Measurement While Drilling Technology for Directional Drilling in a 300°C Geothermal Environment

摘要

The U.S.Department of Energy(DOE)invited tenders to develop a directional drilling system that is operational at 300°C.This directional drilling system is intended for use in geothermal wells.To achieve this goal,two projects were funded by the DOE.Within the first project(EE0002782)a drill bit,directional motor,and drilling fluid for 300°C were developed and successfully tested [1].The second project(EE0005505)added a directional measurement-while-drilling(MWD)system.The directional drilling electronics inside this MWD had to withstand these extreme temperatures or be actively cooled [2].In this approach,an active cooling system for existing directional sensors and electronics was successfully developed,manufactured and tested.Combining tools of both projects delivered a complete directional drilling system with MWD navigation that was capable of sustaining 300°C operating temperatures.