The Effect of Confinement on Rate of Penetration (ROP) in Hard Rock
Authors: Mayibeki D. , Hareland G. , Al Dushaishi M. , Blaylock S. 
Published: September 2023

Harder formations in geothermal and deeper oil and gas wells typically see lower rates of penetration (ROPs) and higher bit wear. Recent drilling experience in the Utah FORGE observed higher ROPs and longer runs using lighter drilling muds and new cutter technologies. Questions have arisen regarding reasons for the improved ROP and if the higher ROP is due to increased spurt loss or reduced hydrostatic pressure from lighter drilling fluids. A study was performed on an inhouse rig using two polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits (4-bladed vs 5-bladed) to analyze the effect of confinement on ROP in Sierra White Granite (SWG). Tests were performed at confinements of 0, 1000, and 2000 psi and at constant rotational speeds of 80 and 150 RPM. Results show that when confinement is increased, ROPs are similar in the ineffective cutting Phase I. However, results in Phase II indicate that ROP is largely different between the unconfined and higher confinement testing. No significant effect on ROP is observed between 1000 and 2000 psi. At zero confinement, the 4-bladed bit outperformed the 5-bladed bit while at 1000 and 2000 psi confinement, the performance was similar. This paper presents the laboratory results with potential applications to hard rock geothermal drilling.

INTRODUCTION

Confining pressure in drilling terms is the hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of the well while drilling in impermeable formations. Many studies have outlined the effects of confining pressure on rock deformation but the effect of confinement on drilling efficiency and ROP is yet to be thoroughly investigated. In recent years, hard rock drilling especially in geothermal reservoirs has faced great challenges such as low penetration rates and high bit wear leading to high drilling costs. Advanced bit technology is required to maneuver the unique physical and mechanical properties of hard and abrasive rocks at high confining pressures.

Although roller cone bits were predominantly used to drill hard and abrasive formations, PDC bits with enhanced cutter properties and ‘special’ cutter geometries are at the forefront of drilling research and technology. During the past years, new PDC cutter technology has improved cutter wear resistance and its capability to carry higher loads. Recent drilling experience in the Utah FORGE observed higher ROPs and longer bit runs using lighter drilling muds and new cutter technologies including shaped cutters (Dupriest and Noynaert, 2022). Glowka, (1985) discussed the potential for developing a PDC drill bit for hard rock applications such as geothermal drilling. Different cutter geometrical shapes and designs are currently being designed to address heavy impact damage in hard formations, prevent thermal damage and extend drilling runs while maximizing ROP. Zhu et al. (2022) analyzed the loading performance and rock cutting mechanism of different PDC cutters by using single cutter analysis to study geometry, aggressiveness, and stress distribution in granite. Xiong et al. (2022) studied the performance of a stinger PDC cutter in granite to evaluate cutting force and mechanical specific energy (MSE). Barnett et al. (2022) studied the effects of drillstring torsional vibration on ROP with PDC bits in hard rock. Wang et al. (2020) designed a PDC hybrid drill bit to navigate hard and abrasive formations. Akhtarmanesh et al. (2021) designed an ROP model for drilling hard and abrasive formations for PDC bits. It was seen that distinct phases of drilling exist where Phase I is the inefficient drilling phase due to insufficient WOB and Phase II is the efficient drilling phase due to higher WOB which results in a higher ROP. Figure 1 shows the different phases of drilling as described by Akhtarmanesh et al. (2021). Due to the complexity of drilling in hard formations, more testing is crucial to completely understand the effects of temperature, rock behavior, and confining pressure on ROP and bit cutting mechanism. An understanding of bit cutting action in hard rock is crucial for successful ROP optimization and improving drilling efficiency.