Is there any other critical factor(s) during the selection of drilling fluids (water-based, oil-based, foam and/or air/mist drilling fluids) for coring - besides the primary objective of the coring program; safety; environmental concerns; and the cost?
What will be the typical range of core-diameters and core-lengths for a thick, non-uniform, consolidated formation?
It's known that heavy-duty coring systems will be preferred under a relatively larger torque loads. But, how about the heavy-duty coring systems, when coring longer lengths of heterogeneous formations?
Core diameters are around 200 mm and 2.5 m long and in Kenya drilling water is expensive it is around 100 USD per metre.
It would be difficult to enumerate all the potential concerns, questions and mitigations that might be required in individual circumstances. Many counties have some permitting system to fulfill legal, environmental, safety or other requirements, regulations, etc. It would probably be best to secure a licensed and bonded engineer, geologist, and/or perhaps other professionals to address specifics related to site proposals. Licensed well drillers in some instances may be sufficient. Permitting agency professionals may also be a source of information to help answer questions specific to your proposal(s).
I agree with William. Potential problems include rendering ground water supplies unsuitable for household use, draining perched aquifers, poisoning stream or river water,putting toxic chemicals into the adjacent groundwater system, etc.. Once a groundwater source becomes contaminated, it can cause trouble for populations downstream all the way along a watershed to the sea.
Stuart.
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