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Title: Comparative analysis of core drilling and rotary drilling in volcanic terrane

Abstract

Initially, the goal of this report is to compare and contrast penetration rates of rotary-mud drilling and core drilling in young volcanic terranes. It is widely recognized that areas containing an abundance of recent volcanic rocks are excellent targets for geothermal resources. Exploration programs depend heavily upon reliable subsurface information, because surface geophysical methods may be ineffective, inconclusive, or both. Past exploration drilling programs have mainly relied upon rotary-mud rigs for virtually all drilling activity. Core-drilling became popular several years ago, because it could deal effectively with two major problems encountered in young volcanic terranes: very hard, abrasive rock and extreme difficulty in controlling loss of circulation. In addition to overcoming these difficulties, core-drilling produced subsurface samples (core) that defined lithostratigraphy, structure and fractures far better than drill-chips. It seemed that the only negative aspect of core drilling was cost. The cost-per-foot may be two to three times higher than an ''initial quote'' for rotary drilling. In addition, penetration rates for comparable rock-types are often much lower for coring operations. This report also seeks to identify the extent of wireline core drilling (core-drilling using wireline retrieval) as a geothermal exploration tool. 25 refs., 21 figs., 13 tabs.

Authors:
; ;  [1]
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  1. (ed.)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Nevada Univ., Reno (USA). Div. of Earth Sciences
OSTI Identifier:
6698971
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 6698971; Legacy ID: DE89001754
Report Number(s):
DOE/SF/16609-T1
ON: DE89001754
DOE Contract Number:
AP03-86SF16609
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; 15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY; VOLCANIC ROCKS; DRILLING; COST; DRILL BITS; DRILL CORES; GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION; GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES; NUMERICAL DATA; PENETRATION DEPTH; ROCK DRILLING; ROTARY DRILLING; DATA; DRILLING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT; EXPLORATION; IGNEOUS ROCKS; INFORMATION; RESOURCES; ROCKS Geothermal Legacy

Citation Formats

Flynn, T., Trexler, D.T., and Wallace, R.H. Jr. Comparative analysis of core drilling and rotary drilling in volcanic terrane. United States: N. p., 1987. Web. doi:10.2172/6698971.
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Flynn, T., Trexler, D.T., & Wallace, R.H. Jr. Comparative analysis of core drilling and rotary drilling in volcanic terrane. United States. doi:10.2172/6698971.
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Flynn, T., Trexler, D.T., and Wallace, R.H. Jr. Wed . "Comparative analysis of core drilling and rotary drilling in volcanic terrane". United States. doi:10.2172/6698971. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6698971.
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@article{osti_6698971,
title = {Comparative analysis of core drilling and rotary drilling in volcanic terrane},
author = {Flynn, T. and Trexler, D.T. and Wallace, R.H. Jr.},
abstractNote = {Initially, the goal of this report is to compare and contrast penetration rates of rotary-mud drilling and core drilling in young volcanic terranes. It is widely recognized that areas containing an abundance of recent volcanic rocks are excellent targets for geothermal resources. Exploration programs depend heavily upon reliable subsurface information, because surface geophysical methods may be ineffective, inconclusive, or both. Past exploration drilling programs have mainly relied upon rotary-mud rigs for virtually all drilling activity. Core-drilling became popular several years ago, because it could deal effectively with two major problems encountered in young volcanic terranes: very hard, abrasive rock and extreme difficulty in controlling loss of circulation. In addition to overcoming these difficulties, core-drilling produced subsurface samples (core) that defined lithostratigraphy, structure and fractures far better than drill-chips. It seemed that the only negative aspect of core drilling was cost. The cost-per-foot may be two to three times higher than an ''initial quote'' for rotary drilling. In addition, penetration rates for comparable rock-types are often much lower for coring operations. This report also seeks to identify the extent of wireline core drilling (core-drilling using wireline retrieval) as a geothermal exploration tool. 25 refs., 21 figs., 13 tabs.},
doi = {10.2172/6698971},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1987},
month = {Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1987}
}
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Technical Report:
View Technical Report (4.53 MB)
DOI:  10.2172/6698971
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