Progress of the RADIX fast access drilling system

Abstract. A rapid access drilling system has been designed, realized and tested on polar ice sheets. A 20-mm access hole is drilled with a hydraulic coiled tubing system where the tube consists of a plastic hose. The ice cuttings are flushed to the surface in forward circulation, i.e. between hose and borehole wall, and can be sampled for analysis. A dedicated logger with 15 mm diameter is deployed into the hole for measuring the geometric orientation of the hole, the temperature profile and the dust content in the surrounding ice (optical dust logger). The equipment has been tested and improved during 6 field projects in Greenland and Antarctica. It is designed to ultimately drill quickly through a 3000 m ice sheet. Routine performance has been established to a depth of 300 m.