Introduction To Exploration Drilling Methods I

Introduction To Exploration Drilling Methods
 1. Drilling tools on a drill string

1.1 Drill bit
-The bit is the drilling tool and is found at the end/bottom
of the drill string.
-This is the drilling tool that will cut and penetrate the
rock formation.
-Examples of the different types of drill bits
1.1 Drill bit
Hammer drill bit
1.1 Drill bit
Tricone drill bit
1.1 Drill bit
Diamond drill bit
-The primary aim of diamond core drilling is the recovery
of material from depth in any formation.
-The diamond bit is the actual cutting or grinding tool.
-The diamond bit consist of the crown which contains
the diamonds in a matrix and the blank which is
threaded to ensure connection to the core barrel.
1.1 Drill bit
Diamond drill bit
1.2 Reaming Shell
-The reaming shell is attached to the drill bit and as such
is the drill tool above or on top of the drill bit.
-The reaming shell has diamond liners on the outside
grinding away and slightly enlarging the diameter of the
hole whilst drilling.
-The reaming shell has four main functions:
1. To slightly enlarge the hole drilled.

2. To stabilize the bit and the core barrel.
1.2 Reaming Shell
-The reaming shell has four main functions:
3. To protect the core barrel during transportation.
4. To enlarge the hole to allow movement of cuttings
and cuttings.
-The outer surfaces of the reaming shell are set with
diamonds or tungsten carbide and are either smooth or
hard faced strips.
1.2 Reaming Shell
.
1. 4 Drill rods
-Drill rods are pipelike or tubular tools used to extend
the length of the drill string as the drilling goes deeper
into the ground.
1. 4 Drill rods
1. 5 Casing
-Casing are tubes or pipes inserted into the hole after it
has been drilled to prevent or stop the hole from
collapsing or caving in.
1. 5 Casing
Drilling truck and drilling machine
 2. The drilling fluid system
-Drilling fluids are extremely important during drilling operations
and form an integral part of the whole operation.
-Drilling fluids are pumped through the drilling string between the
inner and outer tubes of the core barrel past the drill bit via the
water ways and then flows out along the gap between the drill
string and the borehole walls.
-The circulating of fluids has various important functions:
1. To flush the cuttings up and out the borehole.
2. To clear the cuttings from the face of the crown so that it
does not grind on the sludge.
3. To cool the cutting face of the crown.
4. To lubricate and improve the cutting action.
5. To stabilize the borehole where required.
6. To reduce friction on rotating rods.
7. To monitor the behavior of the bit and the formation.
-The circulating of fluids has various important functions:
8. To reduce vibration.
-The different types of drilling fluids (combination of fluids)
1. Air/water
Water added to
-Increase viscosity.
-Flush the hole.
-Provide more cooling, and/or to control dust.
1. Air/water
Water added to
-Increase viscosity.
-Flush the hole.
-Provide more cooling, and/or to control dust.
2. Water
-Water by itself is pumped to do very specific
things in very specific formations.
-Water is important in diamond core drilling
because it has the following functions:
-Coolant.
-Lubricant.
2. Water
-Water is important in diamond core drilling
because it has the following functions:
-Stabilizer of rods and core in the
barrel.
-Cleaner and sealant when
chemicals and mud are added.
3. Oil-based mud (OBM)

-Base fluid is a petroleum product such as
diesel fuel.
-Oil-based muds are used for many reasons:
-increased lubricity
-enhanced shale inhibition
3. Oil-based mud (OBM)

-Oil-based muds are used for many reasons:
-greater cleaning abilities with
less viscosity
-Oil-based muds also withstand greater heat
without breaking down.
 3. Fishing Operations
3.1 Introduction
-Fishing is the use of special equipment to remove any

object in a borehole that cannot be removed at will.
-Fishing describes the action taken to retrieve any

drilling equipment or survey equipment which may
have been lost down hole or which have been
detached from the drill string.
3.1 Introduction
-It is basically the catching of these objects with special
tools and then hoist it to the surface.
3.2 The main causes resulting in fishing operations are rock
formation related and machine and equipment related.
3.2.1 Rock formation related:
-The formation might be difficult to drill into.
-Extreme variation in drillability and

hardness results in problems.
-The borehole condition may not have been

identified correctly and timeously e.g. the
casing was inserted into the hole too late.
3.2.1 Rock formation related:
-Excessive water or total water loss may
cause problems
3.2.2 Machine and equipment related
-Failure of hoisting equipment and pumps
e.g. if pumps fail the diamond bit may burn
in.
-Failure of in-hole equipment such as wireline,
casing and rods
3.2.2 Machine and equipment related
-Defective material or deterioration of
material quality.

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What are the different types of drill bits discussed?

What are the main functions of the reaming shell?

Introduction To Exploration Drilling Methods

 1. Drilling tools on a drill string

1. To slightly enlarge the hole drilled.

-The different types of drilling fluids (combination of fluids)

3. Oil-based mud (OBM)

-The different types of drilling fluids (combination of fluids)

3. Oil-based mud (OBM)

-Fishing is the use of special equipment to remove any

-Fishing describes the action taken to retrieve any

3.2.1 Rock formation related:

-The formation might be difficult to drill into.

-Extreme variation in drillability and

-The borehole condition may not have been

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