"With the Drilling Simulator as its fifth research centre, TU Clausthal is further expanding its relevant competence in the field of high-performance drilling technology," says TU President Professor Thomas Hanschke. "In its new structure, the DSC assumes an important strategic function for the close cooperation between science and industry. At the central location of the German drilling and service industry in Celle, we are thus providing a unique environment for research and development in a globally significant high-tech segment," adds Professor Hanschke.
The vision of the Celle Drilling Simulator remains unchanged in this new constellation: to support a secure and sustainable energy supply, primarily by reducing the costs of deep drilling for oil, gas and geothermal energy as well as underground storage. In addition, the aim is to improve the safety and environmental compatibility of the drilling process. To this end, a so-called hardware-in-loop simulator has been set up on a real scale in recent years. This combines real-time numerical simulations of the complex deep drilling process, while real measured values of parts of the drill string are included in experimental setups. In this innovative way, the simulator provides new possibilities for understanding frequently occurring problems in the deep drilling process.
"With this worldwide unprecedented configuration of our research facilities, we see ourselves as an infrastructure service provider for our national and international partners from science and industry", explains Professor Joachim Oppelt. According to the Director of the Drilling Simulator and Professor at the Institute of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering at Clausthal University of Technology, the research center could be used, for example, to thoroughly test new products and systems in the advanced development process under almost real conditions such as those found in the field. "In addition, the new structure of the DSC will be of great benefit to us in addressing new global partners and customers in particular," he explains.