Performance of Positive Displacement Motor (PDM) Operating On Air

Abstract

Recent increase in application of horizontal wells and in particular underbalanced drilling, has triggered the necessity of a powerful pneumatic downhole motor. To enhance the technology and make the system effective, a mathematical model is required to identify the opportunities for the modification of power section design. It is well known that the performance of positive displacement motor operating on compressible fluid drops down drastically as compared to the operation under incompressible fluids. The frequent motor replacement during the operation incrementally increases the operating cost despite deriving potential benefits from underbalanced drilling.