DeviDrill™ —
Directional core barrel
The DeviDrill is a steerable wireline core barrel. The design of the N-size tool was introduced in 2001. Today it is successfully applied in various projects all over the world, from geotechnical investigations to the mining industry.
The DeviDrill reduces the cost of exploration drilling programs by hitting targets quicker and more accurately than with traditional core drilling methods. By making multiple branches from a mother-hole it dramatically reduces both the time spent and the cost, and, in addition, you get the geological information from wherever you want. No time is lost on moving the drill rig, drilling through the overburden, and drilling further down to where you almost were with your previous hole.
Cdn. Patent 2,749,316
Technical Specifications
| Total weight | 57 kg / 125 lbs |
| Total weight with ITA | 74 kg / 163 lbs |
| Total length | 4.5 m / 14.5 ft |
| Length front section | 3.2 m / 10.5 ft |
| Weight front section | 45 kg / 99 lbs |
| Length rear section | 1.3 m / 4.3 ft |
| Weight rear section | 12 kg / 26 lbs |
| Bit diameter | NWL |
| Reamer diameter | NWL |
| Tool body diameter | 72.0 mm / 2.83” |
| Core diameter | 31.5 mm / 1.24” |
| Core length | 3 m / 10 ft |
| Length inner assembly | 4.5 m / 10.5 ft |
| Weight inner assembly | 17 kg / 37 lbs |
| Instrument barrel length | 20 cm m / 8″ |
| Instrument barrel diameter | 51 mm / 2.01” |
| Pumping/latching unit | Longyear NQ™ |
| Landing ring | Longyear NQ™ |
| Landing indication | Yes |
| Core block indication | Yes |
| Pull out by-pass valve | Yes |
| Use of additives | Optional |
| Dogleg severity (DLS) | 0-20º/30 m / 0-20º/100 ft |
| Operating pressure | 20 bar + circulation pressure |
| Feeding force (max) | 4500 kg / 9900 lbs |
| RPM | 300-1200 |
Recommended parameters
| Dogleg severity, NQ™ rods | 9º pr. 30 m / 9º pr. 100 ft (180 m / 590 ft radius) |
| RPM | 300 – 800 |
| Feeding force (Bit weight + sliding force) | 1500 – 2500 kg |
| Typical penetration rate | 3 m/h / 10 ft/h |
| Typical production rate | 9 – 27 m/12 h / 30 – 90 ft/12 h (50% – 75% of conventional wireline drilling) |
Time and money saver
Time and money saverClients have reported time and cost savings of up to 80 percent in projects where the DeviDrill was used. A satisfied geologist stated: “Devico forced the hole down in inclination, and the 1000 meter deep hole switched from total failure to great success.”
The DeviDrill uses a normal drill string and is fully compatible with the N-size wireline system. There is no need for additional water pumps, drill strings, or survey instruments. Devico’s survey tools are a fully integrated part of the tool, as they stay on board and measure while drilling. With the DeviGyro the DeviDrill can now also offer gyro while drilling (GWD) surveying that further optimizes the control of the drilling direction in any rock formation.
Coring during steering provides a complete record of the geology. It leaves nothing in the hole – except a bend. The curvature or dogleg can be adjusted from completely straight to more than 20 deg/30 meters. However, the recommended curvature from the drill rod manufacturer is 9 deg/30 meters, as any greater deviations will result in extensive wear on the drill rods.
How it works
The principle behind the tool is a drive shaft running through a bushing offset from the centre line of the tool. Expanding pads operated by a differential pressure is keeping the DeviDrill in a fixed toolface while drilling in a curve. The inner assembly carries an inner tube collecting the core, a muleshole system, and an instrument barrel with the survey tool recording inclination and tool orientation. Data is stored inside the tool and downloaded wirelessly to a PDA after each run.
There is no need to trip drill rods in and out of the hole during directional coring, surveying and orientation, as this is all wireline operated.
The DeviDrill has been proved to work well in both igneous and sedimentary rocks. Over time, Devico has gained much experience in how the DeviDrill behaves under different conditions, and possesses valuable information about directional planning and drilling.
To ensure rapid and trouble-free implementation into your drilling program, directional ore drilling with the DeviDrill is offered as a service to our clients by highly trained and experienced Devico staff or selected qualified license users throughout the world.
For more information on this product, complete the form and Devico or one of its partners will contact you shortly.
DeviCore DCD Brochure
English version – PDF file
Directional Core Drilling by Devico
DeviDrill in Action
*NQ™ is a trademark of Boart Longyear