In recent years, Webster Drilling has become increasingly involved in scientific research projects both in New Zealand and Antarctica.

These projects have involved lake bed sediment coring and seismic research programmes and the development of aseptic drilling methods for coring permafrosted sediments. This technology was successfully used to take core samples from the Transantarctic Mountains in Antarctica and has led to projects with NASA in the Canadian arctic.

Personnel have participated in scientific workshops providing technical input for the ANDRILL Research Programme in Antarctica and the Submerged Coral Drilling Project with the U.S. Science Support Programme.