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DUMAND PROJECT
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Keahole Point, Hawaii
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The purpose of this project was to drill a shaft, starting on shore, toward the
ocean passing beneath the shoreline and then curving upward to penetrate the
seafloor at an offshore depth where the cables would be free from the destruction
of storm-driven waves and currents.
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The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) conducts experiments
in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). NELHA required conduit for power and
telemetry cable to operate a neutrino telescope for the DUMAND (Deep Underwater
Muon abd Neutrino Detector) Project, currently being constructed 20 miles offshore
and 15,000 feet below sea level.
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Geological complications are generated when lava flow enters the ocean, forming pillow
lava and exploding in glassy fragments that form "black sand" beaches. The strength of
the rock can be highly variable and may change in a matter of inches.
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The lava is extremely abrasive with unconfined compressive strengths in excess of 11,000
psi. In addition, because of the fractured nature of the lava, there was no circulation
of the drilling fluids.
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The waters off Keahole Point are of extraordinary clarity, with visibility in excess of one
hundred feet. Because this project was impacting Class AA offshore waters, conventional drilling
fluids or seaward discharge of cuttings were not allowed.
Directional drilling with the Accu-Dril® Motor greatly reduced the impact to the sensitive coral
reef as opposed to conventional blasting and trenching techniques which are devastating to the
pristine marine environment.
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ACCU-DRIL® SUCCESS!!
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Accu-Dril® Motors met the challenge of drilling in the unpredictable volcanic terrain encountered
in Hawaii. Field tested and proven, Accu-Dril® motors are known for their dependability in all
types of adverse drilling applications.
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International Directional Services
12030 East Riggs Road
Chandler, Arizona 85249
Tel: 480.824.7100
Fax: 480.883.2010
E-mail: idsinfo@idirectionaldrill.com
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