Solutions

AZIDRILL® N-size

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The AZIDRILL® is a revolution in borehole steering, providing a core sample closer to the industry standards in wireline diamond drilling while steering boreholes. It cuts an N-size borehole while collecting BTK-size core samples. The tool comprises a range of innovations, making it highly beneficial for a broad range of exploration and civil engineering projects.

Advantages of borehole steering technology using AZIDRILL®:

The AZIDRILL® directional core barrel provides an efficient way to steer your bore holes straight to target while cutting core. Hit your targets at first try, make multiple branches from one borehole, reach of otherwise impossible areas, or control horizontal holes with a pre-determined path right on the target.

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Save time & money

Time and cost savings on exploration drill sites using AZIDRILL® are typically 20 - 50% compared to only utilizing standard conventional drilling with or without traditional steering methods such as wedging og mud motors.

With directional drilling, you can achieve the following:

Easy to use

The AZIDRILL® is fully compatible with standard N-size drill rods. No hole reaming before or after, no special rods or water pumps needed. The tool is only 30cm longer than a standard wireline core barrel, just replace your standard core barrel with the AZIDRILL® and you are ready to steer the borehole.

The AZIDRILL® collects data such as direction and inclination of the borehole through sensors sitting in the head assembly while drilling.  The data is easily checked every time that the core tube is retrieved to surface. Together with azimuth readings taken at the bottom of the borehole with a magnetic multishot or gyro, the hole path and degree of deviation is monitored and changed when needed to accommodate your drilling plan.

Aziwell Crew

AZIDRILL® equipment package

The AZIDRILL® equipment package is available for rent and contains:

AZIWELL have highly skilled field engineers that follow the drill whenever used. Our field engineers ensure the borehole steering operations run efficiently and keep the equipment maintained and ready for use at all times. Additionally, they work alongside the geologists to improve and optimize the drill plan to enable our customers to achieve the best possible outcome through borehole steering technology.

Technical data

Physical spesifications

Weight
65kg (143 lbs)
Diameter
71mm (2.80”)
Length
4.3m (14 ft)
Bit diameter
N - 75.3mm (2.97”)
Reamer diameter
N - 75.7mm (2.98”)
Core diameter
BTK - 40.7mm (1.60”)
Core length
3m (10ft)
Running gear
N/N2/N3/NU

Operational spesifications

Pressure
20 bar (290 psi)
Flow
25-50 L/min
Circulation fluid
Water
Additives
Optional
RPM, typical
700-1000
Feed force, max
5000kg (11022 psi)
Feed force, typical
2500kg (5511 psi)
Dogleg, typical
5 - 10 (° per 30m/100ft)
Max depth
N rod max
AZIDRILL - N

Borehole steering technology

Borehole steering, commonly also referred to as directional drilling, is defined as the practice of controlling the direction and deviation of a wellbore to follow a predetermined path. Wells are drilled directionally for several purposes, such as keeping a bore hole within given boundaries or drilling to intersect underground targets or locations at a specific angle. The technology also provides means for drilling into a reservoir or ore body where vertical access is difficult or not possible, for instance under a town, a lake, or underneath difficult-to-drill topography. In more complex drilling programs several wellheads can be grouped together on one surface location to allow fewer rig moves, less environmental and surface area disturbance, and make it easier and cheaper to complete the wells.

AZIWELL directional drilling services

AZIWELL offers directional core drilling services through our directional drilling products AZIDRILL® N-size and AZIDRILL® H-size. The system gives a continuous core sample as you drill, providing potentially vital geological information from the formation it penetrates.

​By implementing AZIDRILL® in your drilling program you get access to an easy and fast way to adjust bore hole paths or make multiple kick-offs without the use of wedges or traditional down hole motors. The system is fully compatible with conventional rigs, pumps and wire line equipment. No special equipment other than the drill is needed.

As a part of the package AZIWELL provides survey, strategic planning and execution of directional drilling programs, whether its for mineral exploration or civil infrastructure projects. Our goal is to maximize your investments, reduce risk related to the drilling program, through offering highly specialized and favorable methods and solutions.

Mineral exploration applications

Deviation control

Correction of drifting boreholes in highly deviated formations without the need for wedging that would leave steel in the hole or motors needing special rods or pumps, with high water consumption, on site.

Geotechnical exploration and horizontal core drilling

Steering of drill holes starting from surface or underground and turn it horizontal or to a specific inclination to intersect the ore body at a specific angle or reach a targets that otherwise would be inaccessible.

Multiple branching

Performing multiple branches from a single master hole, thus reducing the cost of transport drilling as well as coring and casings in the overlaying formations. With proper planning there are virtually no limits to the number of branches you can have, thus the saving potential is considerable, both money wise and for minimizing environmental impact.

Civil applications

Geological pre-investigation for tunnels or caverns

Steering of drill holes starting from surface or underground and turn it horizontal or make it follow a tunnel track. Thus providing crucial information about the geology along the planed route of the tunnel, Information that can be used for pre-planning of later operations and qualify your overall budget. The hole can later be used for water testing, seismic or cemented to act as guide for tunnel machines. All highly valuable for pre-construction planning.

Pilot holes for raise bore an utility holes

Drilling of pilot holes for later raise boring or hole opening to speed up penetration rates for other types of drilling, in order to intersect underground tunnels or caverns.

Producing accurate holes for freeze curtains

Drilling of freeze curtains in tunnel or cavern projects, where each hole need to be within certain limits to each other to ensure that the curtain can solidify the formation properly.

Controlled slope drilling for sewage and water tunnels

Drilling of bore holes for sewage or water tunnels that need a to follow a specific path or slope to ensure positive gravity flow of water thought the tunnel, If needed the hole can be used as pilot hole for later raise boring.

River-crossing applications

Placing pipelines that cross beneath rivers to install fiber-optic cables, power lines or other infrastructure.

Aziwell Crew