Initial Geologic Characterization

Collection of existing information on the aquifer or aquifer

Lectures 15 and 16. Aquifer Characterization/Groundwater systems being considered for development.
Exploration-Test Drilling Sources of geologic and hydrologic data:
-country geologic agencies (in the US it is the U.S.
Geological Survey, in Saudi Arabia it is the Saudi Arabia
Geological Survey
-geological maps (UN, UNESCO, universities)
Todd and Mays-Chapters 5 and 12
-georef database
-compiled geologic logs from local drillers (questionable
quality)

Well Schedule Schlumberger Water Services USA Inc.

Date ____________ Well No. ______________________

Initial Geologic Characterization Recorded by: __________________________ Field No. ______________________

Source of Data: ___________________________________________________________________

1. Location Map: State ______________ County: _____________

Field well surveys Map ____________________________ GPS Coordinates: ___________________________

______ ! ______ ! Sec. __________ T. __________ R. __________

-well inventories are conducted by the use of aerial 2. Owner ________________________________________________________________________

photographs and physical inspections to find wells Address: _______________________________________________________________________

3. Topography _________

-well depths are commonly measured in the field using a 4. Altitude (approximate) ________ ft above NGVD

Initial Geologic
5. Date Drilled: _____________________________

weighted tape-measure 6. Depth: Reported ________ ft Measured _________ ft

-well physical descriptions are made (e.g., diameter, depth, Characterization Well 7. Casing Dia. _____ in Type _____________

Schedule or
Depth ________ ft, Screen ______ to _____ ft

casing material, information on well owner and the 8. Principal Aquifer __________________________ From _________ ft to __________ ft

contractor that constructed it) Inventory Form Others ______________________________________________________

9. Water Level ____________ft MP _________ TOC above LSD __________

-a well inventory form is commonly completed and a GPS Date of Measurement _________________________

10. Pump: Type _____________, Capacity __________ GPM@ ______ ft head, Power ___________

location is recorded in the field. 11. Yield: Flow _____________ GPM, Pump _____________ GPM

Drawdown: _______________ ft after ______________ hours pumping @ _______ GPM

12. Use: _______________________________________________________________________________

13. Quality: Chloride ___________ mg/l Conductivity __________ umhos/cm

14. Other Information: Lithologic log _____ Geophysical logs _____ Types ________________________

Aquifer hydraulics: Specific Capacity _________ GPM/FT APT _______ T ________ S ________

15. Comments: _________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
 Initial Geologic Characterization Initial Geologic Characterization-Database Development

Information from the literature search and the field well

-regardless of the scope of the aquifer characterization
inventory are merged to give some preliminary information
project, the development of a database is a critical
on the geology and what aquifers may be present. The
component in the modern world
depths and yields of existing wells helps define aquifers in
regions having little information. -the database should be GIS based and should be flexible to
allow new data to be inset into system
Example in Saudi Arabia:
-the database should allow input of all types of hydrologic
-vacant quarter hydrogeologic assessment project
data into the system in modular form
-only available data sources are oil well logs and data of
springs on local water sources from historical accounts and
interviews with people
-test drilling will be required for characterization

Initial Geologic Characterization-Database Development Initial Geologic Characterization-Database Development

Physical Framework Physical framework

-Topographic maps showing the stream drainage network,
surface-water bodies, landforms, cultural features, and
locations of structures and activities related to water
-Geologic maps of surficial deposits and bedrock
-Hydrogeologic maps showing extent and boundaries of
aquifers and confining units
Saturated-thickness maps of unconfined (water-table) and
confined aquifers
-Average hydraulic conductivity maps for aquifers and
confining units and transmissivity maps for aquifers
-Maps showing variations in storage coefficient for aquifers
-Maps showing variations in leakance for aquifers
-Estimates of groundwater age at selected locations in
aquifers
 Initial Geologic Characterization-Database Development
Hydrologic budgets and stresses
-Precipitation data
-Evaporation data
-Streamflow data, including, including measurements of
gain and loss of streamflow between gaging stations
-Maps of the stream drainage network showing extent of
normally perennial flow, normally dry channels, and
normally seasonal flow
-Estimates of groundwater discharge to streams
Initial Geologic Characterization-Database Development
Hydrologic budgets and stresses
-Well hydrographs and historical head (water level) maps for
aquifers
-Location of recharge areas (areal from precipitation, losing
streams, irrigated areas, recharge basins, and recharge
wells), and estimates of recharge
Initial Geologic Characterization-Database Development
Hydrologic budgets and stresses
-Measurements of spring discharge
-Measurements of surface-water diversions and return flows
-Quantities and locations of inter-basin diversions
-History and spatial distribution of pumping rates in aquifers
-Amount of groundwater consumed for each type of use and
spatial distribution distribution of return flows
Initial Geologic Characterization-Database Development
Chemical framework
-Geochemical characteristics of earth materials and
naturally-occurring groundwater in aquifers and confining
units
-Spatial distribution of water quality in aquifers, both areally
and with depth
-Temporal changes in water quality, particularly for
contaminated or potentially vulnerable unconfined aquifers
-Sources and types of potential contaminants
 Initial Geologic Characterization-Database Development
Chemical framework
-Chemical characteristics of artificially-introduced waters or
waste liquids
-Maps of land cover/land use at different scales, depending
on study needs
-Streamflow quality (water quality sampling in space and
time), particularly during periods of low flow
Project Goals and Characterization
Once a database is compiled and analyzed, a test drilling
plan must be developed. This plan would include the
number of test wells to be drilled, the locations of the wells,
a decision on whether monitoring wells will be completed at
the sites, and the data to be collected at each well site (e.g.,
solely geologic logs and descriptions, geophysical logs,
water levels, water quality, preliminary aquifer testing, etc.).
The plan should include some go/no go decision points to
allow an end to an investigation when data show that the
project is not feasible at any time during the course of
characterization.
Project Goals and Characterization
The hydrogeologic data compilation and test drilling
required to achieve aquifer characterization is based to a
large degree on the scope and complexity of the particular
defined objectives of the investigation. Perhaps the most
complex type of investigation would be a regional, detailed
aquifer characterization conducted to develop a water
management plan and a regulatory framework. A less
complex, but common objective, is to develop a local
groundwater source for a public or agricultural water
supply.
Depth of Test Drilling and Characterization
It is prudent to drill test borings to a depth that fully
penetrates an aquifer. It is quite important to understand the
nature of the aquifer lithology through the full thickness as
well as the lithology and thickness of the confining beds
above and below it. There are economic restrictions on the
depth of wells, but if the test drilling does not acquire the
data necessary to properly characterize the aquifer being
developed, the accuracy of any hydrologic assessment of
impacts and sustainability become questionable.
 Exploratory Drilling Methods Exploratory Drilling Using the Cable-Tool Drilling Method

Drilling
Advantages
-cable-tool method
The cable-tool drilling method can be used for aquifer
-hydraulic rotary-mud method exploration in two ways. First, drill cuttings can be collected
-reverse-circulation hydraulic rotary mud without vertical “fall-in” contamination, because the casing
-reverse-air rotary is advanced with short vertical increments of drilling. The
-dual tube method drilling and bailing operation can be controlled to any
increment desired (e.g., 1 m, 2 m, etc.). The formation
Coring
samples, therefore, clean and can be analyzed to yield
-Shelby tube accurate geology. Also, the well can be pumped to obtain
-vibra-coring (shallow) vertical water samples as drilling is being conducted.
-wireline coring
-sonic coring

Exploratory Drilling Using the Cable-Tool Drilling Method Exploratory Drilling Using the Cable-Tool Drilling Method

Advantages
The cable tool method of test drilling and sampling is
particularly useful in characterizing unlithified aquifers and
aquifers exhibiting density stratification of water quality.
Only a few other drilling methods allow the short vertical
increment of sampling capabilities that cable-tool drilling
can provide.
Disadvantages
The cable-tool drilling method is very slow and tedious. It
can take a month to drill and sample a single well
penetrating a deep aquifer.
The geologic samples tend to be pulverized into very small
pieces, thereby, not allowing close examination of the pore
types and internal structure of the rock.
The sampling depth may be limited if a single, small
diameter casing is driven and alternately drilled and
sampled(commonly 5 cm in diameter).
 Exploratory Drilling Using the Cable-Tool Drilling Method Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method

Disadvantages
Water quality sampling in the small-diameter, steel-cased
well can be difficult, because of potential low yield of water.
Also, the steel casing may interfere with the water sampling
for metals analysis.
Advantages
For exploratory drilling in deep aquifers, the hydraulic rotary
mud method is typically used. It can provide high quality
information on the lithologic units penetrated, especially
when conducted by a skilled driller and an experienced on-
site geologist or engineer.
The method can be used in virtually any type of geology.
It becomes even more accurate if coupled with the
collection of borehole geophysical logs.

Hydraulic Rotary- Mud vs. Hydraulic Rotary-Air Drilling

Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method

Field methods
Exploratory drilling requires cooperation between the driller
and the on-site geologist or engineer. If the borehole is
drilled very quickly, without full clearing of the cuttings from
the borehole, the geologic information can become mixed
and unclear. Therefore, the best field method is to drill the
well in 1 to 3 m increments and stop the bit advancement for
a brief time, to allow the cuttings to move up and out of the
borehole before the next increment is drilled.
 Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method
Feel for the drilling rig and hardness of material
It is critical for the driller and the on-site geologist or
engineer to obtain a “feel” for the drilling rig. The behavior
of the rig changes when drilling through different types of
material. For example, the penetration rate of the bit is
generally slower in hard rock and in dense clay. Commonly,
during rapid drilling, the bit will penetrate through a
lithologic change and the cuttings will have differing
densities, causing them to be carried out of the borehole at
differing rates. This causes mixing.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method
Depth of drilling, depth of drilling bit from land surface
The on-site professional must always know the approximate
depth of the bit while drilling and the corresponding
geologic material being penetrated. This is not necessarily
easy. First, the total length of the drill bit, stage and kelly bar
must be known. The distance of the turn-table above land
surface must be known. The length of each drill rod must be
known.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method
Feel for the drilling rig and hardness of material
The on-site professional must constantly observe the
drilling rig and note the change from soft material to hard
material and vice-versa. Then, when sampling the material
coming out of the borehole, a correlation must be made
between the material sampled and the depth at which
changes in hardness were observed. To aid in the
interpretation of the depth increments at which the cuttings
occur, the professional should place the samples on a table
or board in the field as data are collected.
Hydraulic Rotary Drilling
 Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method
Depth of drilling, depth of drilling bit from land surface
The height of the turn table above land surface can range
from 3 to 6 feet. The bite length and stage can range from 2
to 8 feet. The kelly bar length from the top to the stage is
typically 21 feet in a small to medium sized rig, but can be
longer. Standard length drilling rods are 10 feet, 15 feet, or
20 feet. The key is to measure the full length of the initial
drilling assembly and subtract the distance from the turn
table to the land surface. Commonly, the initial penetration
ranges from about 18 to 25 feet below land surface. All
values in the log should be referenced to land surface and
later to altitude.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method
Sampling and field descriptions
Drill cuttings should be collected at 5 ft (1.5 m) increments
and at every lithology change. In thick, rather homogeneous
formations, the sampling interval can be increased to 10 ft (3
m) without comprising the detail of the log. The samples
should be laid out on a board to see what is being drilled on
a continuous basis. Samples should be placed into cloth
sample bags which are labeled with the field well number
and the depth interval.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method
Depth of drilling, depth of drilling bit from land surface
In order to have a reference for drilling depth, the on-site
professional should request that the driller mark the kelly
bar (usually with grease) at regular increments (e.g., 1 m or
5 feet). When the penetration rate or the rig sounds change,
the depth can be closely estimated from observation of the
marks or the driller should be asked. Notes should be made
in the field notebook as drilling proceeds and samples
should be collected that are representative of the recorded
log changes.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method
Sampling and field descriptions
A common mistake involves the mislabeling of the sample
bags. The field well number should be unique to the site and
should have corresponding field-measured GPS coordinates
recorded in the field notebook.
When a de-sanding machine is located, on-site the samples
can be collected from the top or discharge point of the
device, but care must be taken concerning the lag time
between drilling and recovery of the sample.
 Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method
Sampling and field descriptions
If samples are to be collected from the wellhead discharge
of drilling mud before entry into the mud pit, it is
recommended that a kitchen strainer attached to a length of
PVC pipe be used to dip the sample from the drilling mud.
This avoids work under the back of the drilling rig away
from moving parts and is safer. When the lithology is
unlithified, samples may have to be retrieved using a
bucket. Sand samples collected by this drilling method are
generally poor.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method
Sampling and field descriptions
For example, “limestone, sandy, light orange-gray (color
index code), hard, low porosity, etc.”, not “white rock,
gravelly” (drillers or inexperienced description).
Lithologic descriptions should be confirmed in the
laboratory using a binocular microscope examination and
the placement of lithologic contacts should be corrected
using geophysical logs, when available. The geologic log
should also contain a land surface altitude estimate and a
GPS location.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method
Sampling and field descriptions
Samples collected during drilling need to be washed with
freshwater before being placed into the sample bags. The
drilling mud should be removed, but not the fine fraction of
the natural sediment. Only the geologist in the field will
know the actual materials type, which should be described
in the field notebook. Lithologies should be clearly recorded
and described.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method
Post-Drilling Use of the Borehole
Upon completion of the test boring, it is often quite
economic to convert the borehole into an observation well
tapping the aquifer to be used for development or an aquifer
above or below the one being developed. If the test boring is
strictly being used to collect geologic data, then it should be
filled with cement from the bottom to the top after
completion. This prevents contamination of the aquifer.
 Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method
Disadvantages
Hydraulic rotary mud drilling in unlithified sediments is
difficult and the formation contacts are difficult to locate.
In deep drilling, the drill cuttings come out of the borehole
slowly and can mix, making it difficult to obtain quality
samples and to log formation contacts.
In cavernous carbonates, drilling fluid and cutting loss can
leave gaps in the geologic log when samples cannot be
recovered.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Reverse Air Method
Advantages
Drilling by the reverse air rotary method does not require
the use of drilling muds or other fluids.
The vacuuming effect and the transport of the cuttings
through the middle of the drill rod allows high quality
samples to be collected.
The drilling method is rapid and efficient.
Short hesitations at selected depth increments allows the
cuttings to emerge at land surface without mixing.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Mud Method
Disadvantages
Water samples cannot be recovered while drilling.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Reverse Air Method
Advantages
Water samples can be collected by allowing the cuttings to
be cleaned from the borehole and then pumping the well by
air through the drill stem. The samples approximate the
water quality at the depth of penetration.
Commonly, the upper part of water wells are drilled using
the hydraulic air rotary method, and the open-hole is drilled
using the reverse air method after a casing is set.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Reverse Air Method
Advantages
During drilling through high hydraulic conductivity
carbonate aquifers, drilling fluid circulation is never lost,
because of the vacuuming effect.
If an observation well is to be constructed using the
borehole, no drilling fluid has been introduced, so well
development is short or not required.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Reverse Air Method
Disadvantages
The drill rods must be a minimum of 10 cm in outside
diameter to allow the insertion of the airline and passage of
the cuttings past the airline.
A large air compressor must be used, which is not standard
equipment on many hydraulic rotary rigs (a mobile air
compressor can be rented and used in concert with the
drilling rig to solve this problem).
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Reverse Air Method
Disadvantages
The method cannot be used to drill in unconsolidated or
unlithified formations.
The method cannot be used in low-yielding formations,
because a certain minimum amount of water must be
yielded to carry the drill cuttings from the well.
Many rotary drilling rigs must be modified to be able to use
the method. This particularly requires the enlargement of
the holes within the drill bits that allow the upward passage
of the drill cuttings.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Hydraulic Rotary Reverse Air Method
Disadvantages
The method can produce large quantities of water that may
require disposal or could cause flooding. Particularly, in
exploration of brackish-water aquifers, the water disposal
issue can be complex and expensive.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Straight Air Rotary or Combination
Rig Methods
Exploratory drilling can be conducted using straight air
rotary or a combination of air rotary and a hammer rig. If the
exploration is required to be conducted beginning at land
surface, the aquifer must consist of rock without any
unlithified sediment if these methods are to be used. In hard
limestones, the combination rig can allow rapid penetration
and discharge high quality rock samples, as well as moving
through cavities in the subsurface without binding the bit
assembly.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Straight Air Rotary or Combination
Rig Methods
Disadvantages
Cannot be used in unlithified sediments. A casing can be set
using conventional hydraulic rotary mud drilling and then,
the air rotary or combination rig technology can be used.
Produces very large, uncontrolled quantities of water in
permeable aquifers.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Straight Air Rotary or Combination
Rig Methods
Advantages
Enables exploration in rock types that produce difficult
drilling conditions (e.g., alternating hard and soft
carbonates with cavities).
Produces drill cuttings that are large fragments and not
mixed at land surface. This enables better analysis of the
materials.
Allows the collection of water samples.
The drilling process is rapid and cost-effective.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Dual Tube Drilling Method
Advantages
Dual tube drilling is a very good method for geologic and
aquifer exploration. The outer tube acts to stabilize the
borehole during drilling so that the drill cuttings recovered
during drilling are quite clean and have a high quality.
When drilling through carbonates rocks, the drill cuttings
commonly are large pieces, nearly core fragments.
Drilling can be paused to take water samples in some cases
 Exploratory Drilling Using the Dual Tube Drilling Method
Exploratory Drilling Using the Dual Tube Drilling Method
Disadvantages
Although very good for geologic exploration, in order to
construct a well after the pilot hole is completed, the
removal of the outer drill pipe is commonly required. Then,
the borehole must be reamed to a larger diameter using
hydraulic rotary mud drilling. There is a risk during removal
of the outer column that the borehole below it will collapse
before the reaming process can begin. This can create some
pathways for contamination or production of a void that is
difficult to locate and cement.
Exploratory Drilling Using the Dual Tube Drilling Method
Collection of Geologic Data by Coring-Shallow Engineering
Methods
There are a series of standard methods used mostly by
engineers to collect shallow, detailed soils and geologic
data. These methods cannot be used for large-scale, deep
aquifer exploration, but are very useful to obtain unconfined
aquifer lithologic data. The methods include:
-Standard penetration test cores or hammer cores
-Shelby tool cores
-Hollow stem auger tubes
-Split spoon sampler cores
 Collection of Geologic Data by Coring-Shallow Standard Penetration

Standard penetration cores are collected by driving a tube

into the ground using a hammer. Samples are collected from
the core barrel. Sometimes the barrel opens (split spoon)
and sometimes the core barrel is a tube without openings to
Collection of Geologic Data maintain the core inside. Sampling requires either sawing
by Coring-Various Shallow the tube in half or extruding the core using a special
Coring Methods machine.
The method tends to highly compact the core material in
sands and gravels and can shear the sample at the edges of
the barrel. It is used to shallow depths of less than 50 m in
most cases.

Collection of Geologic Data by Coring-Shelby Tube

A Shelby tube sampling device is commonly driven or

rotated in certain cases into the ground using a special
drilling rig. The sample is pressed into a tube that can be
opened to collect samples. It is particularly useful in
sampling shallow, unconsolidated sediments constituting
Collection of High Geologic
unconfined or semi-unconfined aquifers. The samples are
Data by Coring-Standard
commonly placed in jars (moisture content retained) or in
Penetration
cloth bags to dry.
 Collection of Geologic Data by Coring-Shelby Tube Collection of Geologic Data by Coring-Hollow Stem Augers

Hollow stem augers can be used to collect geologic data

from shallow, unconsolidated sediments. The auger is
screwed into the ground. The center of the auger stem is
hollow and as the auger flights enter the sediment, the core
is pushed into the center of the auger. The core material is
recovered from either a thin-walled barrel or a split-spoon
barrel. In low technology auger systems, the auger flights
must be removed to recover samples, but there are systems
that allow the core barrel to be removed as penetrated
continues.

Collection of Geologic Data by Coring-Hollow Stem Auger Method

Collection of Geologic Data

by Coring-Hollow Stem
Auger Rig
 Collection of Geologic Data by Coring-Split Spoon Devices

The split spoon core barrel is used in several of the

engineering soils testing and sample collection devices.
However, it is also used on specialized rigs that have a bit
assembly to allow the sediment to pass cleanly into the core
barrel with less compaction. The method is very useful for
Collection of Geologic Data by Coring- obtaining samples from shallow, unconsolidated aquifers.
Hollow Stem Auger

Collection of High Data by Coring-Split Spoon Sampling Device

Collection of Geologic Data by

Coring-Split Spoon Sampling Device
 Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-VibraCoring
Collection of Geologic Data by Coring-Split Spoon Sampling End
Method

Viba-coring technology has been greatly expanded in recent

years to allow greater depths to be cored using more
mechanical devices. Also, the equipment has been
improved to be more automated and less manpower
intensive.
The most commonly used components of the system
include, 7.5-cm diameter aluminum tubing, a 3 to 4 m high
tripod constructed with thick-wall aluminum pipe or of
galvanized steel pipe, a cement vibrating device and
attachment clamp, a fitted weight of about 10 to 20 kg, a
retrieval winch, and a “core-catcher” device for the base of
the pipe.

Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-VibraCoring

Method

Collection of High Quality

Geologic Data by
VibraCoring
Method

Collection of High Quality
Geologic Data by Coring-
VibraCoring Method
Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-VibraCoring
Method
Advantages
It is perhaps the only method to core and retrieve nearly
undisturbed cores in shallow, unconsolidated sediments.
The sediment is cored and contained within a thin-walled
aluminum pipe, which allows the ends to be plugged with
plastic caps and the entire core length can be retrieved and
stored. The core can be sawed into manageable sections for
transport and analysis. Also, the core can be sawed along
the vertical axis for description and sampling.
Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-VibraCoring
Method
Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-VibraCoring
Method
Disadvantages
The method cannot be used to core lithified sediment, it
must be soft.
Large, hard cobbles or fossils within the sediment can bend
the penetrating end of the pipe and stop the coring process.
In quartz sand and gravels containing no mud, the core pipe
can bind to the sediment, limiting depth penetration.
Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-Wireline Method
Perhaps the oldest and most used method to obtain cores
from rock and partially lithified rock units is the wireline
coring method. This method utilizes a standard hydraulic
rotary mud drilling rig. The base of the drill stem contains a
special bit that contains a central, circular gap. As the drill
penetrates the formation, drilling mud is circulated from
land surface through the exterior part of the bit and
simultaneously, the central core of the formation enters a
hollow barrel.
Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-Wireline Method
Advantages
A large recovery percentage of rock material can be
retrieved using this method.
Drilling can proceed during coring without having to trip out
the entire drill stem each time a segment of core is obtained.
The procedure is commonly rapid and the results are very
good.
Wireline coring can be conducted to great depths (in some
cases over 1000 m).
Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-Wireline Method
The core barrel can be from 1 to 5 m in length and the
diameter of the core can range from 5 to 10 cm (typical
diameters, but can be larger). When the core barrel is full, a
hydraulic clap is engaged at its base to keep the core inside
the barrel. Then, the entire core barrel is retrieved through
the drill stem and brought to land surface. The core is
unloaded, boxed and carefully labeled.
Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-Wireline Method
Disadvantages
The recovery percentage in loose sand and unlithified
material can be very poor. It can be improved by using
drawdown pressure on the bit to force sand into the core
barrel.
A casing must be set in the upper part of the borehole,
especially when the formation material is lithified before
coring rock below that material.
Circulation loss can cause termination of coring activity or
loss of the borehole.
 Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-Wireline Method:
Drill Bits

Collection of High
Quality Geologic Data by
Coring-Wireline Method
Equipment

Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-Wireline Method

Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-Wireline Method
Setup
Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-Sonic Method
Sonic coring is a very rapid means of obtaining high quality
cores from depths to perhaps 200 m. The method involves
the simultaneous rotation of a drill bit into the formation
using sonic vibration to allow penetration and displacement
of the sediment or rock. Some drilling mud is pumped into
the borehole through the drilling bit to lubricate the hole and
circulate material back to land surface. The drill bit contains
a hollow, circular gap into which the core is caught during
drilling.
Collection of High
Quality Geologic Data
by Coring-Sonic
Method Bit Assembly
Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-Sonic Method
After the bit penetrates to the length of the core barrel (10 or
20 ft). The core barrel is lifted from the borehole (all rods
out), and extruded into plastic bags. Commonly in deeper
holes, a secondary outer casing is vibrated into place
surrounding the central bit and drilling assembly. This
temporary outer casing keeps the hole open when the core
material is being tripped out of the hole. The most common
diameters of core are 4 in (10 cm) and 8 in 20 cm).
Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-Sonic Method
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Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-Sonic Method Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-Sonic Method

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Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-Sonic Method Collection of High Quality Geologic Data by Coring-Sonic Method

Advantages Disadvantages
The method can obtain considerable material in a very rapid The core material obtained in rock is broken and not totally
manner (up to 400 feet of core per day). continuous.
It is able to core and recover unlithified sediments. The unlithified sediment core does exhibit some
The core diameter is large and yields an excellent amount of compaction.
formation material for study (particularly mining The method cannot be used for deep coring (over 200 m).
assessments).
It is half the cost of wireline coring.