Drilling is a cutting technique in which a drill bit is spun to produce a hole in a circular cross-section in solid materials. It is utilized globally for exploring salt and mineral deposits, petroleum reserves, and sinking water wells.
Drilling holes in rock to accept blasting controls is an operation in tunneling, mining, and other excavations. The construction and mining industries employ several drilling equipment and procedures, classified based on their current order and applicability.
Here, we will discuss five different types of drilling systems.
Water Well Drilling
Water well drilling is the procedure of drilling holes in the earth’s surface to attain a groundwater source. Numerous water sources exist below the earth’s surface, but they are problematic to reach and, in some situations, very deep.
Moreover, numerous drilling methods can be used for water well drilling. Revolving drillers that bore vertically into the earth are the most commonly used techniques. The success of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) in the oil and gas industry has also increased its use in the water well industry.
Rotary Drilling
Rotary drilling generates a profound observation borehole and obtains demonstrative rock samples. Options for rotary drilling, such as augurs, buckets, and core barrels, vary depending on the job location and material to be drilled through.
When viewing rotary choices, the vital features that set each separately are the torque and the amount of capable downward force. Torque and downward force are the most significant factors affecting the job, alongside substrate material and power.
Percussive Drilling
The percussion drilling technique is slower than rotary drilling but has several distinct applications, such as for narrow holes. In this drilling, hammering blows are applied to a tool attached to rods, rotating the tool to attack a new face at each blow.
An additional cylinder is sometimes sunk inside the first, and water is driven down the internal pipe to release soil and raise remains. For deep boring, rotary drilling has swapped these procedures.
Percussion is an efficient way to remove stones and break through most types of dirt, unlike any other drilling method. Rock smashing by percussive drilling can be divided into four stages:
- Crushed zone,
- Crack formation,
- Crack propagation
- Chipping
However, the tool is relatively heavy, and the price is higher, but the performance is gentler than other methods. Percussion drilling is appropriate for unconsolidated and consolidated formations.
Directional Drilling
Directional drilling is a broad term for any boring that doesn’t drive vertically down in a straight line. In fact, even in a vertical well, it may be essential to diverge to stop a geological formation and then return to the innovative path. In this case, the driller practices sidetracking procedures.
During traditional oil and gas drilling, the drill bit, drill string, pipe, and casing descend in a straight line. Technically, directional drilling occurs when a driller points away from the 180-degree downward angle. Nowadays, however, it’s more probable that there’ll be a sequence of one or more wisely planned directional variations along the wellbore.
Moreover, directional drilling procedures have been laboring for nearly 100 years now. Technological advancements have significantly improved the engineering capabilities of navigating through multifaceted angles, turns, and underground distances in recent years.
Reverse Circulation Drilling
Reverse circulation is a standard method for mining examination. The piston-driven hammer drives the drill bit into the rock. While larger rigs and machinery in reverse circulation drilling permit extra drilling into the earth. The broken earth is then propelled to the surface using compressed air.
Additionally, this method is perfect for geological examination, as it produces contaminant-free models and needs less handling. It results in cost reduction and faster change times.