Method of drilling using pulsed electric drilling
The present invention provides for pulsed powered drilling apparatuses and methods. A drilling apparatus is provided comprising a bit having one or more sets of electrodes through which a pulsed voltage is passed through a mineral substrate to create a crushing or drilling action.
1. A method for pulsed power drilling and passing a pulsed electrical current through a substrate, the method comprising:
drilling with a drill bit;
disposing at least one set of at least two electrodes on the drill bit, defining therebetween at least one electrode gap, orienting electrodes of each set substantially along a face of the drill bit, and passing current through the substrate;
generating a high-voltage pulse by linking a power generator to the drill bit, and delivering a pulsed current between the electrodes and through the substrate;
powering the pulsed power generator with an electrical power source;
sending high-voltage pulses from the high-voltage pulse generator to the drill bit via an electrical conduction conduit; and
insulating with an insulating drilling fluid having a dielectric strength of at least approximately 300 kV/cm (1 μsec).
2. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the electrodes is depressible toward the drill bit.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising rotating the drill bit.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising disposing a plurality of mechanical teeth on at least one of the electrodes.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the insulating drilling fluid comprises an electrical conductivity less than approximately 10 −5 mho/cm and a dielectric constant greater than approximately 6.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the insulating drilling fluid comprises
a dielectric constant of at least approximately 15.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising arranging at least one of the electrode sets on the bit in a configuration that is asymmetric relative to an axis of rotational symmetric of the bit.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising arranging at least one of the electrode sets on the bit in a configuration that is symmetric relative to an axis of rotational symmetry of the bit.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising arranging at least one of a first of the electrode sets is arranged on the bit in a configuration that is asymmetric relative to an axis of rotational symmetry of the bit and at least one of a second of the electrode sets on the bit in a configuration that is symmetric relative to an axis of rotational symmetry of the bit.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising varying or changing both a pulse repetition rate and a pulse energy on at least one asymmetric electrode as a function of azimuthal angle as it rotates to change a direction of drilling.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising varying or changing both a pulse repetition rate and a pulse energy among separate sets of electrodes to change a direction of drilling.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising disposing a reamer and a reamer drag bit in a drill string and operating the reamer and the drill bit in conjunction in the drill string.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the reamer comprises a plurality of mechanical cutting teeth arranged on a reamer housing a geometry selected from the group consisting of a substantially conical shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, and a combination thereof.
14. The method of claim 1 comprising disposing at least one set of electrodes so that it touches the substrate and another of the electrodes so that it functions in close proximity to, or touches, the substrate for current to pass through the substrate.
15. The method of claim 1 comprising disposing the pulsed power generator on or near the drill bit and providing electrical current to the drill bit.
16. The method of claim 1 delivering high voltage pulses of at least approximately 100 kV.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the pulse generator comprises a capacitor bank utilizing at least one switch selected from the group consisting of a spark gap switch, a thyratron switch, a vacuum gap switch, a pseudo-spark switch, a mechanical switch, a solid state switch, and a combination thereof.
18. The method of claim 1 further comprising disposing passages in the bit and flowing a fluid through the passages for flushing debris.
19. The method of claim 1 comprising arranging a plurality of drill bits in an array.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising steering the array by varying a repetition rate or pulse energy of some of the drill bits relative to other drill bits in the array.
21. The method of claim 12 further comprising disposing at least one component in the drill string selected from the group consisting of a pulsed power supply, a generator to power the pulsed power, a gearbox to drive the generator, a rotating interface, a mud motor to drive the generator gearbox, a mud motor to rotate the bit, a rotating interface, a non-rotating drill pipe, a rotating rigid drill pipe, a downhole mud motor, a mud turbine, and a combination thereof.
22. The method of claim 12 further comprising disposing at least one component in the drill string and selected from the group consisting of a continuous mud pipe, a rigid multi-section pipe, a rigid multi-section pipe with conductors buried in a wall of the pipe, and a rotating magnetic interface.
23. The method of claim 1 wherein said bit comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially conical shape, a substantially conical shape with a plurality of conical angles a truncated conical shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially radiused shape, a substantially planar shape, and a combination thereof.
24. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a radiused face where the electrode contacts the substrate, a completed circle shape, a partial circle shape, a complete ellipse shape, a partial ellipse shape, a complete parabola shape, a partial parabola shape, and a combination thereof.
25. The method of claim 1 wherein said drill-bit comprises a non-rotating drill bit.
26. The method of claim 1 wherein the drilling fluid comprises water.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein the water comprises treated water.
28. A method for pulsed power drilling and passing a pulsed electrical current through a substrate, the method comprising:
drilling with a drill bit;
disposing at least one set of at least two electrodes on the drill bit, defining therebetween at least one electrode gap, orienting electrodes of each set substantially along a face of the drill bit, and passing current through the substrate;
generating a high-voltage pulse by linking a power generator to the drill bit, and delivering a pulsed current between the electrodes and through the substrate;
powering the pulsed power generator with an electrical power source;
sending high-voltage pulses from the high-voltage pulse generator to the drill bit via an electrical conduction conduit; and
arranging at least one of a first of the electrode sets is arranged on the bit in a configuration that is asymmetric relative to an axis of rotational symmetry of the bit and at least one of a second of the electrode sets on the bit in a configuration that is symmetric relative to an axis of rotational symmetry of the bit.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein at least one of the electrodes is depressible toward the drill bit.
30. The method of claim 28 further comprising rotating the drill bit.
31. The method of claim 28 further comprising insulating with an insulating drilling fluid having an electrical conductivity less than approximately 10 −5 mho/cm and a dielectric constant greater than approximately 6.
32. The method of claim 28 further comprising varying or changing both a pulse repetition rate and a pulse energy on at least one asymmetric electrode as a function of azimuthal angle as it rotates to change a direction of drilling.
33. The method of claim 28 further comprising varying or changing both a pulse repetition rate and a pulse energy among separate sets of electrodes to change a direction of drilling.
34. The method of claim 28 further comprising disposing a reamer and a reamer drag bit in the drill string and operating the reamer and the drill bit in conjunction in the drill string.
35. The method of claim 28 comprising disposing at least one set of electrodes so that it touches the substrate and another of the electrodes so that it functions in close proximity to, or touches, the substrate for current to pass through the substrate.
36. The method of claim 28 comprising disposing the pulsed power generator on or near the drill bit and providing electrical current to the drill bit.
37. The method of claim 28 delivering high voltage pulses of at least approximately 100 kV.
38. The method of claim 28 wherein the pulse generator comprises a capacitor bank utilizing at least one switch selected from the group consisting of a spark gap switch, a thyratron switch, a vacuum gap switch, a pseudo-spark switch, a mechanical switch, a solid state switch, and a combination thereof.
39. The method of claim 28 further comprising disposing passages in the bit and flowing a fluid through the passages for flushing debris.
40. The method of claim 28 comprising arranging a plurality of drill bits in an array.
41. The method of claim 28 wherein said bit comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially conical shape, a substantially conical shape with a plurality of conical angles, a truncated conical shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially radiused shape, a substantially planar shape, and a combination thereof.
42. The method of claim 28 wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a radiused face where the electrode contacts the substrate, a completed circle shape, a partial circle shape, a complete ellipse shape, a partial ellipse shape, a complete parabola shape, a partial parabola shape, and a combination thereof.
43. The method of claim 28 wherein said drill-bit comprises a non-rotating drill bit.
44. The method of claim 28 wherein said drilling fluid comprises water.
45. A method for pulsed power drilling and passing a pulsed electrical current through a substrate, the method comprising:
drilling with a drill bit;
disposing at least one set of at least two electrodes on the drill bit, defining therebetween at least one electrode gap, orienting electrodes of each set substantially along a face of the drill bit, and passing current through the substrate;
generating a high-voltage pulse by linking a power generator to the drill bit, and delivering a pulsed current between the electrodes and through the substrate;
powering the pulsed power generator with an electrical power source;
sending high-voltage pulses from the high-voltage pulse generator to the drill bit via an electrical conduction conduit; and
varying or changing both a pulse repetition rate and a pulse energy on at least one asymmetric electrode as a function of azimuthal angle as it rotates to change a direction of drilling.
46. The method of claim 45 wherein at least one of the electrodes is depressible toward the drill bit.
47. The method of claim 45 further comprising rotating the drill bit.
48. The method of claim 45 further comprising insulating with an insulating drilling fluid having an electrical conductivity less than approximately 10 −5 mho/cm and a dielectric constant greater than approximately 6.
49. The method of claim 45 further comprising varying or changing both a pulse repetition rate and a pulse energy among separate sets of electrodes to change a direction of drilling.
50. The method of claim 45 further comprising disposing a reamer and a reamer drag bit in the drill string arid operating the reamer and the drill bit in conjunction in the drill string.
51. The method of claim 45 comprising disposing at least one set of electrodes so that it touches the substrate and another of the electrodes so that it functions in close proximity to, or touches, the substrate for current to pass through the substrate.
52. The method of claim 45 comprising disposing the pulsed power generator on or near the drill bit and providing electrical current to the drill bit.
53. The method of claim 45 delivering high voltage pulses of at least approximately 100 kV.
54. The method of claim 45 wherein the pulse generator comprises a capacitor bank utilizing at least one switch selected from the group consisting of a spark gap switch, a thyratron switch, a vacuum gap switch, a pseudo-spark switch, a mechanical switch, a solid state switch, and a combination thereof.
55. The method of claim 45 further comprising disposing passages in the bit and flowing a fluid through the passages for flushing debris.
56. The method of claim 45 comprising arranging a plurality of drill bits in an array.
57. The method of claim 45 wherein said bit comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially conical shape, a substantially conical shape with a plurality of conical angles a truncated conical shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially radiused shape, a substantially planar shape, and a combination thereof.
58. The method of claim 45 wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a radiused face where the electrode contacts the substrate, a completed circle shape, a partial circle shape, a complete ellipse shape, a partial ellipse shape, a complete parabola shape, a partial parabola shape, and a combination thereof.
59. The method of claim 45 wherein said drill-bit comprises a non-rotating drill bit.
60. The method of claim 45 wherein said drilling fluid comprises water.
61. A method for pulsed power drilling and passing a pulsed electrical current through a substrate, the method comprising:
drilling with a drill bit;
disposing at least one set of at least two electrodes on the drill bit, defining therebetween at least one electrode gap, orienting electrodes of each set substantially along a face of the drill bit, and passing current through the substrate;
generating a high-voltage pulse by linking a power generator to the drill bit, and delivering a pulsed current between the electrodes and through the substrate;
powering the pulsed power generator with an electrical power source;
sending high-voltage pulses from the high-voltage pulse generator to the drill bit via an electrical conduction conduit; and
varying or changing both a pulse repetition rate and a pulse energy among separate sets of electrodes to change a direction of drilling.
62. The method of claim 61 further comprising rotating the drill bit.
63. The method of claim 61 further comprising insulating with an insulating drilling fluid having an electrical conductivity less than approximately 10 −5 mho/cm and a dielectric constant greater than approximately 6.
64. The method of claim 61 further comprising arranging at least one of the electrode sets on the bit in a configuration that is asymmetric relative to an axis of rotational symmetric of the bit.
65. The method of claim 61 further comprising arranging at least one of the electrode sets on the bit in a configuration that is symmetric relative to an axis of rotational symmetry of the bit.
66. The method of claim 61 further comprising arranging at least one of a first of the electrode sets is arranged on the bit in a configuration that is asymmetric relative to an axis of rotational symmetry of the bit and at least one of a second of the electrode sets on the bit in a configuration that is symmetric relative to an axis of rotational symmetry of the bit.
67. The method of claim 61 further comprising varying or changing both a pulse repetition rate and a pulse energy on at least one asymmetric electrode as a function of azimuthal angle as it rotates to change a direction of drilling.
68. The method of claim 61 further comprising disposing a reamer and a reamer drag bit in the drill string and operating the reamer and the drill bit in conjunction in the drill string.
69. The method of claim 61 comprising disposing at least one set of electrodes so that it touches the substrate and another of the electrodes so that it functions in close proximity to, or touches, the substrate for current to pass through the substrate.
70. The method of claim 61 comprising disposing the pulsed power generator on or near the drill bit and providing electrical current to the drill bit.
71. The method of claim 61 delivering high voltage pulses of at least approximately 100 kV.
72. The method of claim 61 wherein the pulse generator comprises a capacitor bank utilizing at least one switch selected from the group consisting of a spark gap switch, a thyratron switch, a vacuum gap switch, a pseudo-spark switch, a mechanical switch, a solid state switch, and a combination thereof.
73. The method of claim 61 further comprising disposing passages in the bit and flowing a fluid through the passages for flushing debris.
74. The method of claim 61 comprising arranging a plurality of drill bits in an array.
75. The method of claim 61 wherein said bit comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially conical shape, a substantially conical shape with a plurality of conical angles a truncated conical shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially radiused shape, a substantially planar shape, and a combination thereof.
76. The method of claim 61 wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a radiused face where the electrode contacts the substrate, a completed circle shape, a partial circle shape, a complete ellipse shape, a partial ellipse shape, a complete parabola shape, a partial parabola shape, and a combination thereof.
77. The method of claim 61 wherein said drill-bit comprises a non-rotating drill bit.
78. The method of claim 61 wherein said drilling fluid comprises water.
79. The method of claim 61 wherein at least one of the electrodes is depressible toward the drill bit.
80. A method for pulsed power drilling and passing a pulsed electrical current through a substrate, the method comprising:
drilling with a drill bit;
disposing at least one set of at least two electrodes on the drill bit, defining therebetween at least one electrode gap, orienting electrodes of each set substantially along a face of the drill bit, and passing current through the substrate;
generating a high-voltage pulse by linking a power generator to the drill bit, and delivering a pulsed current between the electrodes and through the substrate;
powering the pulsed power generator with an electrical power source;
sending high-voltage pulses from the high-voltage pulse generator to the drill bit via an electrical conduction conduit; and
arranging a plurality of drill bits in an array.
81. The method of claim 80 further comprising rotating the drill bit.
82. The method of claim 80 further comprising insulating with an insulating drilling fluid having an electrical conductivity less than approximately 10 −5 mho/cm and a dielectric constant greater than approximately 6.
83. The method of claim 80 further comprising arranging at least one of the electrode sets on the bit in a configuration that is asymmetric relative to an axis of rotational symmetric of the bit.
84. The method of claim 80 further comprising arranging at least one of the electrode sets on the bit in a configuration that is symmetric relative to an axis of rotational symmetry of the bit.
85. The method of claim 80 further comprising arranging at least one of a first of the electrode sets is arranged on the bit in a configuration that is asymmetric relative to an axis of rotational symmetry of the bit and at least one of a second of the electrode sets on the bit in a configuration that is symmetric relative to an axis of rotational symmetry of the bit.
86. The method of claim 80 further comprising varying or changing both a pulse repetition rate and a pulse energy on at least one asymmetric electrode as a function of azimuthal angle as it rotates to change a direction of drilling.
87. The method of claim 80 further comprising varying or changing both a pulse repetition rate and a pulse energy among separate sets of electrodes to change a direction of drilling.
88. The method of claim 80 further comprising disposing a reamer and a reamer drag bit in the drill string and operating the reamer and the drill bit in conjunction in the drill string.
89. The method of claim 80 comprising disposing at least one set of electrodes so that it touches the substrate and another of the electrodes so that it functions in close proximity to, or touches, the substrate for current to pass through the substrate.
90. The method of claim 80 comprising disposing the pulsed power generator on or near the drill bit and providing electrical current to the drill bit.
91. The method of claim 80 delivering high voltage pulses of at least approximately 100 kV.
92. The method of claim 80 wherein the pulse generator comprises a capacitor bank utilizing at least one switch selected from the group consisting of a spark gap switch, a thyratron switch, a vacuum gap switch, a pseudo-spark switch, a mechanical switch, a solid state switch, and a combination thereof.
93. The method of claim 80 further comprising disposing passages in the bit and flowing a fluid through the passages for flushing debris.
94. The method of claim 80 wherein said bit comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially conical shape, a substantially conical shape with a plurality of conical angles a truncated conical shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially radiused shape, a substantially planar shape, and a combination thereof.
95. The method of claim 80 wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of a radiused face where the electrode contacts the substrate, a completed circle shape, a partial circle shape, a complete ellipse shape, a partial ellipse shape, a complete parabola shape, a partial parabola shape, and a combination thereof.
96. The method of claim 80 wherein said drill-bit comprises a non-rotating drill bit.
97. The method of claim 80 wherein said drilling fluid comprises water.