Norwegian pilot drilling technology firm Badger Explorer has been awarded NOK7.9 million in funding after passing its latest milestones.
The Badger Demonstrator Program started in 2012 and has been supported by Statoil, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Wintershall and China National Petroleum Corporation.
Milestone 5 was the final test in the Badger Demonstrator Program. Milestone 6 contains evaluation of the Demonstrator Program and definition of the Scope of Work for the next phase, the Badger Explorer Development Program 2015 - 2017.
The main goals of Milestone 5 have been achieved. A full system test of the tool was performed, and modifications and adjustments were implemented where necessary. After the system test, the tool was installed in a custom-built setup to allow horizontal drilling and compaction. The tool has drilled through a set of formations and used drilled cuttings to compact a plug. The drilling and compaction test has been performed in selected formations.
Badger Explorer CEO Steinar Bakke says: "The delivery of the Demonstrator Program represents a major reduction of the technical risk of the Badger Explorer technology. Milestones 5 and 6 have given Badger Explorer valuable information about the tool performance. We are now focusing on the Development phase and the future delivery of commercial Badger tools.”