Drilling Technology: Present Trends and Future Prospects

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the subject of how new technology can be expected to influence future drilling engineering and drilling operations. The work is based upon a review of past developments in drilling technology; a survey of current research and development efforts; personal contacts; and recent workshops, publications and presentations. The impact of measurements while drilling, Polycrystalline Diamond Compact bits, downhole motors, and utilization of computers is discussed with regard to future developments of computer aided drilling, drilling optimization and hole direction control. Recent work by others on measurements while drilling, drilling simulators, and drilling optimization has been extended to emphasize setting goals for future drilling technology developments.