A deep borehole disposal solution for the UK's high-level radioactive waste

Abstract

The size of deep boreholes suitable for disposal of radioactive wastes can be increased through an innovative combination of blind shaft and oilfield drilling technologies. This would enable deep borehole disposal (DBD) of the UK's high-level waste (HLW), which is being packaged in containers hitherto considered too large for DBD and destined for a deep geological repository (DGR/GDF). DBD could advance, by over 40 years, disposal of this waste, avoid expensive replacement of ageing storage facilities and reduce the size and cost of the DGR/GDF by up to 70%. A generic reference design is presented for the boreholes and a route proposed for DBD of the UK's HLW in between seven and ten boreholes on a site smaller than three football pitches. Following location and approval of a suitable site, disposal could be completed in under 10 years using currently available technology. Estimates are presented that show the entire programme, including a non-active demonstration borehole, could be undertaken for less than £744 million (at today's prices); a saving of over £8.5 billion on the estimated cost of the proposed DGR/GDF. Implementing DBD of the UK's HLW could begin now and should be reconsidered as a matter of urgency.