Hole clearing and drilling methods

Hole clearing method

Drilling method

Mechanical

Auger (continuous flight, bucket
and short flight) drilling
Cable-tool drilling
Push probe coring
Recovering core from conventional
and wireline core drilling
Sonic drilling
Vibracoring

Fluid (air)

Rotary air drilling
Top-hole hammer drilling

Fluid (water or mud)

Conventional and wireline core
drilling (sludge)
Jetting
Rotary mud drilling

Reverse circulation (air)

Dual tube reverse circulation (RC)
rotary air drilling
Dual tube reverse circulation (RC)
hammer drilling
Air core drilling

Reverse circulation
(water or mud)

Single tube reverse circulation (RC)
rotary mud drilling