AU2021212011A1 - Survey system for blast hole drilling rigs - Google Patents
Survey system for blast hole drilling rigs Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2021212011A1 AU2021212011A1 AU2021212011A AU2021212011A AU2021212011A1 AU 2021212011 A1 AU2021212011 A1 AU 2021212011A1 AU 2021212011 A AU2021212011 A AU 2021212011A AU 2021212011 A AU2021212011 A AU 2021212011A AU 2021212011 A1 AU2021212011 A1 AU 2021212011A1
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- survey tool
- survey
- drilling
- blast hole
- hole
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 43
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 11
- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005422 blasting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010304 firing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000011017 operating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013016 damping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012895 dilution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010790 dilution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000013467 fragmentation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006062 fragmentation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000275 quality assurance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010878 waste rock Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
- E21B47/02—Determining slope or direction
- E21B47/022—Determining slope or direction of the borehole, e.g. using geomagnetism
Landscapes
- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Geophysics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Drilling And Exploitation, And Mining Machines And Methods (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Drilling And Boring (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a survey system for blast hole drilling rigs. The survey tool
assembly consisting of a pressure and impact resistant running gear and a logging tool, wherein
the survey tool assembly logs survey data as the survey tool assembly is pushed into a predrilled
blast hole by a drilling rig.
01 !
(\J -
FI.1
Description
FI.1
[0001] The present invention relates to a survey system for blast hole drilling rigs.
[0002] Drill holes tend to deviate from the straight path, and this is the case also for holes drilled for blasting purposes. Causes of deviation away from the planned end of hole position can be attributed to setup and alignment error, sensor imperfections and calibration errors, variations in rock formation, the inability to perform drilling practices to manage variables such as feed pressure and rotation speed, the inability to control drilling over significant lengths or at significant inclinations. Deviations away from the planned blast hole by 10 percent of the hole length are not uncommon. Blast hole deviation can contribute to rock overbreak, dilution of ore with waste rock, poor fragmentation of the rock, and bridging of the rock. Last but not least, a blast hole that deviates in a different direction than planned may present a serious danger to both equipment and personnel.
[0003] A blast hole may typically be drilled to a length of 15-30 meters, with some blast holes drilled to as long as 60m into a rock formation. The holes are then loaded with explosives. To have full control over the blasting process, maintain safety and achieve the planned result, it is necessary to know the exact path of the blast holes and compare to the planned position.
[0004] Due to the difficulty in surveying blast holes the holes are typically assumed to be straight with no adjustments being made prior to firing of the explosives.
[0005] In the underground mining application, mining companies are continually looking at methods to reduce costs and improve productivity. In the sub level mining method it is advantageous to extend the distance between each sub level reducing the number of development sub drives required. In order to achieve this, longer production holes must be drilled and knowledge of the end of blast position is critical prior to firing.
[0006] Surveying blast holes may be done utilising traditional magnetic or gyroscopic surveying instruments after the blast hole has been drilled. The survey instruments are typically manually pushed or fed by gravity into the blast holes with survey pipes, poly pipes, fiberglass rodder or wire rope and stopped at a set interval to record direction and inclination. This method of surveying does not rotate the survey instrument about its axis between each depth interval, risking internal bias error affecting survey accuracy. The surveyor must measure the depth as the survey instrument progresses into the hole and relate it to the recorded data. This may be done by marking the survey pipes or attaching additional depth counter devices. The depth interval may be the distance between each survey recording.
[0007] In an underground setting, for instance in a tunnel or mining operation, the blast holes may be located high above floor level. Basket lifts or elevated work platform may therefore be required for the surveyor to perform the surveys. Surveying holes high above floor level (upholes) typically involves physically demanding manual pushing and not possible past a certain depth depending on the weight of the survey instrument. Surveying can only commence after the drill rig has completed the drilling program and moved out of the way.
[0008] The above-mentioned surveying methods are labour intensive, time consuming, costly, and prone to error. For these reasons surveying is typically only done on a fraction of the drilled blast holes in a limited quality assurance process. Moreover, the surveying is typically done only after an entire drill-program has been completed. Hence the surveying results are only made available after, often making it too late to take any corrective action if deviation or end of hole position exceeds the required limits. In addition, the method suffers from high risk to the survey instrument as caving may occur in the blast hole and jam the instrument, potentially causing permanent damage to the instrument or making it impossible to retrieve. A jammed instrument could disrupt the surface or underground blast process.
[0009] The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part the aforementioned disadvantages of previous blast hole surveying.
[0010] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a survey tool system consisting of a survey tool assembly for mounting onto the drilling string of the blast hole drilling rigs and software for collecting and presenting the survey data results. The software may be an application on a handheld device or a program on a laptop, personal computer or cloud server.
[0011] The object of the survey tool system is overcome at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art including but not limited to: • improving blast hole surveying efficiency through decision making at the rig; • make surveying an integral part of the blast hole drilling operation, with survey data being made available directly after drilling each blast hole; • improving survey accuracy through rotation of the drill rods between each depth interval; • reducing the number of sub levels required in the mining process; • removing the reliance of extra survey personnel / contractors; • removing risk of injury to personnel working at heights; • removing the need for lifting equipment and elevated work platforms; • removing the need for tape measure or additional depth control devices; and • reducing the risk ofjamming the survey instrument.
[0012] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided survey tool system for blast hole drilling operations comprising a survey tool assembly for mounting at the front of a drilling string, the survey tool assembly consisting of a pressure and impact resistant running gear and a logging tool, wherein the survey tool assembly logs survey data as the survey tool assembly is pushed into a predrilled blast hole by a drilling rig. The survey data may be data from which depth and deviation can be derived.
[0013] Preferably, the survey tool system utilises a combination of stand still periods and known lengths to present a depth of survey data points. Stand still periods include where the survey tool assembly remains stationary for certain periods of time each time a section of drilling pipe is added to or removed from a drilling string. Known lengths include a length of a section of drilling pipe.
[0014] Preferably, the survey tool system measures a starting direction of a drill hole by carrying a direction from outside a blast hole.
[0015] Preferably, the survey tool system calculates deviation away from a designed path, alerting a drill rig operator after drilling a blast hole if corrective action is required. Corrective action performed by the drill rig operator may include but are not limited to changing equipment (such as drill bits), modifications to software settings to correct pathing or adapt to environmental conditions, and readjusting operating procedures.
[0016] Preferably, the survey tool system calculates proximity to other surveyed drill holes, alerting a drill rig operator after drilling a hole if corrective action is required. Corrective action performed by the drill rig operator may include but are not limited to changing equipment (such as drill bits), modifications to software settings to correct pathing or adapt to environmental conditions, and readjusting operating procedures.
[0017] The present invention will now be described, byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0018] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a blast hole drilling operation being surveyed with the present survey tool system.
[0019] A survey tool system consisting of a survey tool assembly for mounting onto the drilling string of the blast hole drilling rig and a software for calculating and presenting the survey data results. The software may be an application on a handheld device or a program on a laptop or personal computer.
[0020] As a blast hole is completed the drilling string is retrieved from the blast hole and the drilling bit assembly replaced with the survey tool assembly. The survey tool assembly is connected with the software for initialization. The connection may be wireless using common wireless protocols like Bluetooth, WiFi, IR, NFC or similar.
[0021] In case the survey tool is not able to determine an absolute heading autonomously, a predetermined starting direction aligned with the survey tool is entered into operating software. This direction does not necessarily have to correspond with the starting direction of the blast hole. This allows starting directions corresponding to drill rig positions that can be conveniently measured, introducing flexibility which is highly desirable from an operator viewpoint from this initial position, associated with said predetermined direction, whether it is outside or partially inside the blast hole, the survey tool starts its logging. The drill rig is then oriented such that the drill string can be pushed into the blast hole.
[0022] The drill string, with the survey tool in the front, is inserted into the blast hole utilising the drill rig, and new drill string elements are attached, rotating between each depth interval and allowing the survey tool to reach the desired end depth.
[0023] As the drilling string and survey tool assembly is pushed into the blast hole the survey tool is continuously logging data.
[0024] The drilling string consists of a plurality of drilling pipes/rods each with specific length. Each time a new pipe/rod is added to the drilling string and the survey tool assembly will naturally remain stationary for a certain period. Moreover, a known depth can be associated with the standstill.
[0025] As the survey tool assembly reaches near the end of the drill hole the drilling string is stopped and end of the survey is marked. If desired, an additional independent survey may now be performed as the drill string is retrieved from the blast hole. During the retrieval process the survey tool assembly will again remain stationary for certain periods of time each time a drilling pipe is removed from the drilling string.
[0026] In another method and when the inner diameter of the drill rod is large enough to allow the survey tool to fit within the drill rod, the drill rods are left in the hole at completion of drilling and the survey tool is fed inside the drill rods by polyethylene pipe, fiberglass rod, wire rope or similar, powered by the drill rig. The survey tool is continuously fed without stopping till end of hole is reached, logging data from which depth and deviation can be derived.
[0027] Upon retrieval of the survey tool assembly from the blast hole the data is transferred from the survey tool wirelessly to the software. The software analyses the survey data and detects the periods of standstill and the deviation occurring between each period. By inserting the length of the drilling pipe into the software the full survey data can be calculated by correlating this length with each period of standstill. The survey results can now be presented with exact depth and deviation data. Further information derived from the depth and deviation data may also be presented, including but not limited to deviation from a straight path, distance from a planned blast hole, distance between two or more blast holes, distance between a blast hole and a surface and warning systems for any data outside set thresholds. The results may further be exported to a storage medium or transferred to a cloud solution for further processing and analysis.
[0028] At completion of the survey the survey tool assembly is removed from the drill string and replaced with the drilling bit assembly in preparation for drilling of the next blast hole.
[0029] The survey tool assembly consists of a mechanical pressure and impact resistant running gear that has approximately the same diameter as the drill string and slightly smaller diameter than the drill hole. As the survey tool assembly has the same diameter as the drill string the risk of caving of the drilling hole or jamming of the survey tool assembly is reduced.
[0030] The front of the survey tool assembly preferably is rounded in order to smoothly enter the drill hole without catching the sidewall.
[0031] In another embodiment the front of the survey tool assembly is fitted with carbide cutters in order to work through a small hole collapse.
[0032] The survey tool assembly preferably has an integrated antenna allowing wireless transfer of signals to and from the instrument.
[0033] At the back end of the survey tool assembly is a threaded section for mounting onto a complementary threaded section of the drilling string.
[0034] Inside the survey tool assembly is an instrument for logging survey data. The logging tool is surrounded by a damping means, for instance rubber or springs. The logging tool may include a variety of sensors, preferably including one or more accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, one or more magnetometers and one or more temperature sensors. The gyroscope may be a fibre optic gyroscope.
[0035] The logging tool preferably contains on-board processing capabilities and on board memory allowing the logging tool to sample data for extended periods of time before the data is downloaded.
[0036] Figure 1 depicts a blast hole drilling operation in an underground mine 80 wherein a blast hole drill rig 40 piloted by a drill rig operator 50 is surveying an array of blast holes 10. The intended or planned path of a blast hole is shown as 30 and are typically straight and radiate outward from the mine. A deviating blast hole 20 is shown to deviate from the corresponding intended path 30.
[0037] The drill rig operator 50 surveys the blast holes 10 by inserting a drill rod 60 tipped with a survey tool 70. The survey tool 70 collects data as to the path of a blast hole 10 and measures any deviation from an intended path 30. The data is then transmitted back to the drill rig operator 50 who can then take corrective action.
[0038] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.
Claims (5)
1. A survey tool system for a blast hole drilling operation comprising a survey tool assembly for mounting at the front of a drilling string, the survey tool assembly consisting of a pressure and impact resistant running gear and a logging tool, wherein the survey tool assembly logs survey data as the survey tool assembly is pushed into a predrilled blast hole by a drilling rig.
2. The survey tool system of claim 1, wherein the survey tool system utilises a combination of stand still periods and known lengths to present a depth of survey data points.
3. The survey tool system of claims 1 or 2, wherein the survey tool system measures a starting direction of a drill hole by carrying a direction from outside a blast hole.
4. The survey tool system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the survey tool system calculates deviation away from a designed path, alerting a drill rig operator after drilling a hole if corrective action is required.
5. The survey tool system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the survey tool system calculates proximity to other surveyed drill holes, alerting a drill rig operator after drilling a hole if corrective action is required.
Priority Applications (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US18/549,116 US20240141775A1 (en) | 2021-03-05 | 2022-03-07 | Survey tool system for blast hole drilling rigs |
| CA3209152A CA3209152A1 (en) | 2021-03-05 | 2022-03-07 | Survey tool system for blast hole drilling rigs |
| PCT/IB2022/051972 WO2022185289A1 (en) | 2021-03-05 | 2022-03-07 | Survey tool system for blast hole drilling rigs |
| CL2023002627A CL2023002627A1 (en) | 2021-03-05 | 2023-09-04 | Survey System for Blasting Well Drilling Platforms |
| ZA2023/08533A ZA202308533B (en) | 2021-03-05 | 2023-09-05 | Survey tool system for blast hole drilling rigs |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2021900636 | 2021-03-05 | ||
| AU2021900636A AU2021900636A0 (en) | 2021-03-05 | Survey system for blast hole drilling rigs |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2021212011A1 true AU2021212011A1 (en) | 2022-09-22 |
Family
ID=83286171
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2021212011A Pending AU2021212011A1 (en) | 2021-03-05 | 2021-08-03 | Survey system for blast hole drilling rigs |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2021212011A1 (en) |
-
2021
- 2021-08-03 AU AU2021212011A patent/AU2021212011A1/en active Pending
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2965572C (en) | Apparatus and method for orientating, positioning and monitoring drilling machinery | |
| EP2134921B1 (en) | A core orientation tool | |
| WO2015000023A1 (en) | Alignment system for alignment of a drill rod during drilling | |
| CN103608545A (en) | System, method, and computer program for predicting borehole geometry | |
| US10612367B2 (en) | Top drive tool face measurement in relation to down hole drilling components | |
| SE1450819A1 (en) | Method and arrangement for post-drilling insertion | |
| CN105064982A (en) | Precise guide butt joint equipment for coal field ground hole and target points in underground roadway and precise guide butt joint method for coal field ground hole and target points in underground roadway | |
| Navarro et al. | Assessment of drilling deviations in underground operations | |
| AU2011202223B2 (en) | Automated drill string position survey | |
| NO319511B1 (en) | Method for determining the position of a tool on a rock drilling device | |
| AU2021212011A1 (en) | Survey system for blast hole drilling rigs | |
| US20240141775A1 (en) | Survey tool system for blast hole drilling rigs | |
| WO2017176127A1 (en) | A core drilling system and method for obtaining an orientated rock core sample using said core drilling system | |
| SE530113C2 (en) | Method for determining position of rock reinforcing bolt in tunnel or mine involves determining position of rock reinforcing bolt in tunnel or mine on basis of position of carrier and determined angle of rotation | |
| US11608735B2 (en) | Drill bit position measurement | |
| JP3599925B2 (en) | Drilling information measuring device and drilling management method | |
| AU2017248082B2 (en) | A core drilling system and method for obtaining an orientated rock core sample using said core drilling system | |
| AU2015234298A1 (en) | Controlled rotation centraliser |