Drilling casing: the ultimate guide

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Engineers are continually challenged with the risk of hole collapse when faced with drilling through overburden and unconsolidated formations. That is why it is prudent to use drilling casings to drill through overburden while advancing the drilling casing and protecting the hole at the same time.

The aim of this blog is to tell you everything you need to know about this ingenious product so you can make an informed decision as to whether it is the right solution for your drilling program.

After reading our guide, you will have an understanding of what casing advancement systems are, when and where to use them and which casing advancement systems are suitable for your project.

What is a drilling casing?

A drilling casing is a type of drilling tool that enables you to case and drill simultaneously. It can be used with rotary percussion drilling where the impact of the hammer drives the casing down the wellbore.

Installing casing, while drilling, minimizes the risk of holes collapsing and enables projects to be completed faster and more efficiently. For this reason, casing advancement systems add value whether installing foundations, support elements, or casing a hole in formations where hole collapse is possible. 

Casing advancement systems, or drilled casings, are used when ground conditions make it difficult to drill, such as in loose formations or drilling through highly fractured rock.

Where to use drilled casings?

Ninety percent of the earth&#;s ground conditions are loose, unconsolidated, and rocky. Drilling in these formations is often challenging and the risk of collapsing, hole deviation, and failure to reach the intended depth is a real concern for drilling contractors.

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Installing drilling casing as the hole is drilled helps to stabilize loose, or unpredictable formations, and shore up the hole. This is particularly the case when penetrating clay, silt, sand, gravel, cobbles, boulders, and fractured rock.

Casing and drilling simultaneously improve drilling efficiency. If you need to speed up drilling time, adding a casing advancement system to your drilling toolbox will go a long way to improving productivity and the drill time on your project.

How to select the right Casing Advancement System

Selecting the right system will depend on the drilling application or purpose. There are several factors to consider: the ground formation and type, the drilling method, whether a permanent or retrievable casing is required, the outside diameter of the casing, the wall thickness, the ring bit ID, as well as the casing and rock socket depth. Armed with this knowledge, we can then specify the appropriate system.

Below are examples of the most common applications:

Geothermal well drilling

The use of geothermal heating in houses has become increasingly popular as it provides both economical and environmental advantages for the user.

Casing advancement systems are useful when drilling a geothermal well as they keep the hole open during installation of the heat exchange system and minimizes any impact on the surrounding structures. It also prevents the collapse of the well during drilling where ground conditions are unstable.

Water well drilling

Water well drilling is commonly done in urban areas where drilling at speed is necessary to minimize disruptions to residents, as well as in the developed area where drilling is taking place.

However, liner systems also have some disadvantages that you need to consider before choosing them for your drilling design. One of the main drawbacks of using liner systems is that they can limit the access and control of the wellbore, especially in case of emergencies or interventions. For example, if you need to kill the well, circulate fluids, or run logging tools, you may face difficulties or restrictions due to the reduced annular space and the presence of the liner hanger and packer. Moreover, you may encounter challenges in running and landing the liner system, such as alignment, centralization, or sealing issues, which can affect the quality and reliability of the installation.

The company is the world’s best Casing Drilling System supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.