{"id":24004,"date":"2018-02-26T15:00:04","date_gmt":"2018-02-26T22:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boartlongyear.com\/?p=24004"},"modified":"2025-03-10T14:14:20","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T20:14:20","slug":"five-tips-for-drill-pad-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boartlongyear.com\/es\/insite\/five-tips-for-drill-pad-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Cinco consejos para la planificaci\u00f3n de la taladradora"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Designing and planning a drilling project is a complex exercise in which many risk factors are considered in order to mitigate issues that could impact productivity and\/or budget, ultimately impeding the success of the project. After careful planning, there is a healthy amount of cautious optimism that you thought of everything, except there is always that small chance something was missed.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/section>

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This article addresses considerations and common pitfalls in drill pad planning, which is critical to the mobilization of the drills and crews that will complete your carefully designed drilling project. The first thoughts should be \u201cwhat purpose is the hole, and what type of drilling will be performed.\u201d Once this is answered, thought can be applied to drill pad size with consideration for the size of the equipment needed to perform the work, and all of the necessary ancillary equipment, including sumps and access. The depth of the hole can also affect pad size and organization of the equipment for mud and cuttings management, drill rod staging, and the storing of consumables.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/section>

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1. Geologists should work with their selected drilling contractor to ensure the ideal drill pad dimensions for both safety and productivity.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/blockquote><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/section>

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For example, if there\u2019s not enough room to position the rig and the rod handling equipment, manually handling rods can impede productivity and reduces safety on the site. A common misconception is that the smaller the drill pad, the less it will cost. We hear it all the time \u201cWhat\u2019s the smallest pad you can get by with?\u201d  But cutting corners on this important aspect of a drilling program can cost a lot more in the end. The cost savings are not available by making the pad as small as possible. In reality, it most likely will cost more to have an under-sized drill pad. \n

While drill pad size is critical, it\u2019s also critical to plan for the drill pad around the hole based on rig size and appropriate places to stage ancillary equipment and supplies.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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At this agricultural water well project, the drill pad is laid out for safety and productivity.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/section>

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2. Placement of the boreholes on the drill pad should ensure at least three meters (10 feet) of clearance around the drilling equipment.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/blockquote><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/section>

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On most drilling projects, the borehole\u2019s planned location is based on the data required for the project. So the pad layout needs to move around the planned hole, not the other way around.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve personally been on a bid walk where the drill pad was large enough to accommodate the work; however, the borehole to be drilled was right up against the edge of the drill pad.  This pad wouldn\u2019t have allowed for proper equipment layout, or a working clearance around the equipment for the crews to perform the work safely.<\/p>\n

The drill pad layout plan should address space for the all of the equipment, site and equipment access, and staging area for consumables or installation materials (if a laydown yard isn\u2019t available) to strategically optimize the drill pad for safety and productivity. For example, site access should be controlled so that site visitors remain safe and are not exposed to any site hazards prior to a comprehensive and robust site induction.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Adequate space around all required equipment is essential for safety and productivity.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/section>

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3. If surface disturbance permits or environmental permits are required, a consultation with a drilling contractor on drill pad size prior to applying for the permits might save time and mitigate any risks.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/blockquote><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/section>

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Not having permits with the right amount of surface disturbance for the project is a risk that can be mitigated with communication. A miscalculation in required disturbance area can lead to holes being removed from the scope to remain in compliance with the regulators. Work diligently with all stakeholders in the permitting application process to ensure the exploration\/project team(s) and the environmental\/permitting team(s) are on the same page. A simple oversight or misunderstanding can possibly delay site mobilization or start-up if the permits are not what\u2019s needed for the appropriate sized and located drill pad. \n

Ideally, these conversations should start happening early in the planning stages of the drilling program. Making assumptions is not always the best practice.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Other considerations when drill pad planning include:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Site access should be considered for site visitors to receive the proper site induction.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/section>

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Access road<\/strong><\/p>\n