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Insight into drilling performance parameters for in-situ detection of lithological transition
Kazumasa Tanimoto1,2, Yohei Hamada3, Ikuo Katayama4
1Department of Earth and Planetary Systems Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan. tkazumasa118@gmail.com.
Scientific Reports
|November 28, 2024
Summary
Serpentinized peridotite exhibits significantly higher drilling rates (rate of penetration or ROP) than peridotite and mafic rocks. This finding suggests in situ drilling data can identify lithological changes, like serpentinite.
Area of Science:
- Geology
- Drilling Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Drilling performance is influenced by rock properties.
- Understanding rock-drilling interactions is crucial for efficient resource exploration and scientific drilling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between rock type and drilling performance parameters (torque, ROP).
- To evaluate the potential of using drilling data to identify lithological changes in situ.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory drilling experiments on mafic and ultramafic rocks (Oman ophiolite, Horoman Complex).
- Comparison of laboratory data with in situ data from IODP Expeditions 360 and 399.
- Application of the equivalent strength method to normalize ROP.
Main Results:
- Serpentinized peridotite showed approximately double the ROP of peridotite and mafic samples under both dry and wet conditions.
- Normalized ROP for serpentinized peridotite was consistently higher than for gabbro.
- Reduced fracture strength due to serpentinization likely explains the increased ROP.
Conclusions:
- Serpentinization significantly enhances drilling rate.
- In situ drilling performance parameters can serve as indicators for lithological transitions, particularly for serpentinite detection.
- This research aids in optimizing drilling strategies and interpreting geological formations encountered during drilling.
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