Projects undertaken by Maurer Engineering Inc. for the DOE include the development of several drilling and engineering tools to take advantage of evolving technologies. These include the development of a high-power slim-hole drilling system consisting of a bit and downhole mud motor, a near-bit Measurement While Drilling (MWD) system, an advanced foam-drilling computer model, FOAM, and the development and testing of lightweight solid additives (LWSA) for drilling fluids that will facilitate underbalanced drilling. In addition, Maurer Engineering undertook an investigation of advanced Russian drilling technology, including the use of novel techniques and details of downhole motor systems used in the former Soviet Union. This investigation will help prevent duplication of research effort by U.S. engineers. Phase I for each project, with the exception of the Russian technology study, included the basic design and laboratory testing of the systems, as well as yard- and bench-testing of the equipment or material developed. In Phase II, the underbalanced drilling products and the high-power slim-hole drilling system are being field tested. The FOAM computer model will be validated using both surface and downhole pressure and temperature measurements recorded while a well is being drilling. The lightweight solid additives have been mixed in a conventional mud system to lower the density of the fluid. The slimhole bit and companion high-power motor will be used to drill intervals in as many wells as possible, with comparisons then made to other slim-hole drilling techniques.