Precision Drilling: from Mining to Geothermal Energy

Drilling deep

However, drilling down several thousand meters through diverse geological layers requires high-tech tools and equipment that withstand the extreme pressures and temperatures found at such depths. To succeed with this challenging mission, the geothermal energy sector leverages insights and technologies gained from mining industry exploration drilling that helps uncover probable future reserves. As exploration drilling, too, involves cutting deep into the earth’s surface to collect rock and mineral samples that can be analyzed to determine the location and size of potential mineral deposits.

In both these endeavors, the use of appropriate sensor technology to ensure precise drilling results is of crucial importance. Knowing the exact drilling path – and keeping neatly to it – is essential. So are shock and heat resistance, to prevent the strong vibrations and high temperatures while drilling through the rock strata from skewing measurements and outcomes.

Quartz-based inertial sensor solutions

To succeed with their quest for cost-effective, sustainable energy drilling, the geothermal industry is enabled by German inertial sensor technology specialist ASC Sensors. The company, headquartered near Munich, has recently broadened its portfolio to include quartz-based accelerometers and digital IMUs manufactured by Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Ltd (JAE).

JAE’s high-performance servo quartz-based accelerometers of the JA-5 and JA-25 series, available through ASC in the German-speaking markets, are particularly suitable for the challenges faced in geothermal drilling.

Key features include an operational temperature range of up to +200 °C, high shock and vibration resistance (1500 g survival) as well as low/medium measurement range (+/-4 g). Their resolution of 1 µg, low noise and excellent long-term stability of scale factor and bias (<2 mg over one year combined) makes them ideally suited for inclination measurement.

Due to their outstanding properties, JAE quartz accelerometers are also used in other high-demand applications beyond geological drilling. For ASC, the new partnership complements the company’s traditional portfolio of cutting-edge analog, digital and smart sensors. Working together, the joint German-Japanese team is now able to provide customers with novel, tailored, sustainable solutions adding business value and minimizing risks.

Laser-focused on customer value

For almost 70 years, JAE has been researching, developing and manufacturing quartz-based sensor technology for aviation, aerospace, automotive, railway, semiconductor, energy, construction engineering and other demanding applications. In February 2024, the company signed a collaboration agreement with ASC Sensors to ensure access to JAE’s technology for customers in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, in addition to ASC’s own portfolio of innovative inertial sensor solutions.

“Our team is proud of our highly innovative, research-driven heritage,” says Yuichi Kocha, General Manager Aerospace at JAE Europe Ltd. “Solving customer needs is the absolute center of our attention. In ASC, we found that same customer focus, a high degree of flexibility and, above all, terrific technical skills that ensure the best utilization and service of our sensors where they can create most value.”