The Turbodrill An introduction

Typical Steerable Turbine

Forces and Load Support

Turbodrill Bearing Section

Thrust Bearing Components

Moving
Disc
Moving
Disc
Spacer

Front
Bearing

Thrust
Bearing

Labyrinth

Flexible
Shaft
Fixed
Disc

Bent
Housing

Front Bearing
Stabiliser
Bit Box Stabiliser

PDC Thrust Bearing

( or, animated.)

Turbodrill features

Turbodrill Balance Drum Assembly

Balance Drum Assembly
Motor Section

Micro
Annulus
Pressure Equalising
Leakage Flow
Main Flow to
Motor Section

Main Mud Flow

into Turbodrill
Leakage Flow
Exits to Annulus

Turbine
Shaft

Balance
Drum
Housing

Downhole motors: Turbodrill competitors

Turbodrill and PDM Drive Function

PDM Main Technical Features

Torque / Speed range defined by lobe ratio

Slow enough for tricone bits

Torque variable via WOB

Low pressure demand on rig pumps 150 psi per stage

Most technology available over the counter

Relatively easy to build adequate tool.

But . .

10

PDM Main Technical Features, continued

But . . .

Motor section limits life and power

Significantly affected by temperature

Readily damaged by stalling

Hydraulic noise, poor radial balance affects MWD

11

Turbodrill Technical Features

Very high power potential

Intrinsically reliable / Long Life

Near perfect radial balance

No reliance on elastomers for power I.e. heat-proof

Fluid coupling effect.

But . . .

12

Turbodrill Technical Features, continued

But . .

Speeds too high for tricone bits

High power output - at expense of flow rate

Little application in top hole?

Building a viable and reliable turbodrill is difficult.

13

Following On..
PUMP PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION
12-14" HOLE SECTION
4500
4000

PRESSURE (PSI)

3500
3000
2500

Available For Turbine

2000

Parasitic Losses

1500
1000
500
0
500

550

600

650

700

750

FLOW RATE (GPM)

14

800

850

900

950

Turbodrill & PDM . . . .

. . . .Whats the difference?

15

Well bore quality

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Well bore quality: smooth ?

Reduced hole spiralling effects & smoother well bore.
(Hole spiralling negatively impacts measurements, mud, cement, casing
running, etc.)
- data from image tools would indicate less spiralling than competitors
(primarily PDMs + Rock BIts)

17

Borehole Image with typical profile

generated by PDM + Rockbit

Borehole Image with typical profile

generated by Turbine + long gauge bit

Well bore quality: Hole Spiralling 1

18

Well bore quality: Hole Spiralling 2

19

Well bore quality: Hole Spiralling problems

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4.6Ft *
LONG GAUGE
PIN CONNECTION.

NEAR BIT
STABILISER.

BOX END
SHAFT

BOTTOM BEARING
STABILISER

2.6Ft *
BOX END
SHAFT

LONG GAUGE
PIN CONNECTION.

BOTTOM BEARING
STABILISER

2.2Ft*
SHORT GAUGE
PIN CONNECTION

BIT BOX
STABILISER

BOTTOM BEARING
STABILISER

1.4Ft*
BOX-UP
LONG GAUGE BIT.

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BOTTOM BEARING
STABILISER

(* typical- may vary)