DV Chikyu
Ultimate Ship for the "Journey to the Center of the Earth"
DSDV Chikyu is the world's first scientific drilling vessel to introduce riser drilling technology for deeper drilling below the sea floor. Our vessel conducts research as an integral part of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). Chikyu is also capable of riserless drilling, a simplified drilling system where the drill pipe is lowered directly into the sea.
Chikyu has the world's deepest scientific drilling capability (7,000 meters below the sea floor) and can drill into the mantle; a feat that has so far been beyond scientific reach. Our vessel is also utilized to install observational equipment in the previously drilled holes, deep below the sea floor which will help us better understand the mega earthquakes mechanisms, life origins and limits, past environmental changes.
Main equipment
1Derrick
The derrick in the center of the ship is used to pick up, lay down and combine a variety of tubulars such as drill pipes, bottom hole assemblies (BHAs), drill bits, casing, riser joints. Depending on the operations, these tubulars are then lowered down below the drill floor to either continue drilling, coring or securing the hole's walls. All these operations are executed from the driller's house (also called "dog house") with an additional drilling crew positioned on the drill floor.
The large "elevator" within the derrick is also used to retrieve geological samples (cores) from the drilled hole.
2Laboratory
The recovered cores (geological samples) are measured, logged, and then immediately transported to the research laboratories.
Sample and Data
More about Sample and Data
Chikyu IODP Board (CIB)
More about Chikyu IODP Board (CIB)
Scientific drilling by Chikyu
