Rotary drilling is a common drilling method with the following characteristics:
Working Principle
Rotary drilling rigs utilize high levels of torque to rotate the drill bit at the end of the drill pipe rapidly, usually at a speed between 50 and 120 rpm, boring through the rock formation. The drill bit mainly comes in two forms: roller tcone bits and fixed cutter bits (PDC bits). During the drilling process, air or drilling fluids are used to clear out the borehole, cool the drill bit and reduce friction on the bit. The drilling fluid is pumped from the drill pipe to the drill bit by a high- pressure pump, and then the cuttings are carried back to the ground through the annular space between the drill pipe and the borehole wall.
Applicable Industries
Oil and Gas Industry: It is the main drilling method used in the exploration and production of oil and gas, and can drill deep wells with a depth of thousands of meters to reach the oil and gas reservoirs buried deep underground.
Mining Industry: Used for drilling exploration wells, ventilation shafts and drainage wells in mines, helping to understand the distribution of mineral resources underground and improve the safety and production efficiency of the mine.
Construction Industry: Applied to the drilling of foundation piles, diaphragm walls and anchor bolts in building construction, providing a solid foundation for the construction of high-rise buildings, bridges and other structures.
Geotechnical Engineering: Commonly used in geotechnical investigation and testing projects, by drilling boreholes to obtain soil and rock samples at different depths for laboratory analysis, providing data support for engineering design and construction.
Water Well Drilling: It is an important means of drilling water wells, which can drill wells of different depths and diameters to meet the needs of domestic water, agricultural irrigation and industrial water supply.
Advantages
High Drilling Efficiency: The high- speed rotation of the drill bit makes it possible to drill through hard and soft rock formations quickly, and the drilling speed is several times faster than some traditional drilling methods, which can significantly shorten the drilling cycle and improve work efficiency.
Good Hole Quality: The rotation of the drill bit makes the drilled hole relatively straight and smooth, and the diameter of the hole is more uniform, which is beneficial to the subsequent operations such as casing running and cementing, and can improve the quality and stability of the wellbore.
Versatile and Adaptable: It can be used in a wide range of geological formations, including igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks and sedimentary rocks. By selecting different types of drill bits and drilling fluids, it can adapt to different formation conditions and drilling requirements.
Reliable and Stable: Rotary drilling technology has been developed and improved for a long time and is a relatively mature drilling method with high reliability. The drilling equipment is relatively stable in operation, and the probability of equipment failure is low, which can ensure the continuity and safety of the drilling operation.
High Core Recovery Rate: In some geotechnical investigation and mineral exploration projects, the rotary drilling method can obtain a relatively complete rock core sample, which is of great significance for accurately understanding the geological structure and mineral characteristics underground.