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What Does Downhole Tooling Mean?

Downhole tooling is very important in a drilling operation as it can impact the overall productivity of the machine.

Since tooling is prone to wear and tear the cost of tooling should be taken into account while considering the overall cost of operation.

Downhole tooling is selected based on the production goals of a project, geology, obstacles and ground conditions. Right tooling selection is governed by selecting the right drill bits, selecting the right sonde housing, and the correct back reaming accessories. Good downhole tooling can also help manage drilling fluid better. Since downhole tooling is an attachment, there is a possibility of losing the tools downhole.

Tooling should be sturdy, well-fitting and optimized for the drilling operation. A tool that breaks downhole can end up increasing wait time and thereby cost of the operation.

The term ‘Mechanical Set Packer’ probably doesn’t mean much to those not in the concrete repair industry. But for those close to chemical grouting, this term certainly brings about thoughts of both form and function. Mechanical packers are also referred to as ports, or more simply, packers. But we would like to be very clear that a port is not a packer.

Mechanical packers were designed to withstand high pressure injection applications by inserting them into pre-drilled holes in a concrete substrate at various diameters ranging most commonly from 1/4" – 5/8”. Mechanical packers feature a rubber base with a threaded shaft. As the threaded shaft is tightened, the rubber base is compressed, creating a compression seal inside the drill hole. The ultimate pressure tolerance is dependent upon the amount the rubber is expanded and the total surface area of the rubber base that is in contact with the drill hole. That is, a smaller diameter packer will have considerably less surface area of rubber compressed against the concrete side walls, and thus holding a lower amount of pressure when connected to high pressure equipment. Most job site and substrate conditions will permit successful injection results with a diameter of 3/8” – 1/2". Of course, some contractors have personal preference of smaller or larger sizes.

Packers also come in various types. Suppliers will market benefits of steel, brass, zinc, or aluminum.However, some contractors insist that the breakdown is not as quick as marketed by suppliers, therefore utilizing brass and aluminum packers in these applications as well.

Each packer features an anti-return ball valve that is opened under pressure, allowing the passage of chemical grouts. Upon depressurizing, the ball valve will close, prohibiting the return flow of the injection resin out of the drill hole. This ball valve can be located on the top of the packer, in the base of the packer, or even freely-floating in the packer shaft to allow for maximum flow. There are pros and cons to each ball valve location depending on job site condition and application and finishing techniques.

Another form of plastic ports is a plastic, surface-mounted version that is commonly used in epoxy injection and/or in the event that drilling into the substrate would be considered harmful or ill-advised.

While every effort is put forth before drilling begins to ensure a successful well, not every well hits hydrocarbons at a commercially productive level. Statistically, wildcat (or exploratory) wells have a one in seven chance of discovering oil or gas. While six may be dry holes, one in the group can make a big enough difference to outweigh all the risks.

Once drilling operations have been completed, it is important for drillers, engineers and geologists to determine whether to move on to the next phase:

Used to establish formation pressure, permeability, and reservoir and formation fluid characterization, there are three major methods of formation testing that help to reveal the downhole formation: well logging, core sampling and drill stem tests.

In the oil field, knowledge is power. The more the industry learns about the subsurface, the more it can optimize everything from drill bits and completion designs to enhanced oil recovery techniques, which ultimately translates to higher returns and smaller environmental footprints.

Wired drill pipe can enable operators to get more information from the downhole. “Wired pipe’s general reliability has improved enough that we believe the technology will follow a similar adoption path as rotary steerable systems, making another step forward in the well construction process,” says Ian Silvester, chief executive officer for the U.S. subsidiary of Reelwell AS. “It will not only improve drilling efficiencies, but also help drillers put the well in the optimum place and deliver smooth, high-quality wellbores.