Exploration Drilling

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Exploration Technique: Exploration Drilling

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NEPA(16)

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"{{{ExplorationCostPerMetric}}}" is not in the list (100 feet cut, 30 foot core, compound, day, element, foot, hour, mile, point, process, ...) of allowed values for the "ExplorationCostPerMetric" property."{{{ExplorationTimePerMetric}}}" is not in the list (job, 10 mile, 10 stn, 100 mile, sq. mile, foot) of allowed values for the "ExplorationTimePerMetric" property.

Exploration Technique Information
Exploration Group:	Drilling Techniques
Exploration Sub Group:	Exploration Drilling
Parent Exploration Technique:	Drilling Techniques
Information Provided by Technique
Lithology:	Identify lithology and mineralization, provide core samples and rock cuttings
Stratigraphic/Structural:	Retrieved samples can be used to identify stratigraphy and structural features such as fracture networks or faults
Hydrological:	-Water samples can be used for geochemical analysis -Fluid pressures can be used to estimate flow rates
Thermal:	-Temperatures can be measured within the hole -Thermal conductivity measurements can be done on retrieved samples.

Exploration Drilling:

Exploratory drilling is the Initial phase of drilling for the purpose of determining the physical properties and boundaries of a reservoir.

Other definitions:Wikipedia Reegle

Introduction

Property "IntroText" (as page type) with input value "Exploration drilling is an important step before development drilling should take place. Exploration drilling is essential for obtaining actual temperature measurements, rock samples, and retrieving fluid samples for chemical analysis. Geophysical methods can give valuable and useful information about the subsurface, which is very important when determining the best locations for drilling; however, in order to obtain actual temperature and fluid measurements, samples need to be obtained via exploratory drilling. </br>There are several different exploratory drilling techniques: core holes, exploratory wells, slim holes, and thermal gradient holes. These exploratory drilling methods are used because they are far less expensive than drilling a full sized production well. Exploratory drilling utilizes drill holes which are normally not as deep, smaller, and quicker to drill compared to production and injection wells. This allows for important subsurface data to be gathered at less cost so better informed decisions can be made about how to proceed in development. </br>Exploration drilling provides the most accurate information during the exploration phase, but it is also the most expensive method, in many cases it is the final phase of exploration." contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Exploration drilling is an important step before development drilling should take place. Exploration drilling is essential for obtaining actual temperature measurements, rock samples, and retrieving fluid samples for chemical analysis. Geophysical methods can give valuable and useful information about the subsurface, which is very important when determining the best locations for drilling; however, in order to obtain actual temperature and fluid measurements, samples need to be obtained via exploratory drilling. There are several different exploratory drilling techniques: core holes, exploratory wells, slim holes, and thermal gradient holes. These exploratory drilling methods are used because they are far less expensive than drilling a full sized production well. Exploratory drilling utilizes drill holes which are normally not as deep, smaller, and quicker to drill compared to production and injection wells. This allows for important subsurface data to be gathered at less cost so better informed decisions can be made about how to proceed in development. Exploration drilling provides the most accurate information during the exploration phase, but it is also the most expensive method, in many cases it is the final phase of exploration.

Use in Geothermal Exploration

Property "GeoUse" (as page type) with input value "Exploratory drilling is essential for determining if a geothermal reservoir is capable of producing sufficient hydrothermal fluids for power generation. Exploratory drilling is used for building accurate reservoir models based on hard evidence from what is observed down hole. Exploratory drilling can define reservoir boundaries, estimate production potentials, characterize the subsurface geology, and provide essential fluid geochemical data." contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. Exploratory drilling is essential for determining if a geothermal reservoir is capable of producing sufficient hydrothermal fluids for power generation. Exploratory drilling is used for building accurate reservoir models based on hard evidence from what is observed down hole. Exploratory drilling can define reservoir boundaries, estimate production potentials, characterize the subsurface geology, and provide essential fluid geochemical data.

Related Techniques

Property "Subcategories" (as page type) with input value "</br></br></br>* Exploration Drilling</br>** Core Holes</br>** Exploratory Boreholes</br>** Exploratory Well</br>** Hydroprobe</br>** Microhole Array</br>** Slim Holes</br>** Step-out Well</br>** [[:Thermal Gradient Holes|Thermal Gradient Holes" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process.

• Exploration Drilling
  • Core Holes
  • Exploratory Boreholes
  • Exploratory Well
  • Hydroprobe
  • Microhole Array
  • Slim Holes
  • Step-out Well
  • Thermal Gradient Holes

Field Procedures

Field procedures vary depending on which type of exploratory drilling is being done. Typically a drill rig for exploratory drilling is much smaller and portable compared to production well drill rigs. The figure below is an example of a drill rig for drilling core holes

Drilling for core samples in New Zealand Using "ReferenceForhttp://www.sonicsampdrill.com/news/geotechnical-drilling-in-new-zealand.htm" as property chain is not permitted during the annotation process.

Environmental Mitigation Measures

Exploratory drilling requires a small amount of land for the drilling area. Roads are usually required in order to transport the drill rig and other equipment to the site. In environmentally sensitive areas such as rain forest or endangered species habitats precautions need to be taken before exploratory drilling can commence because small amounts of deforestation may be required and noise may disturb native species. Exploration drilling may make aquifers more vulnerable to degradation and contamination by connecting aquifers at different elevations and by potentially allowing surface water to enter the aquifers. Suitable precautions will differ from site to site. Wetlands and waterways are also susceptible to exploratory drilling. Unless preventative measures are taken there is potential for contamination from drilling fluids draining into nearby water supplies and entering the environment. An understanding of the hydrogeology of the area is necessary before exploratory drilling should take place.

Best Practices

For all drilling operations careful planning is a critical step before drilling begins. Many factors need to be taken into consideration, such as geographic location, drilling equipment, cost, schedule, well parameters, etc. Drilling near a source of water is often very beneficial otherwise water for the drilling mud has to be transported to the site which can be very expensive. Site accessibility is also very important to take into consideration. Large trucks carrying heavy equipment need to have reasonable access to the site and there needs to be enough space at the site for all the equipment and supplies. Drilling during calm times of the year is very important; climate extremes of hot and cold and high precipitation can affect the mud system, the equipment, and make work condition miserable, ultimately resulting in slower drilling progress and higher expenses.

Potential Pitfalls

Exploratory drilling is the most expensive part of exploration and often times it can be difficult to predict the costs due to unexpected problems associated with drilling. Loss of drilling fluid is the most common and expensive problem during exploratory drilling and accounts for over 20% of the costs in exploratory wells. Another pitfall of exploratory drilling is the unpredictability of a well. Some wells can be unstable and collapse or have cementing problems or blowouts which can result in lost effort, time, and money.

References

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No exploration activities found.

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Document #	Analysis Type	Applicant	Geothermal Area	Lead Agency	District Office	Field Office	Mineral Manager	Surface Manager	Development Phase(s)	Techniques
DOI-BLM-CA-170-02-15	EA	Mammoth Pacific	Long Valley Caldera Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Central California District Office	BLM Bishop Field Office	Bureau of Land Management		Geothermal/Exploration	Exploration Drilling Slim Holes Exploratory Well Drilling Methods
DOI-BLM-CA-EA-2002-???	EA	Calpine Corporation (Calpine) and CPN Telephone Flat Inc. (CPN)	Glass Mountain Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management			Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Well Field	Thermal Gradient Holes Exploration Drilling
DOI-BLM-ID-220-2009-EA-3709	EA	Agua Caliente, LLC	Raft River Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Twin Falls District Office	Burley Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Exploration Drilling
DOI-BLM-NV-B020-2011-0026-EA	EA	Ram Power	Silver Peak Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Battle Mountain District Office		Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Well Testing Techniques Drilling Techniques Exploration Drilling
DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2010-0006-EA	EA	Ormat Technologies Inc	Gabbs Valley Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Carson City District Office	BLM Stillwater Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Downhole Techniques Well Testing Techniques Drilling Techniques Exploration Drilling
DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2010-0008-EA	EA	Magma Energy	Soda Lake Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Carson City District Office	BLM Stillwater Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Downhole Techniques Well Testing Techniques Drilling Techniques Exploration Drilling
DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2010-0010-EA	EA	Terra-Gen Power LLC	Dixie Valley Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Carson City District Office	BLM Stillwater Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Downhole Techniques Well Testing Techniques Drilling Techniques Exploration Drilling
DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2011-0001-EA	EA	Terra-Gen Power LLC	Coyote Canyon Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Carson City District Office	BLM Stillwater Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Power Plant	Well Testing Techniques Exploration Drilling Observation Wells
DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2011-0501-EA	EA	Gradient Resources	Patua Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Carson City District Office	BLM Stillwater Field Office BLM Sierra Front Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Reclamation	Geothermal/Well Field	Well Testing Techniques Exploration Drilling Development Drilling
DOI-BLM-NV-C010-2012-0029-EA	EA	Ormat Technologies Inc	Tungsten Mountain Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Carson City District Office	BLM Stillwater Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Well Field	Downhole Techniques Well Testing Techniques Drilling Techniques Exploration Drilling
DOI-BLM-NV-W010-2010-0004-EA	EA	Terra-Gen Power LLC	New York Canyon Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Winnemucca District Office	BLM Humboldt River Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Well Testing Techniques Exploration Drilling
DOI-BLM-NV-W010-2011-0001-EA	EA	Ormat Technologies Inc	Grass Valley Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Winnemucca District Office	BLM Humboldt River Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration Geothermal/Well Field	Well Testing Techniques Exploration Drilling Development Drilling
DOI-BLM-OR-P000-2010-0003-EA	EA	Davenport Power LLC	Newberry Caldera Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Prineville District Office		Bureau of Land Management	United States Forest Service	Geothermal/Exploration	Well Testing Techniques Drilling Techniques Exploration Drilling Seismic Techniques Passive Seismic Techniques
DOI-BLM-UT-W020-2010-042-EA	EA	Ormat Technologies Inc	Drum Mountain Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM West Desert District Office		Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management	Geothermal/Exploration	Exploration Drilling Development Drilling
EA-NV-030-07-006	EA	Ormat Technologies Inc	Carson Lake Corral Geothermal Area	Bureau of Land Management	BLM Carson City District Office	BLM Stillwater Field Office	Bureau of Land Management	Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Reclamation	Geothermal/Well Field	Thermal Gradient Holes Exploration Drilling Slim Holes
NEPA Process for Geothermal Power Plants in the Deschutes National Forest	EIS	Cal Energy	Newberry Caldera Geothermal Area	U.S. Forest Service Bureau of Land Management					Geothermal/Exploration Geothermal/Well Field Geothermal/Power Plant	Thermal Gradient Holes Exploration Drilling Exploratory Boreholes Production Wells

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