Directional Drilling

Control the path. Reach the target.

Directional drilling lets us measure and adjust borehole trajectory to reach defined targets, correct deviation and, where appropriate, reach multiple targets from one mother hole.

Browse Resources Explore Capabilities

Our Approach

From hole planning to execution

We manage hole planning, survey tracking and directional execution in house, working with your geology team to agree the plan and interventions needed to reach the target.

Target Control

Measure the borehole as drilling advances and correct its path toward a defined coordinate or target zone.

Multiple Targets

Where the program allows, create planned branches from one mother hole to reach separate targets while limiting additional surface collars and rig moves.

What We Bring

Directional Drilling capabilities

Our directional specialists combine survey information, steering tools and field decisions to manage the path of the borehole.

Wedges

Window, full-hole and retrievable wedges can be used for shorter directional corrections.

Mud Motors

Positive-displacement mud motors can create sharper directional changes and continuous curves.

Survey and Steering

Survey and steering systems provide borehole-position information to guide trajectory decisions as drilling advances.

Fluid and Pump Support

Directional mud-motor work can require additional pump pressure and mud-cleaning capacity to support the drilling system.

Borehole Trajectory

Steering the borehole to target

Directional drilling allows us to measure and adjust the borehole path as drilling progresses. Corrections and planned branches can help reach defined targets while limiting additional surface holes and rig moves.

Directional borehole trajectory showing the target, measurement, correction and branch stages with a path legend

The drilling path can be measured, adjusted and branched to reach the program’s target geometry from a planned starting point.

Our Technical Expertise

Taking ownership of the hole

Our drilling team tracks incoming surveys against the approved hole plan in Leapfrog Geo, taking responsibility for monitoring progress so your geology team does not need to continuously track the hole. Directional interventions are discussed and agreed before work begins.

Hole Planning with Geology

We review historical surveys and ground conditions to account for natural deviation and minimise directional drilling metres. Proposed collar positions and the final hole plan are submitted to your geology team for review and approval.

In-House Directional Execution

Our teams operate Boart Longyear-owned directional motors and select bits, reamers and supporting tooling around the planned trajectory and required correction.

Our Experience

Directional Drilling expertise

Our teams bring together hole planning, survey tracking and in-house directional execution, maintaining continuity from the approved plan through field delivery.

Integrated Planning

Historical surveys and ground conditions inform the hole plan.

Accountable Tracking

Incoming surveys checked against the approved trajectory.

In-House Execution

Boart Longyear-owned directional motors operated by our teams.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Reaching the target in one pass

See how borehole planning and drilling control supported a 656-metre paste-fill hole at Paulsens Gold Mine.

The 656 m hole reached the target in 39 12-hour shifts and intersected approximately 2.1 m from target center.

Paste Fill Hole Reaches 2,152 ft in a One-Shot Pass

At Paulsens Gold Mine, Boart Longyear drilled a 656 m paste fill hole in one pass, reaching the target in 39 shifts and intersecting within 2.1 m of center.

View Case Study

Related Resources

Related Directional Drilling case studies and resources

Explore technical insights and additional information related to Directional Drilling.

Directional Drilling: Reaching Path and Target Control

A guide to directional drilling considerations, target control, and where bore path matters to project planning.

Explore Resource

Drilling Methods Overview

An overview of Boart Longyear drilling methods and where they may apply across exploration, underground, production, water, and specialized work.