Reverse Circulation Drilling vs. Diamond Drilling

Reverse Circulation Drilling vs. Diamond Drilling

Depending on your job and the conditions of the site, you may wish to opt for either reverse circulation drilling or diamond drilling. Let's take a brief look at how they stack up against one another:

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Reverse Circulation (RC) Drilling is Faster

One of the key reasons RC drilling is favored is its speed compared to diamond drilling. However, RC drilling is efficient only up to a depth of 300 meters. Beyond this, switching to diamond core drilling or another method is recommended for the deeper section of the hole. This transition can save you about two to three working days per hole.

RC is Easier on the Wallet

While diamond core drilling is particularly effective for rocks with high silica content, the cost of equipment and materials can be considerable. Reverse circulation drilling, on the other hand, is adept and rapid when dealing with fractured or overburdened rock formations, and it excels with hard composite rock. Generally, reverse circulation drilling is approximately 25% to 40% less expensive than diamond drilling.

Diamond Drilling will Get You a Core Sample

Diamond drilling is ideal when you need to obtain a sample of soil at greater depths. This preference arises from the way each drilling method produces a hole. Reverse circulation drilling merely creates a hole rather than extracting a sample. The bit’s face pulverizes the rock, and air pressure pushes the chips to the surface. An assistant then bags these cuttings, but typically only 6% to 25% are needed for analysis.

Although drill cuttings can be analyzed for limited information, the range and precision of these tests are restricted. In contrast, core samples provide detailed data on material veins and their exact location.

Diamond Drilling is More Accurate

If precision is critical, as in geotechnical drilling, reverse circulation may not be the best choice. RC holes often corkscrew into the ground, so for a straight pilot hole, diamond core drilling is preferable.

No two drilling jobs are identical. To achieve optimal results quickly, safely, and effectively, it’s crucial to use the appropriate methods for the project. If you have any questions about your drilling needs or wish to learn more about our services, feel free to contact us. At BG Drilling, we know how to get the job done right.