Boordrilling

Boordrilling is a term used in marine geology and offshore engineering to describe the process of drilling boreholes from an on-board installation such as a ship, rig, or platform into seabed formations. The name reflects the operation being conducted from a vessel or platform rather than on land, and it is applied in contexts where offshore drilling and seabed sampling are involved.

In offshore boordrilling, standard oilfield drilling equipment is used, including a drilling rig or drill ship, a blowout preventer, a mud circulation system, and casings. Boreholes may be open-hole or cemented and cased, depending on the purpose. Core sampling equipment can retrieve rock or sediment cores for geological analysis, geotechnical investigations, or environmental baseline studies. Drilling may be followed by downhole logging, testing, and data collection to characterize subsurface conditions.

Applications of boordrilling include offshore hydrocarbon exploration and development, geotechnical investigations for the design of foundations for offshore structures such as platforms and wind turbines, and mineral or environmental sampling. It is also employed in seabed mapping and geothermal or other scientific research where subsurface information is required from nearshore or offshore locations.

Operations are planned and conducted under strict safety and environmental controls. Practices emphasize well control, proper handling of drilling fluids and cuttings, waste management, and adherence to regulatory requirements and international standards. Decommissioning and site restoration are considered at the planning stage to minimize long-term seabed disturbance and environmental impact.

Boordrilling differs from onshore drilling primarily in its logistical complexity and the need to operate in marine environments, with added considerations for weather, sea state, and offshore safety protocols.