What is Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory (BGRL)?

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About Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory (BGRL):

The BGRL in Karad, Maharashtra, is a specialised institute under theMinistry of Earth Sciences mandated to execute India’s sole scientific deep-drilling programme.
Under BGRL, the aim is to drill the earth’s crust to a depth of 6 km and conduct studies to help expand the understanding of reservoir-triggered earthquakes in the Koyna-Warna region of Maharashtra.
This region has been experiencing frequent earthquakes since the Shivaji Sagar Lake, or the Koyna Dam, was impounded in 1962.
BGRL’s 3-km-deep pilot borehole in Koyna is complete; the Ministry of Earth Sciences is committed to reaching a depth of 6 km.
It employs a unique drilling strategy—a hybrid of mud rotary drilling and air hammering.
Benefits of a deep-drilling mission:
- Scientifically drilled boreholes can be a hub of direct, unique in situ experiments and observations and monitor a region’s fault lines and seismic behaviour.
- They also provide exact and fundamental knowledge of the composition of the earth’s crust, structure, and processes, and help validate models based on surface studies.
- Thus, it can inform a range of societal problems related to geohazards and geo-resources.
- It can also help expand scientific know-how and technological innovation, especially in seismology (the study of earthquakes).
- It can also spur the development of tools and equipment for drilling, observation, data analysis, sensors, etc.

Q1: What is mud rotary drilling?

Mud rotary drilling is a method for wellbore excavation. It involves the use of a spinning drill bit aided by a semi-fluid mixture known as mud. Mud rotary drilling is adaptable for a wide range of trenchless construction situations, and is considered the most versatile and common of drilling methods.

Source: Why is India drilling a 6-km deep hole in Maharashtra?