Sept 24 operations

Casing arrived in Chamberlain earlier so crew transferred from the shipping palette this morning.  Started operations at the site at 0850.  Went in hole at 0930.  Coring. Temporary mechanical problem plugged bit so pulled pipe to clean out at 1315.  Bit (the aggressive button bit) looked good with little wear.  Back on bottom at 1354 and coring.

Statistics acquired during the course of the day:

During Core 29 at 1200 hrs:

 measured coring rate at 16 min/ft; bit pressure = 350 psi; mud pressure ~275 psi; water flow 22- 25 gpm; rig motor engine speed ~2000 rpm using 2nd gear (~100 rpm bit rotation).

During Core 31 at 1354 hrs:

Depth ~202 ft; 300 psi mud pressure; 350 psi down pressure; 22-25 gpm water; 2000 rpm rig motor (2nd gear); coring rate 13 min/ft; started coring at 1354 and ended 5-ft core at 1500 hrs.  drill stem turning at ~94 rev/min.

At 1500 hrs mud pressure dropped to 100 psi and return water turned gray.