Influence of simple oil-based muds on fluidic down-the-hole hammer performance

Abstract

A feasibility study is important when determining the viability of a drilling tool. This paper considers several aspects of this drilling tool, including the relationship between the oil-water ratio, bentonite content, and drilling fluid temperature with the performance of the drilling tool, so that field engineers can make actionable plans. Based on the full stroke data measured by the laser sensor, time-displacement, and time-velocity curves compared across different OBM were graphed to characterize the impact body motion. Fluidic hammer driven by WBM is commonly higher than OBM in the tested supply flow rate range. Compared with WBM, adding bentonite is indispensable for a fluidic hammer powered by OBM to achieve good performance. The oil does not have a significant lubricating effect on the movement of fluidic down-the-hole hammer. The performance of the fluidic hammer driven by OBM exhibited higher elevation with temperature than that of WBM, which explains the susceptibility of oil to temperature. The fluidic down-the-hole hammer can work efficiently and reliably with OBM.