Drop probe system – Reverse circulation log-while-drilling (RC LWD)

The Challenge

Geophysical probe technology currently used by the drilling industry cannot be deployed during active reverse circulation (RC) drilling. This reduces the efficiency of automated logging of RC drillholes.

Active RC drilling provides a hostile environment for sensors, requiring equipment to be highly robust.

Key Findings

The ‘Drop and Forget’ (drop probe) solution developed in this research program can be deployed during standard RC drilling operations without changing the operational risk profile.

Laboratory trials of probe deployment were successful in both water-filled and air-filled hole environments. The probe was able to undergo free-fall drops in initial trials without damaging electronic sensors.

Benefit to WA

Successful implementation of drop probe technology would make exploration drilling more efficient by allowing surveying of rock properties during RC drilling operations.

Speeding up the RC drilling process and removing the need for a separate surveying team would offer significant cost savings to the mining industry.

Keywords: reverse circulation, diamond drilling, survey probes, automated logging, Globaltech measure while tripping