"The purpose of these hearings is to examine exploration, evaluation, and drilling activities for various energy resources in both the public and private sectors, and to determine if these activities are adequate to meet the anticipated future demands on those resources. The energy resources that will be considered during these hearings are geothermal energy, uranium, oil, and gas, as well as related topics such as helium and helium storage. In spite of the fact that we must rely on the several underground energy resources that are explored for and evaluated or developed by means of drilling, it is unclear as to how the various drilling programs and activities throughout the Nation are coordinated, if at all, and exactly what side benefits are obtained from them. This matter is, of course, of considerable significance when one realizes that the success of these drilling programs can have a great impact on whether or not an adequate fuel supply is available to this country in future years"--Page 1.

Drilling technology has been remarkably useful in the study of geothermal sciences. Much has been found and understood about the earth's inner structure in the recent past owing to the progress of drilling and its scientific applications. This book contains some path-breaking studies in the field of drilling technology as it is a collective work of an eminent panel of internationally renowned scholars. Topics discussed in this book include instrumentation and observation, technological advances in drilling, earth sampling, mineral resources, etc. It strives to provide a fair idea about this discipline and develop a better understanding of the latest advances within this field. This book will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers. It is highly recommended for students and researchers pursuing drilling technology and allied disciplines.

While the public is generally aware of the use of hydraulic fracturing for unconventional resource development onshore, it is less familiar with the well completion and stimulation technologies used in offshore operations, including hydraulic fracturing, gravel packs, "fracpacks," and acid stimulation. Just as onshore technologies have improved, these well completion and stimulation technologies for offshore hydrocarbon resource development have progressed over many decades. To increase public understanding of these technologies, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine established a planning committee to organize and convene a workshop on Offshore Well Completion and Stimulation: Using Hydraulic Fracturing and Other Technologies on October 2-3, 2017, in Washington, DC. This workshop examined the unique features about operating in the U.S. offshore environment, including well completion and stimulation technologies, environmental considerations and concerns, and health and safety management. Participants from across government, industry, academia, and nonprofit sectors shared their perspectives on operational and regulatory approaches to mitigating risks to the environment and to humans in the development of offshore resources. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.