New technology allows for rapid cleaning, re-use of drilling fluids

In a media statement, project lead Masood Mostofi explained that drillers exploring deep beneath the surface for mineral deposits need specialized fluids to lubricate and cool the active drill head. It is also important that such fluids won’t leak away through cracks and porous rocks around the drill site.

“New coiled tubing drilling technology being developed for mineral exploration needs much higher volumes of these special fluids than conventional drilling,” Mostofi said. “We have developed a system that can meet these fluid needs in remote locations where geologists might explore for new mineral deposits, and reduces the risk of releasing fluids that might affect the local environment.”

His team also came up with a new method for both keeping boreholes stable and rapidly separating rock chips and solid materials from the fluid as it returns to the surface.

“Working alongside partner technologies being developed in the MinEx CRC, this method will help deliver continuous samples of the rock material a drill is cutting through up to 1000m below the ground while allowing the drilling fluid to be efficiently cleaned and recycled,” Mostofi said.

In addition to CRC, the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia is also involved in the project. 

For the Institute’s CEO Nicole Roocke, this research helps move the exploration industry toward safer, greener and cheaper drilling.