News & Updates

Stay informed on the latest from our team and the well drilling industry at large. This page is your resource for in-depth looks at our recent projects, company announcements, and a curated summary of key industry developments. We'll share insights on new drilling technologies, best practices for well maintenance, and important news that impacts groundwater management, ensuring our customers are always equipped with the most current information.

10/09/2025

Hydro-Fracturing for Low-Yield Wells:

Hydro-fracturing, or hydro-fracking, is a modern technique designed to enhance water production in low-yield wells. This process works by pumping highly pressurized water down the well to create small cracks and micro-fractures in the surrounding bedrock. This action not only creates new pathways but also clears existing ones, allowing groundwater to flow more freely into the well. This method is particularly effective for bedrock wells, where water is stored in natural fractures and fissures. By expanding these existing openings, hydro-fracking can often transform a dry or low-producing well into a reliable water source

Limitations and Best Practices

While highly effective, hydro-fracturing is not a universal solution and has specific requirements. The technique is only viable when a well is uncased through at least 200–300 feet of solid bedrock, providing sufficient rock for the process to be effective. To ensure safety and prevent damage, the pressurized water must be applied at least 50 feet below the well casing. This critical step helps prevent serious issues such as casing lifting, damage to the surface seal, or fractures extending to the surface. Overall, hydro-fracturing offers a controlled and efficient method for increasing groundwater flow, making it a valuable option for improving low-yield wells in bedrock-rich areas.

09/06/2025

From Topsoil to Aquifer:
Understanding the Well Drilling Process

On-Site Drilling Rig (Preparation and Operation)

Understanding a Well-Drilling Hammer Rig

The image shows a well-drilling rig, a powerful machine mounted on a truck, designed to bore deep into the Earth. The tall, towering structure at the back of the rig is the mast, which is the backbone of the entire operation. It's used to raise and lower the drill rods, and it applies a downward force to help the drill bit penetrate the ground.

The rig is set up in a field, away from other structures, which is a common practice to ensure safety and to allow for the movement of heavy machinery. The area directly under the mast is where the well will be drilled.

The Down-the-Hole Hammering Process

This particular type of rig likely uses a Down-the-Hole (DTH) hammer to drill through hard rock formations. The DTH hammer is a percussive tool, meaning it uses a powerful hammering action, much like a jackhammer, but deep underground. This is one of the most efficient ways to drill in areas with solid bedrock, like the Pacific Northwest, where the image was taken.

Here’s a breakdown of the key steps:

Pilot Hole and Casing: First, a large-diameter bit drills a pilot hole a few feet into the ground. A steel pipe called a casing is then placed in this hole. The casing protects the shallow, unstable soil from collapsing and acts as a guide for the main drill string.

Drilling with the Hammer: The drill rods, connected to the DTH hammer and bit, are fed down through the casing. A powerful air compressor, often part of the rig or a separate unit, sends high-pressure air down the drill rods. This air activates a piston inside the DTH hammer, causing it to strike the drill bit hundreds of times per minute. The combination of this hammering action and the rotation of the drill string pulverizes the rock at the bottom of the hole.

Flushing the Cuttings: The same high-pressure air that powers the hammer has a dual purpose. After striking the bit, it forces the broken bits of rock and soil, called cuttings, up the narrow space between the drill rods and the borehole wall. These cuttings are ejected at the surface, providing the driller with a visual record of the rock layers being penetrated.

Extending the Drill String: As the drilling progresses deeper, the operator adds new drill rods, one by one, to the top of the string, extending the reach of the hammer. This process continues until the rig reaches a water-bearing layer of rock or gravel known as an aquifer.

Well Completion: Once the aquifer is hit, the drilling stops. The drill string is removed, and a well screen is installed at the bottom to allow water to enter while keeping out sand and gravel. The casing is then permanently sealed in place with a special grout to prevent contamination from surface water. Finally, a pump is installed, and the well is ready for use.

Cross-Sectional Diagram (The Well-Drilling Process)

The Drilling Process Illustrated

The bottom half of the image visually explains how the well is constructed within these layers. The drill bit at the bottom of the casing is actively penetrating the fractured bedrock to reach the aquifer. The narrow pipe shown inside the borehole is the casing, which is installed to prevent the softer upper layers from collapsing into the wellbore. The space between the casing and the surrounding rock is sealed to prevent surface contaminants from seeping into the aquifer and contaminating the water supply.

The Geological Layers

The diagram illustrates the subsurface in distinct strata, each presenting unique challenges for the drilling process.

Topsoil: This is the uppermost layer, a mixture of organic matter, sand, silt, and clay. It's the softest layer and the easiest to drill through, but it's also the most susceptible to surface contamination.

Glacial Deposits: Below the topsoil are deposits left by ancient glaciers. This layer is a heterogeneous mix of sand, gravel, silt, and clay. The composition and density can vary greatly, and these deposits can contain large boulders that are difficult to drill through. The presence of these deposits is a key feature of the geology in many parts of the Pacific Northwest, including Island County.

Sedimentary Rock: Deeper down, the drill encounters hardened rock formed by the compression of ancient sediments. The image specifically names sandstone and shale. These rocks are more difficult to drill than the layers above, but they are often permeable and can hold some water.

Fractured Bedrock: This is the final layer before the aquifer. It consists of hard, crystalline rock like granite or basalt. These rocks are impermeable in their solid form, but the presence of fractures—cracks and fissures—is what makes them a viable target for a well. These fractures can hold significant amounts of water.

Aquifer: The ultimate target of the drilling process. An aquifer is a body of porous rock or sediment saturated with water. The well is specifically drilled into this layer to access a reliable and sustainable supply of groundwater. In the diagram, the blue color indicates that this layer is full of water. The well casing is extended into this layer to allow for the collection of water.

08/14/2025

Lifting the Load:
Our New PumpTrax Has Arrived

We're excited to announce a fantastic new addition to our equipment lineup: the PumpTrax well pump puller! This powerful machine is a game-changer, allowing us to safely and efficiently pull and install well pumps from depths of up to 600 feet, or with a lifting capacity of 1,200 lbs. With this tool, we can handle challenging jobs in remote areas and confined spaces with just a single crew member, ensuring fast and reliable service no matter the conditions.