Milestones of KTB

1978

First studies by a working group of the German Geoscientific Commision of the Science Foundation

1980

The Federal Ministry for Research and Technology generally approves continental drilling programs

1981

The Federal Ministry for Research and Technology starts sponsorship; possible drill sites for continental drilling are Hohes Venn, Hohenzollerngraben, Black Forest and the Oberpfalz

1985

Final approval of the KTB deep drilling program by the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology with a budget of 450 million DM

1986

Final decision in favor of a drill site at Windischeschenbach/Oberpfalz

1987

Offical inauguration of the KTB pilot

1989

Completion of the KTB pilot hole at a depth of 4,000 m and start of an extensive measuring and testing program

1990

Official inauguration of the KTB main hole

1991

Depth at the end of the year 5,500 m

1992

Installation of the deepest casing worldwide with a total length of 6,000 m and a total weight of 700 tons; depth at the end of the year 7,000 m

1993

The vertical drilling concept is abandoned at a depth of 7,500 m; stabilization of the borehole by installation of a liner casing at 7,790 m; depth at the end of the year 8,000 m

1994

The target depth of 10,000 m at a temperature of 300 C will be achieved by the end of the year