GeoDrilling International September 2015 by Webmaster Aspermont Media

ESTABLISHED 1993

Well pumps, screens & casing

Key suppliers discuss water-well construction and correct materials selection

ISSN 0969-3769 CovI_GDI1509.indd 1

Core drilling & borehole logging

Innovative logging technology and software for efficient exploration

Health & safety Improved solutions to keep foundations-equipment operators safe

September 2015

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CONTENTS

The readers have spoken

irst of all, I would like to thank everyone who took part in GeoDrilling International’s Reader Survey 2015. It is always good to hear from our readers, and the more feedback we get, the better and more engaging the magazine can become. This time around, we received over twice as many responses as for the 2013 reader survey – and largely positive at that. The general consensus among you seems to be that GDI is doing its job pretty well: more than 88% of respondents said they would rate the magazine overall as either very good or good, while around 90% of readers were happy with our e-newsletter. More than half of readers even deemed the publication to be much better or better compared to two years ago, while most of the remaining answers in this category indicated it was about the same as before. When choosing the features that were most relevant to you, you were essentially helping us plan our topics for 2016. The features schedule, partly based on the reader survey results, is currently under construction. “It is important that The trickier questions, which also provided the most insightful answers, were about GDI’s main strengths and weaknesses. While it is nice to know that some people do not think we need to change a thing, constructive criticism is always welcome. After all, it is important that we continue to evolve and refresh our content on a regular basis.

we continue to evolve and refresh our content on a regular basis”

Among the strengths mentioned were our best-practice and project reports, mix of stories on products and applications, up-to-date information, global coverage and layout, to name a few. Whereas some of the weaknesses included lack of coverage from specific countries or regions, lack of interviews with ‘boots on the ground’ workers and too much, or, in some cases, too little emphasis on certain topics. It was very interesting to read all your comments – both negative and positive – and we are certainly taking all feedback on board and will be reviewing the different sections and features within GDI. One of the above weaknesses was actually addressed in my previous comment, where I asked our readers to get in touch with their stories and pictures from the job site, as we want to hear from the drillers themselves. This offer still stands. Moreover, in this issue you will find our very first picture of the month, as well as an interesting Q&A with an experienced well driller. If you happened to miss the survey deadline or would like to discuss any of the suggestions in more detail, you are welcome to send me an email anytime. NIA KAJASTIE, EDITOR nia.kajastie@aspermontmedia.com For news and updates, follow me on Twitter: @GDI_Ed_Nia

News 2 Features Opinion: Martin Blower 5 Special report: Atlas Copco 6 Special report: GSSI 8 Well pumps, screens & casing 11 22 Core drilling & borehole logging Australasia 30 Health & safety 37 Contacts 40 Classified advertising

Next month Piling and foundations Drilling fluids Equipment buyers’ guide Africa

COVER

Urbanisation. Natural resources. Land development. Pollution. Food security. Land degradation… Royal Eijkelkamp consists of several companies that produce and supply smart products and services for environmental soil and (ground) water projects. The group consists of: Eijkelkamp Soil & Water, Eijkelkamp SonicSampdrill and Eijkelkamp Academy. Eijkelkamp Soil & Water offers smart solutions geared to customer needs for soil and water projects, while the Academy is the knowledge centre of Royal Eijkelkamp with its three pillars of training, consultancy and applied research. Eijkelkamp SonicSampDrill manufactures and supplies sonic drilling rigs, tooling and accessories. www.royaleijkelkamp.com

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NEWS

Layne scoops Groundwater Supply award The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) Awards Committee has selected Layne Christensen’s Scavenger Well Couple for Chloride Management Project in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, US, as the recipient of the 2015 Groundwater Supply award. Each year, the NGWA presents the award to a project displaying outstanding science, engineering or innovation in groundwater supply. Saltwater intrusion is a growing problem for coastal areas. Contamination of freshwater aquifers has forced well fields to close, resulting in pumping moratoriums, and expensive infrastructure to maintain hydraulic barriers. Treatment is an option but it produces a waste stream that is costly to dispose. Layne and Owen and White Engineering recently made a scavenger well couple to protect Baton Rouge Water Company’s (BRWC) Lula Pump Station from saltwater intrusion in one of the major aquifers supplying water to that city. Layne employees from its Baton Rouge (Louisiana) and Bloomington (Indiana) offices worked together to create this one-of-a-kind solution. This well couple is a cost-effective and sustainable way to protect well fields in many coastal aquifers. The project has created a buzz in the Baton Rouge area since construction began in 2013. For BRWC, the well couple should ensure sustainable operation of the Lula Station for 20-30 years. While the application is site-dependent, this approach helps utilities that use aquifers affected by saltwater.

Meet the difference: rebranded Eijkelkamp SonicSampDrill Sonic drill rig manufacturer and supplier SonicSampDrill announced its new name – Eijkelkamp SonicSampDrill – at the end of July. Under the new moniker, the company said it intends to expand into one of the preferred global suppliers of sonic solutions for soil and water projects. With the new name also came a new logo, which shows off the company’s ‘Royal’ designation, as

granted by the Queen of the Netherlands, as well as the colour orange associated with the country. The manufacturer stated that the new logo also creates a uniform whole with the other Royal Eijkelkamp companies:

Royal Eijkelkamp consists of several companies that offer products and services for environmental soil and water research and monitoring

Eijkelkamp Soil & Water, Eijkelkamp Academy and Eijkelkamp Foundation. Eijkelkamp Soil & Water is an international organisation offering smart solutions geared to customer needs for soil and water projects, while the Academy is the knowledge centre of Royal Eijkelkamp with its three pillars of training, consultancy and applied research. Eijkelkamp Foundation, in turn, offers the organisation’s knowledge, equipment and means for use on different good causes.

Trevi toils on Middle East mega project Trevi Foundations Kuwait, a division of Trevi Group, is involved in the construction of the Sheikh Jaber AlAhmad Al-Sabah Causeway project in Kuwait City. The 37km causeway will stretch across Kuwait Bay, connecting Shuwaikh Port with Subiya New Town

Development. The project also includes construction of a 27km low-level bridge across the bay, a main bridge with a span of 200m, elevated road and a 5km approach road onshore in Subiya. The causeway is to link the capital with the northern Subiya area, which

The 37km Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah under construction

is to become home to the Silk City area. This megaconstruction project will also include the development of two man-made islands of 30ha (300,000m2). To create safe foundations for the project, more than 1,200 piles need to be installed. The two main contractors, Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Combined Group Contracting Company, hired subcontractor Trevi Foundation Kuwait to construct 760 piles altogether. The soil characteristics meant that bored pile technology was adopted for the project. Trevi Foundations Kuwait is working on one site offshore (3,000mm piles) and two sites onshore (2,500mm piles), piling to depths of 30-84m.

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NEWS

EQUIPMENT

Enhanced field logging Mining software solutions provider Micromine has released Geobank Mobile 2.1, the latest version of its field-logging solution. Geobank Mobile enables users to capture data accurately while in the field, using real-time validation and rich-data input controls that minimise errors at point of entry. According to Micromine, the latest version further maximises efficiency with easily customisable calculated fields, in-built data approval and transfer mechanisms. Daria Lvova, Geobank product strategy manager, said: “The Geobank Mobile 2.1 release stays true to Micromine’s commitment to listening to our clients and developing solutions that are

A new add-on is the enablement of a built-in camera on laptop, tablet or hand-held device to interactively capture photos directly from Geobank Mobile

fit for purpose, easy to use, logical and flexible. “We have worked closely with current users of Geo bank Mobile and other stakeholders to ensure new and enhanced features are developed according to their needs.” One example is collaboration with mining company

AngloGold Ashanti, a long-time user of Geobank Mobile. This collaboration resulted in adding new functionality to capture weight data directly from scales connected to a tablet or computer (support for scales devices) option. This integration ensures seamless data collection, which is

useful for field sample, core shed weight and density analysis. Howard Addison, system specialist for database and GIS at AngloGold Ashanti, commented: “It’s a good product with a solid foundation that I believe has set it up well for the future. “The architecture has struck a good balance between intuitive/ease of use for the user. It features point-of-capture validation with flexible data models, ie. being able to handle a wide variety of data, not just drilling data.”

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NEWS

Quality-management certification for TEI Rock Drills TEI Rock Drills has recently gained an ISO 9001:2008 certification to design, make and assemble rock drills, drilling attachments and limited access rigs. The process of acquiring ISO certification took almost

two years and was spearheaded by TEI production manager Donna Rousse. The company had to rework the way it has been doing things for over 30 years; processes had to be documented, edited and organised for

Picture of the month

everything from brochures to waste steel removal. One main reason for TEI obtaining ISO certification is its ability to work directly with other manufacturers. TEI supplies drill rigs and components to OEMs, the

US military and partners with contractors for special projects. The ISO certification means all parties involved are equal and use the same documentation method, enabling the most efficient integration of all the pieces.

PEOPLE

Sandvik names Wärtsilä’s Rosengren as new CEO Olof Faxander, Sandvik’s president and chief executive since 2011, has left his position and the company. He will be replaced by Björn Rosengren, currently president and chief executive of Finnish marine and energy market manufacturer Wärtsilä, as of November 1, 2015. Before Wärtsilä, Rosengren held several management positions at Atlas Copco, in all for about 13 years; he also has a strong background from other industrial compa-

nies, including Nordhydraulic, Nordwin AB and ESAB Group. Johan Molin, chairman of Sandvik, said: “I know Björn Rosengren as an exceptionally experienced and successful industrial leader. He has the experience needed to develop Sandvik into the future.” Mats Backman, executive vice-president and CFO, will be acting president and chief executive in the interim period.

Boart Longyear’s O’Brien steps down

Adrian Foulstone and Jack Woodhead working in the heart of the forest in Harburn, Scotland, coring limestone to 80m off two steel skids with a Comacchio 305. Courtesy of Adrian Foulstone on behalf of Van Elle Geotechnical. The picture of the month showcases our readers’ best drilling-related snapshots. If you would like to see your picture featured here, please send it to nia.kajastie@aspermontmedia.com with a short description.

Boart Longyear’s board of directors has announced Richard O’Brien will be stepping down as president and chief executive. The news came after the drilling services and equipment company reported a 8.1% fall in revenue to US$388 million during the first half of 2015, as well as a US$152.4 million net loss. The company said that, along with the entire drilling industry, it continues to experience muted demand and intense competition relating to excess supply in its core markets. O’Brien, appointed president and chief execu-

Boart Longyear president and CEO Richard O’Brien has announced his resignation

tive in 2013, will continue to provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of the company until a final departure date is agreed. Effective immediately, Marcus Randolph, company chairman, will be increasing his role at the company and will become executive chairman on a temporary basis. During this transition period, Rex McLennan will assume the role of senior independent director.

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OPINION

One voice, but the message must be broad Despite the size of the construction sector and, perhaps more importantly, its enormous contribution to UK GDP and employment, it is not without problems and detractors

Martin Blower, chair of the FPS

and therefore the benefits of a unified voice can only be he Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) works hard to promote its cause and present the views, concerns of benefit. The merger also presents us with a lot of scope for synergies as well as allowing us opportunities to get and issues specific to the foundation sector and closer to Tier 1 clients. related trades, but there are much broader ‘constructionThe NSCC can boast many successes; based’ issues that need addressing. These in particular, its efforts on fair payment, broader issues often need presenting at “The needs of the which have seen the government and government level, requiring a strong, cosmaller specialist industry agree a new construction payment ordinated voice that can represent all of contractor sectors charter, while its work on retentions and the construction. For this reason, the FPS broadly welcomes may be swamped by Housing Act has also delivered successes. The UKCG has also much to be proud of, the recent announcement of the agreed the agenda of the with its health-and-safety innovation and merger between the National Specialist Tier 1 contractors” efforts to standardise the pre-qualification Contractors Council (NSCC) and UK Conquestionnaire (PQQ). I would like to think tractors Group (UKCG), to form Build UK. the support of the FPS, and other specialist contractor The NSCC, which represents over 11,500 specialist trade associations, has been significant in the successes contractors, and UKCG, the primary association for of both organisations. contractors and their supply chain, have worked hard However, I do have some concerns; there is still much to tackle some of the many issues that affect construction to be done and a collective voice is a more powerful voice, but I do hope that the specific concerns of the specialist sectors, such as the FPS, are not overlooked in favour of wider construction issues. As I have already acknowledged, the construction sector Piling in is a broad church and all sectors will be taking their needs action at to the new combined organisation. My real concern in Chelsea this is that the needs of the smaller specialist contractor Barracks, sectors may be swamped by the agenda of the Tier 1 London. contractors, which would be a shame given the progress Martin and successes achieved. Blower Build UK has announced its key areas of focus for the warns new organisation, and it is right to give it due time and that the space to push forward in its chosen areas. However, my construction hope is that, after a reasonable bedding-in period, there industry will be the will to progress some more difficult commercial should not issues such as limiting liability in sub-contracts and wider overlook the adoption of project bank accounts. Time will tell. needs of its I wish the new organisation every success but at the same specialist time remind it that to truly be a single voice of the sector, it sectors must represent all sectors – large and small – equally. Photo: Soilmec

The author of the column, Martin Blower, is the chair of the Federation of Piling Specialists, the industry body for piling and foundation contractors and geotechnical specialists in the UK. He writes a bi-monthly column on issues related to the construction industry for GeoDrilling International. September 2015 05_Opinion_GDI1509.indd 5

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FEATURE REPORT SPECIAL NAME

Perfect pressure? Growing demand for geothermal drilling has driven the industry to set a new standard for operating pressure and 35bar is gaining acceptance. Dmitry Karablinov, product marketing manager at Atlas Copco Portable Energy, explains why 35bar has the power to raise productivity and efficiency in an increasingly competitive industry

T Dmitry Karablinov

he growing number of geothermal-drilling applications in the world today is forcing the drilling industry to rethink operational practices that were previously set in stone. The accepted norm for operating pressure had settled at 25bar, which was perfectly acceptable for water-well drilling, where average wells are between 100m and 150m in depth and most jobs could be completed in a single day. Geothermal drilling requires companies to make two holes in

one location, and unlike water-well applications, geothermal drilling is happening far below the watertable level, where back pressure slows down the drilling process. Since competition in the drilling segment has increased significantly, contract wins are no longer focused on the ability to drill the hole, but the ability to be able to do so faster than others and with fewer disturbances. The growing cost of labour is another reason why companies have sought faster drilling techniques. The emergence of 35bar

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compressors has allowed operators to finish the job in one day and move on to another location the next day, so operational efficiency has grown. Simply speaking, an extra 10bar can allow you to drill deeper below the water table. This is important for geothermal, coal-bed methane and exploration drilling, where you need to drill faster and operational efficiency is of utmost importance. These are major considerations when the drilling depth exceeds 150m, and when drilling is occurring against a high water table.

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Taking all of the above into account, 35bar would seem to offer multiple advantages, so why is it not the industry norm? Simply, it did not make sense to buy a drilling machine that only works at 35bar. Most contractors need a versatile solution for a wide variety of differing holes and have argued, correctly, that the pressure of 35bar could decrease the efficiency that was achievable in particular applications. In the past, flow and pressure could not be regulated independently. For some applications, if you drilled at 35bar, you would suffer flow reductions that would reduce drilling efficiency. However, the introduction of

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SPECIAL REPORT

25bar, without exceeding the hammer’s design pressure. Better regulation of not only pressure but also flow helps to minimise the wear on the drill steel that results from the abrasive effect of cutting. In addition, an added benefit of using 35bar emerged during field testing: due to the fast drilling and high pressure, it was possible to limit the water ingress in the well, while drilling, and keep the hole dry. The drier the hole, the lower the back pressure, which keeps the working pressure higher all the way down.

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CONCLUSION The inverse relationship of pressure and flow is a principle we are all familiar with. Generally, the further down you drill, the more pressure you need. But depending on the depth of the hole and the size flow and pressure regulating in Atlas of the hammer, then you could find you Copco’s Y35 allows users to ‘customise’ need less pressure and more flow. At options to the needs of the application. 35bar, a large hammer might need much This compressor can be set to drill at more air than the compressor can 25bar or even as low as 15bar, and deliver. As a result, insufficient air is produce a much higher flow rate generated before the hammer delivers (compared with 35bar), depending on its blow, which leads to drops in the application. The result is that it is possible to cover a multitude of applica- pressure and penetration speeds. These challenges may appear to tions with the same drilling machine. tempt users back to 25bar compresAnother key concern around 35bar sors, but there is no guarantee that drilling was that the extra pressure this is ideal either. The point where the could wear out drill components more compressor’s flow and the hammer’s quickly. In this case it is important to consumption are optimally balanced make the distinction between time and may be around 27.5bar. metres drilled. Atlas Copco’s technology Wear of drill bits and within the Y35 helps drillers hammers is related to “Overall, 35bar work out this often complimetres drilled. Drilling faster is better than cated formula and will does wear consumables 25bar in many adjust the pressure and faster in hours, but not in metres. Metres are the applications, but flow to suit the application. Overall, 35bar is better more appropriate measureit does not mean than 25bar in many applicament for replacing consumthat it is ‘the tions, but it does not mean ables, because revenue is that it is ‘the magic numalso linked to metres drilled. magic number’” ber’. We expect higher Today, high-quality hampressures can give more mers can withstand 35bar benefits for deep geothermal drilling, with the same lifetime in terms of but that is yet to be established. metres drilled. Greater potential lies not in increasing It is also important to mention that pressure, but in optimisation. In other the working pressure of the hammer is words, the goal is to set optimal not equal to 35bar, since the pressure pressure and flow for specific well drops as soon as drilling begins because of the annular back pressure of design and soil conditions. In this way it is possible to address the major drilling cutting. The pressure drops even faster objectives, which could be minimisation when the drill bit hits the water table. of costs, higher speed and different This makes it possible to drill at 35bar manageable trade-offs. even with a hammer designed for

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SPECIAL REPORT

GPR units surveying the location of buried tanks at a filling station and looking for other underground obstructions

Environmental testing: to drill or not to drill? Brian Jones of Geophysical Survey Systems discusses using GPR and EM technologies as an alternative to drilling for environmental assessment surveys

oday’s environmental projects rely heavily on geophysical surveys that use a variety of sampling technologies. Recently, several non-intrusive testing methods have been gaining in popularity over drilling and digging for environmental projects. Among these, the method of pairing ground-penetrating radar (GPR) with electromagnetic (EM) induction instruments is one that has shown success in reducing survey time and costs.

“Recently, several nonintrusive testing methods have been gaining in GEOPHYSICAL TOOLBOX popularity In the past, most environmental over drilling scientists and geologists relied on and digging intrusive technologies at environsites, including drilling for environ mental and excavating test pits. On mental average, each borehole costs projects” approximately US$5,000-10,000, and these methods produce point measurements, rather than a continuous profile. Many companies have recently come to rely on a variety of other non-intrusive survey methods.

Chief among these is GPR, which works by sending a tiny pulse of energy into a material via an antenna. An integrated computer records the strength and time required for the return of any reflected signals. Subsurface variations create reflections picked up by the system and stored on digital media. These reflections are produced from geological structural differences and manmade objects such as pipes and foundations. GPR is considered among the most accurate, highest-resolution geophysical technologies. In general, GPR works best in dry, sandy soils with little salt content; dense, clay-based soils are difficult to penetrate with GPR. In some situations, penetration depth may be limited to a few feet or less within clays, whereas targets residing in sandy soils could be detected at depths of 30ft (9m) or more. A GPR survey can be done at a

cost of $1,000-2,000 per day. In the last ten years, GPR equipment has become one of the preferred methods on environmental and construction sites. It is commonly used for locating old underground storage tanks, oil tanks and gas tanks, as well as 50gal (227L) waste drums filled with chemicals that were routinely dumped on sites in the 1970s and 1980s in the US. It is also an important tool for mapping utility and product lines, old landfill boundaries, debris pits, buried environmental targets or waste. Finally, GPR is used in remediation investigations. Contaminants mainly pool on top of either the water table or bedrock, so environmental scientists need to map changes in these features to plan their borings. GPR cost has come down relative to other technologies and is also easier to use than in the past. Whereas older GPR units required a trained geophysicist to

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SPECIAL REPORT

Both pictures: technicians using GSSI’s Profiler EMP-400 frequencydomain EM profiling system

operate, users can now virtually push a button and start scanning.

GPR-EM COMBINATION On smaller projects, such as locating tanks at gas stations, GPR and/or pipe and cable locators can get the job done alone. But for larger multi-acre projects – multiple areas at old factory sites or large governmental clean-up sites, for example – cost savings are possible by using EM first and then focusing the GPR only on ‘hot spots’ or anomalous areas located using the EM. Because the EM is carried,

rather than pushed or dragged like a GPR device, users can walk faster and manoeuvre around obstacles more quickly. It is easier to collect data with the carried EM on sites overgrown with grass, tall weeds or rocks. Also, an EM can easily be adapted to be pulled behind an all-terrain vehicle with a trailer or sled set-up, making data collection faster. Most EM systems also have either built-in or plug-in global positioning systems (GPS), so one does not have to waste time setting up a physical grid. After using an EM device as the first, fast survey, the user quickly plots that data and looks for anomalies, targets and/or potential soil issues. This data is easy to view, process, and even immediately overlay on maps such as Google Earth. GPR surveying, narrowed to only those target areas found with the EM, provides information on depths, size, and orientation of targets in either 2-D or 3-D imaging. This combo surveying method can save time and money on environmental and construction sites when looking for old USTs, illegally disposed of or buried 50gal drums, old foundations, possible debris pits or former landfills, other various types of targets, and even some contaminant plumes. Dealing with constantly varying

Other tools for measuring subsurface conditions • S eismic refraction – useful for finding

•

larger features, such as soil layers and bedrock depths, especially when deeper information is required. It works well in clay soils, where GPR is not effective, but it is quite time consuming compared to GPR. E lectrical resistivity imaging (ERI) – used for mapping the depth of soils and rock. This tool also works well in clay soil, but like seismic equipment, it takes longer and costs more to get the required data coverage. M agnetometers – measure the strength and sometimes the direction

•

of a magnetic field and can indicate the location of old (ferrous) tanks and drums; they will not locate plastic or concrete utility pipes or fibreglass tanks, nor do they provide accurate depth information. E lectromagnetic induction (EM or EMI) devices – useful as a reconnaissance technique for examining soil conditions and locating objects beneath the surface of the earth. EM does not provide good depth information and cannot be used close to buildings, cars, and fences, making it less useful for smaller urban sites such as gas stations.

soil or above-ground conditions from site to site is another reason why it pays to have both types of equipment in the ‘tool bag’. Users often bring both tools to an unknown site and use the ones most suited to soil conditions. Also, each tool may be better at locating a specific target type – GPR can find both metallic and non-metallic objects, whereas EM is mainly good at finding metallic objects. EM is good at mapping soil changes (either geologic or disturbances such as UST graves), mud pits and potential contaminant plumes, whereas it is tougher to identify those items with GPR. In some instances, GPR can have difficulties with corrugated metal drain pipes, whereas EM works well finding such large metal targets. The cost advantage of pairing the two tools is based on the fact that EM is five times faster than GPR on the front end, allowing users to focus use of GPR on identified hot spots. GPR takes about a day to do one acre (4,047m2) well, so it would take five days to complete an entire survey for a five-acre site. EM can complete about five acres in one day. Starting with EM would therefore allow completion of an initial survey in one day, leaving the second day for use of GPR. The resulting savings can range from 30% to 60%, depending upon the site. Since GPR/EM consulting fees are typically in the range of $200-400 per hour, the three-day savings could be on the order of an estimated $5,000 to $10,000. In addition, GPR and EM integrate well with GPS systems, which have grown in popularity in the past decade. The ability to map out and locate targets with GPS co-ordinates paired with the GPR/EM results and overlaying them on Google Earth, geographic information systems (GIS) and AutoCAD is a big advantage. The ability to streamline reports and simplify the final product for client interpretation is crucial to success in this day and age.

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WELL PUMPS, SCREENS & CASING 11

At the heart of the well GeoDrilling International spoke to manufacturers of pumps, casing and screens about their products’ key functions and properties, and how to choose the right components for specific water-well requirements

water well, which can be drilled, bored, dug or driven into the ground, is created to extract water from a subsurface source, typically an aquifer deep within the earth. The basic components of the well include casing and a screen and, along with the pump, can provide water for households, communities, cities, industry, irrigation and agriculture. The pump and the screen are integral to the water well. The former pulls water from its source at the desired flow and head, while the latter acts as the well’s water intake section. They are sometimes referred to as the ‘heart’ of the system and well. The casing, which is equally important, lines the borehole and holds the well open. “The function of well casing and screen is to prevent loose sand and stone from collapsing into the borehole. They support the borehole’s side walls while still allowing the water to enter the well through the screen sections, which are positioned across the fracture zones or water strikes. Above them casing is installed to surface, providing housing for the pumping equipment,” explains Billy Shield, managing director of Water Technology Plastic Industries (WTPI), a subsidiary of West African SOTICI (Société de Transformation Industrielle en Côte d’Ivoire). Boode’s Scott Dronsfield adds: “The key functions of well lining materials are to provide stability to the well formation and to the well itself over a lifetime. The sizing of dimensions is critical in meeting performance needs and the well design must consider yield based on the aquifer formation and the physical diameter of the pump. The

correct materials selection adds longevity and ensures minimal running and maintenance costs.”

WELL EFFICIENCY A well’s efficiency and durability are affected by design in addition to choice of pump, screen and casing. A good well design should incorporate: •H igh yield with minimal drawdown; •G ood-quality water with proper surface protection from contamination; •A bstraction of sand-free water; • L ong lifespan (25+ years); and • R easonable short- and longterm costs over well lifetime. “It really comes down to proper sizing of the well, pump depth and possibly controls. Wells will have a ‘recharge’ characteristic. Meaning as the pump removes the water to the surface, the void is filled with additional water from the aquifer. The installer must be cognisant of the recharge rate and not utilise a pump that will remove too much out of the well continuously,” says Scott Stayton, director of portfolio management at Franklin Electric. “This becomes more important in irrigation wells where the pump is running for a long time in comparison to a pump used

for general water use, which typically allows time for the well to recharge in between uses. Controls or protection can be used in many well pump systems to protect the pump if the static water level in the well were to drop below a predetermined point.” “Generally, the lower the flow the better the well efficiency, as friction loss increases with higher speed of water in soil and filter setting. The smaller the drawdown during pumping, the less oxygen is pulsating at pump start/stop, making for less scaling of rust etc. in the well structures,” adds a spokesperson of Grundfos Pumps. A well’s production life is also determined by proper selection of casing and screen. As the well lining materials, they must take account of the required yield, depths and pressures involved. “When selecting screens, you need to know the diameter of the media being used as gravel pack and what the aquifer formation is to determine what slot or hole size the screen requires to allow maximum transmissivity, while preventing media from entering the well. Eg. sand would require a very small slot like .020in [0.5mm] while larger gravel pack could use a .090in [2.3mm] slot,” explains

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“A well’s efficiency and durability are affected by design in addition to choice of pump, screen and casing”

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12 WELL PUMPS, SCREENS & CASING

Installation of Johnson well casing for water supply in southeastern UK

“Sub mersible centrifugal types are the most common residential well pumps”

Jade Lammers, vice-president of business development at Burgess Well Company. The casing and screen must have enough collapse, tensile and column strength to withstand the depth of installation; be suitable for the drilling method and installation technique used; and the material type must be selected to meet the well’s expected design life. According to Bilfinger Water Technologies’ (company behind Johnson Screens) sales engineer Albert Smith, high open-area screens are important to enable full development after the drilling process is complete. Restoring the aquifer to allow efficient flow of water into the well requires entirely removing drilling fluids and drilling damage. The result is an efficient well that utilises the aquifer to its highest potential. Also critical in well design, says Boode’s Dronsfield, is water quality and corrosion implications (pH, temperature, dissolved solids and other chemical factors). Incrustation and bacteria must also be considered. Poor well design and screen selection will affect well performance.

PUMP TYPES

Franklin Electric’s SubDrive and app

Pump manufacturers offer various designs, including progressive cavity (PC), also referred to as positive displacement, and centrifugal – jet, submersible, booster and turbine. “For residential well pumps, there are mainly two types of construction for well systems: centrifugal and PC. PC pumps are used for lower flow and higher head (pumping higher or deeper wells); centrifugal ones are used for higher water volumes,” says Franklin Electric’s Stayton. PC pumps consist of a rotor and a stator, which, in turn, contains an

elastomeric-like material and ‘hugs’ the rotor internally. As the rotor turns (via the motor), the liquid is forced up through and out. PC pumps are more common in solar systems where their low speed and power requirements are more conducive to the design. Stayton says they typically supply lower volumes of water than their centrifugal counterparts but tend to produce higher pressures for lifting water higher. Centrifugal pumps are the most common and considered very efficient for water-well needs. Jet pumps lie at the top of a well and are classed as surface pumps. They are prevalent where water tables are high and flows are commonly in the 10-15gpm (45-68L/min) range, with 30gpm (136L/min) being the maximum. A shallow-well jet pump lifts water to the surface as deep as 25ft (7.6m) below the surface via an injector (nozzle/venture combination) in the pump head. These injectors can also be set in the well to enable lifts up to 100ft (30.5m). “Jet pumps are typically less expensive and easy to install due to their location at the surface. However, they are in plain sight, can sometimes be noisy, need to be protected from the elements, and may need to be hidden if requested by a home or business owner,” Stayton continues. Multistage booster pumps feature multiple impellers that move water large distances with higher pressure. They are suitable for filtered on-site effluent systems, cistern booster systems and shallow wells. Submersible centrifugal types are the most common residential well pumps and are usually 4in (102mm) due to their diameter, ie

they fit inside a 4in ID well. They consist of a motor at the base that turns the pump end on the top via a drive shaft. The pump end consists of ‘stages’ made up of an impeller (rotating via a shaft from the motor) and a diffuser (stationary and directing the water for the next stage). Multiple stages are assembled in the cylindrical housing to create the pump end and are terminated with a discharge at the top. Stayton explains: “In general, the deeper the well, the more stages a pump will contain. Of course, it also will require a higher-horsepower (hp) motor to drive the system. The quality of a submersible pump’s motor and pump end is very important due to the depth the pump can be found below the surface and the labour it takes to install a unit, or to pull one if there is a problem. “ Larger submersible pumps are used to meet higher water volumes, as in municipal water supplies (urban water), crop irrigation and farms. These units, 5-16in (127-406mm) in diameter, are often called sub-turbines. Larger-volume pumps are called lineshaft turbines. Sarah Boynton, global product line manager for vertical turbine/ large borehole pumps at Xylem, comments: “Vertical lineshaft turbines are best for moving water from a well or reservoir deep underground. These pumps differ from submersible pumps in that the motor portion of the

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assembly is above ground and connected via a long vertical shaft to impellers at the bottom of the pump in the water. “Vertical lineshaft turbines are designed to be more robust to adapt to rapid temperature changes. Additionally, because the motor is easily accessed at the surface, maintenance, service and replacement is fast. Vertical lineshaft turbines are best installed by someone with experience in this type of pump and also require a rigid permanent foundation and level sole plate to run properly.” Ideally, a pump should operate at its best efficiency point (BEP). Straying too far from BEP may damage the equipment. When a pump runs too far over either side of BEP, the shaft will deflect and the pump will vibrate. Both conditions lead to premature wear, more maintenance and downtime, as well as wasted energy.

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“Some mine planners and engineers purposely oversize pumps. In dewatering, for example, a designer may size pumps not just for immediate needs, but in anticipation of enlarging or deepening the pit. However, if significantly oversized for initial requirements, the pumps will run inefficiently and wear out faster than they should. In reality, sizing the pumps properly from the start supports savings on operating costs, repair and maintenance that will more than pay for new and larger pumps when expansion actually occurs,” says Xylem’s Boynton. “On the flip side, a pump chosen properly at the start may deviate from its BEP as the operation changes – as it is required to move more water to a greater height or over longer distances. Furthermore, digging deeper may lead to a change in the water’s character: more abrasive solids or more acidic

Xylem lists the basic steps to follow in pump selection: 1. Determine the flow rate: • For a transport application, determine the static head and friction loss for the piping system. Be sure to minimise friction loss when designing the plumbing layout. • For a boosting application, establish the pressure requirement and friction loss for the piping system. 2. E stablish the water makeup and comparability: • Check the density of the water. • Examine chemical compatibility, such as pH levels. 3. S elect the pump: • Find the flow curves and BEP. • Choose the net positive suction head or the suction head value at a specific flow point that is required to keep the pump out of cavitation. (thus more corrosive) water may create different pump metallurgy which can lead to rapid wear, requiring intensive maintenance and early replacement,” she adds.

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14 WELL PUMPS, SCREENS & CASING

CASING AND SCREEN TYPES

Factors to consider when selecting casing and screen Bilfinger Water Technologies explains what factors need to be taken into account when selecting casing and screen: 1. Casing: • Diameter to adequately house the pump – usually one or two pipe sizes larger than the pump OD; • Diameter adequate for the desired yield; • Material selection based on the quality of the water; • Strength of casing to be appropriate to depth; • Casing collapse to fit the pressure of grout; and • Material selected to withstand the use and application of cement grout. 2. Screen: • Diameter to allow the desired yield; • Type of screen: standard construction, high flow construction, pipe base or Muni-pak; • Screen length to adequately penetrate the aquifer; • Well screen interval – knowing the top and bottom screen interval helps a lot in building a screen suitable for the conditions; • Screen slot size is vital to fitting the formation sand or gravel pack accurately; and • Material type to fit the water quality.

Many types of casing and screen are used in the water-well industry today. Materials choice should be based on water quality, design depths, required borehole diameter, drilling procedures and cost. Well casing can be made in black steel, mild steel, stainless steel, fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) and PVC. Connections can be varied (threaded, welded, ZSM and solvent weld). Well screen comes in the same materials, but slots vary from crude ‘flame cut’ type (low open area), machine slotted, louvred and bridge slots (limited open area) to continuous vee-wire type (highest open area with greater strength). Steel casing and screen come in different grades and known aquifer conditions determine their purpose and scope. “Steel casing is made to ASTM or API standards. Advantages of steel casing are well known for water-well application because of the strength of the material (collapse, tensile and column). Also, steel pipe is usually readily available everywhere in the world, and it’s a reasonable price

Case study: lake borehole Boode is also the UK distributor for Johnson Screens. It says that Johnson’s continuous vee-wire rod-based screen provides more open area, is non-plugging, has a tight slot tolerance, effective sand control and a lower entrance velocity. Boode says the Muni-pak dual-wall screen with integral filter pack (100% filter pack within dual wall screen) is very advantageous on deep wells in difficult unconsolidated formation. The owner of a large lake in the southeast UK required a new borehole as the lake was suffering from falling water levels, and the previous water supply was now under separate ownership. The required yield was 240m3/day to account for evaporative loss and leakage. The drilling conditions were difficult as the sand above the chalk was very

fine and subject to run. The contractor, WB+AD Morgan, recommended the use of the Johnson’s Muni-Pak dual-wall, pre-packed, stainless steel screen filled with 0.75-1.0mm Silibeads and utilising ZSM connections. The use of the Muni-Pak allowed the drilling contractors to exploit the water in the sands without any issue of premature wear of the pump through sand pumping. The London Clay was drilled through at 500mm diameter to the top of the sand at approximately 130m depth, and a permanent string of 350mm NB carbon steel casing was installed, which was fully pressure grouted. Drilling continued through the sand and into the top 10m of the chalk sequence, and the lower section of the borehole was lined with 25m x 273mm x 205mm Muni-Pak screen. The required yield was achieved.

option,” says Bilfinger’s Smith. “One disadvantage for steel pipe used for casing is the heavy weight for shipping and handling. Deep well completions may require special equipment to enable setting the casing. Also joining casing pieces requires welding or threaded connect ions.” Stainless steel comes in varying grades, such as 304 and 316, and it can be used for deep wells with saline and/or hard water, where steel pipe would be inadequate. Both material and installation, however, are costly. Stainless steel is used where greater service life is required, including environmental projects, and pressure-relief, industrial and municipal wells. Factors such as hole depth, wall thickness and completed pump diameter influence mild steel casing. There are various ways to join the lengths, ie bell and spigot ends, bevelled plain ended, welding collars and threaded connections. “The steel screened portion may consist of plasma-cut slots or flame-cut slots, but care should be taken when using these as the percentage of open area is very low and the wells are normally inefficient. Where more open area is required, one can utilise wedge-wire screens, bridge-slot screens and louvre screens, which all have very high percentages of open area, and development through the screen can be done effectively,” says WTPI’s Shield. “Non-metallic materials include FRP and other plastics such as PVC. All non-metallic materials are corrosion-resistant and are impervious to a number of chemicals; however, PVC is not as resistant to heat and has a lower collapse resistance best suited for shallow wells,” says Burgess Well Company’s Lammers. Smith explains fibreglass offers advantages in that it is much stronger than PVC, corrosionresistant and is lightweight for easy handling during installation. Casing pieces are usually

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is commonly used, but threaded to ease installation. It is there are other thread particularly useful for highly types as well.” corrosive environments such as A few PVC casing deep-injection wells. The drawmanufacturers, including backs are that as temperatures Boode, are approved by rise, the physical strengths are the Drinking Water reduced. Inspectorate (DWI) in the “The use of uPVC casing and UK, so its products can be screen is gaining popularity as used in potable water there is a worldwide trend to installations. protect the groundwater resource. uPVC is non-toxic and Dronsfield comments: corrosive-resistant; it is easy to “PVC screens are popular in handle and install. There are many applications where various ways to join uPVC casing extreme depth (>300m) is and screen; the first option is not an issue. It is resistant using solvent cement on socketed to corrosion and can pipe. There are several disadvantypically offer very fine (0.3mm) to large (4.0mm) slot widths. It tages of this type of joint as it’s normally used in conjunction with combines design flexibility with rivets or screws, which can end up durability to provide a cost-effect ive and long-lasting solution.” corroding and contaminating the hole, and also it could weaken the casing,” says Shield. PRODUCT INNOVATION “The preferred method is Franklin Electric states that one of normally threading male and the most exciting advancements female ends onto the pipe. The in its water-systems technology is BOODE NOVEMBER 14_proof 12:21 Page 1 DIN 4925AD trapezoidal thread type21/10/2014 in its pump end design and

controls. The company’s new Tri-Seal pump end design uses independent floating stages, creating a more efficient performance with reduced load on other pump parts, but, more importantly, combats sand and abrasives. The latter are common in well applications and can damage conventional centrifugal pumps. “Our latest product works in combination with the pump and gives the home owner the luxury of constant pressure,” says Stayton. “Our new SubDrive is essentially cruise control for the water system, which makes it very popular. “ The homeowner or installer can select the pressure they want to maintain, and the SubDrive will speed up/slow down the pump motor as demand from household fixtures change.

GWT turbine and submersible lineshaft pumps

“Steel casing and screen come in different grades and known aquifer conditions determine their purpose and scope”

waterwell systems • U-PVC Screens & Casing • Type 2000 - Continuous Slot U-PVC Screen • BGP Gravel Coated Screens • WellPoints • Boodepac Dual Wall Screens • Carbon Free/Standard HDPE Screens & Casing • Full Range of Accessories

d pprove A 1 3 . g st Re asing The Fir l Screen & C el k PVC W i.gov.u w d . w ww

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• Johnson Screens Stainless Steel Screen & Casing Systems • Baroid Industrial Drilling Products - Muds, Fluids & Additives

BOODE b.v P.O. Box 27 NL 2760 AA Zevenhuizen Holland tel: +31 180 63 27 44 fax: +31 180 63 30 90 E-mail: info@boode.com Internet: www.boode.com BOODE U.K. Ltd - U.K. Brindley Road, Dodwells Bridge, Hinckley, Leics., LE10 3BY tel: +44 (0)1455 61 13 17 fax: +44 (0)1455 61 09 71 Email: info@boode.com

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16 WELL PUMPS, SCREENS & CASING

Case study: City of Cape Coral As early as the 1970s, Cape Coral, Florida, US, was looking to expand its water resources. State-controlled fresh water supplies were not enough to support the city’s population boom. Cape Coral decided to embrace reverse-osmosis (RO) technology that was fairly new then – it decided to drill down to the Floridian Aquifer and desalinate its brackish water. The city decided to create its own potable water. The first production wells and RO treatment plant went into operation in 1976. An expansion was implemented in 1985. The city went through several changes to its treatment plants over the years, and when it expanded its facilities in 2004, it was clear about the obstacles it faced with well components, particularly well casing and drop pipes. Major issues included corrosion, strength/pressure resistance, heat resistance, installation and cost containment. The city awarded MWH Engineers the contract to design and construct the expansion. Diversified Drilling was chosen to install the new wells. Some 22 production wells were installed in the North Cape RO Water Treatment Plant, and eight in the Southwest RO Water Treatment Plant.

installed in the city’s RO treatment plants since the 1970s. Fibreglass is low residue forming. This property protects the sensitive membrane systems which are an integral part of the RO system. Residues from metal pipe can clog and damage filters and membranes. Also, early installations of stainless steel drop pipe had to be removed due to damage from iron-eating bacteria. Certalock PVC was installed next, but problems with water hammer forced its removal. Installation of Burgess fibreglass column pipe solved these issues.

STRENGTH/PRESSURE RESISTANCE Kennedy also cited the high strength of fibreglass casing as a reason for its selection. The strength-to-weight ratio surpasses that of iron, carbon and stainless steel. The great compressive strength of fibreglass casing enables its installation to well depths that crumple PVC pipe.

HEAT RESISTANCE

Ralph D’Lea, of Diversified Drilling, cited the pressure and heat resistance of the casing as important criterion for selection. High-pressure capabilities and heat resistance allow for faster and more cost-effective installation of casing. “It takes fewer shots of cement to install CORROSION Corrosion caused by the high salt content Burgess fibreglass casing because it of water in the aquifer was a major issue. resists pressure and heat,” he stated. Unlike PVC pipe, Burgess fibreglass casGordon Kennedy, MWH’s lead engineer ing will not crumple due to the heat of on the project, cited the inert nature of fibreglass as a major reason for selecting hydration. D’Lea has supported the City’s treatBurgess casing for the project. As an inert ment plants for eight years. During the material, fibreglass is not subject to first two years, he pulled pumps from the chemical attack and does not corrode from contact with brackish water. Further, bottom of wells fairly often due to hourglassing. Valve failure heated the Burgess had a track record with the city. water and collapsed PVC drop pipe. The Burgess casing had been successfully installation of fibreglass drop pipes and installation of safety devices (flow shut-off, etc) resolved this issue.

SOLUTION Burgess fibreglass casing was installed in all 30 of the city’s RO production wells. For these wells, 12in (305mm) casing was installed and cement grouted. Fibreglass drop pipe was also installed in the production wells. Casing was connected to stainless steel fittings running to the Burgess fibreglass well casing plant.

“Even more exciting is the added benefit to the installer of wireless connectivity via our FE Connect App for smart devices. Easy set-up and diagnostics allows installers to service customers more efficiently,” Stayon adds. Xylem offers a comprehensive portfolio of multistage pumps, drives, packaged booster systems and treatment equipment to support mining processes. Brands such as Goulds GWT Water Technology submersible (GWT), A-C Fire Pump pumps for and Lowara provide larger wells pumping solutions for diverse applications across residential, industrial and commercial sectors. Xylem recently introduced an upgraded GWT vertical turbine impeller made of 316 stainless steel. “By using a high-grade stainless steel, hydraulic perform ance is not compromised and the impeller is more resistant to corrosion, extending the life of the product,” says Boynton. Other features and benefits of Xylem’s vertical turbine pumps include glass-lined cast-iron bowls for strength, durability and maximised pump efficiency over the life of the pump. Boode claims its CSS PVC screen is the only PVC continuous-slot screen on the market and the highest-performance thermoplastic well screen available. “It is particularly effective for water wells where the highest possible flow of water is required. An evolution from Boode Select screen, CSS offers high percentage open areas, greater depth capability and increased collapse resistance,” says Dronsfield.

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WELL PUMPS 17 Your partner for well construction material since 125 years

Getting to grips with specialexecution pumps

est practice in pump management requires the efficient collection, extraction, pumping and disposal of water and wastewater. In special applications – remediation projects where the ground is contaminated, or where the environment is potentially hazardous, chemically reactive or difficult – the importance of continuous pumping can make the pump selection an essential part of the process. One such area is landfill sites, where pumping methods are central to effective management as non-compliant leachate levels are a major source of breaches of environmental permitting regulations. Environmentally, these breaches are significant as raised leachate levels can impair the operation of the gas extraction and allow unacceptable leachate emission into groundwater, which can take years to recover. One of the biggest issues facing landfill-site managers, as with any contractor dealing with hazardous, chemically reactive or explosive situations, is maintaining continuous pumping operation. When

Ian Rowles from Geoquip Water Solutions explains how choosing the right specialexecution pump makes a significant difference to water and wastewater management

“One of the biggest issues facing landfill site managers is maintaining continuous pumping operation”

Pump and Wellmaster package for a European drinks company

Approved for use in public water supplies

STÜWA Konrad Stükerjürgen GmbH F: +49 5244 / 407-0 www.stuewa.de Hemmersweg 80 D-33397 Rietberg info@stuewa.de

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A Wellmaster and pump installation

continuous flow and sufficient capacity of water to maintain the barrier system. Geoquip recently supplied a single batch of 4in ATEX borehole pumps for just such a remediation site in the south of England. Typically in these hydrocarbon-rich polluted wells, there are issues with biofilms and mineral contamination, which can be dealt with using the Geoquip BoreSaver range of rehabilitation treatments.

submersible borehole pumps fail, breaches can quickly occur, compromising safety and often proving costly.

EXPLOSIVE ENVIRONMENTS

“Geoquip has also seen a rise in requests for custommade and bespoke pumps for specialist applications”

Geoquip is a specialist supplier of equipment, plant and technical solutions for water-supply systems and water projects worldwide. One of its particular areas of interest is supplying and advising on submersible borehole and special-execution pumps and motors. “It is in the last six years that ATEX-approved submersible pumps have become available, which are particularly effective for landfill operations where gaseous by-products are potentially explosive,” says Ian Rowles, technical manager for Geoquip. “Previously, the only ‘explosionproof’ pumps available were drainer pumps with relatively low heads. Now there is a wide range of ATEX-approved submersible pumps that conform to the 94/9/CE directive.” Suitable applications for ATEX pumps besides leachate control include hydrocarbon-laden water, corrosive, saline and hightemperature conditions, and solar boreholes. Geoquip regularly recommends the ATEX multistage centrifugal electric 4in (102mm) submersible borehole pumps, available with technopolymer internals, all-stainless-steel 304 and 316, as well as a version for permanent immersion in hydrocarbon-polluted water. ATEXapproved 4in submersible pumps are available with a maximum flow of 24m3/hr and head of 214m.

CHALLENGING CONDITIONS Geoquip also offers pump package solutions, incorporating pumps, starter and control panels, telemetry options and flexible rising mains. “We’ve partnered with manufacturers such as E-tech, part of Franklin Electric, and Angus Wellmaster to provide pumping solutions that can cope with arduous environments and difficult

GLOBAL WATER INDUSTRY

applications,” says managing director Mike Deed. “Only recently, we supplied a package solution comprising pump, Wellmaster and some logging to a drinks manufacturer as part of its complex water-supply system.” Mines that extract minerals or metals rely heavily on groundwater to operate and are usually found in remote and environmentally challenging locations where continuous pumping operation is essential. Pumped water is used in all steps of the mining process, including equipment cooling, dust control, dredging and waste separation. Submersible pump consignments for mine dewatering have been sent by Geoquip to mines in Central Asia and the African continent. One method of controlling soil and groundwater contamination on industrial sites, particularly in the petrochemical industry, is the hydraulic barrier system, an active containment system where an array of wells is sunk around a contaminated site, creating a cell of recirculating groundwater. The water pumped from this barrier is sent to a physicalchemical treatment plant that eliminates contaminants such as metals, phenols and other organic compounds. Hydraulic barriers rely on

“We have a wealth of experience in fulfilling bespoke project requirements and exporting them to remote parts of the world, particularly where conditions and logistics can be difficult,” says Rowles. The specialist recently supplied 40 special-execution pumps to West Africa for a well field where the saline water in aquifers regularly registers temperatures of 35ºC plus. The processing plant is converting saline water into fresh water, and hot saline aquifers are the only water source. In applications where the water is of poor quality or potentially corrosive to the equipment, hi-spec special-material pumps need to be used. Geoquip supplied stainless steel E-tech pumps that are operational up to 50ºC. These are high-performance pumps that combine the latest pump technology with efficiency, reliability and robustness. A multistage mono-block high-temperature electric submersible pump has also been used in similar conditions, where the hydraulic part is located under the electric motor, which is cooled by the pumped liquid. Operating in temperatures up to 70ºC, it can pump liquids with solid particles up to 1mm. Geoquip has also seen a rise in requests for custom-made and bespoke pumps for specialist applications. These are usually for industrially and environmentally sensitive applications as the drive towards tighter regulations continues.

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WELL PUMPS, SCREENS & CASING

Cosy new arrangement Offering advanced control of bi-directional pumping, Geovalve could reduce downhole costs for open-loop geothermal systems by as much as 40%, argues Mark Holland of Proquip

pen-loop geothermal (OLG) installations are, to say the least, a challenging balancing act. The engineering needs to achieve a finely tuned interplay, above and below ground, between borehole pumps, heat exchangers and building management systems in order to maximise efficiency and reliability. It also needs to work perfectly in reverse, switching from heating to cooling with the change of the seasons. Regulation of system pressure is critical in achieving and sustaining operational harmony between hardware and aquifer. But options for ensuring water plenitude through the system often receive less scrutiny in design specifications, with many still relying on

conventional pressure-regulating valves (PRVs) to do the job.

TWO-WAY CONTROL In some territories, especially the UK where OLG is evolving, a PRV

is typically used at the injection wellhead to keep the system full and ensure correct operation of the mag-flow meter. However, it is commonly assumed that PRVs are the only solution when,

Comparison of headworks of traditional PRV (left) and simplified Geovalve (right)

How it works

INEERING ★ G ENG ER M AN

regulating. This is reversed if pumping the opposite way. The Geovalve has a sleeve valve, which moves under hydraulic control to balance the injection pressure with the pressure set at the controller. Thus the system pressure can be adjusted when required or the whole operation can be reversed to change between heating and cooling modes.

ILELR DROW P

INEERING ★ G ENG ER M AN

The Geovalve is a means of controlling the back pressure in an open-loop geothermal system at the point of injection (just above the borehole pump). The two Geovalves and their boreholes operate as a pair. During pumping from the abstraction bore to the injection bore, the Geovalve in the former is closed and in the latter is open or

INEERING ★ G ENG ER M AN

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WELL PUMPS, SCREENS & CASING

Right: the Geovalve control unit Below: the valve itself

in fact, there are alternatives. The Dutch-engineered Geovalve system for two-way control of pumped water is seeing growing adoption across Europe. This dual-function valve controls the abstraction of groundwater from, and reinjection into, an aquifer while maintaining a constant pressure through the system. In addition, it is fully reversible, offering cost and operational advantages over traditional PRV arrangements. Geovalve makes it possible to abstract and inject groundwater through a single rising main, acting as a non-return valve on the off-duty pump. It is connected to the discharge of the borehole pump, which must be set at approximately 10m below the pumped water level, where

absolute pressure is approximately 2bar and normally sufficient to prevent aeration at the injection point. By controlling the injection pressure, a positive pressure can be maintained within the complete system and the pipes remain full, so no air is allowed into the water â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in particular, at elevated temperatures. Pressure control with a conventional PRV is confined to the surface pipework because it does not keep the system full beyond. Injection water cascades down the borehole risers, thereby aerating the water, promoting bacterial growth in the well with all of its attendant problems, including the risk of system breakdown. While cascading is an accepted downside of PRVs, it is eliminated with a Geovalve system.

DOWNSIZING The physical reduction in system size is also an advantage of a Geovalve installation. By enabling bi-directional flow in a single line, just one riser is required for both abstraction and recharge in each borehole. This means drastically simplified headworks, including a smaller wellhead chamber with reduced system pipework, and the opportunity for smaller boreholes to accommodate the reduction in downhole equip-

ment. Moreover, the opportunity to use a smaller-diameter well improves motor cooling. Since Geovalve uses its own medium for operation in water, the need for separate wiring is eliminated. The space-saving design also avoids the difficulties of installing a two- or three-riser system in a tight borehole. In all, savings can be made on the borehole diameter, rising mains, headworks and installation time, and on the elimination of surface pressure-regulating valves or actuated diverter valves. It is estimated that this could amount to a cost reduction of about 40% in headworks and risers. While Geovalve can be used in new installations or to replace the PRV in an existing plant, it can also be used on the injection side of a non-reversible geothermal system (for maintaining injection pressure only) or normal aquifer recharge to achieve some of the benefits discussed. Proquip is currently surveying design considerations among UK users regarding the potential to extend the benefits of Geovalve into this application. While bi-directional pressure control is not a brand-new concept, it could transform OLG projects for more users. Systems such as Geovalve could provide the confidence to make the move.

MSG Harena Sealing We offer a sealing technique that has proven very successful on many sites. The demand for this product is continually increasing, with many enquiries being received from other companies via recommendations. The Harena product is a very complex silica sand, used to absorb a host of chemicals and by-products, potentially stripping potent leachate and odours. We mix this product with industry grade bentonite and polymer in a unique way, which has proven to preserve the seal for signiďŹ cantly longer. Our test results show a superb sealing product. Product details: Dual compound borehole seal, reduced dehydration rate, increased rehydration rate

For more information please contact: MSG: T: 01706 625338 E: info@msgenvironmental.com www.msgenvironmental.com SGG: T: 0151 647 1440 E: info@sggesl.co.uk www.sggesl.co.uk REM: T: 01706 628015 E: info@remservices.co.uk www.remservices.co.uk

SGG & REM both work in the UK landďŹ ll industry and have collaborated on a number of projects over the years. MSG is the brainchild of our combined expertise in chamber sealing and will concentrate solely on carrying out these works and developing this process further. SGG & REM are authorised installers for MSG.

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WELL PUMPS, SCREENS & CASING

Watch this void UK-based SGG Environmental Services, which offers solutions for the landfill industry and manufactures pneumatic positivedisplacement pumps, has been trialling an alternative method of borehole sealing on landfill sites

hile working on landfill sites around the UK, SGG noted that the bentonite seals around wells were failing fairly frequently and required regular remediation works. The structure of landfill sites is such that they are relatively unstable; they are prone to rapid settlement, their surfaces are generally warmer than the land around them and their subsurfaces are frequently dry and porous. Plant is also present on many sites, and while operating, the area around it will vibrate more excessively than when used on solid ground. All these factors, among others, can contribute to the rapid failure of the bentonite seals. These can often dehydrate more rapidly and are more susceptible to cracking and fissuring than they are when used in other off-site installations. In other instances, the seals are poorly instituted with little care taken with regards to quality control, especially relating to the correct mixing of the bentonites used.

ISSUES ENCOUNTERED Bentonite seals fail on most landfill sites when the integrity of the cap seal is compromised, and one of two issues can occur: Firstly, there can be an uncontrolled release of landfill gas (primarily methane and carbon

Method details 1.

The method SGG has been developing uses two main components, one that is hydrophobic and hydrocarbon-adsorbent in conjunction with a bentonite-based compound. The trials thus far indicate that this method can provide a more stable, longer-lasting seal. As with some grouts currently in use on landfill sites, the dioxide); and secondly, atmospheric oxygen can be drawn into the waste within the landfill. Both these issues are relatively serious as the uncontrolled release of these gases to the atmosphere is known to be damaging to the environment. Alongside this, the ingress of atmospheric oxygen can encourage subterranean ‘hot spots’ within the emplaced waste. In the UK operators must, by law, regularly undertake flame ionisation detection (FID) surveys to check the integrity of the seals around the wells on their sites.

TRIALS For the last two years, SGG has been researching and trialling different methods of sealing wells in an attempt to reduce the frequency of these failures. Initial trials were undertaken indoors within its workshops. Results show that a combination of components appeared to be providing the most stable seal. After six months, a small-scale trial was instituted outside the units to simulate a comparison of two methods – the standard

A recent SGG installation: 1. Failed boot seal 2. First hydrophobic layer 3. Bentonite compound 4. Second hydrophobic layer

hydration rate of the bentonite-based compound is quite rapid. However, the rehydration rate of the compound in trials appears to be faster than others that the company has compared it with. It appears to be less prone to fissuring, and due to the hydrophobic component, the dehydration rate can be greatly reduced and the rehydration rate can be increased.

method with bentonite and SGG’s method. The primary observations were encouraging, especially after the differences noted during dry, sunny spells. The company continued to run this outdoor observational trial for around 12 months before moving forward.

CURRENT STATUS Over the last few months, SGG has been instituting trial seals on several sites, and reports that the majority of feedback has been very positive. Recently, the company has also been in discussions with a major bentonite supplier regarding the mixing and supplying of a quality-controlled, bagged product for one of the sealing components. Moving forward, it has also been working alongside REM Services, which installs and maintains electrical pumping systems and associated infrastructure, to create a broader knowledge and client base. The result of SGG and REM’s combined knowledge and collaboration on chamber sealing is the new company MSG.

“For the last two years, SGG has been researching and trialling different methods of sealing wells in an attempt to reduce the frequency of failures”

Another example of a failed seal

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CORE DRILLING & BOREHOLE LOGGING

Registering issues HvMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chief executive Hilco van Moerkerk and principal consultant Andy Abraham explain how 3-D visualisation can help to identify issues with borehole logging and how important correct logging is for the modelling process An example showing a frequently occurring logging error: a lithological unit in a hole has been logged incorrectly (light green) and will appear as an anomaly when displayed with other holes in 3-D

funds and resources to buy and use specialist software and train their employees. It is also commonly heard that specialist software is unnecessary during early stages due to the limited amount of drilling. Aggregates and industrial minerals projects are predominantly found in relatively simple geological settings and therefore do not require the extensive abilities provided by general mine packages (GMPs). Making use of a unique combination of knowledge of open-source tools developed mainly for research in medical and molecular imaging, HvM has developed a new, affordable software package that allows a wider audience to visualise their data in 3-D, in many cases for the first time. This has helped users gain new insights and discover that their validated data still contained errors.

DATA VALIDATION

Drilling-test data showing how various deviating drill traces and their parameters can be displayed

n his article in the September 2014 edition of GDI, James Tweedie of GeoMEM highlighted that there are many software packages that can aid in 3-D visualisation of data at any stage of a project. However, often these packages are not being utilised due to a variety of reasons, ranging from cost and lack of experience to time constraints and rigid established practices. Geo-reka is a new kid on the block providing 3-D visualisation and geological modelling and trying to break down some of these barriers. The company behind Geo-reka, HvM (International Services), started developing software three years ago when powerful high-end 3-D graphics software, used to visualise and analyse drillhole data, was inaccessible to a large part of the mining and minerals-extraction industry. One significant reason behind this was cost, but there was also an

unfamiliarity with the open-source community producing highquality tools. Specialised databases and other open-source software tools had not been migrated to the industry. Many junior metallic mineralsexploration companies lack the

Validation of drilling data is generally done with database packages that check for inconsistencies, overlapping data segments, incorrect logs, etc. However, these database packages will only check numbers to see if there are errors when the numbers are outside a specified range. But how do you detect errors that are within that range?

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The solution is to use good 3-D visualisation to see how drill samples from one core/bore log spatially relate to others. Current development in core-logging software has provided increased consistency and quality in certain areas. But logging core from hole to hole using a set of pre-defined rock and alteration codes does not guarantee that the coding will be consistently applied to all holes. This problem is often exacerbated by the use of multiple loggers over the course of a project. Sometimes lithology and alteration are confused and the geological models are wrongly defined. In these cases the logging codes can be wrong from the start. But there are many other aspects that can lead to errors. Errors encountered might include incorrectly located collar points, elevation values that might not correspond to the topographic survey, or corruption of data sets when they are converted to local grid co-ordinates. The list goes on, but the end result is always the same: the database is filled with verified data that appears correct, until the data is put into a 3-D perspective with all other relevant data.

DATA-DRIVEN MODELLING The mining industry and other geosciences are currently riding the wave of ‘implicit modelling’. This technique was first introduced to the geosciences by Dr Jun Cowan about 10 years ago. One of the key benefits of implicit modelling is the datadriven method of modelling geology and other geological features such as grade shells and alteration boundaries. Instead of manually picking/drawing points and lines to construct a model, implicit modelling will semi-automatically provide boundaries based on the data itself. For example, a contact between two lithological units can be generated by specifying

the units on either side of the contact. The software will determine the 3-D point locations where the two units meet and create a wireframe through these points. As you can imagine, software generating a contact that way can be a lot faster than a human drawing it by hand, even when the drawing is done in 3-D computer-aided design (CAD) software. However, it also means that if your logged data is incorrect, you will end up with the wrong answer. Detecting errors in semiautomatically generated models without thorough 3-D inspection of the actual data is prone to create problems that might not be detected until it is too late. In contrast, hand drawing might be slower, but might assist geologists in identifying errors in the drill logs early. So how do you leverage the advantages of both methods? Geo-reka’s first accomplishment was to provide high-quality 3-D visualisation by adopting technologies from other industries. It was developed with the previously mentioned problems in mind and can immediately display imported raw data in a 3-D environment. Proper visualisation of data has become a major focus of Georeka training for new users before leveraging the power of implicit modelling. In the majority of cases a good first inspection of the data in 3-D reveals a lot about structures and controls and will greatly help towards correct interpretation and modelling at all stages. Going from the traditional method of viewing data in grid-oriented sections and plans to 3-D verification and

Other common issues: 1. collar positions appear unrealistic when compared with other holes; 2. multiple collars having different elevations at the same X, Y location

interpretation in any orientation allows the user to recognise and validate in the geologically correct orientation, e.g. looking down-plunge of a fold.

A MATTER OF COST? If we look at the costs associated with mineral exploration, drilling accounts for a significant portion of the expenditure. All-in costs can be between US$30,000 and US$60,000 to drill a 300m diamond-drill hole. Reverse-circulation drilling is usually 25-40% cheaper than diamond drilling, but more expensive then rotary air blast. Companies can easily spend a million dollars on a drilling programme, and the importance of having these holes placed correctly to hit the target relies on accurate logging, data verification and validation. The affordable fixed cost of high-end 3-D graphics to visualise and validate logging on a regular basis is a tiny fraction of the drilling costs. A hole that missed the target is time and money wasted. Combining 3-D visualisation with quality assurance/quality control of your data to validate and update the geological model throughout the drilling programme can save thousands of dollars.

“If we look at the costs associated with mineral exploration, drilling accounts for a significant portion of the expenditure”

An example showing how geological layers must form a consistent picture when displayed with the logged core in 3-D

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CORE DRILLING & BOREHOLE LOGGING

Deviation from the logging norm Fig. 1: shuttle in place (HQ-CoalCombi shuttle)

DMT project managers Torsten Gorka, exploration and geotechnics, and Ivo Kerosević, borehole surveying, describe how the company’s shuttle system can log deviated and horizontal boreholes

“Shuttles are selfcontained, cable-free logging tools equipped with a memory chip and internal power supply”

Fig. 2: typical optical scan with the HQ OpticDip shuttle

rilling technology has advanced significantly in recent decades, and deviated and horizontal drilling have become increasingly common. Future technical developments may complicate or hamper conventional borehole logging. Engineering and consulting company DMT has designed borehole shuttles that are especially configured wireless geophysical logging systems for horizontal, deviated and vertical boreholes. The first shuttle measurements were made in 1992 as part of a research and development programme, and since then, shuttle logging has developed into a robust and cost-effective method. Today, logging with shuttles is routine in the German mining industry. Shuttles are self-contained, cable-free logging tools equipped with a memory chip and internal power supply. They are guided to the bottom of the borehole through the drill string of a diamond core drill, using the inner core barrel as a carrier. When this assembly of tool and inner core barrel, called borehole shuttle, is transported down, it positions itself in the outer core barrel. Depending on the tool, one or more sensors protrude from the drill bit (see Figure 1). Alternatively, most shuttles can be adapted directly to core tubes or auger rods. Tools are recovered by pulling the core barrel or the drill string. A drill-string recorder is utilised to measure the cumulative length of the rods and to store the depth-related information together with precise time information. After recovery

of the tool, all data recorded is transferred from the tool and merged with the depth information from the drill-string recorder.

AVAILABLE TOOLS DMT offers a range of logging tools fitted for shuttle technology and custom products can also be constructed. The HQ-Coal-Combi shuttle is a specially configured tool for coal exploration, used for qualitative and quantitative lithological differentiation. In addition, it is also suitable for geotechnical and geo-engineering investigations, which require borehole geophysical surveys to gain a better understanding of individual soil or rock properties and rock mass characteristics. The HQ-Coal-Combi shuttle is equipped with four different sensor types: • T welve-channel ultrasonic transducer head that generates a scan of the borehole wall, allowing depth-related evaluation of dip and dip direction of geological structures and a detailed acoustic caliper measurement; • T hree-axis accelerometer sensor that allows reading of actual inclination, roll position and movement of the tool; •G amma-gamma-density sensor equipped with a radioactive source located in the bottom part of the tool, which emits gamma rays into the sidewall to evaluate densities; and •N atural gamma sensor located in the upper part of the tool. DMT’s HQ OpticDip shuttle is utilised for geotechnical investi-

gations in dry or clear water-filled boreholes and pipelines. The tool is equipped with an optical 360° scanner and a dip sensor. The optical scanner takes about 25 digital pictures with 510 pixels radially every second. This provides, at a logging speed of approximately 1m/min, a vertical resolution of 0.67mm and a horizontal resolution of 0.6mm in HQ boreholes. The dip and dip direction of intersected geological structures, such as bedding, fractures or joints, can be determined. The probe is also available as a camera shuttle, which allows video recording, for e.g. well inspection or mine-rehabilitation projects. During the last two decades, DMT’s engineers have developed several tools for the detection of natural gamma radiation in boreholes. There are two different diameter sizes of natural gamma shuttles, viz. NQ and AQ. The tools are equipped with a high-resolution NaJ gamma-ray detector to measure the emission of natural gamma rays from rocks to distinguish lithologies and determine the thickness and structure of, for example, coal seams. DMT’s Directional Gamma shuttle is a tool created especially for horizontal degasification drilling in coal seams. Measurements can provide information about the position of the borehole within the seam – whether the borehole is in, below or above the seam, or whether the borehole has penetrated an unknown fault system (see Figure 3). The tool has two tungstenshielded gamma crystals to

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detect the floor and roof of the seam and deviation. The NQ-Density shuttle is equipped with a gamma-gamma sensor with an integrated radioactive source to measure rock density. The company’s EMFaG Orientation shuttles are suitable for AQ and BQ rods. The shuttles record the inclination and the xyzcomponents, strength and dip of the local magnetic field in the tool axis to measure well deviation and calculate the path of the borehole. Magnetic data from the borehole can help to define lithology and structure and to identify magnetic bodies. The Slim Borehole Scanner (SBS) (Figure 4) is specialised for inspections of anchor boreholes and other slim-diameter drill holes. It is a digital optical probe with a diameter of only 23mm. It has been developed in the form of a wireless and self-sustaining tool for roof control in underground mines and tunnels. SBS records high-resolution (up to 0.16mm/pixel in 1in holes) 360° images of the complete wall of boreholes with a diameter of up to 45mm, drilled e.g. for anchors and roof bolts. Due to its lightweight and small-sized construction, the SBS can be inserted into boreholes by hand using extendable carbon-fibre rods. The tool allows monitoring of the surrounding rock types and determines the structure and orientation of discontinuities.

PROS AND CONS The self-contained character of the shuttles implies two obvious drawbacks: tool settings made before use cannot be changed during surveying, and data can only be captured after the tool recovery on the surface. However, the use of shuttles has many distinct advantages.

The high speed of measurements together with the time required to employ the tool at the required depth assures cost-efficiency. Drill rods do not have to be pulled unnecessarily and employment via core barrel is fast. Logging only interrupts the drilling progress slightly, and surveying can be phased so that it fits into the work plan during a round trip, a check trip or after a core pull. Often drill-hole stability denies downhole logging. Because the shuttles are connected and encased in the drill string, hole stability is not of paramount influence and the connection enables good mobility for all borehole deflection angles. The risk of losing tools is also limited. The tensile strength of the drill string, in comparison with a logging cable, promotes highresolution dip measurements, and shuttles can be combined to form a tool train.

Fig. 3: typical gamma-ray curves of the Directional Gamma shuttle and their interpretation

“Shuttle logging has developed into a robust and costeffective method”

Shuttle Technology Borehole Logging without Limitation

Fig. 4: Slim Borehole Scanner (SBS)

■ ■ ■ ■

Surveys in every Deflection Angle Wireless - Self-Contained Tools Multiple Sensors Safe Logging within Drill Rods

DMT Group · Geo Engineering & Exploration T +49 201 172-1952 · sales@dmt-group.com www.dmt-group.com Earth. Insight. Values.

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FEATURE CORE DRILLING NAME & BOREHOLE LOGGING

Staying on target Seghir Messamah of Geovista discusses the properties of gyroscopic borehole-direction logging sondes

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The need for gyro technology stems from the fact that directional magnetometers cannot be used in steel rodsâ&#x20AC;?

rilling programmes often call for tight control of the direction and deviation of a borehole to reach a predetermined target or to achieve the desired borehole verticality. A range of drilling control techniques and equipment can be used to help achieve these objectives. Similarly, a variety of survey techniques and equipment can be used to ensure or verify compliance. Among these, gyroscopic borehole-direction logging sondes give one of the most valuable measurements. They can be used to log the actual path that was followed by the drill bit.

The need for gyro technology stems from the fact that directional magnetometers cannot be used in steel rods. Depending on the criticality of the directional objectives, the borehole trajectory profile can be logged in stages during the progress of the drilling, or after drilling is completed. In the first case, the technique offers the opportunity for corrective measures to be taken to avoid geological side-tracks.

SONDE TYPES Borehole-trajectory logging tools come in two categories, depending on whether they employ magnetometer-type sensors

or gyroscope-type sensors. Logging sondes that are fitted with good three-axis magnetometer-type sensors (MDEV) are perfectly adequate in boreholes without any magnetic disturbances. However, they cannot be used reliably in environments where magnetic interference is present, e.g. inside casing, drill pipe and magnetically disturbed ground. In these circumstances, sondes with gyroscopic-type sensors must be used instead. There are mainly three types of gyroscope sensors, including spinning-mass gyros, solid-state MEMS (microelectromechanical system) gyros and the fibre-optic gyro (FOG). In borehole-direction logging applications, the gimbal-mounted spinning-mass gyro is a highmaintenance sensor that has been around for many years. It also tends not to cope well with highly inclined boreholes. The solid-state MEMS gyro is more modern and with lower maintenance requirements, but its performance in the context of borehole direction surveys is still under question. The FOG is proving to be a good alternative. This device has no moving parts, lower power consumption, longer lifetime and does not need spinning up and pointing in an initial direction. Furthermore, with the FOG, there

Trajectory bullâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye plot

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practical sonde, with many sought-after operational features, including: •N o need for initial setting to a reference at surface as it finds its reference at each station; •N o need to record drift station; •A bility to work in highly inclined boreholes; •N o influence by magnetic environment; and • S olid-state sensors.

is no sensor drift accumulation. Each measurement is obtained from its own parameters, independent of any previous measurement.

FOG FEATURES The FOG sensor measures the components of the Earth’s rotation with reference to the sonde’s X, Y and Z axis. The 3-D vector that is produced from these vector components is parallel to the axis of Earth’s rotation and therefore will point north. This data, together with the sonde accelerometer data and the site’s latitude, is then used to calculate the direction the sonde is pointing with respect to (geographic) north. The north-seeking FOG sonde can be deployed in highly inclined boreholes, and it is run in

multi-shot mode where the sonde has to be held stationary at regular depth intervals to perform a measuring cycle. The sonde is simple to operate and does not require any calibration unless uncharacteristic reading values are observed. In short, the north-seeking FOG is a

The increase in reliability and longevity, together with a reduction in the build cost and sale price, all make fibre-optics gyro sondes a welcome alternative. Critically, they save time, they are virtually maintenancefree and, essentially, they help keep those boreholes right on target.

Trajectory 3-D projection plot

“The increase in reliability and longevity, together with a reduction in the build cost and sale price, all make fibreoptics gyro sondes a welcome alternative”

BH VIEWER 3D 3D laser measurement for mine

Solutions for TV inspection of water boreholes and 3D measurement of cavities

and geotechnical cavities

BH VIEWER 500

BH VIEWER 2000

0-500 m

0-2000 m

eca-hytec@ecagroup.com

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www.ecagroup.com

27/08/2015 09:29

FEATURE CORE DRILLING NAME & BOREHOLE LOGGING

Driller to the core George DeGroot, a senior well driller with the Geohydrologic Data Section of the Southwest Florida Water Management District in Brooksville, Florida, US, gets to the core of his drilling work UDR 200 DLS rig at ROMP 45.5, Polk County, Florida, installing 400ft (122m) of ½in (13mm) PVC airline into drill string. Personnel in photo: Barry Morley, drilling assistant

Please explain your coring-operation process. Here at the district, we start each core site by using a Central Mine Equipment (CME) 85 rig to core NQ on mud, utilising the punch-shoe core-lifter case technique to define surface sediments and depth to rock (limestone). After the soft sediments are defined, we install temporary conductor pipe into the top of the limestone (about 100ft/30.5m below surface) and start wireline coring through the limestone. With this information, we design a casing programme for the deep coring, and a contractor

is hired to install a conductor pipe set at the uppermost portion of competent limestone. Next, the core hole that was drilled with the CME is abandoned with grout, and a Universal Drill Rig (UDR) 200DLS is set up on a deep core-hole location. The drill crew then cores NQ2 continuously, on fresh water, through the entire Floridan aquifer system, collecting water-quality samples and slug testing utilising a wireline packer system. We have to advance a lot of casing during this process to isolate different aquifers in the system while recording daily water level changes.

Profile

•N ame:

George DeGroot

• T itle:

Senior well driller

• E mployer:

• •

Southwest Florida Water Management District, Data Collection Bureau, Geohydrologic Data Section, Brooksville. A rea of expertise: Geotechnical and well construction Y ears of experience: 31

Where have you worked, and what type of drilling experience do you have? Most of my work has been performed in southwest Florida. I have done some other drilling in the southeastern US, as far northward as South Carolina. I have worked in all types of terrain from the swamps of central Florida to the coastal areas of Tampa Bay to the islands of the Florida Keys. I have drilled with mud-rotary tripod chopping rigs with Briggs & Stratton engines, to large trailer-mounted rotary machines with dual-diesel Cummins engines. I have also performed standard penetration tests, auger, coring, mud rotary, reverse air circulation, cable tool, dual-rotary drilling methods and all types of construction drilling. A large part of my drilling experience has been in the well-construction industry. I have constructed monitor, residential, reverse osmosis, injection and municipal supply wells. These well sizes have ranged from 1in (25mm) to 24in (610mm)-diameter completions from 3ft (0.9m) piezometers to 3,000ft (914m) deep-injection wells.

How did you get started in core drilling? I applied for my dream drilling job at the district in late 1995 and started with that agency in early 1996 as a drilling assistant, after supervising a small drilling firm with 11 small drilling machines for more than 10 years in Tampa, Florida.

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to 40ft (12m) during core drilling use any kind of drilling mud due CME 85 rig at on fresh water. This also gives to all the testing and water-qualROMP 45.5, Polk us some valuable data on waterity sampling that is done, since County, Florida, bearing zones by measuring the the use of drilling mud would drilling 18in give us false water-level readings, discharge rates of the reverse-air (457mm) hole water flow. slug tests and water-quality data. openers for In Florida, you lose all circulainstalling tion returns shortly after encounWhat is the deepest core 16in (406mm) tering limestone and sometimes hole you have drilled? conductor casing before you get to the rock. So, The deepest continuous core the only way to clean the hole hole was in Davenport, Florida, of the drill cuttings is to use the to a depth of 2,780ft (847.3m). reverse-air method, which I have drilled deeper core runs at involves simply installing an other locations utilising a convenairline [½in/13mm polyvinyl tional PQ core barrel (tripping chloride (PVC)] down inside the out the entire drill string each drill string, which has been time the geologist wanted a core) extended several hundred feet to a depth of 2,950ft (899.2m). below the water level, and UDR 200 DLS rig blowing compressed air. at ROMP 115, By doing this, the water flows Sumter County, up and out of the drill string, and Florida. Typical the atmospheric pressure keeps set-up on a the drill string filled with water, district core site. causing a vacuum at the core Total depth with bit, which pumps all of the drill NQ2: 1,997ft cuttings up and out of the hole. (608.7m) We do this about every 20ft (6m) European Geophysical 1/4 Page Ad 2015 V.1.qxp_Layout 1 04/06/2015 16:3

I started working on the district’s Speed Star SS-40 drilling rig for a 40-month period to install monitor wells in support of the Regional Observation Monitor-well Program (ROMP). This programme was created to enable the district to collect information about the region’s water supply and water quality. Afterwards, I was able to continue with the district as a core driller, and was later promoted to a senior well driller – and I’ve been living the core driller’s dream.

What’s your favourite/ least favourite part about core drilling? My favourite part about core drilling is being able to see what all the formations really look like, and they were not what I had originally envisioned. When drilling on mud rotary, you only get to imagine what the formations look like, but with wireline core drilling you can see all the formation changes in the cores. My least favourite part is abandoning the core holes. In Florida, there are a lot of lostcirculation zones, vugs, fractures and large cavities. The typical core hole takes at least 20 times the theoretical volume of grout, so this can be a time-consuming task.

“My favourite part about core drilling is being able to see what all the formations really look like, and they were not what I had originally envisioned”

What makes core drilling at the district unique? The most unique part of the district’s core drilling operation is that our core rigs have reverse-air drilling capabilities. We do not

European Geophysical Services

GEO EXPERTISE IN DEPTH

A multi-disciplinary team using the latest technologies to provide a complete range of wireline logging services T: +44 (0) 1939 210 710 E: eurogeophys@europeangeophysical.com www.europeangeophysical.com

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AUSTRALASIA

Shaping future drilling Don Yates, the chief executive of Australian Columbus Group, presents the company’s award-winning 3-D down-the-hole high-water-pressure drilling system, which can offer benefits for several applications, including oil-and-gas extraction, gold mining and geothermal exploitation

“The winner of the innovation solution category in the 2014 Australian Mining Prospect Awards was a 3-D downthe-hole high-waterpressure drilling and cutting package”

n a time of international industry challenges of too much oil with short-term depressed revenues and fracking bans that favour a few, it is good to know that practical technologies may offer some immediate gains and long-term sustainable benefits. The winner of the innovation solution category in the 2014 Australian Mining Prospect Awards was a 3-D down-thehole (DTH) high-water-pressure drilling and cutting package. The technology is not just one system; it is an assembled collection of modules to do the required tasks in a specific application. As well as oil-and-gas extraction, the high-pressure cutting/ drilling tool can improve explosive efforts in mining with smartshaped hole cross-sections, safer rockbolts and retaining walls, pipe cleaning and cured-in-place pipes, matrix units for stopes, thin-vein gold mining opportunities and geothermal extraction.

DRILLING SYSTEM The waterhammer head configuration (left) and drill-casing package (right). Different cutting/ drilling actions are optimised by different steering, driving and hole-bracing mechanisms. Triax tubing and power feed connections are usually common to both

Columbus Group’s core DTH technology includes pseudolite navigation, so that it knows where it is and what direction it is moving to, at any time, deep underground.

The water and grit feeds are boosted to extreme cutting forces with the DTH on-board pump, ceramic grit-mixing manifolds, guidance drive, locking mechanisms and duplicated 3-D printing hardware, all under software control that changes the operating parameters to achieve required performance. Accepting that the technology does not have depth and drill-hole length limitations like some systems – just pause and connect more Triax feed tubing – then other features, such as multiple DTH internal blowout preventers with driven guidance rollers, can be added to the tubing feed, as part of the overall protection and production devices. Also, as part of the hole-direction capabilities, matrix layers of collecting fissures can be cut into the reserves. The fissures can be kept open for maximum collections with low-cost auxetic ‘cotton-wool-like’ meshes printed into the matrices. Similarly, depending on the condition of the reserve, water lift and/or dissolving steam can be injected into interspersed layers. While not required in all drilling installations, particularly where the Triax flexible feed tubing is being used, the on-board 3-D printers can also be employed to produce, place and secure hole casing of appropriate thickness and consistency, where holes are cut for the micro rockbolts to be print-injected first into the strata, to which the ‘just-in-time’ hole casing is produced and attached. One of the modules on most of

the drilling/cutting systems is the geo-assay range of sensors, including optimised hyperspectral imaging, conductivity, pressure differentials and definition of any gases that might be present. Forensic geological studies are possible, in real time, as part of the vertical and horizontal drilling programme. However, in most shale-oil and gas drilling for recovery projects, a much simpler package of meshed sensors at the drilling point and along the Triax cabling is used and can achieve a high degree of hole-monitoring safety that can be automatically acted on and monitored at the surface.

APPLICATIONS In these days where the increasing oil glut appears to be driving the price down to possibly less than US$20 a barrel, it becomes strategic to capitalise on existing production oil-and-gas fields. There is no need to waste time and money to drill new holes, when the holes already present need not be fracked, but rather layers of collection matrices can be cut horizontally out from the existing vertical cased holes. These greatly expanded surface-

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Hydrocarbon formation

Typical arrangement of high-water-pressure drilling package: 1 Cutting flluid, abrasive & mesh material inputs 2 Internet of everything I/O remote systems “On-board 3-D 3 Incoming fluid turbine for UPS battery recharge 4 Pull-out guidance cone and cured-in-place pipe tool printers can 5 Self-cleaning management & performance sensors be employed 6 Pseudolite for GIS positioning and grid drill control to produce, 7 Crack profile drilling under 3-D shaping software place and 8 Mesh injection to hold cracks open 9 Part of hole packing, drive & steer manipulation secure hole 10 Down-the-hole forward cutting head casing” 11 CYAEIP management software

area structures with extensive fissures and filled with auxetic 3-D printed ‘leaky clouds’ can substantially increase the flow rates. In certain configurations, the on-board pumps for the cutting process can be reformatted and valved in situ to perform oil-lift duties from the just-expanded reservoir, using the internal blowout preventers as one-way valves to assist in the process. In low-production-rate holes it is reasonable to expect that four or five times the original flow rates could be quickly achieved, reducing the impact of fixed overheads on production figures. And with good reserve management, the same process could be repeated with increasing depths

of the collection layers, yet again changing the pump set-up from pushing product to the surface to revert to the drilling mode to continue the reserve expansion plan that had been put on hold. As for the permit curbs to restrict fracking, with the 3-D DTH high-water-pressure drilling and cutting process, the technology replaces fracking, costs less

in most instances, causes less potential environmental issues and favours greater returns with a process solution at the point of cutting/drilling. At this time, the technology is being assembled for forensic geology studies of hard-rock narrow gold-seam deposits that can also be extracted in a slurry form for energy-efficient delivery to ball mills as part of the ongoing process. Another application under development, due to the same fissure-cutting capabilities and the ability to drill holes in close proximity, even at substantial depths around 3,500m, is geothermal-energy extraction. Water is pumped down into one layer set, and the hot water/ steam returns back to the surface for energy extraction.

Hydraulic fracking can be replaced by 3-D multiple layers of grid-cut fissures

Drilling lots of holes evenly spaced can miss critical thin seams or create the mistaken belief of seam continuity

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Inflating inwards down under Inflatable Packers International (IPI), a manufacturer of downhole products and specialist in inflatable-packer technology, has a little known sideline that is expanding – inwards

“Most people are familiar with inflatables in the downhole sectors of the resources industries”

ased in Perth, Western Australia, IPI is mainly an exporter of inflatable packers for the world’s resources industry; 81% of its sales were shipped overseas last year. The manufacturer’s commonly known products are ones that inflate outwards, including casing packers, ‘frac’ packers and permeability-testing systems. Managing director and principal engineer Clem Rowe explains: “Most people are familiar with inflatables in the down-

Hightemperature blowout preventer for mineral-coring systems using inwardinflating HNBR packer element Photo: IPI

hole sectors of the resources industries. There are various ways a packer can be reinforced for the high pressures that are needed for most applications, but the wire reinforcement we use is also suitable for inflating inwards. It is achieving the same objective of being an annular seal, except that it is working from what is generally the static surface – sealing inwards onto the moving surface, once that has stopped. “Incidentally, we can also use our reinforcement system to make packers that inflate as a special shape – e.g. ‘tear drop’ shape, which is good for flow-control applications, or even to lock at a certain inflated diameter, which inhibits accidental bursting.” Products made as inward-inflating seals are

not normally called ‘inflatable packers’ – with established applications such as annular bags, which work as part of blowout preventers (BOPs) and diverter inserts for diverting the results of a gas ‘kick’ away under a drill floor, suggesting that most use is on the well-integrity and control side of applications. “But we get other applications, not all of which we can talk about,” adds Rowe.

FIT FOR PURPOSE Supplying different sectors of the resources industries globally results in a lot of cross-pollination of ideas and technology. Rowe recounts that in 2014 IPI had an established client which suddenly needed BOPs for mineral-mining equipment, working on a geothermal project. “Because of the high temperatures involved, they could not use a natural rubber product but needed a synthetic elastomer product, above the temperatures that mineral-mining equipment is made for. Oilfield equipment was available, but somewhat blew the budget,” he says. The results were IPI BOPs made with hydrogenated nitrile (HNBR) annular bags that worked with H and P drilling systems. “We’ve got another that we are working on at present and that ships out shortly. Like the geothermal BOP, it is about making something fit for purpose. Here we have the space and handling restrictions faced in underground drilling environments, and just as important was price, when compared with conventional equipment available off the shelf. “This application called for the

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functions of a conventional BOP, but specifically dealing with water flow in an underground scenario. Our clients need a system that can quickly seal off the borehole if they pierce a high-pressure underground aquifer, and then maybe plug and abandon that well.” The water-flow diverter system consists of an annular shut-off valve – an inward-inflating packer to seal around the drill string. This works in tandem with a downhole flapper valve and a manual surface shut-off valve. The system enables the driller to safely trip in and out and facilitate water shut-off operations. The downhole flapper valve and annular shut-off valve are both controlled using a dedicated hydraulic control unit. In addition, to facilitate water shut-off, IPI has provided an independently inflated dualpacker cement retainer (a type of inflatable bridge plug), which

The water flow diverter system consists of an annular shut-off valve – an inward-inflating packer to seal around the drill string

was customised to suit the client’s requirements. All of this is to ensure safe flow diversion and shut-off operations. “We expect to continue to receive novel enquiries for inward-inflating technology. Some examples include an inward-inflating centraliser for

spud cylinders on dredging vessels, ‘hand over hand’ pipe-handling systems, downhole slip-over seals and more, which have come from a wide range of industries in recent months. Not all get made, but a good proportion does,” Rowe confirms.

“We expect to continue to receive novel enquiries for inwardinflating technology”

Indoor H6.B58

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Targeting major civil works Western Australia-based Minnovare has entered into a partnership with Getec UK, part of one of the world’s largest ground-engineering contractors, Keller, to distribute its Azimuth Aligner drill-rig alignment tool in the UK The Azimuth Aligner drill-rig alignment system

“With the Azimuth Aligner, a single operator can align a drill rig in five minutes to very accurate tolerances”

The Azimuth Aligner is the current Mining Technologies Award winner in the Australian Technologies Competition. Australia’s industry and science minister, Ian Macfarlane (left), met Minnovare directors Callum McCracken (right) and Mick Beilby (centre) after the awards

he new partnership between Minnovare and Getec UK aims to capture a greater share of works associated with major projects coming online in the UK in the next year, for which the accuracy of drilling in urban environments is paramount. Minnovare claims that its Azimuth Aligner, which uses advanced north-seeking sensor technology, has transformed underground drilling by facilitating faster and more accurate drill-rig alignment in GPS-denied environments. “We believe that Getec’s experience, standing and reputation in the technical and geotechnical fields will represent another significant endorsement of the Azimuth Aligner’s transformative impact,” says Minnovare’s managing director, Callum McCracken.

“Getec’s appointment as the Azimuth Aligner’s distributor in the UK comes off the back of successful use of units on the London Crossrail project. Getec’s use of innovative techniques in the instrumentation and monitor-

ing field with BIM (building information modelling) will support the development of the Azimuth Aligner software output to enable sites to view data and records in real time and 3-D.” With the Azimuth Aligner, a single operator can align a drill rig in five minutes to very accurate tolerances, whether at surface level or in GPS-denied environments. Initially developed for the resources industry (and the current holder of the Australian Mining Technologies Award), the unit has also been acknowledged in civil works, having been a finalist and runner-up in the innovation category of last year’s British Ground Engineering (GE) Awards. Getec’s general manager, Paul Thurlow, says the Azimuth Aligner was a natural fit for the company’s innovative nature and practice of utilising technology to deliver cost-efficiency and safety. “We had been monitoring performance of the Azimuth Aligner for some time,” he explains. “Industry feedback – validated by the GE Awards recognition – confirmed the benefits and the technological advance that the unit delivers, and we believe it will be a valuable addition to the range of products and services we offer clients.”

MINING PROJECTS In just three years since it was developed, the Azimuth Aligner has been put to work on mining projects in some of the world’s harshest environments, from the searing Australian outback to the icy wastes of northern Canada, and Minnovare reports a growing client base, particularly as September 2015

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companies reduce costs in the commodities downturn. A trial to quantify the benefits was carried out at AngloGold Ashanti’s Sunrise Dam gold mine in Western Australia. In situ, the Azimuth Aligner took an average 3.18 minutes to correctly align a reverse-circulation drill rig, compared with 15 minutes using traditional alignment methodology. Based on an ‘average’ scenario of 24 rig moves per day, time savings represented more than 140 hours per month.

The Azimuth Aligner was used on the London Crossrail project Photo: Martin Morris

CONSTRUCTION CROSSOVER The device’s crossover into civil construction, where even greater accuracy is required in drilling works, proved to be a catalyst for improvement. Minnovare says the latest model of the Azimuth Aligner is wireless, smaller in size and lighter in weight. It streams ‘live’ data to the rig operator’s portable display unit, allowing

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accurate rig alignment in a matter of minutes. That data can also be stored and then exported to link with drill plots or planning software, or emailed to clients for audit and quality control. “The significant number of civil works slated for start in the UK in the near future heralds a major opportunity – in effect, that

pipeline determines that Britain is a strategic market for us in terms of civil application of the Azimuth Aligner,” says McCracken. “Minnovare’s partnership with Getec, another innovationoriented company, is expected to accelerate the unit’s penetration of geotechnical construction projects there.”

“In just three years since it was developed, the Azimuth Aligner has been put to work on mining projects in some of the world’s harshest environ ments”

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Managing complexity in mining Reflex, part of the Australian group Imdex, has announced the release of its new ‘productivity enabler’, Reflex IQ-HUB, a data-management and -analysis platform for resource companies and drilling contractors

Above right: Reflex has launched an upgraded version of its previous datamanagement platform, Reflex HUB

Below: many companies rely on timely access to verified, accurate data relating to all drilling activity

n an environment where connectivity is fast becoming standard and immediate access to information crucial, Reflex says its IQ-HUB can change the way business interactions and activities are managed and monitored at the drill site. This development is based on the interconnectivity of technology and data in the new Reflex IQ-HUB, which provides a real-time link between on-site instruments and decision-makers. The cloud-based data-management and -analysis platform sits at the centre of the company’s real-time, sub-surface intelligence

Drilling data Headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, Reflex provides instrumentation and technology for drilling, data collection and analysis within the global minerals industry. The company’s range includes downhole survey and core-orientation instrumentation, together with data collection and management software, enabling the integration of field operational data.

solutions. It is a part of, and an active participator in, the ‘Internet of Everything’, incorporating mobile field-data collection that is transferred from the drill site to the central database, where it can be accessed via a web browser from any location. The data-sharing capability of Reflex IQ-HUB enables immediate and secure communication between parties, as approved by the owner of the data, which can utilise the ISO-security-audited platform to monitor and manage its exploration and mining projects.

USER EXPERIENCE According to Reflex, the user interface is simple and easy to use, whether accessed on a mobile device or computer. The company conducted research into user workflows to create a comfortable digital environment through which to manage an entire operation or multiple operations. “Easy user interaction was a priority for us with the design of the new user interface,” says Michelle Carey, global product manager of data solutions at Reflex. “We also gave control to the user for the notification engine of Reflex HUB, as not everyone’s requirements here are the same. Here, you can elect when to be alerted to what. You can design your own hierarchy of

alerts to meet your own specific requirements.” Many companies need to adhere to realistic project plans, and rely on timely access to verified, accurate data relating to all drilling activity in order to do this. Reflex claims that the IQ-HUB and its precursor, Reflex HUB, have already proved their value for these customers, with real savings and identified efficiencies that have positively affected budgeting, cashflow and, as a result, project success.

FUTURE SOLUTIONS Reflex IQ-HUB provides a cloud-based building block for future Reflex in-field datacollection solutions. The implementation of the hosted ‘Software as a Service’ (SaaS) solution should also cause no roadblocks for clients. “Reflex IQ-HUB provides a robust platform from which our customers can access new features and updates, rapidly,” says Carey. “Our roadmap going forward includes a number of further improvements designed for advanced analytics, proactive maintenance of our tool fleet and seamless integration with other best-in class systems.” Reflex IQ-HUB is a platform through which connected companies are now able to manage the ever-increasing complexity of mining.

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HEALTH & SAFETY

Sharing the load

The light-weight, ergonomic remote control, and a view of the system in use for unloading piling rigs

Geotechnical engineer Bachy Soletanche and groundengineering equipment manufacturer Soilmec have developed a remote-control solution to loading and unloading piling rigs

ver the last 20 years, Bachy Soletanche has built up a relationship with Soilmec, creating a culture of collaborative working with the aim of delivering suitable solutions for individual projects. With safety integral to both companies’ cultures, a new technology has seen them address a number of the risks currently presented when unloading rigs from heavy low loaders that transport them to sites. Andrew Egglesden, plant manager at Bachy Soletanche, explains: “Unloading rigs safely has long been an area for concern for site teams up and down the UK, and indeed the wider industry. We saw this as being a risk to our on-site teams, a risk we were keen to remove. “Many piling rigs have crawler bases that retract for transportation purposes, which often means that access to the cab when unloading is restricted, difficult and can pose health and safety risks. Access can be further hindered by foldable platforms provided as a safe means of access and egress when the machine is rigged up.”

THE LIGHT-BULB MOMENT Keen to address these issues, Bachy Soletanche called on Soilmec to help develop a solution to the problem. Together they researched industry technology, and the light-bulb moment occurred when considering the design of existing smaller drilling

rigs, which feature radio-remote controls to give the operator better visibility at the front of the rig when drilling. Operators of these rigs are able to track the machine around the job site, with the added benefit of being able to position themselves in the most appropriate line of sight. “Remote-control operating has been adopted in the past for minipiling rigs where space is constrained and often tight passageways have to be negotiated. However, it is the first time this has been achieved on larger piling rigs,” says Egglesden. Andrew Carpenter, group safety, health, environment and quality director, addresses the development process: “When the plant team witnessed one of our operators struggling to get out of the cab of a piling rig – when the crawlers were retracted and the machine was on a low loader – they believed there had to be a better way of getting the rig on and off the lorry. “So, when we bought two new rigs from Soilmec last year, we asked its team to deliver a solution to this problem. The brief was to design a lightweight, ergonomic remote control, from which our operators could start the engine, adjust the engine speed, track the machine and stop the engine – giving the operator adequate control to safely load and unload the rig.

And, that is exactly what the team delivered.”

GOING GLOBAL Bachy Soletanche is investigating retrofitting radio-remote controls to its existing fleet of piling rigs, and is encouraging the wider industry to adopt its approach. Following interest from the market, Soilmec now offers this option on any new piling rig worldwide. Mark Nelson, Soilmec UK director, comments: “This new design feature is undoubtedly an innovation for our industry, and we are now getting requests from other customers for their fleets. “This innovation is a great collaboration between supplier and customer – and the operators using the system. We are delighted to see the technology being embraced by the industry. Soilmec has now adopted this technology across its full range of equipment to meet the requirements of EN16228.” The solution is currently in use on 11 rigs in the UK, as well as a number of rigs around the world. “The remote-controlled system has been extremely well received by our employees as well as our customers, as it has helped to reduce the risk of injury to site operatives. It has been encouraging to hear that other companies, both in and beyond the UK, have adopted this initiative,” concludes Egglesden.

“The remotecontrolled system has been extremely well received as it has helped to reduce the risk of injury to site operatives”

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In full view In UK construction, one of the main causes of accidents and injuries is contact between people and plant. Following investigations into accidents that have occurred in the industry over a number of years, Skanska UK decided to introduce 360° all-round visibility cameras on a selection of mobile construction plant Above right: the 360º system interlinks pictures from multiple cameras

“Like many innovations and improve ments, they take us a step closer to achieving zero accidents” Below right: the cameras used must have a wide dynamic range and real-time video delivery of 25 frames per second

kanska’s new safety standard, which will lead to the use of all-round visibility cameras on piling rigs, among other machinery, is being introduced to help reduce the risk of accidental contact between site operatives and plant – one of the top fatal risks on construction sites. The cameras will aid plant operators to see workers and pedestrian movements within a five-metre radius and assist in overcoming blind spots. Since July 30, 2015, all new plant introduced to Skanska sites needs to comply, and from October 29, 2015, all current plant will need to meet the standard, which is presently for the UK only. Greg Craig, executive vicepresident of Skanska UK, says: “It takes considerable skill and permanent attentiveness to operate large mobile plant safely, particularly in

Mobile plant that must meet the new standard •H ydraulic excavators, tracked or wheeled >10t;

• T elescopic handlers where • • • • •

a side loading arm causes restriction in operator vision; T racked dozers and graders; R ide-on compaction rollers fitted with enclosed cabs; W heeled loading shovels; P iling rigs (not mini rigs); C rawler cranes.

compact site footprints. We are committed to doing all that we can to improve all-round visibility for the operator, to help them work safely and to protect any adjacent operatives. “We have been working with our supply-chain partners to help them to achieve the new standards, ready for when they come into operation. “Like many innovations and improvements, they take us a step closer to achieving zero accidents. This improvement is not in itself the answer to eliminating risk to people from plant. “However, we are committed to making our sites as safe as possible, and where people and plant have to work in close proximity, we believe these devices will make sites safer.” Skanska UK introduced the safer, fully automatic doublelocking (FADL) type of quick hitches to excavators in 2009 and personnel anti-entrapment devices on mobile elevated working platforms in 2012.

CAMERA OPERATION The 360º camera system works by interlinking pictures from multiple cameras in a bird’s eye view, which

UK construction statistics Employees injured by moving vehicles in 2013-14: • 3 fatal injuries • 4 92 major or specified injuries • 9 99 over 7-day injuries can pick up a pedestrian from a maximum distance of 5m to a minimum of zero in all directions. Technical requirements dictate that pedestrians and objects should be visible up to a height of 1m over the entirety of the surrounding view and should not disappear at the boundary between cameras. The cameras must have a wide dynamic range and real-time video delivery of 25 frames per second, as well as being able to function in normal construction environmental conditions, e.g. lighting levels. “The system is very easy to use, after just a few minutes familiarisation from a competent installer. Working with them, operators become quickly attuned to the view on the monitor in relation to their machine,” a Skanska representative explains. “Currently, fitting is retro and the suppliers work with the camera suppliers to find optimum positions on the items of plant to accomplish the all-round visibility criteria. Some plant suppliers are in discussion with plant manufacturers to build the cameras ‘into the structure’ of the plant, or provide them as a factory-fit option.”

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Putting standard to practice With the introduction of the European safety standard EN16228 for drilling and foundation equipment, Sandvik, among other manufacturers, has improved the operational safety of its drilling rigs

he new safety-standard series came into force on December 1, 2014, necessitating intensive product development from manufacturers. Sandvik began implementation work in 2013, which resulted in the successful delivery of its first surface drill rig to comply with the new standard, a Ranger DX, to the customer on December 8, 2014. One of the major improvements in the standard is the revised requirement to protect operators, and other personnel, better from the entanglement hazard caused by the rotating drill steel. Sandvik’s solution to this requirement was to develop and install a safety cage around the feed beam. Another example of how the new requirements have been approached is in reducing the risk of fire in case of hose leakages. To accomplish this, protective sleeves have been fitted over hydraulic hoses in coolers and the power pack. These are just two examples of how Sandvik, through its collaboration and membership of the safety standards committee, has been working towards improving product safety.

SAFETY ENGINEERING Fulfilling the requirements of any new safety standard is a challenging experience; however, for Sandvik Construction there are also many benefits. “Product standards are very important to us. From Sandvik’s point of view, it is a definite benefit to be able to bring

high-quality products that comply with the requirements to all market areas. With the help of safety standards, we are able to show the safety level of our drill rigs,” comments Päivi Kautiainen, responsible for the general development of drill-rig safety at Sandvik. Ensuring that Sandvik not only complies with safety standards, but is proactive in their development, Kautiainen now leads a global safety team that consists of 11 experts working for Sandvik Mining and Sandvik Construction. This team is also responsible for safety engineering during product development. “We make sure that productdevelopment projects have all the necessary information on the technical and functional safety requirements for different market areas. They have to be taken into account from start to finish in every project,” she explains.

REQUIREMENTS INTO SOLUTIONS One of the most important functions of safety standards is to inform manufacturers of the current technical safety level required from their equipment. To this end, drill rigs now have the European safety standard EN16228. The preceding standard for drill rigs had become outdated due to technical and regulatory development since it was first published 20 years ago. The work for creating the new standard lasted several years, with the final requirements coming into force at the end of 2014. Standardisation work is usually

carried out over several years in continuous international cooperation between different manufacturers and authorities. “Because drilling is one of our core businesses, it is very important that we are constantly involved in the development of related standardisation. “The new safety standard is a harmonised product-specific C-type standard, which provides conformity with European

Main picture: Sandvik Ranger DX700 with new safety cage in use in Corsica Inset: Päivi Kautiainen, product safety centre manager at Sandvik Mining and Construction

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requirements. In addition to this, we certainly need to know about and adapt to the safety requirements currently in force in other areas, because the whole world is our market,” explains Kautiainen. “Safety is also a priority to our customers. For example, in the US and Australia the level of safety requirements concerning drill rigs is high.”

“The new features guide users to adapt from CUSTOMERS’ POINT OF VIEW previous As surface drill rigs operate in a variety of different and demandways of ing conditions, including land working, strewn with boulders, in blasting and it may areas or on slippery rocks, and in dusty, noisy conditions take some always under constant vibrations and time for often at great heights, solutions them to to the new requirements have to be fully take into account these diverse operating conditions. Sandvik conversant says this has led it to produce with the practical solutions that adhere to changes” the new standards, but also

Sandvik safety cage to protect operators from the rotating drill steel

“We solved the problem by building a protective cover to be installed on the feed beam, which prevents the operator from accidentally getting in contact with the rotating steel. “In addition, our 3-D hole-navigation system, together with the drilling-pattern design program,

benefit customers in other ways. “Naturally, we pursue development for competitive advantage in the market, of which safety is one of the most important ones,” says Jarno Viitaniemi, product manager for surface drill rigs. “We focus on improving safety all the time. For example, one of the most notable changes in the new standard is the requirement of covering the spinning drill steel.

Editorial

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significantly improves the safety and productivity of the drillingblasting process.” Kautiainen adds: “The new features guide users to adapt from previous ways of working, and it may take some time for them to be fully conversant with the changes. Also, in some situations, e.g. drilling cornering holes or in difficult environmental conditions, the requirements may affect the work, but in a technical sense they do not affect drilling efficiency per se.” Viitaniemi explains that European standards carry a great deal of importance even in countries outside Europe. “Though this is an EN standard, we have a lot of customers in various markets who want drill rigs that are built according to EN standards, even if their local legislation does not require them.” Kautiainen concludes: “There has been a great deal of interest from Australia for the improved protection, but naturally there has been some resistance to change in all market areas before getting used to working with new features. However, even in markets not necessarily requiring the new standard, feedback has been received that the users now feel themselves safer than before when operating our equipment.”

Chairman Andrew Kent

Media

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SUPPLIES & SERVICES

CASING & ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) CHENALORD DRILLING SUPPLIES (see under Equipment) COLCRETE EURODRILL (see under Drill Pipes, Rods & Tubulars) DCM DRILLQUIP LTD (see under Equipment)

MASSENZA fu GIUSEPPE IMPIANTI di PERFORAZIONE S.r.l.

VIA EMILIA 58/E/F 43030 PAROLA (PR) ITALY P.I. 00746150341 TEL. +39 (0521) 82-5284 RIC. AUT. FAX +39 (0521) 82-5353 Http: www.massenzarigs.it E-mail:info@massenzarigs.it

E-mail: commerciale@massenzarigs.it

Specialists in:

• Rock Drilling • Rock Anchors • Mining Piling • Site Investigation • Cliff Stabilization • Water Boreholes

CIRCULATION SAMPLING BULROC (UK) LTD, (See under Hammers Down-The-Hole)

CONSULTANTS Outlands, Bossell Road, Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 OAW • Office: (01364) 642709 •Fax: (01364) 642045 • admin@celticrockservices.co.uk

ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) TRICORE LIMITED Woodburn Road, Blackburn Industrial Estate, Kinellar, ABERDEEN AB21 0RX,Scotland Tel: (01224) 790338 Fax: (01224)790660 ROCK BITS FOR THE DRILLING INDUSTRY SPECIALISTS IN THE SUPPLY AND REFURBISHMENT OF ROCK BITS FOR THE WATERWELL DRILLING INDUSTRY. LARGE DIAMETER ROCK BIT RENTAL www.tricore.co.uk

www. celticrockservices.co.uk

Visit our website www.geodrillinginternational.com

: Hire Division Geotechnical – Geothermal – Mineral Exploration – Water Boreholes (Air & Mud) Restricted Access (Rotary & S&A) – Mini Piling – Concrete Drilling & Sawing

CONTRACTORS (DRILLING)

T: 01458 851276,F: 01458 850544 E: ros@jacksondrilling.co.uk W: www.jacksondrilling.co.uk

LOUGHNEY CONSTRUCTION AND DRILLING

BOREHOLE PUMPS GEOQUIP WATER SOLUTIONS LTD. Tel +44 (0) 1473 462046 www.geoquipwatersolutions.com. Borehole Pumps, Downhole CCTV, Wellmaster Rising Main, Starter Panels, Compression Fittings PROQUIP DIRECT LTD, Tel: +44 (0)20 8712 5982 E-mail: sales@proquipdirect.com www.proquipdirect.com Borehole Pumps, Flexible Rising Main, Starter Panels, etc

• ROTARY AND CABLE PERCUSSION • DRILLING CONTRACTOR • SITE INVESTIGATION ENVIRONMENTAL DRILLING • LOW HEADROOM CP • WELLS • D.T.H. e: admin@apex-drilling.com

Telephone: 07542 185 943 email: martinloughney@yahoo.com.

BOREHOLE SURVEYING EQUIPMENT www.

.com

Your partner for borehole surveying equipment from Devico… Introducing DeviShot: The innovative, new EMS survey instrument from Devico, featuring Bluetooth wireless for fast, reliable communication.

Brilliant Blue Technology (BBT)TM Devico

Visit www.geomem.com or phone/email for information Tel: +44(0)1382 329 011 surveys@geomem.com

UK based international drilling contractor specialising in: CABLE & PIPE LOCATION MLS

GOING UNDERGROUND

MANS Location Services supply to industry professional a full range of products including: • • • • • •

Cable Location Site Survey Water Leak Detection CCTV Lighting Specialist Cutting Systems

MLS is able to offer a full repair and calibration service for our own range of products and others too.

www.mansls.com

8 sales@mansls.com  +44 (0) 1249 816 181

Meridian Drilling Ltd Unit K, Clipstone Holding Centre, Clipstone Village, Mansfield NG12 9AP. Tel. +44 (0)1623 624812 Web. www.meridiandrilling.com Email. info@meridiandrilling.com

•Wireline, Diamond & Core drilling •Reverse Circulation & RAB drilling •Geotechnical drilling •Knowledge, Experience & Logistical Expertise

Your best medium for Drilling Sector Recruitment. Use GeoDrilling International to advertise your vacancies – have you also considered advertising on our heavily accessed website – www.geodrillinginternational.com at no extra cost!!! Call Linda Winﬁeld on Tel:+44(0)1268 769666, Fax: +44(0)1268 769665, e-mail: linda.winﬁeld@geodrillinginternational.com

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SUPPLIES & SERVICES

t: 01458 851515 e: sales@tordrilling.co.uk www.tordrilling.co.uk

DIRECTIONAL DRILLING DRI LLING LIM I TED

Geot

ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) DCM DRILLQUIP LTD (see under Equipment)

DRILL & BLAST BULROC (UK) LTD (see under Hammers down the hole) HALCO ROCK TOOLS (see under Hammers down the hole)

LEADERS IN GROUND ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT

Mini piling/Piling casings (up to 32”) Casing advancing systems Reverse circulation BOODE 4 CM CLASS 2015 NEW_proof 29/01/2015 T: 01485 851515 E: sales@tordrilling.co.uk ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING Rotary percussive CORE BARRELS & ANCILLARY EQPT (see under Exploration Drilling) www.tordrilling.co.uk Water well casing ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING Drill rods and drilling consumables (see under Exploration Drilling) Grouting and bentonite mixing DATC EUROPE S.A. (see under Bits) and pumping equipment JKS BOYLES UK LTD (see under Auger Boring Equipment)

DRILLING FLUIDS

Geotechnical & Environmental Drilling Contractors

TECSO, S.A.

C/ Carpinteros 4 28500 Arganda del Rey (Madrid) ESPAÑA Tel.: +34 918 701 547 - Fax: +34 918 714 169 comercial@tecso-sa.com - www.tecso.es

waterwell systems

World leading manufacturers of PVC Screen & Casing Range includes Select, Continuous Slot, Gravel Coated, Dual Wall Approved to Regulation 31 Johnson Screens Stainless Steel Screen & Casing Colcrete Geo D class ad.indd 1 17/2/10 BOODE U.K. Ltd - U.K. ABI EQUIPMENT LTD (see under Drill Rigs Rotary) Baroid Industrial Drilling Products Brindley Road Dodwells Bridge JKS BOYLES UK LTD (see under Auger Boring Equipment) BoreSaver Well Rehabilitation Treatments

DRILL RIGS FOR HIRE

www.boode.com

• Corebarrels • Drill Rods • Diamond and T.C. Core Bits • Casings • Concrete Drilling Bits Conc • Wireline • Accesories

Innovation & Expertise Environmentally Friendly Drilling Fluids

abcde

Geothermal Grout, Bentonite Sealants & Pellets

CORE BOXES

Drilling Fluid Mixing and Recycling Systems

+44 (0)1939 235754

www.drilling-products.com

DRILL PIPE & ANCILLARY EQPT ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) COLCRETE EURODRILL (see under Drill Pipes, Rods & Tubulars) DCM DRILLQUIP LTD (see under Equipment)

GREAT SERVICE, QUALITY AND PRICES!

ALSO NEW HANJIN ROTARY DRILLING RIGS 8-350 TON PULL BACK, HIGH SPEED HEADS, AT UNBEATABLE PRICES! RING NOW! +44 (0) 1207 271 212

www.drillingsupplies.net

11:13:17

Hinckley, Leics., LE10 3BY tel: +44 (0)1455 61 13 17 Email: info@boodeuk.com

Diamond Drilling Equipment Manufacturer

• All Rotary, Mini rig and C/P tooling stocked • Wireline & conventional coring products • HFS steel casing repaired or new • Hydraulic clamps & spider bowls • Sub adaptors • Diamond corebits • 3 Wing step drag bits • Coreliner/coreboxes • Bentonites & Installation equip • In-house engineering department

www.colcrete-eurodrill.com

DRILL PIPES, RODS & TUBULARS ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) BULROC (UK) LTD (see under Hammers Down-The-Hole) CHENALORD DRILLING SUPPLIES (see under Equipment) DCM DRILLQUIP LTD (see under Equipment) JKS BOYLES UK LTD (see under Auger Boring Equipment)

Danbar Drilling Services – Hire Division Rigs and Equipment available to hire for Geotechnical and Geothermal. • Rotary rigs available 20 tonne - 4 tonne pull back • Cable percussive rigs • Mud pumps • Loop winders • Hydraulic power packs • Drill rods • Casing etc. Danbar Drilling Services Ltd, Unit 5 Leopold Street, Lamberhead Industrial Estate, Pemberton, Wigan, WN5 8DH Contact Daniel 07801843080 admin@danbardrilling.com. Mining Magazine is the industry’s leading magazine

Print • Online • Tablet Mobile • Newsletter

Read specialised reports on every aspect of drilling in soils and rocks – wherever you are

Visit our website www.geodrillinginternational.com

Visit www.appstore.com/ GeoDrillingInternational

www.miningmagazine.com

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SUPPLIES & SERVICES

RIGS - BOATS

Drill rigs for rental

Hundreds of used drill rigs and boats for sale Drilling/Workover Rigs and related equipment Workboats/Tugs/Barges/Dredges Equipment for pile driving, shoring, drilling and other special civil engineering projects

• • • •

Tel (516) 536 7375 rigs@sunmachinery.com

Scan this QR Code with your smartphone

Sales Hire Parts Service

www.sunmachinery.com ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) JKS BOYLES UK LTD (see under Auger Boring Equipment)

Visit our website www.geodrillinginternational.com Barn Way, Lodge Farm Ind Est Northampton NN5 7UW Tel: +44 (0) 1604 586960 sales@abi-eqp.com • www.abi-eqp.com

Unit 9, Salcombe Road Meadow Lane Industrial Estate Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 7RG Tel: 01773 521382

Fax: 01773 521377

DRILL RIGS (SONIC)

Award-Winning Patented Technology

www.rigservices.co.uk DRILL RIGS (PERCUSSIVE) ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling)

DRILL RIG REPAIRS

www.sonic-drill.com

SONIC DRILL CORPORATION Suite 190#120, 119 N. Commercial St. Bellingham, WA 98225 1-604-588-6081

JKS BOYLES UK LTD (see under Auger Boring Equipment)

DRILL RIGS (ROTARY)

DTH HAMMERS & BITS ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) BULROC (UK) LTD (See under Hammers Down-The-Hole) CHENALORD DRILLING SUPPLIES (see under Equipment) HALCO ROCK TOOLS (see under Hammers down the hole)

•Casagrande Drilling Rigs •Hutte Drilling & Mini Piling Rigs •Eurodrill (Germany) Drifter Heads •Hany Grout Pumps Casagrande UK Unit 3, Botley Lane Chesham Bucks HP5 1XS, UK Tel:+44 (0)1494 794990 Fax:+44 (0)1494 794991 info@casagrandeuk.com

www.casagrandeuk.com

eNewsletter GeoDrilling International’s monthly eNewsletter is delivered directly to approximately 5,000 subscribers. Our recipients include board members, middle management, contractors, engineers as well as government and utilities companies. If you would like to receive this newsletter, go to www.geodrillinginternational.com Register under the ‘Newsletter’ tab on the homepage. If you would like to place an advertisement, please contact Linda Winfield on+44 (0)1268 769666 linda.winfield@geodrillinginternational.com September 2015

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SUPPLIES & SERVICES

EQUIPMENT

Visit our website

BULROC (UK) LTD. (see under Hammers Down the Hole) COLCRETE EURODRILL (see under Drill Pipes, Rods & Tubulars) JKS BOYLES UK LTD (see under Auger Boring Equipment)

DTH Hammers & Bits Shock Subs – 3”-24” RC Hammers & Drill Rods Flushing Shafts Drill Shanks Drill Rods Fishing Tools – Spear & Bell Taps Grout, Water & Air Bottles Casing Shoes – TC Insert & Button Type Drill Bits – PCD & Tricone Drag Bits Hoisting Swivels Adaptors Re-cut Service Bespoke manufacturing

Tel +44(0)1246 208745 dci drillquip classified 2015_proof enquiries@chenalord.co.uk 15/07/2015 14:36 WWW.CHENALORD.CO.UK

DCM DRILLQUIP LTD

n Drag and Rock Roller Bits n Stabilisers n Clamps n Fishing Tools n Specialised Products to Customer Requirements n Stainless Steel Screens

Email: sales@drillquip.co.uk Web: www.drillquip.co.uk DCM Drillquip Ltd, Hazell Way, Off Bermuda Road, Nuneaton, CV10 7QG, UK

Productive surface core drilling with Atlas Copco Christensen rigs Atlas Copco Mining and Rock Excavation Technique 01442 22 2416 ac.cmtuk@uk.atlascopco.com www.atlascopco.co.uk

FOUNDATION DRILLING EQUIPMENT

Manufacturers of Drilling Equipment

n Rotary / Blast Hole Drill Rods n Casing – Full range manufactured n Cement Grout Shoes n Fabrications and Repairs n Drill Collars n Adaptors n Hole Openers

EXPLORATION DRILLING

www.geodrillinginternational.com

Quality and performance

Tel: +44(0)2476 348328 Fax: +44(0)2476 348329

Core Barrels, Metric/Imperial Casing, Metric Imperial Drill Rods, Casing Shoes, Drag Bits, Fishing Tools, Hoist Swivels, Sub Adaptors, Window/Windowless Samplers, Hydraulic Casing Pullers, Hydraulic Cylinder repairs. R.B. JOHNSON ENGINEERING LTD Littlemoor Business Centre, Littlemoor, Eckington, Sheffield, S21 4EF, UK rbjohnson@btconnect.com Tel: +44 (0) 1246 431777

www.rbjohnson.co.uk

ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) BULROC UK LTD (see Hammers Down-The-Hole)

CR-12

CR-26

CR-16

Custom Diverters Schramm Case Package Errickson Equipment 10” & 16” in stock Ready to ship 277 Kingwood Stockton Road, Stockton, NJ 08559,USA (P) 908.996.2200 (F) 908.996.4326 Email: sales@errickson Schramm - 450WS Machined & equipment.com Drilling 8” holes Fabricated in the USA

ERRICKSON EQUIPMENT

GARLOCK KLOSURE SEALS - MARTIN SPROCKET - TIMKEN BEARINGS -

www.drill-systems.com • www.erricksonequipment.com

GEOTHERMAL EQUIPMENT & MATERIAL SUPPLIES ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) CHENALORD DRILLING SUPPLIES (see under Equipment) CLEAR SOLUTIONS INT. LTD (see under Drilling Fluids)

GROUTING ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) BULROC (UK) LTD (see under Hammers Down-The-Hole) CHENALORD DRILLING SUPPLIES (see under Equipment) DCM DRILLQUIP LTD (see under Equipment)

Visit our website www.geodrillinginternational.com

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SUPPLIES & SERVICES

GROUTING EQUIPMENT

For your next drilling project think Bulroc...

ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) BASKI PACKERS USA. www.baski.com info@baski.com Ph.+1 (303) 789-1200 Fax: +1 (303) 789-0900 CHENALORD DRILLING SUPPLIES (see under Equipment) COLCRETE EURODRILL (see under Drill Pipes, Rods & Tubulars)

Construction, Oil & Gas, Water Well, Geothermal, Seismic, Quarrying, Mining

Mining Magazine is the industry’s leading magazine T: +44 (0)1246 544700 F: +44 (0)1246 544701 E: info@bulroc.com

Download the new MM App

www.bulroc.com

Visit us at: www.miningmagazine.com

+ C

Building on excellence and industry knowledge

CMY

Download the new WTTW App Visit us at: www.tunnelling-and-trenchless-world.com

HAMMERS (DOWN-THE-HOLE) ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) CHENALORD DRILLING SUPPLIES (see under Equipment)

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE

Halco Advert.pdf 1 27/04/2012 16:54:43

EXPERIENCE TO DRILL DEEPER... Today, Halco precision engineered DTH hammers and drill bits are used to handle the toughest jobs around the globe. With more than 60 years experience, Halco continues to offer the most reliable and durable DTH products in the industry. Whatever your next drilling application, Halco can reduce costs and give Breakthrough Performance. • Mining

• Waterwell

• Quarrying

• Geothermal

• Exploration

• Oil and Gas

• Construction

• Grade Control

Tel: +44 (0) 1422 399900 salesuk@halcorocktools.com halcorocktools.com

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SUPPLIES & SERVICES

OVERBURDEN DRILLING SYSTEMS

HIRE (DOWN-THE-HOLE HAMMERS) ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling)

16952DrillingAd-HP:Layout 1

HYDRAULICS

ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) BULROC (UK) LTD (see under Hammers Down-The-Hole)

19/1/09

12:16

Page 1

Drilling Consultants & Equipment Suppliers

PIPE CASING & SCREENS

GD Drilling Consultants are proud to announce ATLAS COPCOCLASSIFIED CONSTRUCTION & MINING BOODE 12CM 2015 NEW_proof 29/01 official representation (see under Exploration Drilling) in the UK for CLEAR SOLUTIONS INT. LTD (see under Drilling Fluids) DCM DRILLQUIP LTD (see under Equipment) BSP Screen Pipes for the Oil & Gas fields / Water Well Construction & Industrial Applications.

HydraulicPumps (UK) Limited

Hydraulic Pumps (UK) Ltd is the United Kingdoms leading hydraulic engineering company specialising in the repair and replacement of hydraulic pumps and motors to the Drilling Industry.

waterwell systems

FREE collect, strip, assess & quote from the UK Mainland & Ireland

World leading manufacturers of PVC Screen & Casing Range includes Select, Continuous Slot, Gravel Coated, Dual Wall

www.hydraulicpumps.co.uk Freephone:- 0800 360370 Tel:- 01709 360370 Fax:- 01709 372913

Approved to Regulation 31

Email:sales@hydraulicpumps.co.uk Hydraulic Pumps (UK) Limited

Johnson Screens Stainless Steel Screen & Casing

Contact: +44 (0)7736 364259 BSP Screen Pipe is pleased to welcome GD Drilling Consultants to our team. We ask that any interested party contact them with all your screen pipe needs.

Baroid Industrial Drilling Products BoreSaver Well Rehabilitation Treatments

Heavyparts Hydraulics Ltd Fully Authorised Service and Repair Centre for Kawasaki Hydraulic Products All leading pump Brands catered for, full recon service, test, spare parts supply

SAUER DANFOSS

Also Specialists in hydraulic pump & motor repairs for hydrostatic transmissions

K3V; K5V PUMP

BOODE U.K. Ltd - U.K. Brindley Road, Dodwells Bridge, Hinckley, Leics., LE10 3BY tel: +44 (0)1455 61 13 17 Email: info@boodeuk.com

BOSCH REXROTH

LARGEST STOCKISTS OF KAWASAKI PUMP & MOTOR SPARES IN THE UK

LARGE-DIAMETER HAMMERS

www.boode.com

ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) BULROC (UK) LTD (see under Hammers Down-The-Hole)

LOGGING

MUDS BOODE UK LTD (See under Drilling Fluids) CLEAR SOLUTIONS INT. LTD (see under Drilling Fluids) JKS BOYLES UK LTD (see under Auger Boring Equipment)

OIL & GAS ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) CHENALORD DRILLING SUPPLIES (see under equipment) HALCO ROCK T0OLS (see under Hammers down the whole)

All you need from one source

BOODE b.v P.O. Box 27 NL 2760 AA Zevenhuizen Holland tel: +31 180 63 27 44 E-mail: info@boode.com

CALL US ON 01706 356676 Sales@heavyparts.co.uk www.heavyparts.co.uk

EUROPEAN GEOPHYSICAL SERVICES, The Stables,Sansaw Business Park, Hadnall,Shrewsbury SY4 4AS, UK Tel: 01939-210710. Fax: 01939-210532 E-mail: eurogeophys@europeangeophysical.com www.eurpopeangeophysical.com ROBERTSON GEOLOGGING LTD. Deganwy, Conwy LL31 9PX, UK. Tel: +44 1492-582323 Fax:+44 1492 582322. E-mail: sales@geologging.com Website: http://www.geologging.com

Dale North, International Sales Manager BSP Screen pipes www. bspwellscreen.com

• PVC casings and screens • Steel casings and screens • PEHD and Aqua 23 casings and screens • Well heads • Pumps • Drilling fluids • Grouting material • Geothermal probes

PVC Pipes approved for use in public water supplies STÜWA Konrad Stükerjürgen GmbH F: +49 5244 407-0 www.stuewa.de Hemmersweg 80 D-33397 Rietberg info@stuewa.de Our Partner in UK: Casagrande UK F: +44 1494 794990 info@casagrandeuk.com

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SUPPLIES & SERVICES

PUMPS

WELL REHABILITATION

ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) JKS BOYLES UK LTD (see under Auger Boring Equipment) PROQUIP DIRECT LTD (see under Borehole Pumps)

Due to the expansion of our ground investigation business, BAM Ritchies wish to recruit Experienced Ground Investigation Rotary Drillers for our depot in Erith, South East London.

REVERSE-CIRCULATION SAMPLING ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) BULROC (UK) LTD (see under Hammers Down-The-Hole) CHENALORD DRILLING SUPPLIES (see under Equipment) HALCO ROCK TOOLS (see under Hammers Down-The-Hole)

Please send your CV to noel.greally@bamritchies.co.uk or contact Noel on 01322 345272 or 07979 954208

SHOCK ABSORBERS ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) BULROC (UK) LTD (see under Hammers Down-The-Hole) CHENALORD DRILLING SUPPLIES (see under Equipment)

SIMULTANEOUS CASING SYSTEMS ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) BULROC (UK) LTD (see under Hammers Down-The-Hole)

SITE INVESTIGATION ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) ROBERTSON GEOLOGGING LTD. Deganwy, Conwy LL31 9PX, UK. Tel: +44 1492-582323, Fax: +44 1492 582322. E-mail: sales@geologging.com Website: http://www.geologging.com STRUCTURAL SOILS LTD, The Old School, Stillhouse Lane, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 4EB, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 117 947 1000 E-mail: admin@soils.co.uk

STAINLESS SCREENS BOODE UK LTD (see under Pipe Casing and Screens) CLEAR SOLUTIONS INT. LTD (see under Drilling Fluids) DCM DRILLQUIP LTD (see under Equipment)

WATER WELL EQUIPMENT ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) CHENALORD DRILLING SUPPLIES (see under Equipment) COLCRETE EURODRILL (see under Drill Pipes, Rods & Tubulars) DCM DRILLQUIP LTD (see under Equipment) PROQUIP DIRECT LTD, (See under Borehole Pumps)

WATER WELL / GEOTHERMAL DRILLING ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) BULROC (UK) LTD, (See under Hammers Down-The-Hole) DCM DRILLQUIP LTD (see under Equipment) HALCO ROCK TOOLS (See under Hammers Down-The-Hole) PROQUIP DIRECT LTD, (See under Borehole Pumps) CHENALORD DRILLING SUPPLIES (see under equipment)

WELL PACKERS ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) BASKI PACKERS USA, www.baski.com info@baski.com Ph: +1 (303) 789-1200 Fax: +1 (303) 789-0900 INFLATABLE PACKERS INTERNATIONAL PTY LTD, Designer and Manufacturer, Perth, WA, Australia, Tel: +61 8 9204 2448, www.inflatable-packers.com PROQUIP DIRECT LTD, (See under Borehole Pumps)

WIRELINE ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION & MINING (see under Exploration Drilling) JKS BOYLES UK LTD (see under Auger Boring Equipment)

WANTED

FOR SALE SPECIALIST VEHICLE SERVICES DRILLING RIGS AND EQUIPMENT REPAIRS RIG HIRE

Rotary & Shell and Auger Restricted Access S.A. Rigs Grout mixer - Pump Units

Tel 01924 898 555 Mobile 07710 02 58 58

Dando

Wanted used drilling equipment Drill rigs any year/make compressors, mud pumps, drill pipe etc Email: cullinaneplant@gmail.com Tel: Sean (+44) (0)7587268871 (+353) (0)868115128

shell and auger rig for sale please contact steve on 07799045184 RECRUITMENT

Drilling and Plant Manager Endeavour Drilling Ltd are looking for Cable Percussion drillers and Assistant drillers to expand its drilling division. Please reply with C.V. to enquiries@endeavourdrilling.co.uk LOUGHNEY DRILLING want to recruit a good all round driller. The right candidate will hold a full clean driver licence, NVQ Level 2 drilling qualification and must be able to drill shell & auger and rotary. We offer top rates of pay to the right person. Must be fit and able to handle up to 300 mm diameter equipment. Also Labour required. Email: loughneydrilling@yahoo.com

Visit our website www.geodrillinginternational.com

required for site investigation company based in Castleford to manage the drilling and plant operations out of the depot. Would suit a background in drilling, geotechnical engineering, site investigation or plant management. Will involve many tasks eg H&S, overseeing rig utilisation, stock control, liaising with colleagues, clients etc. Contact Structural Soils Ltd to speak to Sarah Murphy 0117 300 4295 or email smurphy@rsk.co.uk to apply.

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Download the new GDI App UPDATE NOW TO CONTINUE READING You can now enjoy reading content from your favourite monthly industry magazine on many more devices than before. GeoDrilling International is available on all iOS and Android tablets and smartphones. To update your App, please follow these instructions: • Visit GeoDrilling International App in the iTunes store on your mobile device. • Click ‘Update’. • Once you have updated your App, open the navigation menu within the App using the icon in the top-left of your screen. • Select the ‘Sign-in’ menu option at the bottom of the screen.

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