What is geothermal drilling?

Geothermal drilling involves the installation of geothermal heating and cooling systems in industrial, commercial, or institutional infrastructure. This type of industrial drilling utilizes the Earth’s heat to provide a renewable and sustainable energy source, thus reducing energy costs.

By using open-loop wells, closed-loop wells, or riser columns, we apply thermodynamic principles to transfer energy through a fluid, followed by a refrigeration process that extracts this energy. It can then be used to efficiently and sustainably heat or cool the building.

For geothermal drilling, we use conventional drills adapted to hard or rocky soils to capture and transfer energy from the ground, thereby reducing heating and cooling costs. Results include measuring the thermal conductivity and temperature of the ground to determine the geothermal efficiency of the site.

The objectives of geothermal drilling

The primary goal of geothermal drilling is to harness the natural thermal energy of the earth for heating and cooling applications, contributing to an environmentally friendly energy solution.

Our geothermal process

1. Preliminary assessment: Site study to determine energy needs and optimal drilling depth for the industrial project.
2. Industrial drilling: Use of specialized equipment to drill one or more vertical or horizontal holes, depending on the project requirements.
3. Geothermal system installation: Installation of geothermal loops in the drilled holes, connected to a heat pump system for temperature regulation.
4. Testing and commissioning: Ensuring the proper functioning of the geothermal system to guarantee long-term efficiency.

What is geotechnical drilling?

Geotechnical drilling involves the collection and analysis of soils and subsoils to determine their composition, stability, and capacity to support structures. These drills provide essential data for the planning of infrastructure, construction, or civil engineering projects.

Geotechnical drilling requires the use of NWJ and AWJ rods with split spoon or Shelby tube samplers to collect samples for detailed geotechnical analysis. Multifunctional drill heads facilitate rock coring, while temporary casings simplify the installation of monitoring wells or piezometers. The stability of the borehole walls is also maintained, preventing installation issues.

Geotechnical drilling objectives

The soil information gathered allows geotechnical experts to assess risks and design industrial, commercial, and institutional structures that are tailored for success in any construction project.

Geotechnical drilling also ensures safety, reduces costs by preventing errors caused by unforeseen soil conditions, and optimizes material and technique choices. This type of industrial drilling can also detect seismic risk zones or contaminated soils, ensuring safer and more sustainable projects.

Our geotechnical process

1. Site study: Analyzing soil conditions before starting geotechnical drilling, including examining the site’s geology and hydrology.
2. Drilling: Drilling holes to collect soil samples at various depths.
3. Laboratory testing: Analyzing soil samples in a laboratory to determine their composition, density, and other geotechnical characteristics.
4. Analysis reports: Preparing a detailed report on test results to guide design and construction decisions.

What is water well drilling?

Water wells are drilled to supply potable water for municipal, institutional, commercial, and industrial needs. This type of drilling ensures sustainable and efficient water resource extraction.

During the drilling of water wells, conventional or dual rotary rigs are used to reach the water table. Flow test pumps are installed to assess the water supply. Filters and well screens are placed around the well to ensure optimal water filtration. Water samples are taken at different depths to analyze water quality, along with soil samples around the well to evaluate the site’s geological stability.

Objectives of water well drilling

The primary objective of water well drilling is to access productive aquifers while protecting the source of contamination. This ensures a reliable and sustainable water supply for various applications.

Our water well drilling process

1. Hydrogeological study: Evaluating the water source and the feasibility of drilling at the chosen location.
2. Water well drilling: Drilling the well to an appropriate depth to access the aquifer or other underground water sources.
3. Pump installations: Installing a pumping system to extract water according to project needs.
4. Flow testing: Testing the water yield to ensure sufficient and stable supply.

What is structural drilling?

Structural drilling is a specialized type of drilling designed to create strong, durable foundations for projects that require deep ground support. It includes pile drilling, caisson drilling, and the installation of anchors to stabilize structures built on low-bearing-capacity surface soils.

Structural drilling requires dual rotary rigs, which FTE Drilling experts use to handle the world’s most demanding formations. A site-specific reinforcement solution is proposed based on the surface and subsurface geology. At FTE Drilling, our experience across Canada and internationally allows us to deliver the best possible solution for your structural project.

Objectives of structural drilling

A solid foundation becomes essential when poor soils or low-quality rock are encountered. Our structural drilling experts are skilled in delivering piles and anchoring solutions that provide bearing, uplift, and lateral resistance for buildings, bridges, wind turbines, power plants, and various other types of infrastructure.