Baker hughes new rocks award control number: 3592-1522 title: automated geological appraisal technology and explorer system (agates) this competitive cooperative agreement for a research and…

The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded a $3.744 million Cooperative Agreement to Baker Hughes Energy Transition LLC on August 28, 2026, under the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy program (CFDA 81.135) to develop and demonstrate an automated drilling system that increases drilling and coring speed and efficiency while significantly accelerating accurate orebody characterization.

Baker Hughes will develop the Automated Geological Appraisal Technology and Explorer System (AGATES), an automated drilling platform designed to serve as a measurement tool for downhole orebody characterization. The concept validation will occur at Ivanhoe Electric's field test facility using a novel hybrid rig developed for mineral exploration. The award obligates $3,744,275 and runs through August 27, 2029. Work is performed in Houston, Texas.

Baker hughes new rocks award control number: 3592-1522 title: automated geological appraisal technology and explorer system (agates) this competitive cooperative agreement for a research and development project entitled, "automated geological appraisal technology and explorer system (agates)" is awarded to baker hughes under arpa-e FOA number DE-FOA-0003592(rocks) and control 3592-1522. The purpose of this award is develop and demonstrate an automated drilling system that will increase drilling and coring speed and efficiency and significantly accelerate accurate orebody characterization. Validation of the concept will be at ivanhoe electric's field test facility using a novel hybrid RIG developed for mineral exploration. The drilling system can also serve as a measurement platform for downhole orebody characterization.