3 Ways to Reduce Your Drilling Budget

Geologists turn to 3D software to visualize and plan drilling activity. Encom Discover 3D 4.0 for MapInfo and Discover 10.0 features tools to aid in planning by integrating multiple data types for visualization and application of varied analytical techniques. The tools include 3D drawing and editing, voxel, threshold and isosurface modeling and the drill hole planner tool.

Method 1:

With the Encom Discover 3D drill hole planner tool, geologists can dynamically create proposed drill holes to intercept targets based on existing drilling, subsurface data and 3D visualization of existing 2D and 3D datasets.

The tool assists geologists to more accurately intercept targets by integrating all available data to determine the placement of proposed holes. Collar location for new holes or extension of existing holes can be edited including azimuth, dip and downhole deviations. With Discover 3D, geologists can interrogate downhole data to access specific data points on the fly.

The figure below shows a screen shot of the drill planning tool dialog box and a 3D window (click on image to enlarge). In this view, drill holes have been themed by thickness modulation based on assay values from the drill database. This tool can be viewed in a video demonstration.

Click on Image to view Full Size

Method 2:

The Encom Discover 3D voxel tool can create, import and export voxel models, an interpolation of data points for output as a continuous mesh of cells in 3D. This image shows drill holes modulated by color based on gold assay data.

The same can be done with an isosurface, a display of a single attribute value, as shown in the image below.

The image below shows a voxel model which has been clipped to show data trends in 3 dimensions.

These tools can be used in combination to analyze multiple datasets. Voxels can be viewed in single or multiple slices simultaneously.

Method 3:

Use the Encom Discover and Discover 3D to edit and draw in 3D. The example below shows drill data and an ore body bisected by a custom plane with an envelope slice. The plane can now be used to draw interpretations to result in an ore body model (see second image).

These tools can be used in combination or individually to better plan drilling and to obtain first-pass resource models. This well-priced software not only provides a medium for analysis but produces polished imagery for presentations and other marketing purposes.