
Mud Drilling vs. Percussion drilling
Mud Drilling or mud rotation drilling is a drilling method where water is used to remove the overburden or cuttings.
This method is normally used where water is present in the formations before the rock layer and very often in conditions where clay is present.
“Mud pits” are usually dug in the garden and filled with water. The water is then thickened using additives and is then pumped through the drill bits into the borehole. This thickened water helps to stabilize the walls of the borehole and assists in moving the cuttings (material) to the surface.
Percussion drilling (drilling with air) is when compressed air is blown down the hole and the overburden or cuttings are expelled.
Steel casing is seated onto the bedrock and the hole is then drilled through the bedrock. A compressor with a range of between 10 and 21 bar is used for this application.