EXPLORING THE
WORLD OF
DRILLING IN
GEOLOGY
DONE BY: GROUP #3 TECTONIC TITIANS
·What is drilling, and what are the different types of
drilling methods used in geology?
·Explaining the importance and functions of drilling
fluids.
·Why is safety crucial for geologists, and what
lessons can be learned from industry case studies,
such as the Macondo Blowout in the oil and gas
industry?
TODAY, WE WILL
BE TALIKING
ABOUT...
Imagine you’re a geologist with a mission: you need to reach deep into the Earth to
uncover valuable resources and hidden secrets. But how do you get down there? That’s
where drilling comes in. Drilling helps us explore for oil, gas, water, and minerals by
creating pathways into the Earth’s subsurface. Let’s dig into some popular drilling
methods!
WHAT IS DRILLING IN
GEOLOGY
OVERVIEW OF DRILLING METHODS
1. Rotary Drilling
2.Percussion (Cable Tool) Drilling
3. Auger Drilling
4. Diamond Core Drilling
5. Sonic Drilling
6.Directional Drilling
ROTARY DRILLING
• It’s like a power drill in action, a rotating bit grinds and
crushes rock as it turns. Special fluids are pumped
down to keep the bit cool and bring rock pieces to the
surface.
• Example: Picture drilling deep into the Earth to reach
an oil reservoir. Rotary drilling helps you get there
efficiently.
• Example: Imagine you’re drilling into the ground with
a super-powered blender to crush rock and pump mud
out – that’s Rotary Drilling!
• Pros and Cons: Great for deep drilling but costly due
to the need for fluids and large equipment.
• Rotary drilling is like the workhorse of drilling in the oil
PERCUSSION (CABLE TOOL)
DRILLING
• Think of this method as a giant hammer repeatedly
smashing rock! A heavy bit drops and breaks up
rock, and debris is scooped out.
• Example: Imagine drilling a shallow water well in
soft ground—perfect for this method.
• Example: Think of this like using a hammer to pound
the ground repeatedly.
• Pros and Cons: Affordable and simple but limited to
shallow depths and softer rocks.
• This method is one of the oldest and simplest.
• Similar to digging a hole in the sand with a corkscrew, an auger
spins to remove material as it drills. Hand augers require
manual turning, while powered augers use motors.
• Example: Need soil samples for environmental testing? Auger
drilling makes it quick and easy.
• Example: “Imagine a giant corkscrew digging into soft ground
to pull up soil.”
• Pros and Cons: Cheap and effective for shallow work, but it can’t
handle hard rock.
• Commonly used in environmental science for shallow soil
sampling.
AUGER DRILLING
DIAMOND CORE DRILLING
• Process: A diamond-tipped drill cuts a perfect cylinder out
of rock, providing an intact sample.
• Example: Geologists exploring for minerals rely on this to
examine rock structures and find valuable resources.
• Pros and Cons: Produces excellent samples but is slow
and pricey.
• Example: Picture a drill bit with industrial diamonds – it
cuts through rock and pulls out a ‘core’ like a cylinder slice.
• Used when we need high-quality samples of rock layers.
• Process: High-frequency vibrations move the drill
forward, which reduces friction and allows it to glide
through layers.
• Example: Ideal for getting undisturbed samples on a
construction site.
• Example: It’s like vibrating your way through the
earth! High-frequency vibrations do the hard work
here.
• Pros and Cons: Quick and minimal waste, but it’s not
suitable for hard rocks.
• This is great for minimal sample disturbance,
especially in mixed layers.
Sonic Drilling
DIRECTIONAL
DRILLING
• High-frequency vibrations move the drill forward,
which reduces friction and allows it to glide through
layers.
• Example: Drilling under a city without disturbing
surface structures—yes, it’s possible!
• Example: Imagine steering a remote-control car
underground – you’re controlling where it goes,
even if it’s not straight down.
• Pros and Cons: Super versatile but complex and
costly.
• It’s essential in reaching oil fields located far from
the drill rig’s positions.
THE ROLE OF DRILLING
FLUIDS
Drilling fluid is as a mixture of water, oil, clay, and chemicals that cools,
lubricates, and stabilizes the drill hole.
like the oil in an engine—it keeps everything running smoothly.
Drilling fluids have essential functions:
• Wellbore Stability: Keeps the walls from collapsing.
• Cutting Removal: Carries rock cuttings up to the surface.
• Cooling and Lubrication: Keeps the drill bit from overheating.
• Formation Sealing: Creates a lining on borehole walls.
In some cases, the fluid even creates a thin lining that seals the well
walls, protecting the formation and making it easier to drill deeper.
C
Geologists play a key role in safety by assessing natural hazards,
monitoring environmental health, ensuring stable ground for
construction, guiding safe mining practices, studying climate
impacts, and educating the public on geological risks. Their
work helps predict, prevent, and manage disasters, protecting
both people and the environment.
THE GEOLOGIST’S ROLE IN
SAFETY
THE MACONDO
BLOWOUT
The Macondo blowout, or Deepwater Horizon oil
spill, occurred on April 20, 2010, in the Gulf of
Mexico, becoming a major environmental disaster.
The blowout was caused by a mix of technical
failures, such as inadequate cement sealing the
well and a malfunctioning blowout preventer, as
well as human and organizational errors. Cost-
cutting decisions by BP and contractors, along
with misinterpreted pressure tests, compromised
safety and allowed oil and gas to escape. This led
to explosions on the rig, the release of millions of
barrels of oil over 87 days, and severe
environmental impacts on the Gulf.
DRILLING
SAFETY
Lessons from the Macondo Blowout
Imagine you’re part of a high-stakes operation to drill for oil. Safety is crucial
because one mistake can lead to disaster, like the Macondo Blowout. Here’s how
geologists contribute to safe drilling:
1.Hazard Assessment: Before drilling, geologists assess risks like high-pressure
zones and unstable rock.
2. Safety Decision-Making: They make choices that prioritize safety, even if it
costs more.
3. Training: Geologists continually learn new safety practices, including
emergency drills.
4. Following Protocols: Strict safety standards are a must, from pressure testing
to real-time monitoring.
5. Emergency Preparedness: Geologists know their roles in emergencies and
practice crisis management.
POP QUIZ
TIME!!!
1.What type of drilling uses a rotating bit and drilling fluid to cut
deep into rock layers?
A) Auger Drilling
B) Rotary Drilling
C) Percussion Drilling
2. Which drilling method is often used for environmental soil
sampling and is limited to shallow depths?
A) Sonic Drilling
B) Diamond Core Drilling
C) Auger Drilling
3. True or False: Drilling fluids help to stabilize the borehole walls.
POP QUIZ
CONTINUE
D
4.Which drilling method is often used for
environmental soil sampling and is limited to shallow
depths?
A) Sonic Drilling
B) Diamond Core Drilling
C) Auger Drilling
5. Which of the following is NOT a function of drilling
fluids?
A) Cooling the drill bit
B) Providing power to the drill
C) Removing cuttings

_GEM_1101_DRILLING_ASSIGNMENT.pptx steps to success

  • 1.
    EXPLORING THE WORLD OF DRILLINGIN GEOLOGY DONE BY: GROUP #3 TECTONIC TITIANS
  • 2.
    ·What is drilling,and what are the different types of drilling methods used in geology? ·Explaining the importance and functions of drilling fluids. ·Why is safety crucial for geologists, and what lessons can be learned from industry case studies, such as the Macondo Blowout in the oil and gas industry? TODAY, WE WILL BE TALIKING ABOUT...
  • 3.
    Imagine you’re ageologist with a mission: you need to reach deep into the Earth to uncover valuable resources and hidden secrets. But how do you get down there? That’s where drilling comes in. Drilling helps us explore for oil, gas, water, and minerals by creating pathways into the Earth’s subsurface. Let’s dig into some popular drilling methods! WHAT IS DRILLING IN GEOLOGY
  • 4.
    OVERVIEW OF DRILLINGMETHODS 1. Rotary Drilling 2.Percussion (Cable Tool) Drilling 3. Auger Drilling 4. Diamond Core Drilling 5. Sonic Drilling 6.Directional Drilling
  • 5.
    ROTARY DRILLING • It’slike a power drill in action, a rotating bit grinds and crushes rock as it turns. Special fluids are pumped down to keep the bit cool and bring rock pieces to the surface. • Example: Picture drilling deep into the Earth to reach an oil reservoir. Rotary drilling helps you get there efficiently. • Example: Imagine you’re drilling into the ground with a super-powered blender to crush rock and pump mud out – that’s Rotary Drilling! • Pros and Cons: Great for deep drilling but costly due to the need for fluids and large equipment. • Rotary drilling is like the workhorse of drilling in the oil
  • 6.
    PERCUSSION (CABLE TOOL) DRILLING •Think of this method as a giant hammer repeatedly smashing rock! A heavy bit drops and breaks up rock, and debris is scooped out. • Example: Imagine drilling a shallow water well in soft ground—perfect for this method. • Example: Think of this like using a hammer to pound the ground repeatedly. • Pros and Cons: Affordable and simple but limited to shallow depths and softer rocks. • This method is one of the oldest and simplest.
  • 7.
    • Similar todigging a hole in the sand with a corkscrew, an auger spins to remove material as it drills. Hand augers require manual turning, while powered augers use motors. • Example: Need soil samples for environmental testing? Auger drilling makes it quick and easy. • Example: “Imagine a giant corkscrew digging into soft ground to pull up soil.” • Pros and Cons: Cheap and effective for shallow work, but it can’t handle hard rock. • Commonly used in environmental science for shallow soil sampling. AUGER DRILLING
  • 8.
    DIAMOND CORE DRILLING •Process: A diamond-tipped drill cuts a perfect cylinder out of rock, providing an intact sample. • Example: Geologists exploring for minerals rely on this to examine rock structures and find valuable resources. • Pros and Cons: Produces excellent samples but is slow and pricey. • Example: Picture a drill bit with industrial diamonds – it cuts through rock and pulls out a ‘core’ like a cylinder slice. • Used when we need high-quality samples of rock layers.
  • 9.
    • Process: High-frequencyvibrations move the drill forward, which reduces friction and allows it to glide through layers. • Example: Ideal for getting undisturbed samples on a construction site. • Example: It’s like vibrating your way through the earth! High-frequency vibrations do the hard work here. • Pros and Cons: Quick and minimal waste, but it’s not suitable for hard rocks. • This is great for minimal sample disturbance, especially in mixed layers. Sonic Drilling
  • 10.
    DIRECTIONAL DRILLING • High-frequency vibrationsmove the drill forward, which reduces friction and allows it to glide through layers. • Example: Drilling under a city without disturbing surface structures—yes, it’s possible! • Example: Imagine steering a remote-control car underground – you’re controlling where it goes, even if it’s not straight down. • Pros and Cons: Super versatile but complex and costly. • It’s essential in reaching oil fields located far from the drill rig’s positions.
  • 11.
    THE ROLE OFDRILLING FLUIDS Drilling fluid is as a mixture of water, oil, clay, and chemicals that cools, lubricates, and stabilizes the drill hole. like the oil in an engine—it keeps everything running smoothly. Drilling fluids have essential functions: • Wellbore Stability: Keeps the walls from collapsing. • Cutting Removal: Carries rock cuttings up to the surface. • Cooling and Lubrication: Keeps the drill bit from overheating. • Formation Sealing: Creates a lining on borehole walls. In some cases, the fluid even creates a thin lining that seals the well walls, protecting the formation and making it easier to drill deeper. C
  • 12.
    Geologists play akey role in safety by assessing natural hazards, monitoring environmental health, ensuring stable ground for construction, guiding safe mining practices, studying climate impacts, and educating the public on geological risks. Their work helps predict, prevent, and manage disasters, protecting both people and the environment. THE GEOLOGIST’S ROLE IN SAFETY
  • 13.
    THE MACONDO BLOWOUT The Macondoblowout, or Deepwater Horizon oil spill, occurred on April 20, 2010, in the Gulf of Mexico, becoming a major environmental disaster. The blowout was caused by a mix of technical failures, such as inadequate cement sealing the well and a malfunctioning blowout preventer, as well as human and organizational errors. Cost- cutting decisions by BP and contractors, along with misinterpreted pressure tests, compromised safety and allowed oil and gas to escape. This led to explosions on the rig, the release of millions of barrels of oil over 87 days, and severe environmental impacts on the Gulf.
  • 14.
    DRILLING SAFETY Lessons from theMacondo Blowout Imagine you’re part of a high-stakes operation to drill for oil. Safety is crucial because one mistake can lead to disaster, like the Macondo Blowout. Here’s how geologists contribute to safe drilling: 1.Hazard Assessment: Before drilling, geologists assess risks like high-pressure zones and unstable rock. 2. Safety Decision-Making: They make choices that prioritize safety, even if it costs more. 3. Training: Geologists continually learn new safety practices, including emergency drills. 4. Following Protocols: Strict safety standards are a must, from pressure testing to real-time monitoring. 5. Emergency Preparedness: Geologists know their roles in emergencies and practice crisis management.
  • 15.
    POP QUIZ TIME!!! 1.What typeof drilling uses a rotating bit and drilling fluid to cut deep into rock layers? A) Auger Drilling B) Rotary Drilling C) Percussion Drilling 2. Which drilling method is often used for environmental soil sampling and is limited to shallow depths? A) Sonic Drilling B) Diamond Core Drilling C) Auger Drilling 3. True or False: Drilling fluids help to stabilize the borehole walls.
  • 16.
    POP QUIZ CONTINUE D 4.Which drillingmethod is often used for environmental soil sampling and is limited to shallow depths? A) Sonic Drilling B) Diamond Core Drilling C) Auger Drilling 5. Which of the following is NOT a function of drilling fluids? A) Cooling the drill bit B) Providing power to the drill C) Removing cuttings