Develop technology for using fluidic controlled flow for mud pulse telemetry. Mud pulse telemetry is a system of obtaining downhole digitized data while drilling by pulsing through the drill mud.
Complete. The characteristics of drilling mud as well as the geometry downhole and the needed rates of mud circulation were adequate for fluidic control hardware. Several designs of fluidic control valves were tested using both water and drilling muds. A final experimental model, which has four vortex stages, was developed for use in a 4+ inch drill pipe.
After preliminary tests in a short flow loop, the pulsar was transferred to Louisiana State University Well Control Research Facility for further evaluation. Tests in a 10,000 foot flow loop, using water and three 8.9 ppg water-base muds have produced clear transmissions at frequencies up to 13 Hz. The limiting frequency is a function of the pulsar solenoid, not the fluidic design.
Testing on heavier muds and oil-based muds will continue at Louisiana State University. Calculations are being made on transmission rates required for reliable and sufficient mud pulse telemetry data suitable for emergency well control operations. The project was transferred to Louisiana State University, Project No. 8.