Case Study
Canadian Coring Program Averages 98.39% Core Recovery With Zero Re-Drills
Boart Longyear completed 218 holes and about 18,000 m of drilling for CNRL-Albian Sands while averaging 98.39% core recovery with zero re-drills and zero injuries.
Executive snapshot
- Client
- Canadian Natural Resources
- Service Used
- Surface Coring
- Operating Environment
- Winter mine sites
- Project Outcome
- 98.39% core recovery
Project Requirements
What the project required
Project Conditions
Complete a high-volume winter drilling program across Jackpine Mine and Muskeg River Mine.
Technical Requirement
Meet a contract requirement of at least 90% core recovery across the program.
Operational Requirement
Maintain productivity and safety despite winter crewing constraints and a compressed schedule.
Operational Challenge
What made the project challenging
A large winter coring program had to meet a demanding recovery requirement while staying ahead of schedule and budget.
Project Condition
The work covered 218 holes averaging 80 m each across two Canadian mine sites.
Technical Constraint
The contract required a minimum 90% core recovery with re-drills carrying added cost and schedule risk.
Operational Pressure
Tough winter conditions and crewing constraints increased pressure on schedule and execution.
Boart Longyear Approach
How Boart Longyear approached the work
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Experienced Crews
Our experienced crews and work at the mine since 2002 were identified as key factors in completing the program with zero injuries and zero re-drills.
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Method And Equipment Planning
The team completed 218 holes averaging 80.0 m and approximately 18,000 m in 60 days, working a 21-days-on / 7-days-off rotation.
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Equipment And Tooling
The program used one LS250 Minisonic, three core rigs and one abandonment rig.
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Safety Systems And Field Controls
Crews completed the winter program without injury while working through tight time restraints and difficult crewing conditions.
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Site Planning
Work was coordinated across Jackpine Mine and Muskeg River Mine from January 2 to March 15, using a 21-days-on / 7-days-off rotation.
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Technical Supervision
Performance was maintained against the 90% minimum recovery requirement, resulting in 98.39% average core recovery and zero re-drills.
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Regional And Field Support
Multiple crews and a five-rig program supported drilling across both mine sites.
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Execution Discipline
The team completed 218 holes in 60 days and achieved the project’s first year with zero re-drills.
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Quality / Project Outcome
The program averaged 98.39% core recovery, completed approximately 18,000 m with zero injuries, and finished ahead of schedule and budget.
Outcome / Proof
What the work delivered
98.39% Core Recovery
Average recovery exceeded the 90% contract requirement, with zero re-drills.
~18,000 m in 60 Days
Crews completed 218 holes totaling about 18,000 m in approximately 60 days.
Zero Injuries
The program finished without injuries; the client also reported roughly 20% better cost efficiency than the prior year.
Why It Mattered
Impact
High recovery and no re-drills delivered substantial cost savings and helped the client finish ahead of schedule and budget.
Related Capabilities
Services connected to this project
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