The Badger crawls to Norway

Norwegian company Badger Explorer is currently performing tests on their concept for rig less drilling by a "fly by wire" exploration tool. The tool drills into the underground and buries itself. The test program Demo50 which has been carried out in Denmark has particularly had focus on the drilling and pump module, cuttings and fluid separation, cuttings deposition, borehole expansion and cuttings compaction. The Demo50 prototype is run by a PC based SCADA system through a 50 meter long cable.

DRILLING WITH NO RIG:Badger Explorer. (photo:BADGER EXPLORER)

However, due to rock porosity on test site the company hasn't fully demonstrated the compaction of a plug behind the tool, which has led to a decision to continue the test program in Norway.

Non-representative rock
- This does not mean that the prototype doesn't function properly in porous rock. Our discovery in Denmark was that the rocks were much too loose to represent the areas we will be utilising the Badger technology, says CEO of Badger Explorer, Kjell Erik Drevdal, to Oilinfo Weekend.

Drevdal does not want to reveal where the tests will be performed in Norway, but explains that they will continue the work to prove the compaction of the plug behind the tool.

Continuously testing
- What if the test fails, and no plug is formed by the tool?

- As mentioned previously, we will be using the tool offshore where the rocks form solid layers. So will continue testing until it does form a plug. But if we sometime in the future will be utilising the Badger in porous rock, there will have to be modifications on the technology, Drevdal says. He adds that this scenario is far future, and no current challenge.

Low risk and pollution
The Badger Explorer is a new method for detailed mapping of oil and gas reserves at a substantially lower risk, cost and complexity than utilising a drilling rig. According to the company, their method will also lower the risk for environmental pollution and greatly reduce the disturbances commonly associated with exploration activities.

The continuing tests in Norway are expected to be favourably both in terms of project progress and well costs. According the Drevdal, the results from the tests can be expected during the coming months.

Badger Explorer will in 2009 focus on the next test phase, Demo125. The unit tested in the Demo125 program will be the start of the company's first commercial unit, and the company will shift focus from research to development and commercialisation.

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