Progress in technology has been ongoing since the early 1970s -- and continues today.
Sandia has been conducting cost-shared studies with industry and university partners to improve the hard-rock capability of synthetic-diamond drill bits. These studies aim to extend this technology to a much broader range of applications where significant drilling cost reductions could yet be realized with more rapid rock penetration and longer bit life. Sponsored by the DOE Office of Geothermal Technologies, the Sandia program involves collaborative investigations with industry and university researchers to develop different approaches to bit performance improvement in hard rock. Each project draws upon the unique capabilities of SNL and its partners in one or more of the following technology areas: