2009 Report to Government on National Research and

Characterisation Project. Work has commenced in developing and understanding
of the information needs of the project and current best practices. The status
report presents overviews of the assessment of geochemistry, deep drilling,
wireline testing and groundwater moni<strong>to</strong>ring instrumentation. These subject areas
were selected for early study by the NDA because it was recognised through
dialogue with overseas WMOs that these are the most significant challenges <strong>to</strong>
the implementation of a geosphere characterisation programme.
A.92 The status report (NDA, 2007) sets out areas for possible R&D in these subject
areas, a summary of which is as follows:
Geochemistry (Intellisci, 2008)
• Research is required in<strong>to</strong> the methods and equipment for sampling
groundwater and down hole moni<strong>to</strong>ring of in situ redox and pH.
• Research is required <strong>to</strong> define the chemical descriptions and models
proposed <strong>to</strong> describe the EBS (near field), the geosphere and the biosphere.
Similarly work is required <strong>to</strong> define the models of site-scale hydrology,
hydrogeology and paleohydrogeology and how these can be tested and
calibrated.
• Research and development is suggested in relation <strong>to</strong> the sampling of
groundwater concurrent with drilling operations <strong>to</strong> ensure that “first strike”
samples can be obtained from discrete target sampling zones.
Deep Site Investigation Borehole Drilling (EPS International, 2007)
• The optimal drilling method proposed was the use of hybrid drilling rigs
suitable for both test/sample drilling and coring. These rigs are not readily
available and while no research is required there needs <strong>to</strong> be developmental
work with regard <strong>to</strong> rig design and borehole casing strategies.
Geophysical Wireline Logging, Logging-While-Drilling & Wireline Testing
• The status report highlights the fact that there is variable accuracy among
various techniques for down hole data acquisition. It is likely therefore that
some research is required <strong>to</strong> establish absolute accuracy.
A.93 CoRWM considers that the process of identifying the information needs
summarised above is sound and that research identified in future through this
process should be undertaken. Currently it is unclear <strong>to</strong> CoRWM whether R&D
arising from this process is progressing or is planned or whether the skills have
been identified <strong>to</strong> undertake the work. In defining the research needs it is
important <strong>to</strong> recognise that any GDF may not be sited in hard crystalline rock but,
for example, in low permeability mudrocks.
A.94 The status report (NDA, 2007) states that studies for 2007-08 comprised
geomechanical testing, groundwater sampling, radionuclide migration properties
and geophysical surveys. CoRWM considers that through the adopted process
information gaps will be identified that require R&D. Among these will be the
following issues:
• The performance of any rock mass is dictated <strong>to</strong> a large extent by the
characteristics of naturally-occurring fractures. These vary in scale from a
CoRWM Document 2543, Oc<strong>to</strong>ber <strong>2009</strong> Page 122 of 151