Well Drilling 101: All You Need To Know

A drilling plant
 

From rotary hammer drills to measurement-while-drilling tools, modern drilling is as complex as engineering processes get. In this article, we assume no prior technical knowledge of well drilling processes and walk you through the basics in layperson language.

Here’s everything you need to know about well drilling.

What You’re Drilling For

Depending on where you want to drill, there’s a lot of material you have to go through before you start drilling the actual well. You have to pass through all the superficial materials such as sand, clay, rocks, and boulders. These layers are collectively referred to as the “overburden”. 

Beneath the overburden, lies solidified magma called bedrock. A well is just a cavity in the bedrock that accumulates and stores water. After cleaning all the overburden along the way, a well is drilled deep into the bedrock which acts as a reservoir for water. Drilling also causes small fractures in the bedrock which supplies water to the well.

How is Drilling Done?

A common drilling method used today is rotary drilling. This is a huge diesel-powered drill that penetrates the ground and extracts all the overburden and the bedrock. This drill also uses hydraulics to apply a downward force which works as a hammer drill to push the drill into the ground. Another method is using a cable tool that works like a nail to bore the hole. This method is less efficient and also less common.

Illustration of a boring machine

Complex Deviated Well Drilling using SWD and LWD

Sometimes, water reservoirs are found at distance from where water is needed. Other times, water reservoirs are found but it’s harder to drill directly above the reservoirs. The solution for both of these is deviated drilling.

Deviated drilling technologies can allow engineers to drill at different angles and even change directions while drilling. These drills can be steered by operators above the ground to reach places traditional drilling can’t. However, it’s pretty hard to measure the position, angle, and other variables of the drill when there are tons of concrete blocking the signals.

Special SWD (Seismic While Drilling) and LWD (Logging While Drilling) tools are used to measure these variables. At True Shot, we have recently launched the revolutionary LWD tool called M1 Unmanned MWD. Our Gamma Logging and Extended Reach Survey Tool are also very popular in the market.

Our tools have been used to drill over 7,000 wells. Visit our website and browse our high-tech well now!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How To Optimize Production with The Right Survey Tools

Image
Optimizing production is crucial for the success of any oil and gas operation. The right survey tools can help achieve this goal by providing accurate and timely data. In this blog, we will discuss how to optimize production with survey tools  in the oil and gas industry. Understanding Survey Tools The subsurface conditions of oil and gas wells must be measured and analyzed using survey tools . By identifying the position, orientation, and geometry of underground formations, they assist in gathering crucial information needed to improve production. Gamma logging  and downhole tools  offer precise measurements of underground formations and wellbore conditions and are frequently used as surveying tools. To maximize productivity, accurate survey data is essential for spotting possible problems and making wise decisions. Operators can obtain comprehensive data on the wellbore and reservoir with the correct survey instruments, increasing drilling efficiency, saving costs, and improving dril
Read more

5 Applications of Directional Drilling

Image
Completing directional drilling  involves drilling underground in a horizontal direction. It’s mostly done to explore gas or oil reserves. Directional drilling is also referred to as directional boring. Unlike other drilling methods, directional drilling has a  reduced impact on the environment . At  True Shot , we provide the perfect solutions for your drilling needs. We offer unmanned MWD services   with a highly accurate survey on connection (SOC) data. Our command center keeps track of all drilling operations to ensure efficiency and productivity. Let’s look at the top five  applications  to complete  directional drilling  at True Shot . 1.   It Uses Sidetracking Application Sidetracking involves digging holes that are higher than the bottom ones. It was initially used to avoid lost obstruction during directional drilling completions . Later, this technique was used to explore the resource capability of various fields. Many side tracks can also be made for different purposes on a s
Read more

When Is Horizontal Directional Drilling a Preferred Option?

Image
  One of the most effective options a drilling contractor has at their disposal is horizontal directional drilling. The method involves drilling in a non-vertical direction to access the underground gas or oil reserves. Learn about the scenarios pushing a growing number of companies toward directional drilling completions . When They Need to Minimize Their Footprint Oil and gas companies are looking to reduce their  carbon footprint  and extract reserves with minimal surface disturbance. A single drilling pad can be utilized to drill multiple wells using horizontal directional drilling. The rigs can also bore through any tough terrain, such as swamplands, deep rivers, and even artificial barriers, such as runways and highways, without impacting the surface terrain. This helps preserve the region's aesthetics.  When They Have a Tight Budget Many companies have a very tight budget and can only afford to hire fewer operators. This is why they prefer directional drilling. The undergrou
Read more