| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R35971/01 |
| Title: |
To investigate the viability of plasma-channel drilling for use in the oil and gas industry |
| Principal Investigator: |
MacGregor, Professor SJ |
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| Department: |
Electronic and Electrical Engineering |
| Organisation: |
University of Strathclyde |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 April 2001 |
Ends: |
31 March 2002 |
Value (£): |
56,669
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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This programme aims to build on the success of a preliminary laboratory experiment and establish the feasibility of plasma-channel drilling technology (PCD). PCD is a novel electrically driven, non-rotary drilling method that differs from other electrical methods. It does not rely on rock melting or shockwave reduction, but forces a short lived plasma discharge to form inside the rock ahead of the drill bit. The plasma discharge expands rapidly and causes the local region of rock to fracture and disintegrate. If the plasma discharge is formed many times a second, a highly effective drilling press results. There is no requirement for drill head rotation as the plasma discharge position will automatically change as regions of rock are removed. The experimental programme to be undertaken will investigate what rates of penetration are achievable with this technology and will include experiments to identify the role of key electrical operating parameters on the PCD performance. It is anticipated that the short term development of the technology will focus on well intervention drilling via coiled tubing deployment to improve recovery. Longer term development would concentrate on exploration drilling of slimholes and microholes for inexpensive subsurface data acquisition.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.strath.ac.uk |