Assignment no 2
Submitted to:
Mrs.zaib un Nisa
Submitted by
Irsa Arif
Roll no:
014
Assignment topic:
Drilling exploration
SURFACE EXPLORATION
Surface exploration methods are techniques used to investigate and analyze the outermost layer of the Earth
or other celestial bodies. These methods are crucial for various scientific, environmental, and industrial
purposes.
METHOD USE FOR SURFACE EXPLORATION
Remote sensing
Sampling and Direct Observation
Surface Geology Mapping
ground penetrating radar (GPR)
Drilling:
DRILLING EXPLORATION
Drilling exploration is a method used extensively in the search for natural resources such as oil, natural gas,
minerals, and groundwater. It involves the use of drilling rigs to bore into the Earth's surface and extract core
samples or fluids for analysis.
TYPES OD DRILLING
EXPLORATORY DRILLING
Exploratory or wildcat drilling is conducted to investigate the subsurface geology of an area where the
presence of natural resources is suspected. This type of drilling aims to determine the presence, quantity,
quality, and accessibility.
CORE DRILLING
Core drilling involves extracting cylindrical samples of rock from the subsurface. These core samples provide
valuable information about the geological formations, including composition, structure, and stratigraphy
ROTARY DRILLING
Rotary drilling is a common technique used in the exploration and production of oil and gas. It involves
rotating a drill bit attached to the end of a drill string to penetrate the Earth's surface. As the bit drills deeper,
drilling fluid (or "mud") is circulated through the drill string to cool the bit, carry rock cuttings to the surface,
and maintain pressure in the wellbore to prevent blowouts.
PERCUSSION DRILLING
Percussion drilling, also known as cable tool drilling or spudding, is a technique that uses a heavy cutting bit
attached to a cable or wireline. The bit is repeatedly raised and dropped to break up rock formations. This
method is commonly used in water well drilling and exploration in hard, consolidated formations
Diamond drilling
Diamond drilling, also called core drilling or diamond core drilling, is a method used to extract cylindrical core
samples from the subsurface. It employs a rotating drill bit studded with industrial-grade diamonds to cut
through rock formations.
Auger drilling
Auger drilling is a shallow drilling method used for environmental and geotechnical investigations, soil
sampling, and installing groundwater monitoring wells. It involves rotating a helical screw-like drill bit to
remove soil and sediment from the borehole. Auger drilling is suitable for soft to moderately hard formations.
Hydraulic fracturing
Hydraulic fracturing is a stimulation technique used in oil and gas production to enhance well productivity in
tight reservoirs. It involves injecting a high-pressure fluid (typically water mixed with sand and chemical
additives) into the wellbore to create fractures in the rock formation, allowing hydrocarbons to flow more
freely to the well.
The choice of drilling method depends on various factors including:
Geological condition
The type of rock formations and subsurface structures greatly influence the choice of drilling method. For
example, soft sedimentary formations may be suitable for auger drilling, while hard and consolidated
formations may require diamond drilling or percussion drilling.
Depth of exploration
Different drilling methods are optimized for specific depths. For shallow exploration, techniques like auger
drilling or percussion drilling may be sufficient, while deeper exploration may require rotary drilling or
diamond drilling.
Purpose of exploration
The intended purpose of the drilling project also plays a crucial role. Whether it's mineral exploration, oil and
gas exploration, environmental sampling, water well drilling.
Budgets and cost consideration
The budget available for the drilling project can impact the choice of method. Some drilling techniques, such
as diamond drilling, may be more expensive but provide high-quality core samples suitable for detailed
analysis, while others like percussion drilling may be more cost-effective for shallow exploration.
Environmental consideration
Environmental factors such as sensitive ecosystems, water resources, and regulatory requirements may
influence the choice of drilling method. Methods that minimize surface disturbance, reduce waste generation,
and have lower environmental impact are preferred in environmentally sensitive areas.
Safety and technical feasibility
Technical feasibility, including equipment availability, expertise of the drilling crew, and site-specific challenges,
also play a significant role.
