Efficiency of Rock Destruction by a Pulse Generator Based on a Linear Pulse Transformer

Abstract

The efficiency of electropulse drilling is recognized by many researchers worldwide. For electropulse drilling of shallow wells (tens of meters) with a high-voltage generator on the near-well surface, the specific energy consumption is much lower than that for conventional rotary drilling. For efficient electropulse drilling of deep wells (hundred meters to several kilometers), a compact downhole generator is needed, and this type of high-voltage generators can be built, in our opinion, around a line pulse transformer (LPT). The paper presents the results of laboratory tests of an LPT-based system for drilling presoaked rock samples similar in physical characteristics to rocks occurring at great depths. The results demonstrate that compared to systems based on a Marx generator, the LPT system is no less efficient while its overall dimensions, weight, and design simplicity are matchless. Recommendations are also given on how to increase the drilling efficiency of the LPT system by optimizing its parameters.