Increasing Energy Efficiency in Well Drilling

Abstract

This article provides the results of the first attempt to substantiate the rates of energy consumption and energy savings during the well-drilling process. It is proposed to accept the electrical energy consumption rate as a planned indicator of consumption of resources in the production of a unit of work of a specified quality. For a comprehensive assessment of the efficiency of use of energy resources during production of similar or substitute work, we determined specific energy consumption (designed, planned, actual), which includes direct consumption of all energy types in the production of a unit of work for basic and auxiliary production and operational needs, including from the consumption volume of mentioned resources and energy supply. Classification of consumption rates of electrical energy according to its action period and size scale has been proposed. The composition and amount of energy consumption rates during well-drilling have been described. The technological, expedition, and group rates of electricity consumption for drilling wells during design, survey, and technological work were determined. Electricity input items in drilling operations have been determined. For the first time, a set of measures to reduce energy costs during drilling is shown. The diagram developed for assessment of well performance allows prediction of technological and expedition rates of electricity consumption. Its creation, knowledge/understanding, implementation, analysis, and assessment by means of telemetry will allow evaluation of energy consumption when simulating drilling operations with varying drilling parameters. It will also provide an opportunity to select optimal technological or expedition rates of electricity consumption, taking account of drilling components at each depth: maximum drilling rate under constant weight on bit or maximum penetration. Based on the diagram, organizational and technical measures are proposed to save energy resources and reduce their consumption. The proposed measures allow saving up to 30–40% on energy costs.