A must-see! Technical explanation of drilling engineering
Drilling engineering technology is a core means for the development of oil, natural gas and mineral resources. It involves drilling a wellbore with a specific depth and diameter into the ground through methods such as mechanical crushing or hydraulic scouring, so as to achieve goals like resource exploitation, geological exploration or engineering construction.
Its core systems include the rotating system (such as rotary table, top drive), hoisting system (winch, traveling block), circulation system (mud pump, drilling fluid) and power system. Among them, drilling fluid (commonly known as mud) is crucial. It can not only cool the drill bit and carry cuttings, but also balance formation pressure and protect the wellbore. Its performance directly affects drilling efficiency and safety.
Drilling technologies can be divided into exploration wells (for obtaining geological data), production wells (for exploiting resources), injection wells (for maintaining formation pressure) and so on according to their functions. According to the wellbore trajectory, they can be divided into vertical wells, directional wells and horizontal wells. Among them, horizontal wells can significantly increase the contact area with the reservoir and remarkably improve the recovery factor, making them the mainstream technology in modern oil and gas development.
Key technologies include wellbore trajectory control (real-time direction adjustment through measurement while drilling technology), well control technology (preventing accidents such as blowouts), cementing and completion technology (ensuring wellbore stability and establishing oil and gas channels). With the increasing demand for deep and ultra-deep resource development, high-temperature and high-pressure resistant drilling equipment and salt pollution resistant drilling fluid technology have become research focuses.
In short, drilling engineering technology is a bridge connecting underground resources and ground utilization, and its development level directly determines the efficiency and limit of resource development.