INDUSTRY TRENDS

The earliest recorded drilling dates back to the third century BC in China. They used a technique called string drilling, which involves dropping a large metal drill and then using a tubular vessel to collect fragments of rock.

The Chinese are relatively ahead in this technology, and China is also recognized as the first country to intentionally use fluids in the drilling process. The fluid in question is water, which softens the rock, making it easier for the drill tool to penetrate it, and helps remove rock fragments called cuttings. (It is important to remove the cuttings from the hole so that the bit can continue to drill deeper without hindrance.) This evolved into today's oilfield drilling technology.