Development of a drilling fluid system for RoXplorer coiled tube drilling

The Challenge

Innovative Coiled Tubing (CT) drilling is incompatible with conventional drilling fluid processing systems, with at least partial automation of monitoring, cleaning and maintenance of fluid properties required to deliver the high rates of drilling fluid recirculation required by this method.

Proposed Solution

Automated fluid loss control together with measurement and maintenance of drilling fluid properties deliver a drilling fluid workflow optimised for CT drilling.

An improved hydrocyclone developed through this project further delivers improved separation of solid materials from recirculated drilling fluid, providing efficient sampling and improved cleaning of the fluid for reuse.

The outcomes of this research pave the way towards automation of drilling fluid handling, and have been incorporated into the work of the MinEx CRC.

Proposed Benefits to WA

The drilling fluids and accompanying management systems developed through this research will help support a practical CT drilling system. Widely implemented in the Western Australian mining sector, this new system could reduce the cost and environmental impact of exploration drilling.

Keywords: Drilling fluid; viscosity; liquid polymer additive, mineral exploration; drill sampling