Methods and technical solutions for keeping the path of a geotechnological borehole

Moldashi D.N.
2021 National University of Science and Technology MISIS

Mining Science and Technology (Russian Federation)
2021 #6 Issue 1 42 - 51 pp.

With increasing depth of exploration and process boreholes (at small drilling diameters), the probability of deviation of the borehole path from design trajectory increases many times; i. e. zenith curvature and azimuth deviation of the borehole path occur. Therefore, developing methods for keeping vertical path of the borehole when drilling deeper horizons of ore bodies is a very topical issue. The paper presents the results of developing a new bottom-hole assembly for drilling boreholes in soft rocks using screw casing centralizers, which provide good stabilizing and centering effects to mitigate horizontal departure of the hole axis from the design direction and minimize vertical curvature of the hole path (zenith angle) while maintaining sufficient drill string flexibility. The developed technical solutions provide simplicity of design and ability to adapt to wide range of mining, geological and technological drilling conditions. The feasibility of manufacturing the centralizers by own efforts and the technological feasibility of quick and easy connecting the centralizer with other elements of the bottom-hole assembly have been substantiated. The manufacture efficiency is proved by the use of inexpensive and wear-resistant materials in the centralizer armouring, for which tungsten-cobalt or titanium-cobalt hard-alloy inserts were used. In addition, prevailing volume of borehole drilling in soft rocks allowed using replaceable centering elements, as well as their repair and restoration to increase their service life. The manufactured centralizer has a low production cost due to the design simplicity and the use of inexpensive wear-resistant material and will compete in the market of drilling tools and technical devices for drill string stabilization. The economic effect from the introduction of the self-produced centralizers amounted to more than 170,000 tenge per a borehole.

Drilling , Exploration borehole , Kazakhstan , Rocks , Technological borehole , Uranium mining

Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи

Volkovgeologia JSC (NAC Kazatomprom), Almaty, Kazakhstan

Volkovgeologia JSC (NAC Kazatomprom)

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026