<p dir="ltr">This research project aims to develop a robotic platform capable of drilling horizontal laterals from existing wellbores, offering data-guided steering and control features using information captured by sensors. The project provides an opportunity to expand the application of downhole drilling robots toward semi-autonomous operations in existing fields, especially those with declining production. Mature fields represent a global resource, and even modest hydrocarbon reserves additions are substantial to keep up the energy demand, having positive economic and environmental impacts. Available lateral drilling techniques do not fit the constraints offered by the challenge; moreover, they are not cost-effective.</p><p dir="ltr">The project will be organized into three phases to accomplish this developmental study. First, design criteria and key performance aspects will be identified and established to design a self-propelled robotic prototype capable of drilling lateral sections from an existing wellbore with an internal diameter of 4” to 6”. The creation of lateral sections can potentially add hydrocarbon reserves taking advantage of an already-drilled vertical section of a mature field. Second, the design of the prototype will take place, along with the design of a sub-surface communication and control system. The third phase is manufacturing and subsystems integration, finishing with a pilot test in a controlled environment. Based on the pilot testing results, design optimization will occur. Finally, a field version will be designed, and IP (Intellectual Property) disclosures and plans for commercialization will be identified and addressed.</p>

Tunnel Seismic Prediction (TSP) is a geophysical investigation method used to predict the rock conditions ahead of the tunnel face. The method has been used in different types of rock and rock conditions. The Swedish Transport Administration, Trafikverket, has used the investigation method in multiple locations in the large infrastructure project E4 The Stockholm Bypass. The method is however rather new to Swedish rock conditions, and there is therefore a need to evaluate the method to assess its strengths and weaknesses. In this thesis, the TSP method is compared to other investigation methods used in the Stockholm Bypass project at the location Sätra-Kungshatt where the tunnels cross underneath Lake Mälaren. The investigation methods include geological mapping and Measurement While Drilling (MWD). The TSP results are also compared to the engineering geological prognosis. An evaluation of how the seismic primary and secondary waves, Vp and Vs, correlates to rock quality was carried out, and a linear regression analysis was performed to determine if the wave velocities found using the TSP method correlate with the Q value retrieved through the geological mapping. It was found that the TSP method is capable of detecting weaker zones of rock mass, however no correlation between the wave velocities and the Q value used to describe the quality of the rock mass was found. When comparing the TSP results to the MWD results, it was found that the methods could be used as complements to each other as the different methods sometimes detected weakness zones where the other method did not. As the geology in this location of Stockholm Bypass overall was found to be complex with rather poor rock mass quality, it could be concluded that the TSP method might be better suited for less complex geology where the contrast in rock quality is greater. / Tunnel Seismic Prediction (TSP) är en geofysisk undersökningsmetod för att tillhandhålla en prognos av berget framför tunnelstuffen. Metoden har använts i olika typer av berg och bergförhållanden. I Sverige har metoden använts av Trafikverket vid flertalet tillfällen i infrastrukturprojektet E4 Förbifart Stockholm. Metoden är dock relativt ny för de svenska bergförhållandena, vilket gör att det finns ett behov av att utvärdera metodens styrkor och svagheter i dessa förhållanden. I detta masterprojekt har resultaten som tillhandahållits från TSP-metoden jämförts med resultat från andra undersökningsmetoder som använts vid vattenpassagen vid Sätra-Kungshatt där tunneln korsar under Mälaren. Dessa undersökningsmetoder inkluderar geologisk kartering och Measurement While Drilling (MWD). TSP-resultaten har även jämförts med den ingenjörsgeologiska prognosen för området. Vikt har lagts på hur den seismiska primärvågen, Vp, och sekundärvågen, Vs, förhåller sig till den karterade bergkvaliteten. En regressionsanalys har även utförts för att avgöra om resultaten från TSP-metoden korrelerar med resultaten från den geologiska karteringen. Jämförelsen mellan de olika undersökningsmetoderna visade på att TSP kan påvisa svaghetszoner i bergmassan. Dock kunde ingen korrelation mellan våghastigheterna och Q värdet påvisas. Jämförelsen mellan TSP och MWD visade att de båda metoderna generellt visade liknande resultat. Dock kunde vissa avvikelser mellan resultaten från metoderna hittas, vilket göra att metoderna skulle kunna användas som komplement till varandra. Detta då de olika metoderna ibland kunde identifiera svaghetszoner som den andra metoden inte kunde identifiera. De svåra geologiska förhållandena på platsen kan ha bidragit till att TSP-resultaten över lag är relativt svårtolkade, vilket gör att TSP-metoden möjligtvis är bättre lämpad för mindre komplexa bergförhållanden där kontrasten mellan bra och dålig bergkvalitet är tydligare.

The physical and mechanical characteristics of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) and Ti6Al4V make them widely used in the aerospace industry. The hybrid structure of CFRP/ Ti6Al4V material has been used in the new generation of aircraft manufacturing. The drilling process of these materials is often associated with unfavorable machining defects such as delamination, burr formation, reduced surface integrity, and tensile residual stresses. These machining defects are attributed to high thermal load, continuous chip morphology, and poor chips evacuation efficiency. Vibration-assisted drilling (VAD) uses an intermittent cutting process to control the uncut chip thickness and chip morphology. VAD has potential advantages include low thermal load, high chips evacuation effectiveness, and longer tool life. This thesis presents an experimental investigation into the effect of VAD machining parameters on the cutting energy, CFRP delamination, surface integrity, geometrical geometry, Ti6Al4V burr formation, induced residual stresses, and tool wear during the drilling process of CFRP, Ti6Al4V, and CFRP/Ti6Al4V stacked materials. Moreover, a kinematics model is developed to link the observed results to the independent machining parameters (i.e., cutting speed, feed rate, modulation amplitude, and modulation frequency). The experimental work covers a wide range of machining parameters using four levels of frequencies (83.3, 125, 1500, and 2150 Hz). The VAD results show up to 56 % reduction in the cutting temperature with a significant enhancement in the CFRP entry and exit delamination, geometrical accuracy, surface integrity, and burr formation. The use of VAD also generates compressive stresses, hence improving the part fatigue life. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

[pt] Neste estudo é apresentada a análise da interação da luz laser de alta potência com rochas nos processos de perfuração por fragmentação térmica. O objetivo principal do trabalho é estabelecer, através de um estudo experimental, a possibilidade de utilizar a tecnologia a laser na perfuração de rochas duras, tais como o granito, quartzo, entre outros. Sua motivação encontra-se na aplicação de novas tecnologias para desenvolver ferramentas que melhorem a eficiência no processo de perfuração de poços (maior taxa de penetração), e conseguir retirar a maior quantidade de material fragilizado pela irradiação do laser. Para isto, foi necessário fazer uma montagem opto–mecânica envolvendo um sistema de limpeza que ajudasse a remover o material fragilizado pela ação do laser, usando-se gás de nitrogênio a alta pressão. Foram analisados diferentes intervalos de tempo de exposição da radiação do laser nas rochas, para avaliar a taxa de volume retirado, e a quantidade de energia específica requerida para perfurar diferentes materiais, em função da potência e do tempo de irradiação do laser. Seguindo a revisão bibliográfica na seleção do material, foram escolhidos três tipos de materiais (granito branco, granito cinza e travertino) conhecidos comercialmente no Brasil e que têm similitude (na composição química) com as rochas encontradas nas formações do Pré-sal. A partir desta seleção, foi indispensável conhecer a composição química dos materiais através de fluorescência, raios X, e Microscopia de Varredura (MEV). Além disso, estudou-se o comportamento termomecânico das rochas carbonáticas através de análises térmicas (Termogravimetria e Análise Térmico Diferencial), para identificar e compreender os fenômenos envolvidos no processo de perfuração. Os resultados obtidos são analisados para parametrizar as variáveis em consideração, melhorando as condições do processo de perfuração por fragmentação térmica, dependendo do material estudado. / [en] This study presents the analysis of the interaction of high power laser light with rocks in thermal fragmentation drilling processes. The main objective of the work is to establish, through an experimental study, the possibility of using laser technology in the drilling of hard rocks, such as granite, quartz and others. The motivation is the application of new technologies to develop tools that improve the efficiency in the well drilling process (higher penetration rate), and to be able to remove the largest amount of material weakened by laser irradiation. For this, it was necessary to make an opto-mechanical assembly involving a cleaning system that would help to remove the material weakened by the action of the laser, using nitrogen gas at high pressure. Different exposure time intervals of laser radiation in the rocks were analyzed to evaluate the volume rate removed and the amount of specific energy required to drill different materials, depending on the power and irradiation time of the laser. Following the literature review in selecting the material, three types of materials (white granite, gray granite and travertine) known commercially in Brazil and that are similar (in chemical composition) to the rocks found in the pre-salt formations were chosen. From this selection, it was essential to know the chemical composition of the materials through fluorescence, X-rays, and Scanning Microscopy (SEM). In addition, the thermomechanical behavior of the carbonate rocks wasstudied through thermal analysis (Thermogravimetry and Differential Thermal Analysis) to identify and understand the phenomena involved in the drilling process. The results obtained are analyzed to parameterize the variables under consideration, improving the conditions of the drilling process by thermal fragmentation, depending on the material studied.

published_or_final_version / Applied Geosciences / Master / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Applied Geosciences / Master / Master of Science

Storm water sediment runoff from disturbed landscapes has the potential to impair aquatic environments. Small construction sites of 1-5 acres in the United States are currently regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to minimize storm water runoff damages to the environment. Gas well construction sites are similar to other construction sites in how the landscape is altered, but are not similarly regulated. This study identified sediment runoff from gas well development sites by collecting it in traps and weirs, and by measuring sediment debris lobes. Sediment primarily consisted of silt and clay sized particles. Sediments from two gas well sites formed five debris lobes that ranged in size from 325 to 3,290 square feet. Sediment loadings estimated from the debris lobes averaged 57.1 tons per year/acre. Future studies should focus on further quantification of sediment movement off of gas well sites and identify effective erosion control methods.

Les nouvelles avancées dans le domaine de la science des matériaux ont engendré l’apparition de nouvelles problématiques notamment concernant leurs perçages. Dans le cas des structures aéronautiques, l’opération de perçage des panneaux multi-matériaux CFRP/aluminium se situe juste avant l’assemblage final. Les pièces percées ont donc une forte valeur ajoutée. L’intérêt de pouvoir prédire le moment où la qualité du perçage s’approche des bornes des spécifications prend alors tout son sens. La mise en place d’un modèle expérimental multi-matériaux par les réseaux de neurones permet prédire la qualité du perçage réalisé pour une séquence d’empilement donnée. En utilisant une démarche similaire, un système de surveillance hors ligne du perçage multi-matériaux a été établi. Deux méthodes ont été développées : la méthode générale permettant de s’adapter à un grand nombre d’empilement et la méthode spécifique, plus précise, mais dont le domaine de validité se cantonne à une seul séquence. / New advances in the field of materials science have led to the emergence of new issues particularly concerning their holes. In the case of aeronautical structures, the drilling of multi-material panels CFRP / aluminum is just before final assembly. Pierced parts thus have a high added value. The interest can predict when the quality of the hole approaches the limits of the specifications takes a lot of sense. The establishment of an experimental model multi-materials by neural networks can predict the quality of the hole made for a given stacking sequence.Using a similar approach, a monitoring system offline drilling multi-materials has been established. Two methods have been developed: the general method to adapt to a large number of stacking and specific method, more accurate, but the range of validity is confined to a single sequence.

The characterization of rock properties is a vital task in the challenge for hard rock mining operation. A simplified and straightforward characterization of rock properties provides information about the safety of ground structure (e.g. slope, tunnel, etc.), and the strategy to improve productivity in terms of rock breakage process. The penetration-rate of drilling has been proposed to quantify the comminution characteristics of rock by virtue of real-time logging of drilling performance otherwise the data is obtained from a time- and cost-consuming laboratory test; this is called measurement while drilling. In the mining industry, this technique can be a useful tool that has allowed for the meticulous and routine data collection of geological information from blasthole drilling operations. In this study, the mechanical performance of drill and its interaction with the rock properties is investigated in laboratory scale. The rock properties include tensile strength, hardness, and grindability, which is considered as the influential parameters of the required energy consumption for the comminution processes. For sandstone samples, the penetration-rate data shows a good correlation with tensile strength, hardness, and Bond work index; this implies that penetration-rate data can be a good indicator to estimate comminution characteristics. Additionally we carried out the same test with limestone samples. Second, field study is conducted to investigate the interaction between current blast design and rock fragmentation. Fabricating the blast design and fragmentation through the blast operation might enable to construct proper strategy to reduce the energy cost of downstream processes including crushing and grinding by using the rock characteristics measured from the blasthole drilling. The concept of this process is a part of Mine-to-Mill optimization. The thesis proposed the blueprint of Mine-to-Mill optimization, providing a guideline for further in-situ research.

The Collisional Orogeny in the Scandinavian Caledonides (COSC) project aims to provide a deeper understanding of mountain belt dynamics through scientific deep drilling in the central parts of the mountain belt of western Sweden. The main targets include a subduction related allochthon, the basal orogenic detachment and the underlying partially subducted Precambrian basement. Research covered by this thesis, focusing primarily on reflection seismic data, was done within the framework of the COSC project. The 55 km long composite COSC Seismic Profile (CSP) images the upper crust in high resolution and established the basis for the selection of the optimum location for the two 2.5 km deep COSC boreholes. Together with potential field and magnetotelluric data, these profiles allowed the construction of a constrained regional interpretation of the major tectonic units. Non-conventional pseudo 3D processing techniques were applied to the 2D data prior to the drilling of the first borehole, COSC-1, to provide predictions about the 3D geometry of subsurface structures and potential zones of interest for the sampling programs. COSC-1 was drilled in 2014 and reached the targeted depth with nearly complete core recovery. A continuous geological section and a wealth of information from on-site and off-site scientific investigations were obtained. A major post-drilling seismic survey was conducted in and around the borehole and included a 3D reflection seismic experiment. The structurally and lithologically complex Lower Seve Nappe proved difficult to image in detail using standard processing techniques, but its basal mylonite zone and underlying structures are well resolved. The 3D data, from the surface down to the total drilled depth, show good correlation with the initial mapping of the COSC-1 core as well as with preliminary results from on-core and downhole logging.   Good correlation is also observed between the 2D and 3D reflection seismic datasets. These will provide a strong link between the two boreholes and a means to extrapolate the results from the cores and boreholes into the surrounding rock. Ultimately, they will contribute to the deeper understanding of the tectonic evolution of the region, the Scandinavian Caledonides and the formation of major orogens. / Collisional Orogeny in the Scandinavian Caledonides