Analysis on the Spallation Drilling Technique and Its Application Prospect in Geothermal Drilling

Abstract:

There are plenty of geothermal resources widely distributing with broad prospects for development. A new principle of drilling has been introduced in spallation drilling; it can resolve the knotty problems such as slow penetration rate often encountered while drilling in hard rocks. As soon as the technology is put in commercial application, it will have revolutionary consequences for the exploitation of geothermal resources. Based on the analysis on the problems in the traditional drilling technology, the working mechanism of spallation drilling is introduced; the advantages and disadvantages are described. It will provide references to the application of spallation drilling in geothermal development.

Key words:geothermal drilling; spallation drilling; flame-jet spallation device