In what is believed to be a world first, a carbon fibre drill rod has successfully drilled during simulated mineral exploration at the Deep Exploration Technologies CRC Drilling Research and Training Facility at Brukunga in South Australia. The carbon fibre drill rod produced by Queensland-based Teakle Composites, will revolutionise the drilling industry according to the CEO of the CRC Professor Richard Hillis. “It will provide a stronger, lighter, safer and smarter drilling rod than the traditional steel product,” he said. “Teakle’s drill rod is more than 50% lighter than a steel rod and there is the potential to embed a sensor within the wall of the rod. This will enable drillers to collect information about the type and value of material they are drilling through, the precise direction they are drilling and also about potential drilling hazards.” Minerals Down Under researchers work closely with the Deep Exploration technologies CRC which commenced testing of the prototype drill rod on the Boart Longyear SC9 drill rig. The prototype rod is being used to drill through hard rock at various rotational speeds and loads to evaluate its performance.

“In our first test we drilled almost 100 m through hard rock,” CEO of Teakle Composites, Phil Teakle said. We know we are on the right track.

“The next step is to demonstrate we can meet our strength targets in the laboratory, then undertake further testing on a drill rig. The latter will reveal any problems not identified in the laboratory. These could include abrasion and vibration.

“Later tests will include embedded sensors for measuring torque, thrust and temperatures. The product can be adapted to include embedded antennae, and to house various probes that can be inserted down the inside of the hollow drill string from the surface.”

According to Professor Hillis, the first composite rods are on track to be commercialised within three years.