Exploration drilling of evaporites: procedures developed in eastern Canada

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 83, No. 939, 1990

B.C. Carter, Nova Scotia Department of Mines and Energy, Mineral Resources Division, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and J.P. Anderle, Fredericton, New Brunswick

Exploration drilling ofevaporite sequences in eastern Canada has undergone significant changes in equipment, techniques and philosophy since the early 1970s. The result has been the recovery of full-size cores from properly conditioned and stabilized holes, high quality open hole geophysical logs, and high quality metallurgical samples. The majority of modifications have resulted from the necessity to preserve the integrity of the evaporite deposit, and thus ensure the potential development, combined with the need for cost-effective high quality informotion. This is particularly evident in the priority placed on the development of non-erosive drilling fluids, casing and cementing procedures. The results are applicable to diamond-drilling exploration ofevaporite deposits anywhere in the world.

Keywords: Exploration, Geology, Drilling methods.