Borehole Drilling Methods - ​Percussion ​Drilling Method ​and Mud Rotary

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Dear all,

I have a question: what is the difference between the percussion drilling method and mud rotary?

The contractor said he prefers using percussion method instead of rotary because the rotary method is unsuccessful in sandy aquifers!! He also said the rotary machine we cannot drill big diameter of a borehole (max diameter available in AFG 10’’)

Also, the depth for the borehole should be between 80 and 100 meters and now the contractor is using the percussion method and he cant drill more than 65 meters.

I will be hope anyone shares the answer with me.

Thanks

Eng. Mohamed el Sayed

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6 Answers

  1. Please please please change the contractor!!! They absolutely don't know what they are saying, are totally unexperienced in the rotary drilling sector and trying to confuse you totally...you've looked probably for the cheapest drilling company price, didn't you? 

    1 Comment

    1. just to add, you can drill easily a 100m deep borehole with a tri-pot, drill pipes and a 75m3/hr (HONDA) mud pump...@10". just need to know how to do it. The percussion drilling is only limited to mast-hookload and the cable length...and its capacity  (not really important if 65m already on the drum...)...100m rotary drilling is 1 to 2days max...

       

  2. Hi Mohamed, the rotary method can drill several diameters and we had several succesful experiencies in drilling in coastal Acuifers here in Central America (right on the sandy beach with all sandy formations), the percussion method has some restrictions wih depth, i recomend reading the book of Driscoll for drilling methods, I think that in this case the contractor doesnt have the machinery for the job and is probably trying to justify that with the drilling methods, for the rotary drilling it all depends on depth, formation, and the expertise of the driller. I talk based on my experience.

  3. Hi Mohamed,

    I think everyone has given helpful insight. The main reason is the cost and equipment. I don’t see any relevances between your field technical difficulties and decision to strictly use percussion isntead of rotary.

    However, I found a referece that might help to enlighten related to advantages and disadvantages of water well drilling method: 

    https://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-wb-dwehs-gwwfwim-section5_183030_7.pdf

    Hope this help, thanks.

  4. I agree with the Professor , if common drilling method is to be used the right equipment for the right job needs to be implemented , using common drilling method  can get you much further than  100m mark .But to further explore this , why do you need a bore hole that large ?  . 

  6. Percussion drilling (shell and auger) is the most common drilling method used for geotechnical site or ground investigations. Depending upon access limitations and favorable ground conditions boreholes up to 100 m depth and up to 2 feet dia can be formed.

    Percussion Drilling is usually known as cable percussion drilling.

    Anyhow rotary can drill of any desired dia but the expensive machinery may not be available with your contractor.