Tiefenbohr

Tiefenbohr, literally “deep drilling” in German, denotes drilling operations that extend well beyond conventional shallow wells to reach deep subsurface formations. In geology, engineering, and energy exploration, Tiefenbohr aims to sample rock, obtain geophysical data, or access subsurface fluids.

The word combines Tiefen (depth) and Bohr (drilling). It is used in German-language texts to describe boreholes used for scientific investigation, resource assessment, or heat extraction. Contemporary programs often distinguish deep boreholes from exploration wells and production wells.

An important historical example is the Kontinentales Tiefbohrprojekt (KTB) in Germany, conducted from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, which reached about 9.1 kilometers and yielded detailed crustal information. Similar deep boreholes have been drilled worldwide for research or resource assessment.

Tiefenbohr relies on rotary or percussion drilling, casing to prevent collapse, and drilling muds to maintain pressure and remove cuttings. Modern deep boreholes employ measurement-while-drilling and logging-while-drilling systems to collect geophysical and geological data in real time, as well as coring to preserve rock samples.

Applications include geothermal energy development, hydrocarbon exploration and production, scientific studies of the Earth's crust, groundwater investigations, and mineral resource assessment. They require careful planning for well integrity, temperature and pressure conditions, and environmental protection.

Related topics include the Continental Deep Drilling Program (KTB), deep borehole temperature measurements, borehole logging, geothermal drilling, and petroleum exploration.