Rotary Drilling

Built around the hole and its purpose

Rotary drilling supports large-diameter and specialized boreholes for mine, water, geothermal, paste-hole and pre-collar applications. We select the drilling method, casing approach and fluid system around hole size, formation, target and intended use.

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Our Approach

Configured for the borehole and the project

We align diameter, depth, cuttings removal, casing, drilling fluids and ground conditions with what the completed hole needs to accomplish.

Large and specialized holes

Rotary methods support boreholes beyond typical coring diameters for mine infrastructure, water and other technical applications.

Method flexibility

Different drilling and circulation methods, casing systems and fluid management can be configured around challenging formations and the end use of the hole.

What We Bring

Rotary drilling capabilities

Our rotary capabilities bring together method selection, casing and fluid management for specialized borehole requirements.

Air Hammer Drilling

Compressed air drives a pneumatic hammer at the bottom of the hole to break rock and remove cuttings.

Dual Rotary

An outer casing advances with the borehole to help maintain stability through challenging overburden.

Dual Tube Flooded Reverse

Dual-wall pipe, drilling fluid and injected air return cuttings inside the pipe while keeping circulation contained.

Fluid Management

Returned drilling fluid can be collected, settled and recirculated as part of a self-contained fluid system.

Rotary Method and Application

Built around the hole and its purpose

Rotary drilling can be configured around the diameter, depth, ground conditions and end use of the borehole. Different drilling methods, casing systems and circulation approaches support a range of mine, water and specialized applications.

Rotary drill rig working at a mine site

Drill rig and steam at a geothermal site — Geothermal

Field specialist inspecting ground samples — Pre-Collar

Rotary drill rig at an active field site — Dual Tube Flooded Reverse Method

Field worker welding a large pipe — Casing and Large-Hole Execution

Mine Infrastructure

Large and specialized holes can support paste-fill, pre-collar and other mine infrastructure requirements.

Water-related Work

Drilling method, casing and completion are planned around the water-control or water-production objective.

Geothermal

Rotary configurations can support specialized geothermal boreholes where the application calls for them.

Challenging Ground

Casing, circulation and fluid-management choices help advance the hole through changing formations.

Rotary Drilling Methods

Method and fluid system details

Method

Air Hammer Drilling

Compressed air travels through the drill pipe to power a hammer at the bottom of the borehole. Repeated impacts break the rock. Air drilling leaves the borehole unsealed, which can support water flow from aquifers.

Method

Dual Rotary

An advancing outer casing supports borehole stability through difficult overburden. Once the casing is in place, it provides a controlled environment for well installation.

Method

Dual Tube Flooded Reverse

Dual Tube Flooded Reverse (DTFR) combines dual-wall drill pipe, drilling fluid and injected air for large-diameter holes. Circulation remains inside the pipe rather than passing through the surrounding formations. Drilling generally takes place with borehole fluids at their naturally occurring level.

Method

Self Contained Drilling Fluids

Returning drilling fluid is collected in a surface tank, where cuttings settle before the fluid is reused. The tanks support fluid mixture and maintenance while eliminating the need for a fluid pit. This can reduce pad size and pit-related costs, may reduce disturbance-permit requirements, and avoids pit backfilling.

Rotary Drilling Services Fleet

Rotary drilling services fleet rig depth diagram

Rig	Pull Back	Drillrod Size	Hole Size	Angle Capable
DH I (Modified Driltech)	90,000 Lbs	5.5" & 7"	6 3/4" – 22"	No
DH III (Modified Driltech)	90,000 Lbs	5.5" & 7"	6 3/4" – 22"	No
T130XD (Schramm)	130,000 Lbs	5.5" & 7"	6 3/4" – 26"	Yes
LR™140 (Boart Longyear)	140,000 Lbs	5.5" & 7"	6 3/4" – 38"	Yes
T145 (Schramm)	145,000 Lbs	5.5" & 7"	6 3/4" – 20"	No
LR™200 (Boart Longyear)	200,000 Lbs	5.5" & 7"	6 3/4" – 31"	No
LR™300 (Boart Longyear)	300,000 Lbs	5.5", 7" & 9 5/8"	6 3/4" – 60"	No
LR™500 (Boart Longyear)	500,000 Lbs	6 5/8"	8 3/4" – 60"	No
LR™700 (Boart Longyear)	700,000 Lbs	6 5/8"	8 3/4" – 60"	No

DH I (Modified Driltech)

Pull Back: 90,000 Lbs
Drill Rod Size: 5.5" & 7"
Hole Size: 6 3/4" – 22"
Angle Capable: No

DH III (Modified Driltech)

Pull Back: 90,000 Lbs
Drill Rod Size: 5.5" & 7"
Hole Size: 6 3/4" – 22"
Angle Capable: No

T130XD (Schramm)

Pull Back: 130,000 Lbs
Drill Rod Size: 5.5" & 7"
Hole Size: 6 3/4" – 26"
Angle Capable: Yes

LR™140 (Boart Longyear)

Pull Back: 140,000 Lbs
Drill Rod Size: 5.5" & 7"
Hole Size: 6 3/4" – 38"
Angle Capable: Yes

T145 (Schramm)

Pull Back: 145,000 Lbs
Drill Rod Size: 5.5" & 7"
Hole Size: 6 3/4" – 20"
Angle Capable: No

LR™200 (Boart Longyear)

Pull Back: 200,000 Lbs
Drill Rod Size: 5.5" & 7"
Hole Size: 6 3/4" – 31"
Angle Capable: No

LR™300 (Boart Longyear)

Pull Back: 300,000 Lbs
Drill Rod Size: 5.5", 7" & 9 5/8"
Hole Size: 6 3/4" – 60"
Angle Capable: No

LR™500 (Boart Longyear)

Pull Back: 500,000 Lbs
Drill Rod Size: 6 5/8"
Hole Size: 8 3/4" – 60"
Angle Capable: No

LR™700 (Boart Longyear)

Pull Back: 700,000 Lbs
Drill Rod Size: 6 5/8"
Hole Size: 8 3/4" – 60"
Angle Capable: No

Dependent on hole size, casing size and casing wall thickness (call for quotes accordingly).

Our Technical Expertise

Borehole control in challenging ground

Our locally trained crews coordinate methods, casing and fluids around challenging formations and completion requirements, backed by global expertise, safety and training programs, and measurable performance data. Fleet technology includes auto-drilling and hands-free rod handling.

Application Planning

We plan diameter, depth, formation response, casing and hole completion around the required mine, water, geothermal or other specialized application.

Method and System Selection

The drilling, circulation and fluid-management approach is selected around ground conditions and the completed borehole’s purpose.

Our Experience

Rotary Drilling expertise

Our rotary programs combine different drilling, casing and circulation options to meet specialized borehole requirements.

Application Range

Mine, water, geothermal, paste-hole, pre-collar and other technical uses.

Casing Options

Casing and drilling methods selected to support the borehole through challenging ground.

Fluid Management

Circulation and surface fluid systems configured around the formation and drilling method.

Projects

Project Highlights

See how our Rotary Drilling teams adapt the method to specialized projects in the field.

Rotary drill rig working at a mine site

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.

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Electric Rotary Drilling Meets 65 dBA Residential Noise Limit

Boart Longyear used an electric/hydraulic rotary drilling system and site controls to complete a municipal water well in a residential area while meeting a 65 dBA noise limit.

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Related Resources

Explore technical insights and additional information related to Rotary Drilling.

Explore field practices, safety programs and additional information related to Boart Longyear drilling services.

Rotary drill rig at an active field site

Rotary Drilling: Applications and Site Considerations

An overview of rotary drilling applications, hole requirements, equipment considerations, and operating conditions.

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Drill rig and steam at a geothermal site

Drilling Methods Overview

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

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Rotary drill rig working at a mine site

Preparing a Drilling Tender: Information to Include

A practical checklist covering project location, drilling objectives, site conditions, timing, and service requirements.

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Request a Tender

Match the method to the borehole

Tell us the required hole size, formation, depth, casing needs and intended application. We can help identify the rotary approach that fits the work.

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