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4 THE EARLIEST DRILLING METHODS

Drilling is a cutting process that uses a drill bit to cut or
enlarge a hole of circular cross-section in solid materials. The drill
bit is a rotary cutting tool. The bit is pressed against the workpiece
and rotated at rates from hundreds to thousands of revolutions per
minute. For centuries, digging by shovel was the best technology
that existed to pry into the earth’s secrets. Oil seeps provided a
balm from injuries. Ancient histories record the technique, which
is still used in some corners of the world. While repeatedly kicking
down a stirrup was primitive and slow, the spring pole’s rope and
chisel were practical drilling technologies.
Salt was an essential commodity for preserving food and
extracting it from brine was a simple process.In 1802 in what is
now West Virginia, salt brine drillers David and Joseph Ruffner
took 18-months to drill through 40 feet of bedrock to a total depth
of 58 feet using a spring pole.The Ruffner brothers drilling
ingenuity and innovation made the Kanawha River Valley a major
salt manufacturing and distribution center in the early 1800s.
Many early drilling technologies were developed there.
For most of us, drilling and the exploitation of hydrocarbons
date back to the mid-19th century. However, sophisticated drilling
techniques were first developed in the ancient salt producing
industry in China’s Sichuan Province. As detailed by Mark
Kurlansky in his book the drilling technology used to produce
brine and natural gas in this region far predates western efforts.
Sichuan Province, one of China’s richest regions, has
undergone an intense period of human development. Sichuan is
also one of China’s most productive farming regions. Since
ancient times, this region has held attractive conditions for human
habitation and has been occupied by humans since the dawn of our
existence. Many of China’s ancient technical accomplishments
came from this region, including sophisticated irrigation
techniques and drilling technologies.

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