Page 214 - Air and Gas Drilling Manual

5-56 Air and Gas Drilling Manual
approximately 337 gallons. The total diesel fuel required for the two compressor
units is, therefore, 674 gallons.
The above Illustrative Examples 5.2a, b and c, and 5.3a, b, and c demonstrate
the step by step procedures for carrying out engineering calculations needed to assess
the capabilities of air compressor systems used in direct circulation drilling
operations. The calculations also yield the approximate anticipated fuel
consumption for the compressor systems. These fuel consumption amounts will be
important information when planning shallow drilling operations in remote areas.
Remote area operations are a planning challange to the engineer or earth scientist.
Drilling operations generally fail because of insufficent planning and lack of operator
field experience.

Figure 5-15: Diesel fuel consumption rate as a function of drilling time for reciprocating
piston compressor of Illustrative Example 5.3c.