INTRODUCTION TO

SONIC DRILLING
What We Do

Identify subsurface conditions and contamination

Provides subsurface samples that help
engineers/geologist make good decisions,
design things economically and safely
Clean-up the World’s environmental problems
Rebuild the World’s infrastructure
Our Mission

Working as a team, to assist our

clients in the Remediation of the
Environment and in
the Rehabilitation and
Development of the World’s
Infrastructure
 Learning Objectives

1. Discuss Boart Longyear E&I mission &

values.
2. Introduce & discuss Sonic drilling methods
and advantages.
3. Describe how the E&I Sonic drilling
procedure works and why.
 Basic Equipment

Sonic Drill
– Mini Sonic (BL100C)
– Spider (BL 200C)
– ATV Rig (BL300C)
– Truck Rig (BL 300T)
– Delta Base Sonic (DB 320)
– BLY EDD Truck Rigs
Large tandem axle box truck-- 1/2 or full box
(not used with the Mini)
1-Ton pick-up truck
Trailer
Grout mixer
Generator
Skid steer loader
 E&I Advantages

Speed
Superior Subsurface Geological Information
Waste Reduction
Superior Well Construction
Flexibility
Regional Offices
Risk Minimization
 The E&I Method

What distinguishes us:

Our people
Our equipment
Our intellectual property
Our business model
 Formations

Sand, gravel, clay, hard till, cobbles and

boulders
Fill and construction debris
Difficult formations
Some bedrock formations
Sonic Drilling
 Sonic Drill Head Components – BL 300 C/T

Air Spring Assembly

Oscillator
Transmission
Rotation Assembly
Sonic Drill Head Components – BL 300 C/T
Modern Sonic Head – BL 300 C/T
 Mini Sonic Head -- BL 100C

The Mini Sonic head turns at a

lower speed (frequency) than
BL’s larger sonic heads.

The head is completely encased

by a steel housing.

The head is the oscillator.

The isolation system is an

external system of air springs
which isolate vibrations from the
drill rig.
 Mini Sonic Drill Head Components

External Air Spring

Oscillator = the Drill Head
Direct Timing Gears (no transmission)
Gear Rotation
Water Swivel
0 to 75 Hz Variable
Mini Sonic Drill Head Components
Water Swivel

External Air Spring

Insert drawing of Mini

head with arrows to
Direct Timing
Gears external air spring, Drill
Head,OSC
Direct
Motor Timing

Gears (no transmission),

Mini Sonic
Head and Gear Rotation
Scavenge pump

Rotation
Motor
 E&I Drilling Procedure
1. Sonically advance core barrel into
undisturbed formation.
2. Sonically override larger Diameter
casing over core barrel.
3. Return core barrel to surface
for sample removal.
4. Complete coring and Overriding
casing to desired depth.

1. Drill
2. Case
3. Pull
4. Repeat
 Sonic Drilling Styles

– “Dry Drilling”
– “Ratholes”
– “Cave-in & Clean-out”
– “Flushing”
– Drill rod advancement with “Lost” Point
– Drilling with pressure on plug in barrel
– Split hammer
– Liners
– Retainer Basket / Bit
– Stacked Core Barrels
 Conventional Drilling

Diamond Coring
Rock Drilling
Down hole Hammer
Bit-on Rods
Percussion drilling with welded bit
 Check Point

1. Discuss E&I’s mission and values.

2. Introduce and discuss Sonic drilling

methods and advantages.

3. Describe how the E&I Sonic drilling

procedure works and why.