Directional Drilling Equipment and Techniques

for Deep, Hot Granite Wells

T.L. Brittenham, * SPE, Grace, Shursen, Moore, & Assocs.
J. W. Neudecker, Los Alamos Natl. Laboratory
J.C. Rowley, SPE, Los Alamos Nat!. Laboratory
R.E. Williams, Los Alamos Nat. Laboratory

Summary
Conventional directional drilling technology has been
extended and modified to drill the first well of a subsurface geothermal energy extraction system at the Fenton
Hill, NM, hot dry rock (HDR) experimental site: Ambitious borehole geometries, extremely hard and
abrasive granite rock, and high formation temperatures
combined to provide a challenging environment for
directional drilling tools and instrumentation.

Introduction
Completing the first of a two-well bore HDR system has
resulted in the definition of operational limitations of
many conventional directional drilling tools, types of instrumentation, and techniques. The successful completion of the first wellbore, Energy Extraction Well 2
(EE-2), to a measured depth of 15,300 ft (4.7 km) in
granite reservoir rock with a bottomhole temperature of
600F (315C) required the development of a new hightemperature downhole drilling motor and modification of
existing wireline-conveyed steering tool systems. Conventional rotary-driven directional assemblies were
modified successfully to accommodate the very hard and
abrasive crystalline rocks encountered during drilling of
a nearly 8,500-ft (2.6-km) directional hole to a final inclination of 35 from vertical at a controlled azimuthal
orientation.

Drilling Objectives
The HDR geothermal resource is derived from a subsurface region that exhibits a relatively high geothermal gradient. At the Fenton Hill site, granitic basement rock is
encountered at a depth of 2,400 ft (730 m) and exhibits a
static geothermal temperature of 600F (315C) at a true
vertical depth (TVD) of 14,500 ft (4.42 km). Hydraulic
fractures in the granitic rock are vertical and preferential*

Now with Petroleum !=ngineering Services.

0149-2136/82/0007-9227$00.25

JULY 1982

Iy oriented in a northwesterly direction. The rock matrix

is slightly porous ( < I %) but has very low permeability
(from 1.0 to 0.0 I1d).
The method of heat extraction experiments currently
under way at the Fenton Hill site requires that two
boreholes-one injection well and one production
well-be drilled to a depth exhibiting an economically
attractive reservoir temperature. To enhance reservoir
production objectives, the two wells will be inclined 35
from the vertical through the reservoir region at an
azimuthal direction normal to the preferred fracture
orientation. The wells will be drilled vertically coplanar
with a constant separation of 1,200 ft (370 m) between
the underlying injection well and the overlying producer.
Fig. I illustrates the already described geometry of the
Well EE-2/Well EE-3 extraction system in the II ,000to 14,500-ft (3.35- to 4.42-km) reservoir region. The sequentially formed interconnecting fracture system will
be inflated hydraulically, and water will be circulated at
a total flow rate of approximately 1,500 U.S. gal/min
(95dm 3 /s).

Drilling Problems
The implications for drilling-related problems 1 during
the construction of such a system are significant. The
flow capacity requirements of the system require a
minimum production drilled-hole diameter of 8~ in.
(22.2 cm) and a minimum intennediate drilled-hole
diameter of 121A in. (31.1 cm).
The extremely hard and abrasive rock requires that all
roller cone bits have a tungsten carbide cutting structure.
All drilling tools, bottomhole assembly components, and
the drillstring are subjected to severe abrasive wear that
limits useful life.
Because of the low permeabil ity of the rock matrix, no
mud-filter cake develops on the borehole walls, which
results in considerable axial and torsional drag on the
driIIstring. Therefore, the use of high wall-contact tools
1421

10,000

11 ,000

-;;
J:

.:JI.
3.5 -

J:

~/ Jt
/ ~/ II

12.000

Ii:w
Q

J6~>tl II

-'

~
(.)

~///I

::

a:

~
~

Ii:w

I I
I /

13,000

>

//
/
/ //

4.0PEN

II
II

-'
~

(.)

a:
w

4.0

>
w
:::I

:::I

a:

a:

EE-3

HYDRAULIC FRACTURES

14,000

'000

...

(FEET ) LATEAAl OISTANCE

EE-2
15,000

II 10F (320C)

BOTTOM HOLE TEMPERATURE

4.5

Fig . 1-HDR geothermal drilling plan for Well EE2IWeil

EE3 heat extraction reservoir .

Fig . 2-Severe wear on blade stabilizer after 20 hours in

Well EE2,

such as long strings of large-diameter drill collars and

fixed-blade stabilizers is virtually prohibited. AccordingIy , the drillstring must be sufficiently strong to cope with
this abnormally high frictional drag .
The required precision of borehole orientation and inclination necessitates frequ ent mag neti c surveys conducted at temperatures to 610 F (32 5 C) . Needed
azimuthal corrections are perfo rmed with downhole
drilling motor assemblies , Currently available hightemperature motors require a wireline-conveyed steering
tool to ensure proper orientation. Such tools also must
be capable of reliable performance at elevated
tempe ratures.
Many other drilling-related tool s and instrumentation
are affected adversely when temperatures exceed 400 F
(200 C) . Reduction in yield strength of carbon steel s,
decreased fatigue life , differenti al dimensional changes
between components e xhibiting dissimilar thermal ex pansion properties , and the fa ilu re of elasto meric compounds are the proble ms most frequently encountered.

mance by proper selection of bit type and drilling

parameters. Magnetic and inclination surveys were perfo rmed with conventional single-shot tools, and all data
were evaluated with the radiu s-o f-curvature 2 calculation
technique. Directional drilling with motor-driven
assemblies was accomplished successfull y through thi s
interva l w ith comme rc ia ll y ava ilable pos itivedisplacement motors (PDM' s) . Many conventional
drillstring components such as drillpipe floats and
mechanical drilling jars pe rformed adequately during the
drilling of this portion of Well EE-2 to a depth of approx imately 10,000 ft (3.0 km).
Several modifications to conventional directional drilling techniques and equipment were required, especially
as drilling proceeded below 10,000 ft (3.0 km), as
temperatures exceeded 400F (200 C) , and as borehole
inclination approached 35 from the vertical. Motordri ven and rotary assemblies required tungsten carbide
inselt bits appropriatel y modified to increase the life of
the gauge cutting structure and to protect the bit shirt ta il.
The granite section in Well EE-2 required that rotarydri ven directional assemblies be stabilized with roller
rea mers instead of with the mo re commonly used fixedblade stabilizers because of the significant torsional drag
and excessive abrasive blade wear observed (Fig. 2) during drilling with the latter.
Directional surveying techniques and equipment al so
required modification to allow measurements to be perfo mled at temperatures to 6 10F (325 C) . Wirelineconveyed single-shot. steering , and multishot equipme nt
had to be encased in heat shields, and special techniques
had to be applied to obta in sUlveys. Multiconductor
wireline cable used with the steering tools required hightempe rature-rated seal materials fo r protection from the
invas ion of well bore fluids and fo r reduction of insulation degradation.

Solutions to Drilling Problems

Many of the directional drilling and related problems
were solved by the application of conventional techniques with available equipment and instrumentation .
However, as the rigorous demands pl aced on these tools
and techniques increased , it was necessary in most cases
to make modifications. In some instances new tool s and
procedures were required .
The moderate-temperature [ < 400 F (200 C) I portion
of Well EE-2 was drilled w ith available sealed-friction
and rOlle r-bearing bits with tungsten carbide cutting
structures . Bit life was reduced seve rely in all cases
primarily because of gauge wear. Co nsiderable attention
was given to obtaining minimum-cost-per-foot perfor1422

JOURNAL OF PETROLE UM TECHNOLOGY

TABLE l-DRILL MOTORS AND STEERING TOOL SERVICES

USED IN WELL EE-2 DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
Drill Motor

Type

(in,)

(cm)

Temperature
Rating
(0C)
(OF)

positive
displacement

6 3/_

17,1

~350

175**

positive
displacement

7 3/_

19,7

~310

155**

turbine

7314

19,7

~600

316**

MElT

Diameter

Supplier*

Steering Tool

~.

.:":'~:/:~':':;'>:<""<-'::'?
-'-.,,'. , , , ,

<\::~~~URE
PULSE
M
OW

-,',

..WTft~~:~,W " ;,:"i:, ,i:,~.,;i,I.,u;,';,lj

.,uf10

ORIENTING 8HOlr:::,:,;,.::"

Y/~~-PRE88URE PULSER IN
TOP TURBINE STAGE
;-<II~~-HIGH-TEMPERATURE

12-%-in.-diam.BIT-

SHOCK ABSORBER

Sensor Type

Temperature
Rating
(OF)
(0C)

Magnetometer
with inclinometer

527

275 t

Magnetometer
with inclinometer

600

316 t

Magnetometer
with inclinometer

400

200*

Supplier*

Commercially supplied tools are labeled to avoid comparison; however, the MElT is
mentioned because it was developed especially for the HDR project
lImited by elastomers used in motor-drive system.

t ReqUIres heat shield.

Fig. 3-Directional drilling system,

As drilling progressed into the 35 0 -slant portion, of the

hole, it was necessary to reduce further the magnitude of
axial and torsional drag between the drillstring and the
borehole, Essentially all the drill collar string was replaced with smaller-OD HEVI-WATETM drillpipe to
reduce contact area, This reduced the drag substantially,
After considerable pilot testing, a liquid lubricant was
selected and used successfully for additional reduction of
the magnitude of drillstring drag, Even with these
remedial measures, it was necessary to replace a portion
of the drill string with high-yield-strength tubulars,
Several new equipment developments were required to
complete the directional drilling operations, Foremost
was the design and fabrication of a high-temperature, allmetal turbodrill,3,4 which was used for motor-driven
corrections at borehole temperatures above 400$F
(200$C). To optimize the operation of this turbine, a
rotational speed tachometerS was developed and
operated, Additionally, to prolong the life of the motor
bearings, high-temperature shock absorbers were
developed to reduce vibration and shock loads transmitted from the bit to the turbine, Finally, in collaboration
with a commercial supplier, a high-temperature, axially
responsive hydraulic drilling jar was developed and used
during drilling and fishing operations,
Although high-temperature-rated [500$F (260$C)]
mechanical jars are readily available, the magnitude of
downhole torsional drag made the manipulation of such
tools virtually impossible.

Directional Drilling Applied to the

Construction of HDR Systems
HDR Geometrical Considerations
The construction of a HDR geothermal energy extraction
JULY 1982

:t Run without heat shIeld to 40QoF (20Q oC).

system from a geometrical configuration standpoint is

rather straightforward. It requires that two slant-type
wells be drilled to intersect the resource region. The two
wellbores must be in the same vertical plane, a plane that
is approximately normal to the fracture planes, When the
fractures are vertical, as at Fenton Hill, a limit is placed
on the angle of inclination by the maximum practical
values from vertical that can be achieved with modem
drilling technology. The length of the inclined or slant
section of the hole and the vertical separation of the two
boreholes are based on the fracture spacing, the power
output and reservoir longevity required, and the well bore
spacing over which a high probability of fracture interconnection can be realized. The Fenton Hill system
geometry is based on the spacing of 10 to 20 vertical
fractures having a horizontal separation of 120 to 180 ft
(37 to 55 m). A thermal power output capacity of some
120 to 170 MBtu/hr (35 to 50 MW) with a reservoir
drawdown of 20% in 10 producing years should be
realized, On the basis of results achieved in the recently
operated shallower HDR system at Fenton Hill,6-9 a
wellbore spacing of 1,200 ft (370 m) was planned.
Direction Control
Of the several mechanical methods of altering the
azimuthal course of a well bore, the downhole motor
coupled with a deflecting or bent-sub assembly is the
most positive and economical for application in the deep,
hot boreholes drilled in the crystalline rock at Fenton
Hill. Because of the number of course alterations performed during the drilling of Well EE-2 and because of
the economics and mechanics of multiple whipstock settings, use of a motor and bent-sub assembly is the only
feasible alternative.
1423

TABLE 2-TYPICAL BOTTOMHOLE ASSEMBLIES

FOR DIRECTIONAL DRILLING IN HDR WELL EE-2
BHA for Drill Motor
Azimuthal
Angle Alteration
121i4-in.-diameter bit
shock absorber
drill motor
crossover sub
bent-orienting sub
8-in.-diameter monel collar
twelve 8-in.-diameter drill collars
21 jOints HWDP*

BHA for Rotary Inclination

Angle Increase
121i4-in.-diameter bit
three-point BH reamer
crossover sub
6 3/4-in.-diameter monel drill collar
6 3/4-in.-diameter short drill collar
6 3/4-in.-diameter drill collar
crossover sub
three-point string reamer
8-in.-diameter drill collar
three-point string reamer
ten 8-in.-diameter drill collars
8 jOints HWDP*
drilling jars
13 joints HWDP*

BHA for Rotary Inclination

Angle Maintenance
8 3/4-in.-diameter bit
six-point BH reamer
63f4-in.-diameter short drill collar
three-point string reamer
6 3,4-in.-diameter monel drill collar
three-point string reamer
four 6 3,4-in.-diameter drill collars
20 joints HWDP*
drilling jars
13 joints HWDP*

'5-in.-OO, 50-lbm/ft HEVI-WATE drill pipe.

TO 15,292(1')
1.(,750~fI) TW

~:~~

000
"00
DISTANCE EAST (II)

Fig. 4-Plan view of Wells EE-2 and EE-3.

To ensure that the motor and bent-sub assembly are

properly oriented to provide the desired direction of
deflection, a directional survey must be conducted.
Depending on the depth of operation, the torsional drag
present, and the degree of confidence in predicting the
reactive torque of the drill motor, either a single-shot
survey is performed with the motor static, or an electricline-conveyed steering tool is used to provide a continuous measurement of tool orientation while the motor
is drilling.
Once the desired course azimuthal direction is attained, a rotary-driven assembly can be used to increase
the magnitude of borehole inclination. A sequence of
properly positioned wall-contact tools (stabilizers) included in the bottomhole assembly (BHA) just above the
bit provides positive bit force that results in an increase
in borehole inclination. The rate of inclination build is
dependent on a multitude of variables that include
borehole and tubular geometries, stabilizer placement,
axial bit loading, rock-to-bit interactions, etc.
When the desired borehole inclination and azimuthal
orientation are attained, a rotary-driven assembly with
stabilizers is used to maintain the wellbore trajectory at
its current attitude and direction. Natural drift of the well
course because of rock heterogeneities and BHA/drillstring/borehole interactions may exceed tolerance levels
and require additional directional corrections.
1424

Description of Equipment and Procedures

Motor-Driven System-Equipment
Fig. 3 illustrates the equipment and instrumentation used
in the Well EE-2 motor-driven corrections of borehole
azimuth. The two key elements of this directional drilling system are the downhole motor and the steering tool.
Well EE-2 directional drilling operations used three different types of motors and three separate steering tools
(Table 1). The downhole, high-temperature turbodrill
(MElT)* was an equipment-development project supported by the HDR program; all other tools are available
commercially. The fluid-driven downhole motor provides drilling power without rotation of the drillpipe.
This allows the desired orientation of the deflection-sub
assembly to be preset and maintained as drilling proceeds. For application at Fenton Hill, the motor should
be capable of high torque output and low rotational speed
to enhance the performance of the roller bearing,
tungsten carbide insert bits used in the granite. For use in
the deeper, hotter portions of the wellbore, an all-metal
downhole drilling motor rated substantially above 400F
(200C) is necessary.
It was necessary to run a steering tool in all instances
when the turbodrill was used. A Dewar-type heat protection shield was required at the higher temperatures.
To realize any significant performance during drilling
in the hard, abrasive granite with downhole motors, it
was necessary to use roller cone, roller bearing, and
tungsten carbide insert bits. The majority of the runs
were made with either an lADC Code 835 bit or an improved geothermal bit. The geothermal bit featured a
non sealed roller bearing and a tungsten carbide insert bit
similar to the lADC Code 833 bit with high-abrasionresistant inserts on the bit gauge and shirt tail.
A turbine tachometer 5 was developed to provide a surface indication of downhole motor speed. Operation of
the unit was based on a pressure pulse produced during
each revolution of the turbine shaft by a perturbation in
the first-stage turbine blading of the motor. The pulse
was transmitted through the fluid column in the drillstring to the surface, where it was detected and pro* Developed by Maurer Engineering Inc., Houston, TX.

JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

cessed. Nitrogen-operated pressure-pulse dampeners

were assembled and placed in series in the mudline at the
outlet of the triplex rig pumps. These dampeners helped
to improve the performance of the prototype turbodrill
tachometer.
During initial laboratory drilling tests of the turbodrill,
it became apparent that a method of dampening the
vibration and shock transmitted from the bit to the motor
was desirable. Two high-temperature-rated shock absorber tools were constructed I on the basis of
laboratory-derived parameters.
A bent-sub assembly (1/2 to 2 containing a muleshoe
orienting sleeve was included in the assembly just above
the motor. The function of this tool is to provide a
directed side thrust to the bit that results from the intentional 1/2 to 2 1/2 misalignment of the axis of the rotaryshouldered connections on either end of the bent -sub
assembly. The plane of this misalignment is fixed with
reference to the muleshoe assembly, thus providing a
method of relating tool face orientation to the measured
azimuth.
A nonmagnetic drill collar is included directly above
the bent-sub assembly to eliminate magnetic disturbance
to the steering tool magnetometer by the mass of steel
contained in the assembly above and below the tool. A
typical Well EE-2 drill motor BHA is shown in Table 2.
0

Motor-Driven System-Procedure
The controlled change in azimuthal orientation of the
well bore direction is the more difficult drilling operation
and requires continuous monitoring of the BHA orientation. This is necessary because variations in bit reactive
torque are experienced by the drill motor as axial and
subsequently lateral loading is applied, or as interactions
at the bit/rock interface change. These variable reactive
torques impart variable rotation in the drillstring, result
in alteration of tool orientation, and must be detected and
compensated for. It is also important to monitor and
restrict the sharpness of angular changes of the borehole
(dogleg severity). Usual practice holds the total dogleg
severity to less than 2 to 3 per 100 ft (30 m) of drilled
hole. The azimuthal angle changes were performed with
the typical BHA shown in Table 2.
0

Rotary-Driven Build Assembly

Rotary-driven angle (or inclination) building assemblies
were used to increase hole angle to 35 0 from vertical.
After experimentation with increasingly strong buildup
assemblies, satisfactory performance finally was derived
from the multistabilizer/reamer assembly described in
Table 2. Roller reamers were used as wall-contact tools
instead of the more common blade- or pad-type
stabilizers because of the extreme torsional drag and
rapid abrasive wear that occurred when drilling with the
latter.
Operation of the huildup assemblies was primarily one
of determining the proper weight on bit (WOB) and
rotary speed that provided the desired rate of inclination
build, penetration rate, and walk rate. Calculations were
performed and later were verified operationally to determine the maximum WOB to be applied without creating
a point of tangency between the first and second reamer.
Considerable experimentation also defined a relationship
JULY 1982

~r--r~-------------------------'

3.0

10000

~
~

C
CD

11000

<
CD

~
CD

;t,
()
!.

3.5

ii
U

'f

CD 12000

CD

"...::r

>

....
CD
~

3'
13000
4.0

14000

W-E Plane
1-100011-1

Fig. 5-Elevation of Wells EE-2 and EE-3 projected into

WE plane.

between rotary speed and the direction and rate of hole

walk. Essentially no predictable relationship could be
determined for these values from the rotary speeds used,
therefore the rotary speed for minimum-cost-per-foot
drilling was used.
Rotary-Driven Hold Assembly
Rotary-driven hold or lock-in assemblies were used to
maintain a desired borehole inclination and azimuth
orientation. Their primary application occurred in the
vertical section of the hole from the bottom of the
13%-in. (34.0-cm) casing at 2,463 ft (751 m) to the kickoff point (KOP) at approximately 7,000 ft (2.1 km) and
through the 35 0 -slant portion of the hole from 11,600 ft
(3.5 km) measured depth to total depth (TO) at 15,298 ft
(4.7 km). A typical hold assembly is detailed in Table 2.
Operation of the hold assembly was directed primarily at
minimum-cost-per-foot parameters.
Drillstring and Accessories
The 121,4-in. (31.1-cm) intermediate borehole from
2,463 ft (751 m) to the angle-built point of 11,600 ft (3.5
km) measured depth was drilled with a string of 8-in.
(20-cm) 00 drill collars until the torsional drag
(measured at the surface) approached the makeup torque
of the 5-in. (l3-cm) OD NC50 connections on the
drill pipe and the axial drag approached the tensile
strength of the 5-in. (13-cm) 00 drillpipe string (API
premium used). At this point, essentially all drill collars
were replaced with a string of 5-in. (l3-cm) 00 HEVIWATE drillpipe. The same HEVI-WATE drillpipe
1425

1979
1980
[ JUNE [ JULY [ AUG [ SEPT [ OCT [ NOV [ DEC 1/ JAN [ FEB [ MAR
2 12 22 1 11 21 3110 20 30

9 1 29 9 19 29 8 18 28

17 27 8 1

.10'
2

EE-2 DRILLING HISTORY

(DEPTH ALONG DRILL STRING)

J:

Ii:
w

r--

02.0

ow

SOLVING COLLAPSED 13 38

CASING~

:t:
:J:

a::

8 I-

~ 3.0

10 0

Q..

::>

12
4.0
14

!~
u~

5D~-~~~J-~~~~L-LI_1~1~1~1~1~1-L1-L1-L1_1~1~1~1~I_ill-LI-L-I ~L-~~~~-L-L-L-L-L~~~16

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

240

260

280

300

320

340

360

380

400

420

SPUD TIME (days)

Fig. 6-Drilling history for Well EE2, directional motor runs keyed to Table 3.

string was used for bit loading for the drilling of the
8%-in. (22.2-cm) slant portion of the hole; a 30% reduction in axial and torsional drag was realized.
In addition, to reduce further the magnitude of axial
and torsional drag between the drill string and the
borehole wall, a lubricant was added to the drilling fluid.
A mixture of a modified triglyceride in a1cohol lo was
added to the drilling fluid (water) at a concentration of
2.01bm/bbl (5.7 kg/m3). The mixture was injected into
the borehole in 50-bbl (8-m 3) pills and achieved a 50%
reduction in drag.
As the torsional drag approached 5 to 10 revolutions of
drillstring twist, the ability to manipulate torsionally
responsive mechanical drilling jars successfully declined
rapidl y. The mechanical jars therefore were replaced
with a set of axially responsive hydraulic drilling jars
that incorporated several high-temperature features,
which allowed their use for the remainder of the drilling
operations.
In an effort to reduce the effect of pronounced wear of
the drillstring against the abrasive granite borehole, a
rigorous program of wear monitoring and repetitive application of sacrificial tungsten carbide hardfacing was
instituted.
Directional Surveys
During rotary drilling operations, single-shot directional
surveys were conducted at regular intervals of about 60 ft
(20 m). At shallow depths and moderate temperatures, a
conventional single-shot tool either was run on a
slickline 0.092 in. (0.23 cm) in diameter or was dropped
in go-devil fashion before the drillstring was tripped. As
temperatures increased to above 250F (121C),
however, it was necessary to use a smaller-diameter
single-shot tool inherently more heat resistant and to encase it in a Dewar-type heat shield. Additionally, as
borehole inclination increased to 35 it was necessary to
substitute a braided wireline % in. (1.6 cm) in diameter
to handle the increased drag on the wireline effectively
while retrieving the survey tool. At temperatures above
1426

400F (200C), additional operational techniques

designed to cope with the elevated temperatures were instituted. 11,12 For example, precautions were taken to exclude water vapor from both inside and outside the
Dewar flask.

Directional Technology Application

Well EE-2 was drilled from surface to an approximate
KOP of7 ,000 ft (2.1 km) TVD. Figs. 4 and 5 are a plan
and elevation view of Well EE-2 projected into the
horizontal and WE plane. Wellbore deviation and directional walk maintained a stable trend of less than 2 at
NWW until the well was unintentionally sidetracked in a
SWW direction at a depth of about 2,500 ft (760 m). Inclination subsequently increased from 4 to 9, primarily
because of the running of weak-build assemblies. The
complete drilling chronology for Well EE-2 is presented
in Fig. 6, and Table 3 records the downhole motor runs
as keyed on Fig. 6.
A series of motor-driven deflection runs were performed below 7,000 ft (2.1 km) to bring the wellbore
course to a northeasterly direction. Following the successful azimuth alteration, attempts were made with
various rotary-driven weak- and moderate-build
assemblies to increase the wellbore deflection from vertical. These attempts were hampered by moderate-tosevere left walk tendencies that necessitated periodic
motor-driven corrections to maintain a northeast well
course. With rotary-driven strong-build assemblies, the
desired inclination of 34 fr6m vertical was achieved at
approximately 11,300 ft (3.44 km) TVD.
After the hole size was reduced, Well EE-2's inclination was locked in at very nearly 34 with strong- to
moderate-build packed-hole assemblies (Table 2). The
hole course exhibited slight-to-moderate left walk to
11,800 ft (3.60 km) TVD. Below this depth the walk
tendency reversed to the right at a slight rate and continued to the final total TVD of 14,750 ft (4.50 km), or
15,292 ft (4.66 km) measured depth.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

......

c:::
r

TABLE 3-SUMMARY OF DIRECTIONAL DRILLING RUNS FOR WELL EE-2

(all runs with 12V4-in.-diameter bits)

0-<:
'Cl
00
N

Run

Drill
Motor'

-----

Steering
Tool
Service'

MElT

-..J

e
e

Bent-Sub
Angle
(0)

Measured
depth' ,

Borehole
Deviationt
(0)
direction

Distance
Drilled
(m)

(m)

(tt)

1497

4,912

5314

S64W

17

1979
1986
2011
2017
2078
2107
2135
2508
2539

6,492
6,518
6,597
6,619
6,818
6,914
7,003
8,228
8,326

4112
4%
3
4
4 3/4
5112
5 3/4
15
16

S64W

--------

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

B
B
B
B
B
A
A
B
MElT

27
27
27
27
27
2
1112
27
1112

11

MElT

1112

2539

8,328

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

MElT
MElT
MElT
MElT
MElT
MElT
MElT
MElT
MElT
MElT
MElT

e
e
e
e
C
e
C
C
C
C
D

1112
1112
1112
1112
2
2
11/2
2
11/2
11/2
2

2564
2604
2613
2613
2754
2754
2768
2800
2838
2854
2854

8,414
8,545
8,575
8,575
9,035
9,035
9,082
9,188
9,311
9,363
9,363

23
24
25

MElT
MElT
MElT

E
E
E

2
2
2

2885
2900
2905

9,467
9,513
9,531

12114
12114

26
27
28
29
30
31

MElT
A
A
MElT
MElT
MElT

E
E
E
E
E
E

2
2
2
2
2
11/2

2980
2997
3002
3021
3059
3216

9,776
9,838
9,850
9,912
10,035
10,552

13
151/2

N59E
N74E

13

N59E

21

N700E

16

N37W
N6W
N16E
N13E
N13E

Yes

835

325

0
8.0
24
6.7
30.5
14
27
16.5
17.7

0
26
79
22
100
45
89
54
58

No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes

837
837
833t
745
835
833t
835
835
835

300
225
225
290
250
175
175
305
400-

0.6

Yes

835

500-

86
131
30
0
60

835
833t
835
833t
833,
833t
833,
833,
833,
833,
833t

400400550450450-

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

32
14
5.5

104
46
18

Yes
Yes
Yes

833,
835
835

400400400-

3.0
15.5
3.0
19
36
38.7

10
51
10
62
118
127

No
No
No
No
No
No

835
745
745
833
833,
833,

400175
175
250275275-

N17E
N37E

26
40
9.1
0
18.3

15

N34E

13 112

N400E
N42E

13
32
37.5
15.8

0
N44E
N44E

Shock
BH Type Average
Absorber:\:
lADe
rpm

57

13314

131/4

(tt)

0
42
106
123
52

See key. Table 1.

.. Depth at end of ru n.
t See Figs. 4 and 5.
tRefer to Ref. 1.
f Blast hole bit.
aTurbodrili speed estimated from applied bit loading and laboratory-derived performance data (see Refs. 13 and 14).

Remarks
first field trial of 73f4-in.diameter MElT
steering tool damaged

KOP
all subsequent runs required
intermediate reaming of hole
considerable operational difficulties experienced with
steering tool from 8,300 to
9,303 tt

turbine would not rotate

450400400400turbine would not rotate,
steering tool failed

reached temperature limit of

shock absorbers

reached PDM temperature limit

motor run used to increase

inclination

TABLE 4-AVERAGE MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND DIRECTIONAL SYSTEM

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY,' WELL EE-2
Average
Distance
per Run

Average
ROPt per
Run

Motor
Type

Number
of
Runs

Average
Hours
per Run

(It)

(m)

(lt/hr)

(m/h)

MElT
B* *
A* *

21
6
4

2.8
4.5
7.8

59.8
54.7
48.8

18.2
16.7
14.9

21.6
12.3
6.2

6.6
3.7
1.9

* Note

that average footage per run was determined primarily by bit wear
characteristics, steering tool failures, and the directional drilling procedure of drilling
ahead only two joints 1-60 It (18 m)) of drillpipe per run .
See key in Table 1.
t ROP ~ rate of penetration.

30

AZIMUTHAL DIRECTION ANGLE

E
60
30
N
30
60
W

60

60

30

MODERATE DROP .ASSBlYS

2
3

... ~

4
)

i-' 5
~

o
o

SLlCK-------1

VERY WE-At<. HOLD ASSBLVS

.J

STRONG HOLD ASSBLYS

MOTOR T R I A L - STRONG TO

MODE.RATE HOLD ASSBLYS

6
'\'

MOTOR CORRECTIONS

.I:

....

..'.,0

0000

~
OJ:,

----MOTOP.CORRECTIONS

- "

'4

i - - - - - M O D E R A T E BUILD ASSBLYS

~q,

_"'-

: : : E : - - - - - W E A K BUILD ASSBLYS

I-----MOTORCORRECT10NS

=~===' MODERATE. BUILD ASSBLYS

MOTOR CORRECTIONS
MODERATE BUILD ASS-SlYS

-p

........

- - - MOTOR COR.RECTION
'- - ; - ; - - STRONG BUILD ASSBLYS

- - ?-REDUCE HOLE. SIZE

Jl
&&

12
13
14
15

_... STRONG HOLD ASSBLYS

"
- - - e MODERATE HOLD ASSBLYS
f

~o

I
I

e
o

INCLINATION
DIRECTION

160~~--~-J---L--~~--~~3-2--3L6--4LO--4~4~4B
INCLINATION FROM VERTICAL -

DEGREES

Fig. 7-Well EE-2 inclination and direction vs. depth.

Directional System Results and Evaluation

The thirty motor-driven directional drilling runs used in
Well EE-2 are tabulated in Table 3. Of the three different
types of motors used, only one, the MElT, demonstrated
the capability to operate satisfactorily above 400F
(200C). Both the PDM's suffered thennal degradation
of the elastomer stators. The turbodrill (run unsealed),
however, did suffer considerable radial bearing wear
caused by high lateral bit loads aggravated by the additional length of the shock absorber below the motor and
by the use of subs bent greater than 11/2 As shown in
Table 4, all motors provided acceptable penetration
rates. However, downhole life was limited by severe bit
gauge wear to only 3 to 4 operating hours. Several instances of high dogleg severity and out-of-gauge hole
created by motor runs required subsequent borehole
reaming before drilling could proceed.
0.

1428

Of the three different types of steering tools used on

Well EE-2, only that provided by Supplier E (Table 1)
(run without a heat shield) displayed the capability to
perfonn reliably at temperatures above 400F (200C).
Many of the steering-tool failures, however, can be attributed to cable head and wireline problems. Motor runs
that were perfonned without the shock absorber subjected the steering tools to intense vibration and shock,
resulting in extensive damage to tool components .
Both shock absorber tools developed for use below the
downhole motor experienced seal failures as operating
temperatures approached 380F (193C) .
The pressure-pulse turbodrill tachometer perfonned
satisfactorily to the maximum depth to which it was run,
approximately 10,000 ft (3.1 km).
Three-cone tungsten carbide insert bit perfonnance
during drilling with a downhole motor was predictable,
although disappointing. Severe gauge wear at the higher
rotational speeds (350 to 500 rpm) greatly restricted the
useful life of motor-driven assemblies. For comparison,
minimum-cost-per-foot rotary drilling was obtained by
operating IADC Code 635 bits at high energy levels.
Typical operating parameters of 5,500 to 6,500 lbf
WOB/in. (9.60 to 11.40 kN WOB/cm) of bit diameter,
65 to 75 rpm rotary speed, and 4.5 to 5.5 hhp/in. 2 (0.52
to 6.4 kW/cm2) of bit area resulted in penetration rates
of 22 to 24 ft/hr (7 to 8 m/h) and maximum bit life of 30
to 40 hours.
Roller reamers were used as wall-contact tools for all
stabilized assemblies after earlier attempts to use fixedblade and pad-type stabilizers gave very poor wear perfonnance. The reamers significantly reduced torsional
drag and exhibited increased effective BHA life.
Although the roller reamers provided less wall-contact
area than the stabilizers, satisfactory directional control
was realized.
In consideration of the hostile environment to which
the drillstring was exposed, its perfonnance was
remarkably good. The most significant factor was the
rapid abrasive wear of the drillstring. Although no
downhole failures were attributed to this abnonnal wear,
some 4,000 ft (1.2 km) of drillpipe had to be discarded
or downgraded because of external wear. Tungsten carbide hardbanding on the tool joints was applied repeatedly to retard the wear rate. Two downhole fatigue failures
of the drillstring occurred. Both of these failures were attributed to fatigue crack growth from deeply penetrating
sharp corrosion pits. This low incidence of fatigue
failure, in consideration of the length of directional hole
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

0 ~------------.----------.----------------------------~o
WEAK BUILD ASSBLYS
-~

2
-SLICK

------

-===c=,=~4

,.:
~

c:1%~O,,"~:~ ,,~'"~

>

-----c~

MOTOR

~...c-

---~

:" 0
l-

--~

I I

13

CORRECT'.':'O~NS~-===

ASSBlY

=:~~~:~'~~RAE~~~~~~

-===-

~=~

=====-

MODERATE BUILD A S S B L Y S J

7
B

MOTOR CORRECTIONS

_----'MODERATE BUILD ASSBLYS

-

MOTOR. CQRREC TIONS

- __ ~6~~~~~RBRU~~~I~SN5BLYS
STRONG BUILD A5SBLYS

~=~

12

J.

MODERATE HOLD ASSBlYS

=:;;;;;;~-~---='b-- BUILD

[(

C______.

STRONG TO

---=- - - - - -

',!
I[(

~~

------=

-'

~~.-- =~~-~
~

Q
ID.
W
0

VERY WEAK HOLD ASSBLYS

-REDUCE HOLE SIZE.

STRONG HOLD ASSBLYS

-1

MODERATE HOLD ASSBLYS

10

II

12

13

14

14

~-L_~_L--L~~~~~.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~;-~~15
'-~.o
-4.0 -3.0 -2.0 -1.0
0
80
50
40
20
100
6 INCLINATION
_ DEGRE.ES (BUILD-UP RATE)
6. COURSE LENGTH
100 J=EET

6. DIRECTION
_ DEGREES (WALK RATE)
6. COURSE LENGTH
roo FEET

Fig. B-Buildup rate and walk rate vs. depth.

and the magnitude of axial and torsional loading cycles

applied to the drillstring, is in part a result of the careful
avoidance of high dogleg severity in the upper hole and
of the use of low-yield-strength, Grade E [75,000 psi
(527 MPa)] drillpipe for all but the upper 3,500 ft (1100
m) of the string.
Performance of commercially available hightemperature drillpipe floats was poor at temperatures
above 350F (17rC). The elastomeric seals became
brittle and failed after only minutes of exposure. These
failures resulted in several instances of plugged bit jet
nozzles, collars, and downhole motors. Recent
elastomer developments \5-\7 have provided solutions to
these seal problems.
Figs. 7 through 9 illustrate the perfonnance of various
rotary and motor-driven assemblies for changing or
maintaining azimuth and inclination in the Well EE-2
granite borehole. The important points to be derived
from these data are: (1) Motor-driven bent-sub
assemblies were an effective means of changing
borehole azimuth; (2) a very strong-build assembly was
required to obtain even a reasonable rate of inclination
increase with rotary methods; (3) moderate packed-hole
assemblies were effective for maintaining inclination;
(4) higher buildup rates were realized as the inclination
from vertical increased; (5) walk rate was difficult to
control with rotary-driven angle-building assemblies; (6)
the effect of azimuth orientation on the buildup rate in
Well EE-2 was minor; (7) the tendency of the Well EE-2
borehole to walk or change azimuth is reduced at higher
inclinations for both buildup and hold assemblies; and
(8) the direction and rate of walk appear to be only a
slight function of both depth and azimuth ?rientation.
Although these observations are for a smgle well, they
were used during the planning and drilling of subsequent
wells at the Fenton Hill site.
JULY 1982

Conclusions
1. Conventional directional drilling motors, wireline
steering tools, shock absorbers, bits, stabilizers, surveying tools, drilling jars, drillpipe floats and many other
associated items are not directly applicable to such
hostile downhole environments in deep wells as at the
Fenton Hill site.
2. Equipment capable of successful perfonnance in
such a drilling environment has been developed and
tested.
3. Additional directional drilling system developments
are required to increase operational efficiency and to
reduce costs ofHDR drilling.
4. Considerable state-of-the-art knowledge has been
developed concerning directional drilling planning,
equipment, and procedures in hot, hard, abrasive rock.
Because of the extensive drilling data and operational
experience generated during the course of this project,
the authors welcome requests for further detail. Contact
T.L. Brittenham, Petroleum Engineering Services, 6053
Mountforton School Road, Bozeman, MT 59715,
telephone (406) 586-1636; or J.e. Rowley, U. of
California, Los Alamos Natl. Laboratory, P.O. Box
1663, MS J978, Los Alamos, NM 87545, telephone
(505) 667-1378.

Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the U.S. DOE's Div. of
Geothennal Energy. The authors thank the many finns
and individuals that supported the Well EE-2 directional
drilling operations with their equipment, instruments,
services, and expertise.

References
I. Williams, R.E., Rowley, J.C., Neudecker, J.W., and Brittenham, T.L.: "Equipment for Drilling and Fracturing Hot

1429

36
34

32
30

28
26
24

22
20

.1
.
....
.
.
. . .
A
A

14

36
34

30

0
0
0

12

26
24

22

18

14

12

AAA
A

. . . ....... .

A
A

A
A A

II.

16

10.

20

g-g

irA

9.

- 28

fJ>

8.

32

10

.--

A
A
""A

18

16

_.

ASSE.MBLY DESIGNATION
o WEAt't
.6. MODERATE
STRONG

~A'

j\

~AA
0

r:.s.,O~

12.

10

13.

00

00

"

00

14.

COUNTER-E:T
C~OCKWISE
C.L~Ct'\WISE

-30 -20 -10

10

20

E T 'CLOCKWI1SE
CLOCK~ISE

COUNTER -

30

BUIL.OUP ASSEMBLIES

-30 -20

-10

10

20

30

HOLD ASSEMBLIES

IS.
16.

Fig. 9-Walk rate

VS.

inclination, influence of BHA.

17.

2.
3.

4.
5.

6.

7.

1430

Granite Wells," paper SPE 8268 presented at the SPE 54th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Las Vegas, Sept.
23-26,1979.
Wilson, G.J.: "An Improved Method for Computing Directional
Surveys," Trans., AIME (1968) 243, 871-876.
Maurer, W.e., Nixon, J.D., Matson, L.W., and Rowley, J.C.:
"New Turbodrill for Geothermal Drilling," Proc., 12th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference,
Washington, DC (1977) 1, 204-211 .
Maurer, W.C.: "Geothermal Turbodrills for Oil-Field Use," Oil
and Gas J. (March 9, 1981) 105-108.
McDonald, W.J., Maurer, W.C., Neudecker, J.W., and
Shoemaker, H.D.: "Development of Turbodrill Tachometer,"
Trans., Geothermal Resources Council (Sept. 1980) 4, 301-304.
Cummings, R.G., Morris, G.E., Tester, J.W., and Bivins, R.L.:
"Mining Earth's Heat: Hot Dry Rock Geothermal Energy,"
Technology Review (Feb. 1979) 81, No.4, 2-19.
Murphy, H.D., Tester, J.W., Grigsby, e.O., and Potter, R.M.:
"Energy Extraction from Fractured Geothermal Reservoirs in

Low Permeability Crystalline Rock," J. Geophys. Res. (July

1981) 7145-7158.
Heiken, G., Murphy, H., Nunz, G., Potter, R., and Grigsby, C.:
"Hot Dry Rock Geothermal Energy," American Scientist (JulyAug. 1981) 69, No.4, 400-407.
Dash, Z.V., Murphy, H.D., and Cremer, G.M. (eds.): "Hot
Dry Rock Geothermal Reservoir Testing: 1978 to 1980," Los
Alamos Natl. Laboratory Report LA-9080-SR, Los Alamos,
NM (Nov. 1981) .
Nuckols, E.B., Laney, R., Miles, D.J., Polk, G., Friddle, H.,
and Simpson, G.: "Drilling Fluids and Lost Circulation in Hot
Dry Rock Geothermal Wells at Fenton Hill," Proc., IntI. Conference on Geothermal Drilling and Completion Technology,
Albuquerque, NM (Jan. 21-23,1981) 24-1-24-22.
Williams, R.E., Neudecker, J.W., Rowley, J.e., and Brittenham, T.L.: "Directional Drilling and Equipment for Hot
Granite Wells," Proc., Inti. Conference on Geothermal Drilling
and Completion Technology, Albuquerque, NM (Jan. 21-23,
1981) 9-1-9-23.
Brittenham, T.L., Neudecker, l.W., Rowley, J.C., and
Williams, R.E.: "Hot, Abrasive Formations Test New Drilling
Equipment," World Oil (Oct. 1981)95-102.
Neudecker, l.W. and Rowley, J.C.: "High-Temperature Directional Drilling Turbodrill," Los Alamos Natl. Laboratory Report
LA-9231-MS, Los Alamos, NM (Feb. 1982).
Helmick, C., Koczan, S., and Pettitt, R. (eds.): "Planning and
Drilling Geothermal Energy Extraction Hole EE-2-A Precisely
Oriented and Deviated Hole in Hot Granitic Rock," Los Alamos
Natl. Laboratory Report LA-9302-HDR, Los Alamos, NM
(1982).
Robbibaro, P.A. and Watson, A.O.: "Warming Up to Geothermal," Drilling (Oct. 1981) 180-188.
Friedlander, A.F.: "Geothermal-A Review of New and Future
Products," Drilling (July 1981) 141-150.
Hirasuna, A.R.: "High Temperature Geothermal Elastomer
Compound Development," Proc., IntI. Conference on Geothermal Drilling and Completion Technology, Albuquerque, NM
(Jan. 21-23,1981) 15-1-15-14.

SI Metric Conversion Factors

ft x 3.048*
in. x 2.54*
Ibm X 4.535 924

E-Ol
E+OO
E-Ol

em

kg

*Convcrsion factor i~ exact,

JPT
Original manuscript received in Society of Petroleum Engineers office July 22, 1980.
Paper accepted for publication March 20, 1981. Revised manuscript received April
30. 1982. Paper (SPE 9227) first presented at the SPE 55th Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Dallas Sept. 21-24. 1980.

JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY