Claims
- 1. A method of drilling a subterranean formation using a drilling rig, a drill string, a fluid pump located substantially at the drilling rig, a drilling fluid and plurality of solid material impactors, the drill string including a feed end located substantially near the drilling rig and a nozzle end including a nozzle supported thereon, the method comprising:
providing at least one nozzle such that a velocity of the drilling fluid while exiting the nozzle is substantially greater than a velocity of the drilling fluid while passing through a nominal diameter flow path in the nozzle end of the drill string; introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid to circulate the plurality of solid material impactors with the drilling fluid into the feed end of the drill string, through the drill string and through the nozzle, the drilling fluid being pumped at at least one of a selected circulation rate and a selected pump pressure; pumping the drilling fluid at a pressure level and a flow rate level sufficient to satisfy an impactor mass-velocity relationship wherein a substantial portion by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors creates a structurally altered zone in the formation having a structurally altered zone height in a direction perpendicular to a plane of impaction at least two times a mean particle diameter of particles in the formation impacted by the plurality of solid material impactors; circulating at least some of the drilling fluid, the plurality of solid material impactors and the formation cuttings away from the at least one nozzle.
- 2. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
rotating the nozzle while engaging the formation to generate formation cuttings.
- 3. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 1, wherein a substantial portion by weight of the solid material impactors have a velocity of at least 200 feet per second at engagement with the formation.
- 4. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 1, wherein a substantial portion by weight of the solid material impactors have a velocity of at least 200 feet per second and as great as 1200 feet per second at engagement with the formation.
- 5. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 1, wherein a substantial portion by weight of the solid material impactors have a velocity of at least 200 feet per second and as great as 750 feet per second at engagement with the formation.
- 6. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 1, wherein a substantial portion by weight of the solid material impactors have a velocity of at least 350 feet per second and as great as 500 feet per second at engagement with the formation.
- 7. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 1, wherein a substantial portion by weight of the solid material impactors have a density of at least 230 pounds per cubic foot and a diameter in excess of 0.100 inches.
- 8. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 1, wherein a substantial portion by weight of the solid material impactors have a density of at least 470 pounds per cubic foot and a diameter in excess of 0.100 inches.
- 9. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 1, wherein the mass-velocity relationship of a substantial portion of the plurality of solid material impactors provides at least 5000 pounds per square inch of force per area impacted by a respective solid material impactor having a mean diameter in excess of 0.100 inches.
- 10. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 1, wherein the mass-velocity relationship of a substantial portion of the plurality of solid material impactors provides at least 20,000 pounds per square inch of force per area impacted by a respective solid material impactor having a mean diameter in excess of 0.100 inches.
- 11. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 1, wherein the mass-velocity relationship of a substantial portion of the plurality of solid material impactors provides at least 30,000 pounds per square inch of force per area impacted by a respective solid material impactor having a mean diameter in excess of 0.100 inches.
- 12. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 1, wherein a substantial portion by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors create a structurally altered zone in the formation having a structurally altered zone height in a direction perpendicular to a plane of impaction at least four times a mean particle diameter of particles in the formation impacted by the plurality of solid material impactors.
- 13. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 1, wherein a substantial portion by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors create a structurally altered zone in the formation having a structurally altered zone height in a direction perpendicular to a plane of impaction at least eight times a mean particle diameter of particles in the formation impacted by the plurality of solid material impactors.
- 14. A method of drilling a subterranean formation using a drilling rig, a drill string, a fluid pump located substantially at the drilling rig, a drilling fluid and plurality of solid material impactors, the drill string including a feed end located substantially near the drilling rig and a bit end including a drilling bit supported thereon, the method comprising:
providing the drilling bit with at least one nozzle such that a velocity of the drilling fluid while exiting the drilling bit is substantially greater than a velocity of the drilling fluid while passing through a nominal diameter flow path in the bit end of the drill string; introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid to circulate the plurality of solid material impactors with the drilling fluid through the drilling bit, the drilling fluid being pumped at at least one of a selected circulation rate and a selected pump pressure, a substantial portion by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors each having a mean diameter in excess of 0.100 inches; rotating the drilling bit while engaging the formation to generate formation cuttings; and circulating at least some of the drilling fluid, the plurality of solid material impactors and the formation cuttings away from the at least one nozzle.
- 15. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, further comprising:
introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid to circulate the plurality of solid material impactors with the drilling fluid through the drilling bit and engage the formation with both the drilling fluid and the plurality of solid material impactors; pumping the drilling fluid at a pressure level and a flow rate to create a structurally altered zone in the formation having a structurally altered zone height in a direction perpendicular to a plane of impaction at least two times a mean particle diameter of particles in the formation impacted by the plurality of solid material impactors.
- 16. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, further comprising:
selecting each of the at least one nozzles for inclusion in the bit as a function of at least one of: (a) an expenditure of a selected range of hydraulic horsepower across the one or more nozzles, (b) a selected range of drilling fluid velocities exiting the one or more nozzles, and (c) a selected range of solid material impactor velocities exiting the one or more nozzles.
- 17. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, further comprising:
determining at least one or more drilling parameters from a group consisting of (a) a number of teeth on the drilling bit that engage the formation per unit of time, (b) a rate of drilling bit penetration into the formation, (c) a depth of drilling bit penetration into the formation from a depth reference point, (d) a formation drillability factor, (e) a number of solid material impactors introduced into the drilling fluid per unit of time, (f) at least one of an axial force and a rotational force applied to the drilling bit, (g) the selected circulation rate, and (h) the selected pump pressure.
- 18. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, further comprising:
monitoring one or more drilling parameters; and altering at least one of the monitored one or more drilling parameters and another drilling parameter as a function of the monitored one or more drilling parameters.
- 19. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 18, wherein monitoring one or more drilling parameters includes monitoring one or more drilling parameters from a group of drilling parameters consisting of (a) a rate of drilling bit rotation, (b) a rate of drilling bit penetration into the formation, (c) a depth of drilling bit penetration into the formation from a depth reference point, (d) a formation drillability factor, (e) a number of solid material impactors introduced into the drilling fluid per unit of time, (f) at least one of an axial force and a rotational force applied to the drilling bit, (g) the selected circulation rate, and (h) the selected pump pressure.
- 20. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, wherein the velocity of the drilling fluid while exiting the drilling bit causes a substantial portion by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors to create a structurally altered zone in the formation having a structurally altered zone height in a direction perpendicular to a plane of impaction at least two times a mean particle diameter of particles in the formation impacted by the plurality of solid material impactors.
- 21. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, wherein the structurally altered zone includes one of fractures propagated into the formation and a compressive spike in the formation.
- 22. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 21, further comprising:
engaging at least one of the propagated fractures and an impactor altered zone of the formation in the vicinity of the propagated fracture with a tooth on the drilling bit.
- 23. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, wherein the velocity of the impactors exiting the drilling bit causes a substantial portion by weight of the impactors to engage the formation and alter the structural properties of the formation to a depth of at least two times the mean diameter of particles in the impacted formation, thereby creating an impactor altered zone.
- 24. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, wherein the velocity of the plurality of solid material impactors exiting the drilling bit creates a plurality of craters in the formation each having a crater depth of at least one-third the diameter of a respective impactor.
- 25. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, further comprising:
altering a feed rate of the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid in response to a monitored drilling parameter.
- 26. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 14, further comprising:
forming a dual-discharge nozzle within the drill bit for generating each of (1) a radially outer drilling fluid jet substantially encircling a jet axis, and (2) an axial drilling fluid jet substantially aligned with and coaxial with the jet axis; and directing a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors into the axial drilling fluid jet.
- 27. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, wherein each of the introduced plurality of solid material impactors is substantially spherical.
- 28. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 27, wherein a majority by weight of the introduced plurality of solid material impactors each have a diameter of at least 0.100 inches.
- 29. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 28, further comprising:
monitoring one or more drilling/formation parameters; and selecting a diameter range of the plurality of solid material impactors as a function of at least one of the one or more monitored drilling/formation parameters.
- 30. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, wherein the introduced plurality of solid material impactors are substantially crystalline shaped.
- 31. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, wherein the at least one nozzle includes a plurality of nozzles and a majority by weight of the impactors are passing through the plurality of nozzles.
- 32. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, wherein at least one of the at least one nozzles separates a first portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the impactor nozzle into a first drilling fluid stream having a first drilling fluid exit nozzle velocity, and a second portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the impactor nozzle into a second drilling fluid stream having a second drilling fluid exit nozzle velocity lower than the first drilling fluid exit nozzle velocity.
- 33. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 32, further comprising:
directing the plurality of solid material impactors into the first drilling fluid stream such that a velocity of the plurality of solid material impactors while exiting the drill bit is substantially greater than a velocity of the drilling fluid while passing through a nominal diameter flow path in the bit end of the drill string to accelerate the plurality of solid material impactors.
- 34. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, wherein the velocity of a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors exiting the drilling bit is a least 200 feet per second.
- 35. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 14, wherein introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid further comprises:
monitoring one or more drilling parameters; and adjusting a rate of solid material impactor introduction into the drilling fluid in response to the monitored one or more drilling parameters.
- 36. A method of drilling a subterranean well through a subterranean formation using a drilling rig, a drill string, a fluid pump located substantially at the drilling rig and a drilling fluid, the drill string including an upper end located substantially near the drilling rig and a bit end including a drill bit supported thereon, the method comprising:
providing the drill bit with at least one nozzle such that a velocity of the drilling fluid while exiting the drill bit is substantially greater than a velocity of the drilling fluid while passing through a nominal diameter flow path in the bit end of the drill string; providing a plurality of solid material impactors substantially adjacent the drilling rig; introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid to circulate the plurality of solid material impactors with the drilling fluid through the drill string and through the drill bit, the drilling fluid being pumped at at least one of a selected circulation rate and a selected pump pressure, a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors, a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors having a mean diameter in excess of 0.100 inches; rotating the drill bit while engaging the formation to generate formation cuttings; and circulating at least some of the drilling fluid, the plurality of solid material impactors and the formation cuttings from the at least one nozzle.
- 37. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, further comprising:
substantially separating each of the formation cuttings and the plurality of solid material impactors from the drilling fluid at the surface of the well to salvage the drilling fluid for recirculating the drilling fluid into at least one of the well and another well.
- 38. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, further comprising:
substantially separating the plurality of solid material impactors from the cuttings for discarding the cuttings and for salvaging at least a portion of the plurality of solid material impactors for recirculating the at least a portion of the plurality of solid material impactors into the wellbore.
- 39. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein the velocity of the plurality of solid material impactors exiting the drill bit causes a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors to engage the formation and propagate a substantial portion by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors engaging the formation into the formation a depth of at least one-third a diameter of a respective impactor, such that a tooth on the drill bit engages one of a portion of a respective propagated impactor and a portion of an impactor altered zone of the formation in the vicinity of the propagated impactor.
- 40. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 39, wherein
the velocity of the drilling fluid and the plurality of solid material impactors exiting the drill bit causes a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors to engage the formation and propagate a substantial portion of the plurality of solid material impactors engaging the formation into the formation a depth of at least the diameter of a respective impactor, thereby creating a propagation path in the formation and an impactor altered zone in the vicinity of the propagation path; and engaging at least one of the propagation path and the structurally altered zone in the vicinity of the propagation path with a tooth on the drill bit to extract formation cuttings.
- 41. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, further comprising:
providing an impactor introduction port upstream of a swivel quill located substantially near the upper end of the drill string; and introducing the plurality of solid material impactors comprises introducing the plurality of solid material impactors through the impactor introduction port into the drilling fluid.
- 42. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, further comprising:
forming a dual-discharge nozzle within the drill bit for generating each of (1) a radially outer drilling fluid jet substantially encircling a jet axis, and (2) an axial drilling fluid jet substantially aligned with and coaxial with the jet axis, and the dual discharge nozzle directing a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors into the axial drilling fluid jet.
- 43. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein the injected plurality of solid material impactors are substantially spherical and a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors are of a substantially uniform mean diameter.
- 44. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein the introduced plurality of solid material impactors are substantially crystalline.
- 45. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein the introduced plurality of solid material impactors are substantially rounded and majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors have a substantially non-uniform mean diameter.
- 46. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein at least a majority by weight of the introduced plurality of solid material impactors have a mean diameter of at least 0.125 inches and as large as 0.333 inches.
- 47. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein at least a majority by weight of the introduced plurality of solid material impactors have a mean diameter of at least 0.150 inches and as large as 0.250 inches.
- 48. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors are substantially crystalline shaped.
- 49. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein at least a majority by weight of the introduced plurality of solid material impactors are of a non-uniform shape having at least one length dimension of at least 0.100 inches.
- 50. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein at least one of the at least one nozzles is an impactor nozzle to accelerate the velocity of the plurality of solid material impactors through the one or more impactor nozzles as compared to the velocity of the plurality of solid material impactors through a nominal diameter flow path in a lower portion of the drill string.
- 51. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein at least one of the at least one nozzles separates a first portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the impactor nozzle into a first drilling fluid stream having a first drilling fluid exit nozzle velocity, and a second portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the impactor nozzle into a second drilling fluid stream having a second drilling fluid exit nozzle velocity lower than the first drilling fluid exit nozzle velocity.
- 52. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 51, the method further comprising:
directing the plurality of solid material impactors into the first drilling fluid stream such that a velocity of the plurality of solid material impactors while exiting the drill bit is substantially greater than a velocity of the drilling fluid while passing through a nominal diameter flow path in the bit end of the drill string accelerate the plurality of solid material impactors
- 53. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein the velocity of a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors immediately exiting the drill bit is at least 200 feet per second.
- 54. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein the velocity of a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors immediately exiting the drill bit is at least 200 feet per second and as great as 1200 feet per second.
- 55. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein the velocity of a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors immediately exiting the drill bit is at least 200 feet per second and as great as 750 feet per second.
- 56. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein the velocity of a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors immediately exiting the drill bit is at least 350 feet per second and as great as 500 feet per second.
- 57. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid further comprises:
hydraulically isolating an auger type impactor introduction device from the circulating drilling fluid; filling the auger type impactor introduction device at a low pressure from a fill end with a plurality of solid material impactors; sealing the impactor introduction device to internally withstand at least the selected pump pressure; hydraulically communicating a discharge end of the impactor introduction device with the drilling fluid at the selected pump pressure; and displacing solid material impactors from within the impactor introduction device into the drilling fluid by rotating an impactor auger within an impactor introducer housing.
- 58. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid further comprises:
introducing at least 1000 solid material impactors per minute into the drilling fluid.
- 59. The method of drilling a subterranean well as defined in claim 36, wherein introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid further comprises:
adjusting the rate of introducing plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid in response to the total number of times teeth on the bit will impact the formation per unit of time.
- 60. A method of drilling a subterranean formation using a drilling rig, a drill string, a fluid pump substantially at the drilling rig and a drilling fluid, the drill string including a feed end located substantially near the drilling rig and a bit end including a drilling bit supported thereon, the method comprising:
providing the drilling bit to include at least one nozzle such that a velocity of the drilling fluid while exiting the drilling bit is substantially greater than a velocity of the drilling fluid while passing through a nominal diameter flow path in the bit end of the drill string; providing a plurality of solid material impactors substantially adjacent the drilling rig; introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid to circulate the plurality of solid material impactors with the drilling fluid at at least one of a selected circulation rate and a selected pump pressure through the drilling bit, a substantial portion by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors creating a structurally altered zone in the formation having a structurally altered zone height in a direction perpendicular to a plane of impaction at least two times a mean particle diameter of particles in the formation impacted by the plurality of solid material impactors; rotating the drilling bit while engaging the formation to generate formation cuttings; and circulating at least some of the drilling fluid, the plurality of solid material impactors and the formation cuttings away from the at least one nozzle.
- 61. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 60, wherein a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors have an impactor diameter of at least 0.100 inches.
- 62. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 60, wherein the structurally altered zone includes a fracture in the formation having a fracture height at least two times a mean particle diameter of particles in the impacted formation.
- 63. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 60, wherein introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid creates at least one fracture in the formation having a fracture height at least eight times a mean particle diameter of particles in the impacted formation.
- 64. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 60, wherein introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid creates at least one fracture in the formation having a fracture height at least two times a mean diameter of a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors impacting the formation
- 65. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 60, wherein the structurally altered zone includes a compressive spike in the formation having a spike length at least two times a mean particle diameter of particles in the formation.
- 66. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 60, wherein the plurality of solid material impactors are introduced into the drilling fluid after the drilling fluid has been circulated through the fluid pump.
- 67. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 60, further comprising:
selecting at least one of the selected circulation rate and the selected pump pressure such that the momentum of at least five percent by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors at a point of impact with the formation creates a plurality of fractures in the formation each having a fracture length at least two times a mean particle diameter of particles in the impacted formation.
- 68. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 60, wherein introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid creates a structurally altered zone in the formation having a structurally altered zone height in a direction perpendicular to a plane of impaction at least four times a mean particle diameter of particles in the impacted formation.
- 69. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 60, wherein introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid creates a structurally altered zone in the formation having a structurally altered zone height in a direction perpendicular to a plane of impaction at least eight times a mean particle diameter of particles in the impacted formation.
- 70. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 60, wherein introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid creates a structurally altered zone in the formation having a structurally altered zone height in a direction perpendicular to a plane of impaction at least two times a mean diameter of a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors impacting the impacted formation.
- 71. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 60, further comprising:
adjusting the rate of introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid.
- 72. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 60, wherein introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid causes a majority by weight of the introduced impactors to engage the formation and cause a substantial portion of the majority by weight of the impactors engaging the formation to alter one or more structural rock properties of the formation in the vicinity of a respective point of impact.
- 73. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 72, wherein altering one or more structural rock properties includes creating a fracture in the formation in the vicinity of a respective point of impact.
- 74. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 72, wherein altering one or more structural rock properties includes creating a micro-fractured zone in the vicinity of a respective point of impact.
- 75. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 60, wherein introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid causes a first impactor to engage the formation, and subsequently causes at least one additional impactor to engage the first impactor thereby causing at least one of the first impactor and the at least one additional impactor to alter the structural rock properties in the vicinity of at least one of the first impactor and the at least one additional impactor.
- 76. The method of drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 60, wherein rotating the drilling bit causes at least one tooth on the drilling bit to engage at least one solid material impactor causing the at least one solid material impactor to alter the structural rock properties of the formation.
- 77. A system for drilling a subterranean formation using a drilling rig, a drilling fluid pumped into a well bore by a fluid pump located at the drilling rig, a drill string including a feed end located substantially near the drilling rig, a bit end for supporting a drill bit, and including at least one through bore to conduct the drilling fluid between the drilling rig and the drill bit, the drill bit including at least one nozzle at least partially housed in the drill bit such that a velocity of the drilling fluid while exiting the drill bit is substantially greater than a velocity of the drilling fluid while passing through a nominal diameter of the through bore in the bit end of the drill string, the system comprising:
an impactor introducer to introduce a plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid before circulating the plurality of impactors and the drilling fluid to the drill bit; the plurality of solid material impactors passing with the drilling fluid through the at least one nozzle in the drill bit such that the velocity of the impactors while exiting the at least one nozzle is substantially greater than a velocity of the drilling fluid while passing through the nominal diameter of the through bore in the bit end of the drill string, such that at least some of the plurality of impactors are circulated substantially back to the drilling rig with the drilling fluid, and wherein a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors have an impactor diameter in excess of 0.100 inches.
- 78. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, further comprising:
an impactor introducer conduit for conducting the plurality of solid material impactors from the impactor introducer substantially to the feed end of the drill string.
- 79. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, further comprising:
a fluid conduit for conducting the drilling fluid from the drilling fluid pump substantially to the feed end of the drill string, the fluid conduit having an introduction port for introducing the plurality of solid impactors from the impactor introducer into the drilling fluid.
- 80. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 79, further comprising:
a gooseneck having a through bore for conducting drilling fluid from the fluid conduit to a drilling swivel, and the gooseneck including the introduction port in the gooseneck; and a drilling swivel including a through bore for conducting drilling fluid therein, substantially supported on the feed end of the drill string for conducting drilling fluid from the goose neck into the feed end of the drill string.
- 81. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, further comprising:
a drilling fluid separator located at the surface to substantially separate at least one of the cuttings and the plurality of solid material impactors from the drilling fluid at the surface of the well to salvage the drilling fluid for recirculating the drilling fluid into one of the well and another well.
- 82. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, further comprising:
an impactor separator located at the surface to substantially separate the plurality of solid material impactors from the cuttings.
- 83. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, wherein the plurality of solid material impactors are substantially spherical.
- 84. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 83, wherein a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors have a diameter of at least 0.125 inches and as great as 0.333 inches.
- 85. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 83, wherein a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors have a diameter of at least 0.150 inches and as great as 0.250 inches.
- 86. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, wherein a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors have a velocity of at least 200 feet per second at engagement with the formation.
- 87. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, wherein a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors have a velocity of at least 200 feet per second and as large as 1200 feet per second at engagement with the formation.
- 88. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, wherein a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors have a velocity of at least 200 feet per second and as large as 750 feet per second at engagement with the formation.
- 89. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, wherein a majority by weight of the plurality of solid material impactors have a velocity of at least 350 feet per second and as large as 500 feet per second at engagement with the formation.
- 90. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, wherein the solid material impactors are substantially metallic.
- 91. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, wherein the at least one nozzle in the drill bit comprises a dual jet nozzle for separating a first portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the dual jet nozzle into a first drilling fluid stream having a first drilling fluid exit nozzle velocity, and a second portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the dual jet nozzle into a second drilling fluid stream having a second drilling fluid exit nozzle velocity lower than the first drilling fluid exit nozzle velocity.
- 92. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 91, wherein the at least one dual jet nozzle includes an impactor director portion for directing the plurality of solid material impactors into the first drilling fluid stream to increase the velocity of the plurality of solid material impactors while exiting the at least one dual jet nozzle as compared to the velocity of the plurality of solid material impactors while passing through a nominal diameter flow path in a bit end of the drill string.
- 93. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, further comprising:
an impactor source vessel for holding at least some of the plurality of solid material impactors before introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the impactor introducer.
- 94. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, further comprising:
an impactor grader for sorting the plurality of solid material impactors prior to the plurality of solid material impactors being circulated from the well.
- 95. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, further comprising:
the pump pressurizing drilling fluid before introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid through an impactor injection port in a drilling fluid line, the impactor injection port located between the fluid pump and the feed end of the drill string.
- 96. The system for drilling a subterranean formation as defined in claim 77, further comprising:
an impactor injector including an auger for introducing the plurality of solid material impactors into the drilling fluid between the fluid pump and the upper end of the drill string.
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/665,586 filed on Sep. 19, 2000.
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09665586 |
Sep 2000 |
US |
Child |
10097038 |
Mar 2002 |
US |