CORE MARKETS

Oil sands

Encore, and its predecessor companies, have been active since 1952 in the development of world-class oil sands mines and commercial SAGD production facilities. Our services span conventional contract/ turnkey drilling, through to complete service supply and project management of a core program. Encore drills approximately 1,000 holes between 50 m and 800 m deep in the Athabasca oil sands each year. Generally, we drill and set casing across the surface sediments and then use a system of wireline actuated tools to cut core through the oil sands into the underlying limestone at total depth. When the core hole has been geophysically logged, we retrieve our casing and fill the hole with cement to complete its abandonment. The quality of the recovered core is paramount, and is key to our success.

Coal Bed Methane (CBM)

Encore has drilled CBM wells in the United States for several years and has translated that experience into the developing CBM market in Western Canada. The characteristics of the market in Canada demand efficiency, safety, mobility, and versatility from the drilling equipment used. Encore is building new equipment and is leveraging its experience in coring and shallow drilling, to deliver value to its clientele.

Shallow Gas

Several Encore rigs have lead the industry for 25 years with consistently fast, efficient, and safe operations. Encore 441 and 407 were the prototypes for the "ADR" design and continue to lead the industry today.

SPECIALTY MARKETS: DIAMONDS

Encore has earned its position as a drilling contractor of choice to the world's largest diamond exploration and mining company, and specializes in large-diameter (24" and 36") reverse air circulation diamond drilling to depths of 350 m.