Deep Drilling Technology for Hot Crystalline Rock

This paper recounts the experience of deep drilling into hot crystalline rock by the Fenton Hill HDR project (Fig. 1) to illustrate that such operations for scientific purposes are indeed possible. The discussion is intended to provide general guidance for project planning for future scientific drilling operations. The discussion also supports the thesis that experience from past ambitious drilling projects can aid in the design of the strategy of drilling and coring programs and help reduce costs and risks of such efforts in order to maximize the likelihood of success and scientific yield.