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SOP-006 Standard Operating Procedure Mud Rotary Drilling Page 1 of 5 REVISION NO. 0 March 2020 Sharpe Army Depot 1.0 Purpose This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) establishes guidelines for conducting mud rotary drilling. The details within this SOP should also be used in conjunction with project work plans. 2.0 Procedures Mud rotary is a fluid-based drilling technique, usually using water with bentonite or polymer, pumped down through drill pipe and out through a rotating drill bit attached to the lower end of the drill string. This "mud" mixture cools the drill bit, jets cuttings away from the bit face, and flows upward in the annular space between the borehole and the drill pipe, carrying the cuttings in suspension to the surface. 2.1 Preparation and Coordination Preparation and coordination tasks generally will include: • Before beginning mud rotary drilling activities, ensure that all borehole locations have been appropriately cleared of all underground utilities and buried objects per the project work plans. Review all forms and diagrams documenting the location of the cleared drilling location as well as that of any underground utility lines or other buried objects. • The site will be prepared as per the project work plans. The logistics of drilling, logging, sampling, cuttings/fluid containment, and/or well construction will be determined before mobilizing. • Before mobilization, the Site Superintendent and/or the site geologist/engineer should assess the drilling site with the driller. This assessment should identify potential hazards (slip/trip/fall, overhead power lines, etc.), and determine how drilling operations may impact the environment (dust, debris, noise). Potential hazards should be evaluated and corrected, or the borehole location changed or shifted, as per the project work plans. • Don the appropriate personal protective equipment specified in the project work plans and Accident Prevention Plan. 2.2 Mobilization and Set-Up Mud rotary drilling will be conducted following the project work plans. The standard procedure for mud rotary mobilization and set-up includes: • The drill rig is mobilized to the site in clean and working order. Upon arrival, the rig is inspected by the driller and the Site Superintendent and/or the site geologist/engineer, and any deficiencies are corrected (i.e., additional decontamination procedures, leaks repaired, etc.). • The rig is then located over the borehole location and leveled with a set of hydraulic pads attached to the front and rear of the drill rig. The driller should always raise the mast slowly and carefully to prevent tipping or damaging the drill rig, and avoiding obstructions or hazards. • Appropriate barriers and markers should be in place before drilling, as per the Accident Prevention Plan. Visqueen (plastic) may be required beneath the rig to contain fluids and cuttings, and to prevent migration of contaminated material.