Drilling technology for coral islands and reefs in the South China Sea

Abstract:

Coral islands and reefs in the South China Sea have great resource potential and scientific research value. From 2013 to 2017， 115 Geological Team， Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development of Guizhou Province， under auspices of the Chinese Academy of Sciences， drilled hundreds of boreholes for scientific research on various islands and reefs in the South China Sea. With properly tackling of the special difficulties in the secluded environment far away from the mainland during drilling， many important technical difficulties have been solved， including “Pumping test and well completion screen pipe placement for loose coral sand formation at coral island reef ”， “Quaternary overburden core drilling at island reef”， “Lagoon sand core drilling at coral island reef”， “Prevention and treatment of drilling accidents at coral island reef”； and a complete proven drilling technology system suitable for island and reef exploration has been formed. The geological brigade is the pioneer in the practice and theoretical research of island reef drilling engineering in China. The drilling technology system can guarantee the safety and quality of island and reef drilling projects， and has important guiding significance for the future exploration of island and reef in China.

Key words:South China Sea;coral reef;drilling technology;drilling assembly;drilling parameter;drilling fluid