‘r6r2021 Five Tips for Or Pad Planning -Boart Longyear EXP Fobruary 28, 2018 Five Tips for Drill Pad Planning Designing and planning a drilling project is a complex exercise in which many risk factors are considered in order to mitigate issues that could impact productivity and/or budget, ultimately impeding the success of the project. After careful planning, there is a healthy amount of cautious optimism that you thought of everything, except there is always that ‘small chance something was missed. This arlicle addresses considerations and common pitfalls in drill pad planning, whichis critical to the mobilization of the dis and crews that will complete your carefully designed criling project. The first thoughts should be “what purpose isthe hole, and what type of drilling will be performed." Once this is answered, thought can be applied to drill pad size with consideration forthe size ofthe equipment needed to perform the work, and al of the necessary ancillary equipment, including sumps and access. The depth of the hole can also affect pad size and organization of the equioment for mud and cuttings management, cil rod staging, and the storing of consumables. 1. Geologists should work with their selected drilling contractor to ensure the ideal drill pad dimensions for both safety and productivity. For example, if there's not enough room to position the rig and the rod handling equipment, manually handling rods can impede productivity and reduces safely on the Enatoh hnups:inwwn-boartlongyear.cominstofve-tips-for-dri-pad-planning! 16‘r6r2021 Five Tips for Orll Pad Planning - Boast Longyear site. A common misconception is that the smaller the drill pad, the less it will cost, We hear it all he time "What's the smallest pad you can get by with?” But cutting comers on this important aspect ofa ring program can cost alot more in the end. The cost savings are not available by making the pad as small as possible, In realty, t most likely will cost more te have ‘an under-sized etl pad While drill pad size is critica, it's also critical to plan for the drill pad around the hole based on rig size and appropriate places to stage ancillary equipment and supplies. Al this agricultural water well project, the dill pad is laid ‘out for safety and productivity. 2. Placement of the boreholes on the drill pad should ensure at least three meters (10 feet) of clearance around the drilling equipment. ‘On most ering projects, the borehole’s planned location is based on the data required for the project. So the pad layout needs to move around the planned hole, not the other way around. Ive personally been an a bid walk where the dil pad ‘was large enough to accommodate the work: however, the borehole to be drilled was right up against the edge ofthe dril pad. This pad wouldn't have allowed for proper equipment layout, or a working clearance around the equioment forthe crews to perform the work safely. ‘The dril pad layout plan should address space for the all of the equipment, site and equipment access, and staging area for consumables or installation materials (if a laydown yard isnt available) to strategically optimize the all pad for safely and productivity, For example, site access should be controlled so that site visitors remain safe and are not exposed to any site hazards ptior to a comprehensive and robust site induction. Adequate space around all required equipment is ‘essential for safety and productivity. 3. If surface disturbance permits or environmental permits are required, a consultation with a drilling contractor on drill pad size prior to applying for the permits might save time and mitigate any risks. Not having permits withthe right amount of surface disturbance for the projects a sk that can be mitigated with communication. A miscalculation in required Seowien hnups:inwwn-boartlongyear.cominstofve-tips-for-dri-pad-planning! 26‘r6r2021 Five Tips for Orll Pad Planning - Boart Longyear disturbance area can leas to holes being removed from the scope to remain in compliance with the regulators. Work dligently with all stakeholders in the permitting application process to ensure the exploration/project team(s) and the environmental/permiting tear(s) are fon the same page. A simple oversight or misunderstanding can possibly delay site mobilization or start-up ithe permits are not what's needed for the appropriate sized and located dil pad. Ideally, these conversations should start happening carly in the planning stages of the drilling program. ‘Making assumptions is not always the best practice, Site access should be considered for sito visitors to receive the proper site induction. ‘Other considerations when dill pad planning include: Access road + Width + Bers: + Grades + Overhead clearances Location of water and fuel + Road conditions. + Berm + Width + Grades + Distance from pad + Access to the mud or fuel tank from the pad around other equipment Sumps. + Right size + Position near ig, hole and mud tank + Ramped + Guarded + Space between spitter and sump and return hose + Access to remove muds when sump is {ull if undersized ‘Communications + Radio + Col + Satelite Drainage + Enviconmental controls + Runott Ground control conditions + Sloped banks. + Rocks in face ‘Surveyed hole layout complete + Hole location * Direction + Fronifback site Power lines and utilities + Minimum distances away from overhead lines based on voltage + Known locations of subgrade utilities from locating services: and local owners Ha sump is required for the projec, planning for sump size and placement on the dril pad should be thought through thoroughly Ithe sump needs to be emptied prior tothe completion ofthe dling project, is there ‘enough room for a vacuum truck to safely and adequately access the sump or access for pump placement? Afterall of your careful planning for your driing project, the real tick for ailing contractor is to anticipate what's going to be happening on the drill pad to properly mitigate safety and produetivty risks and plan accordingly. That's WHY drilling projects are so carefully planned Enatoh hnups:inwwn-boartlongyear.cominstofve-tips-for-dri-pad-planning! 36‘r6r2021 Five ips for Or Pad Planning -Boart Longyear ‘Another often overlooked factor in dril pad planning is IF tho project requires a sump, adequate planning for ‘communication size, placement, and access is required fo ensure smooth operations. 4. Communication is critical to working closely with all involved parties and putting egos aside to really listen to concerns and suggestions to optimize the drill pad for the best possible drilling program outcome. Drill pad layout can be crtical toa safe, smooth, and successtul dling program. A drill pad set up where safety oF productivity is compromised is @ painful, expensive result 5. The best and fastest way to plan for your drill pad is to consult with a drilling contractor, like Boart Longyear. Experience with a wide variety of variables adds value to the right criling contractor. I's hard to put price or biling ‘metric on the peace of min you get forthe best possible outcome when you're working with a dling contractor you trust. Call today for your free consultation on dill pad size, permitting, or layout Disclaimer: The recommendations in this article are generalized for most projects. Every driling project is different and these recommendations are not intended to replace customized recommendations and solutions based on the specific variables of individual projects. DRILL PAD LAYOUT EXAMPLES Download 8 POF of recommended dill pad layouts. DOWNLOAD Enatoh hnups:inwwn-boartlongyear.cominstofve-tips-for-dri-pad-planning! 46‘r6r2021 Five Tips for Or Pad Planning -Boart Longyear Download Drill Pad Layout Examples First Namo * Last Name * Job Title Company Email * Region * Media Permission: Boar Longyear grants you immediate egency to republish this arte. We quest thal you ce Boar LLongyoar as the source nd provide a lnk back where aporopat, John Roberts John Roberts, Professional Geologist and Commercial Manager for Boart Longyear, is @ ‘graduate of the University of Florida and has been working in the industry forthe last 13 years. John has experience in leading field investigations, coordinating drlling activites, {and data collection in the mining and construction industries. He is also experienced in {geotechnical and hydrogeological problem solving including tailings management and heap leach facity design investigation, pt slope design/expansion, pit depressurization sysiom investigation, tunnel design investigation, aquife testing, mapping, earthen dam and levee rehab investigation, pipeline river crossing, geotech investigation for HDD bores, railroad tunnel vertical expansion investigation, various foundation investigations, materials testing including driled pier install inspection and earthworks, mineral exploration permitting, seismic hazard assessments, GIS, Phase | ESAs, etc Enatoh hnups:inwwn-boartlongyear.cominstofve-tips-for-dri-pad-planning! 56‘r6r2021 BE THE FIRST TO KNOW Monthy updates on nw prosucs, services,» DRILLING SERVICES PRODUCTS Surface Cora Gren Reverse Circulation Drilling Rotary Driling RATING Directional Drilling Underground Sorie Driling Surface Underground Coring Sonic Production Driling Multipurpose Dewatering Core Orientation Water Supply Dring — Pump Services Parts and Services Case Studies Case Studies hupe:ihwwn-boarlongyeatcominstefve-tipe-for-dei-ad-planning! st practices, and events Five Tips for Or Pad Planning -Boart Longyear Email COMPANY Compliance Helpline Corporate Profle Leadership Pros Investors Vendors Environmental, Heath and Safety Careers Warranty SUBSCRIBE CONTACT US CATALOGS, My DRILL STORE wD v in Beratsh a6