Investigation of the effects of vibration frequency on rotary drilling penetration rate using diamond drag bit

A series of tests was carried out to provide data for the evaluation of the effects of varying vibration frequency and amplitude in rotary drilling using a diamond drag bit. The frequencies were varied at different levels of vibration amplitudes. With water used as the drilling fluid, rock samples with known Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) were drilled with a fully instrumented laboratory drill rig. Operating parameters such as WOB, ROP, torque, flow rate, amplitude/frequency of vibration and rotary speed were closely monitored throughout this test. The interpretation of results shows that vibration rotary drilling using a diamond drag bit at controlled frequencies has significant performance increase in ROP compared with conventional rotary drilling. © 2011 ARMA, American Rock Mechanics Association.