Description

Exploratory boreholes may be sunk in the repository region in search of natural resources, e.g. water, minerals, oil, gas, or to identify geothermal sources or geological formations suitable for disposal of liquid wastes by injection. Exploratory boreholes are considered more likely when the knowledge of the repository and of the presence or absence of resource materials is lost. Boreholes may intersect the repository or pass by closely, perturbing the groundwater flowpaths. Boreholes may affect repository gas. Indirect effects (e.g. deformation of repository structures and geological strata) are possible.

OPA Category

Category as used in the OPA assessment

Future human actions

OPA Number

Number as used in the OPA assessment

1.01

NEA V1 IFEP Reference(s)

Related IFEPs from the NEA V1 IFEP list from 1999

1.4.04, 2.2.13, 3.2.12