Several common drilling techniques for well drilling

Release time:

Jan 05,2026

The mud circulates downwards from the outside of the drill pipe, carrying rock debris back to the surface through the inside of the drill pipe.

Several common drilling techniques for well drilling

The commonly used drilling techniques for well drilling mainly include the following:

1. Percussion drilling

Principle: By repeatedly impacting the formation with a drill bit, the rock is fragmented.

Application: Loose formations, such as sand, gravel, etc.

Advantages: simple equipment and low cost.

Disadvantages: Low efficiency and slow progress.

2. Rotary drilling

Principle: The drill bit rotates to cut the stratum, and the mud circulates to remove debris.

Application: Various strata, especially hard rock.

Advantages: High efficiency and strong adaptability.

Disadvantages: Complex equipment and high cost.

3. Reverse circulation drilling

Principle: The mud circulates downwards from the outside of the drill pipe, carrying rock debris back to the surface through the inside of the drill pipe.

Application: Large-diameter wells, loose formations.

Advantages: Good slag removal effect, stable wellbore.

Disadvantages: High equipment requirements and significant cost.

4. Air drilling

Principle: Replace mud with compressed air to cool the drill bit and remove debris.

Application: Arid areas or hard rock formations.

Advantages: fast speed, low cost.

Disadvantages: Not applicable to water-bearing formations.

5. Directional drilling

Principle: Drill a non-vertical well by controlling the direction of the drill bit.

Application: Complex terrain or special requirements.

Advantages: High flexibility and adaptability to complex conditions.

Disadvantages: High technical requirements and high cost.

6. Horizontal drilling

Principle: The drill bit drills in a horizontal direction to increase the contact area with the oil reservoir.

Application: Oil and gas extraction.

Advantages: Increase production and reduce environmental impact.

Disadvantages: Complex technology and high cost.

7. Pipe jacking drilling

Principle: The pipeline is pushed into the ground by a pipe jacking machine, while the drill bit cuts through it.

Application: laying of urban underground pipelines.

Advantages: Minimal impact on the ground and high precision.

Disadvantages: Complex equipment and high cost.