Environmental considerations of low-temperature drilling fluids

The introduction of low-temperature fluid into boreholes drilled in ice sheets helps to remove drilling cuttings and to prevent borehole closure through visco-plastic deformation. Only special fluids, or mixtures of fluids, can satisfy the very strict criteria for deep drilling in cold ice. The effe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAnnals of glaciology Vol. 55; no. 65; pp. 31 - 40
Main Authors Talalay, Pavel, Hu, Zhengyi, Xu, Huiwen, Yu, Dahui, Han, Lili, Han, Junjie, Wang, Lili
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 2014
International Glaciological Society
Subjects
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
Geophysics. Techniques, methods, instrumentation and models
Snow. Ice. Glaciers
ice coring
subglacial lakes
glaciological instruments and methods
glaciology
Low-temperature techniques
Subglacial lake
Drilling fluid
deep drilling
Core boring
ice
Occupational exposure
Chemical pollution
environment impact
subglacial environment
Health and environment
Geophysical equipment
Effect on climate
Biological contamination
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Summary:The introduction of low-temperature fluid into boreholes drilled in ice sheets helps to remove drilling cuttings and to prevent borehole closure through visco-plastic deformation. Only special fluids, or mixtures of fluids, can satisfy the very strict criteria for deep drilling in cold ice. The effects of drilling fluid on the natural environment are analyzed from the following points of view: (1) occupational safety and health; (2) ozone depletion and global warming; (3) chemical pollution; and (4) biological pollution. Traditional low-temperature drilling fluids (kerosene-based fluids with density additives, ethanol and n-butyl acetate) cannot be qualified as intelligent choices from the safety, environmental and technological standpoints. This paper introduces a new type of low-temperature drilling fluid composed of synthetic ESTISOLTM esters, which are non-hazardous substances. ESTISOLTM 140 mixtures with ESTISOLTM 165 or ESTISOLTM F2887 have an acceptable density and viscosity at low temperature. To avoid the potential for biological contamination of the subglacial environment, the borehole drilling fluid should be treated carefully on the surface.
ISSN:0260-3055
1727-5644
DOI:10.3189/2014AoG65A226