Assessment of an Oil Drilling Device
Oil drilling technology is constantly advancing in order to drill deeper and further. A key feasibility factor is material removal from the hole. This is normally achieved by pumping an oil-based slurry through the centre of the drill string (rotating pipe) returning to the surface with the removed material. Occasionally blockages occur that delay or prevent further drilling. A unique device fitted onto the drill string assists in material removal, and reduces the likelihood of blockages. Preliminary analysis was required on the device before risking it in the field.
CFD techniques were used to perform a virtual simulation reproducing the typical operating environment. This was compared with a similar CFD test for a benchmark condition. This allowed comparisons to be made and an accurate assessment of the overall impact of the device.
