India’s Deep Drilling Project in Maharashtra

Source- This post on the India’s Deep Drilling Project in Maharashtra has been created based on the article “Why is India drilling a 6-km deep hole in Maharashtra?” published in “The Hindu” on 11 July 2024.

India’s Deep Drilling Project in Maharashtra

1.  India is conducting a deep-drilling project in Karad, Maharashtra, under the Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory (BGRL) to study reservoir-triggered earthquakes in the Koyna-Warna region.

2.  The goal is to drill a 6-km deep borehole to gather data on earthquakes and the Earth’s crust.

About Scientific deep-drilling Technique

1. Scientific deep-drilling involves strategically digging boreholes to examine the deeper layers of the Earth’s crust.

2. This process provides opportunities to study earthquakes and enhances our understanding of the planet’s history, rock formations, energy resources, life forms, climate change patterns, and more.

3. Importance of Deep Drilling

i) Earthquake Study: Deep drilling allows scientists to directly observe and study the Earth’s interior, helping understand and predict earthquakes, especially those in the interior of tectonic plates.

ii) Comprehensive Analysis: It provides insights into rock types, geological history, energy resources, and climate change.

4. Techniques and Methods

i) Drilling Strategy: A hybrid of mud rotary drilling and air hammering is used.

ii) Mud Rotary Drilling: Uses a rotating rod with a diamond drill bit, cooled by drilling mud, which also brings rock cuttings to the surface.

iii) Air Hammering: Uses compressed air to deepen the borehole and remove debris.

iv) Drilling Equipment: The project uses a rig capable of both techniques, adjusting methods based on rock type and other conditions.

5. Challenges

i) The Earth’s interior is hot, dark, and high-pressure, making long-term drilling difficult.

ii) Issues include maintaining drilling pressure, handling rock cores, and dealing with water inflow and fault zones.

iii) Skilled personnel are required for continuous, on-site engagement for extended periods.

6. Findings and Benefits

i) The pilot borehole revealed ancient Deccan trap lava flows and granitic basement rocks. Measurements provided data on rock properties, fluid composition, temperature, stress regimes, and fracture orientations.

ii)  Acoustic and micro-resistivity techniques captured detailed images of the borehole wall.

iii)  Water was found at a depth of 3 km, indicating deep percolation. The region is critically stressed, meaning even small stress changes can trigger earthquakes.

7. Future Prospects

i)  Data from the pilot borehole will guide future drilling. Researchers are studying rock samples to understand earthquake mechanics and microbial life in extreme environments.

ii)  Global researchers are interested in using the core samples for studies, including carbon capture and storage.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology