DOSECC (Drilling, Observation and Sampling of the Earths Continental Crust) is a not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to provide leadership and technical support in subsurface sampling and monitoring technology for addressing topics of scientific and societal importance. Fifty-six research organizations are members of DOSECC.
The figure below illustrates the fundamental role that DOSECC serves for the scientific community: DOSECC provides the engineering, technology and management support to enable scientists to achieve their objectives.DOSECC does this by serving as the link between the earth sciences and drilling technologies. Our success is not only measured by the number of core samples collected, but in the cost-effective collection of high-quality samples and data. This is achieved by a group of highly experienced scientists, drillers and mechanical engineers who provide the technological expertise to plan, budget and monitor drilling programs and design and build new drilling equipment. In summary, DOSECC promotes a coordinated 
and integrated continental scientific drilling program for the earth science community.
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OUR GOALS
- Facilitate and support cost effective scientific drilling projects.
- Link science and drilling technology.
- Design, build and operate drilling systems.
- Promote technology transfer and education.
- Represent US interests in the international scientific drilling community.
DOSECC ACTIVITIES
PLANNING AND BUDGETING
DOSECCs engineers aid scientists in designing and budgeting scientific drilling projects. We can also assist investigators in procurement of commercial drilling services.
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A perfect display of international planning: The Lake El’gygytgyn Scientific Drilling Project Design Team, March 2008 (photo by David Zur)
DRILLING TECHNOLOGY AND INSTRUMENTATION
The requirements of the scientific drilling community are often different than those of the commercial sector. Scientific projects focus on sample quality, collection of fluids and gases, and emplacement of instrumentation and monitoring devices. This emphasis often requires specialized drilling equipment. DOSECC has several unique drilling systems that have been developed specifically for scientific projects.
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DOSECC’s Hybrid Coring System installed on a host rotary rig
COMMUNICATIONS, PROGRAM COORDINATION AND INTEGRATION
The continental scientific drilling community is diverse, but investigators face many similar problems of equipment availability, logistical support and limited budgets. DOSECCs Annual Scientific Drilling Workshop provides a forum for the discussion of drilling and scientific studies.
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DOSECC driller Vance Hiatt and GLAD800 drilling rig aboard the R/V Kerry Kelts on Lake Qinghai, China, July 17, 2005 (Photo courtesy of LQDP)
TECHNICAL WORKSHOPS
DOSECC sponsors thematic workshops that allow investigators to bring together teams to organize proposals and solve engineering problems related to scientific drilling and sampling. Our Annual workshops facilitate discussions of research drilling programs that are at different stages of progress and that span different scientific disciplines in a effort to enhance the ability of the research community to apply innovative drilling technology to important earth science questions. See the programs from our 2005 and 2006 Workshops.
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Paul Olson (left) and Joe Smoot explain the Culpepper Basin during the 2007 Workshop held in Washington DC (photo by David Zur)
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
DOSECC offers internships to undergraduate and graduate students and primary and secondary school teachers for studies of samples and data from scientific drilling projects. We also share our love of geology and science with those around us.
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Kids learn about scientific drilling (and check out our antique drilling rig) at the AAAS 2008 Exhibition, Boston (photo by David Zur)
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Site Last Updated: 29 May, 2008
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Website conceived, designed and maintained by David Zur; he welcomes comments, suggestions, information about dead links, love notes, and politely phrased critiques.
33rd International Geological Congress
6–14 August 2008
Oslo, Norway
IRIS Real-Time Earthquake Map
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