancos and Wellington) were compared and evaluated for balling characteristics and to determine the best conditions for reducing bit balling with electro-osmosis in a variety of drilling fluids including fresh water, polymer solutions and field type drilling fluids.; Through the design, fabrication and performing of experiments conducted with a model Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA). the feasibility of maintaining the drill bit separately at a negative potential and causing the current to flow through the rock back into the string through a near bit stabilizer has been demonstrated. Experiments conducted with this self contained arrangement for the application of electro-osmosis have demonstrated a substantial decrease in balling and increase in the rate of penetration (ROP) while drilling with both a roller cone and PDC microbit (1-1/4" dia.) in Pierre I and Wellington shales. It is believed that the results obtained from the model BHA will aid in scaling up to a full-scale prototype BHA for possible application in the field.; Experiments conducted with electro-osmosis in a simulated drill string under loaded conditions have clearly demonstrated that the coefficient of friction ({dollar}mu{dollar}) can be reduced at the interface of a rotating cylinder (simulating the drill-pipe) and a rock (usually a type of shale), through electro-osmosis. Studies examined the influence of many variables such as drilling fluid, rock type, and current on {dollar}mu{dollar}. The need for the correct estimation of {dollar}mu{dollar} is for reliable correlation between values obtained in the laboratory with those observed in the field. The knowledge of the coefficient of friction ({dollar}mu{dollar}) is an important requirement for drill string design and well trajectory planning.; The use of electro-osmosis in reducing bit/tool wear through experiments in various rocks utilizing a specially designed steel bob simulating the drill bit has clearly indicated a decreased average tool wear, varying from 35% in Pierre I shale up to 57% in sandstone when used with the tool maintained at a cathodic DC potential. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...