ROV Sub Sea Drilling - Papua New Guinea
Tony Halliday, Operations Manager Subsea Minerals.
"In this particular scenario it would be difficult to improve on the service provided."
LDD were contracted by Sub Sea Minerals to supply specialist drilling personnel fo a sub sea ROV drilling campaign offshore Papua New Guinea. The work required drilling in 1500m to 2200m of water in Bismark Sea to gain information on ore deposits such as ore field size , quality and suitability of heavy sub sea mining activities.
Particular challenges with the drilling location inluded large temperature variations between hot water near active vents and cold deep water conditions, drilling in unknown formations, steep seabed gradients and very soft seabed sediments on open mud flatss.
LDD key responsibilites included:
- Improvement of core recovery
- Limit damage to drilling consumables such as drill bits and core barrels
- Advise drill when to abort core run
- Liaise with Client and sub sea drill owner