The most important task of exploration core drilling is to ensure high recovery and quality of core – the source material for geological and engineering geological sampling. Analysis of production data of a number of organizations engaged in drilling in permafrost rocks shows that when drilling with flushing, the core recovery is 60 70% for bedrock with moisture content of 2 5% and 20 30% in rocks with moisture content of 15% and more. In production conditions, very often in order to increase core recovery, one switches to “dry” drilling. However, the core quality deteriorates sharply. Partial or complete thawing of the core occurs, with violation of its structural characteristics.