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Downhole Tooling

What Does Downhole Tooling Mean?


Downhole tooling refers to the tools used downhole during drilling operations. Downhole Tools include drill bits, air hammer systems, mud mixers,

transmitter housings, adapters, and reamers. 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. All things

considered, Permanent Set Packers tend to be the

most versatile packers as they are compatible with all chemical grout types, while the brass, aluminum, and zinc can exhibit

signs of deterioration when using oxidizing agents such as the salt component in a polyacryate gel. 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.


Lastly, there are plastic alternatives commonly referred to as ‘bang-in’ or ‘hammer-in’. These

Hydraulic Set Packer do not have the threaded metal

shaft, but as they are driven into the drill hole, the same compression seal theory takes hold as the tapered edges become

lodged into the drill hole sides. 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: completion for production. Formation

Test Tools ascertain if there are enough hydrocarbons to produce from a well, as well as provide important information to

design the well completion and production facilities.


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.


Understanding what is happening thousands of feet beneath the surface must always require inferences, but between more

robust and affordable Downhole Cleaning Tools and models that

can turn data into deeper insights, it is becoming easier to picture downhole events at the surface.


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.