Environmental Measurement-While-Drilling System and Horizontal Directional211 Drilling Technology Demonstration, Hanford Site

摘要

The Environmental Measurement-While-Drilling (EMWD) system and Horizontal211u001eDirectional Drilling (HDD) were successfully demonstrated at the Mock Tank Leak 211u001eSimulation Site and the Drilling Technology Test Site, Hanford, Washington. The 211u001euse of directional drilling offers an alternative to vertical drilling site 211u001echaracterization. Directional drilling can develop a borehole under a structure, 211u001esuch as a waste tank, from an angled entry and leveling off to horizontal at the 211u001edesired depth. The EMWD system represents an innovative blend of new and existing 211u001etechnology that provides the capability of producing real-time environmental and 211u001edrill bit data during drilling operations. The technology demonstration consisted 211u001eof the development of one borehole under a mock waste tank at a depth of 211u001e(approximately) (minus)8 m ((minus)27 ft.), following a predetermined drill path, 211u001etracking the drill path to within a radius of (approximately)1.5 m (5 ft.), and 211u001emonitoring for zones of radiological activity using the EMWD system. The purpose 211u001eof the second borehole was to demonstrate the capability of drilling to a depth 211u001eof (approximately) (minus)21 m ((minus)70 ft.), the depth needed to obtain access 211u001eunder the Hanford waste tanks, and continue drilling horizontally. This report 211u001epresents information on the HDD and EMWD technologies, demonstration design, 211u001eresults of the demonstrations, and lessons learned.