Matex Line of Environmental Drilling Fluids

What Industries Use Rock Oils?

Mining Exploration and Production, Quarrying, Road Construction, Pipeline Construction, Water Well Drilling, and Oil and Gas Exploration

What Types of Equipment Use Rock Drill Oil and Why?

Rock Drill Oils are used to lubricate hydraulic or pneumatic percussive-type drilling equipment such as air tracks, down-hole hammers, hydraulic and pneumatic long-hole drills, jacklegs, and stoppers.

Why Would Conventional Rock Drill Oils be Potential Environmental Contaminants?

The lubricating methods where rock drill oils is utilized have open ended or non-circulating systems, therefore the lubricant is discharged directly on or into the ground. Since most rock drill oils are pet, this presents the opportunity for contamination of surface or groundwaters.

What Volume of Rock Drill Oil is Used at Any One Time?

The lubricating requirements vary with the type of drill being used. This amount could range from 10-40 liters per day, depending on the footage drilled, the number of shifts worked, or the method of lubricant delivery. This can equate to significant quantities of petroleum oil being discharged into the environment, especially if a number of drills are involved (e.g., 12 drills x 20 liters/day x 250 days – 60,000 liters/year).

Are There Any Restrictive Environmental Regulations Applicable to the Use of Rock Drill Oils?

Although rock drill oils are not specifically mentioned, most environmental agencies have a general statement forbidding the introduction of any potential contaminants into surface or groundwaters at any time. Most states and provinces require an accidental spill, even small quantities of petroleum products (e.g. hydraulic oils), as low as 20 liters (5 gallons) to be treated as a hazardous waste spill and be disposed of as such.

SPECIFIC USES AND ADVANTAGES Water Wells:

RDO 302 ES provides a more effective way of lubricating D.T.H.’s and avoids contaminating the water well or the groundwater. Drillers should have no trouble accepting product, particularly with consumer’s heightened awareness of environmental issues.

Monitor Wells:

The use of conventional Rock Drill Oils is not allowed in this application because of the introduction of hydrocarbons into the groundwater where sampling is to take place. Such substitutes as Crisco, etc., do not offer lubricating characteristics. RDO 302 ES is not only free of any petroleum hydrocarbons, priority pollutants, etc., but it is also an effective lubricant. RDO 302 ES has been approved on a number of occasions for this purpose by both engineering companies and government agencies. This is on a project by project approval based on the data presented. Not using lubricants while drilling monitor wells shortens the life of the hammer and also introduces metallic contamination (e.g. lead) to the groundwater as the hammer and bit wear down.

Oil and Gas Wells:

A common practice in certain areas of the Eastern U.S. is drilling with a D.T.H. The deeper the drilling the less the conventional oil gets to the hammer. Our experience in this area has been with drilling 10,000-12,000 foot holes using 18″ hammers and 22″ bits. RDO 302 ES proved to be much more effective than the conventional oil in saving hammers and pistons. Better performance combined with the fact that the amount of mineral oils allowed in the sump is being restricted make RDO 302 ES a natural. If they are water misting, then BIO-CUT PLUS would also be applicable.

Mining and Exploration:

RDO 302 ES offers an environmentally safe alternative to conventional oils and lowers maintenance of hammers, etc. Mines and exploration operations are coming under more focused environmental scrutiny.

Construction:

Air-Tracks are commonly used for road construction and quarry work. RDO 302 ES not only gives the normal benefits, but improves the performance of the air controls which are lubricated.

GENERAL BENEFITS OF RDO 302 ES:

• Environmentally safe to the extreme.
• Why drill a water well and open the door for contamination; use the safe alternative.
• RDO 302 ES gets to the hammer and does not stick to drill pipe like other oils.
• Stays on metal parts of the hammer and does not easily wash off in the presence of water-like conventional oils.
• The internal parts of the hammer will not rust during downtime.
• The use of water during drilling only reduces the effectiveness of conventional oils, but RDO 302 ES will not emulsify in the presence of water. As a result RDO 302 ES stays on the metal, providing better protection.
• For best results, immerse piston in RDO 302 ES for an hour before installing it in the hammer.
• Lubrication can be better controlled and consumption reduced by using RDO 302 ES.

Application:

• 1. Use in all in-line lubrications or as a batch lubricant poured down the drill pipe.
• 2. Replaces present Rock Drill Oils for use in pneumatic and percussive drilling. (e.g., down-hole hammers, pneumatic mining drills (jumbos and stoppers), air tracks, hydraulic percussive drills, etc.).
• 3. Provides an environmentally safe product that lubricates more effectively than conventional Rock Drill Oils, while reducing contamination of surface and groundwaters. Particularly suited for drilling in sensitive areas such as adjacent to streams and lakes or where groundwater protection is important.

Specifications:

•  Viscosity: @ 100 degrees C 8.42 Cst., @ 400 degrees C 46.0 Cst.
•  Specific Gravity: @25 degrees C 0.907
•  VI: 214
•  Flash Point: 292 degrees C.
•  LC50: 10,000 ppm+
•  Heavy Metals: none
•  Active Ingredients: 5-10%

Also available as a soluble lubricant. *RDO 302 ES MW is specifically for monitor well use. Environmental data available upon request. Chemical parameters available upon request.