The geothermal market is experiencing a surge in activity, necessitating the development of innovative solutions to optimize drilling efficiency and energy production. An article authored by Michael Adams and Reza Far of NOV explores the realm of insulative pipe coatings and their transformative impact on geothermal energy production.
The extraction of high-energy heat from deep, hot reservoirs poses a distinct set of challenges for geothermal operators. These challenges require the minimization of fluid cooling to maximize the delivery of geothermal energy to the surface for power generation, all the while ensuring the safe drilling into hot rock formations and protection of temperature-sensitive electronics in downhole drilling tools.
A significant obstacle faced by geothermal operators is the drilling into deep, dry rock formations at temperatures ranging from 150°C to 300°C (300°F to 570°F). At such extreme temperatures, the drilling muds utilized for circulating rock cuttings and cooling downhole electronics in the drillstring’s bottomhole assembly can reach levels that result in tool failures and costly downtime for repairs.
To address these challenges, a geothermal operator sought a solution from NOV: an insulating drillpipe coating to maintain cooler drilling mud temperatures and safeguard the bottomhole assembly from temperature-induced failures.
The Tuboscope division of NOV, renowned for its innovative coating products spanning over 80 years, promptly incorporated thermal conductivity as a primary testing criteria in the development of the insulating coating. The aim was to enhance the coating’s capacity to maintain cooler drilling mud and preserve high-energy heat within the pipe during its ascent to the surface.
Through extensive testing and research, NOV’s Tuboscope succeeded in formulating a revolutionary coating with significantly reduced thermal conductivity. This advancement not only maintained the dependable downhole performance of previous coating iterations but also exhibited exceptional impact, chemical, and abrasion resistance, along with superior corrosion mitigation properties.
The efficacy of the insulated, coated drillpipe was evident in several geothermal and oil & gas projects. Test wells drilled with the coated drillpipe in New Mexico and Utah produced impressive results, with the mud temperature remaining well below target temperatures, thereby preventing damage to the bottomhole assembly.
Operators of oil and gas projects in areas with high-temperature reservoirs also recognized the benefits of the insulated, coated drillpipe. In the Haynesville shale play in Louisiana, operators achieved notable success in drilling extended lateral sections in high-temperature formations using the technology.
Looking ahead, NOV’s Tuboscope is actively engaged in expanding the deployment of the insulated coating technology to broader applications, with a particular emphasis on developing next-generation coatings with even lower thermal conductivities. These innovations are intended to support future geothermal operators in drilling into even deeper, hotter reservoirs, while also offering benefits to operators in shallower, lower-temperature reservoirs for diverse applications.
In conclusion, NOV’s state-of-the-art insulative coating technology has significantly advanced the geothermal energy industry, offering solutions to the challenges faced by operators in high-temperature environments. With a promising future ahead, this pioneering technology is poised to revolutionize geothermal energy production on a global scale.
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