Deeper in Environmental with Maximum Utilization

As AIMRIGHT Testing & Engineering progressed to doing more contract services, the full-service geotechnical engineering company formed AIMRIGHT Drilling Services.

“We do a diverse range of projects from DOT, commercial, residential, renewable energy, and what we call mission critical projects. We categorize our work into geotechnical drilling, environmental drilling, and mineral exploration doing aggregate rock coring,” Jeff Coates, owner, said. “We currently operate six track or buggy-mounted rigs with a range of capabilities and employ 18 people in our drilling division.”

Fiscally-Smart Purchase

Increasingly the Oklahoma-based company found themselves doing permanent well installations, receiving more requests for direct push services in the environmental sector. This prompted adding a Geoprobe^® 7822DT to their fleet.

“We were very particular with the make and model. We were just getting into direct push and knew we couldn’t keep a rig busy 100% of the time doing environmental alone,” Coates said. “We wanted a versatile rig to do geotechnical and environmental with a smaller footprint than your typical geotechnical rig since we were working in residential backyards, inside garages, etc.”

They decked out their 7822DT so when they’re not using it on environmental Phase II projects or installing monitoring wells, they utilize it on geotechnical projects. 

Smart Choice for Rock Sampling

Out of their fleet, they picked their 7822DT to complete a 140-foot rock sampling on a mineral exploration project.

“We have 4-speed head, breakout, and 3L6 pump so we felt like the 7822DT was equally suited even though our other rigs have higher torque,” Coates said. “But higher torque doesn’t matter on rock coring. You need high speed and a pump with capacity.”

They use the 7822DT everyday — 50% environmental, 50% geotechnical.

“The whole purpose in choosing the 7822DT was to maximize the utilization rate. It’s not as limited-use as a traditional geotechnical rig. We use the 7822DT in more places than other rigs,” Coates said. “We can’t have a rig out only 50 percent of the time; it’s not a good investment. If the rig is sitting half the time, we’d still be making payments full time.”

Increased Profit Margins

The 7822DT also has less project cost and overhead, which allows them to reduce operations costs and increase profit margins. The pavement coring system permits them to avoid sending a separate crew to core pavement ahead of a project.

“We can core the pavement with the 7822DT and proceed with the project. This is a cost savings by using less resources to get the job done,” Coates said. “We don’t need a semi to mobilize. Overall there’s less cost to utilize the 7822DT than other rigs. If we can drill a project using the 7822DT with the same footage rate, and achieve the same footage per day but with less operating cost, that’s more profit. We can make clients happy and make more money.”

He describes their 7822DT as a “phenomenal machine” valued for having more capacity to perform deep rock sampling, daily augering, or low-clearance work compared to their conventional rigs.

“That 7822DT goes anywhere for us. It’s been in a dozen states and completed a 50-foot, 3.25-inch hollow stem auger renewable energy project in Texas even with half the torque of our other machines,” Coates said. “There’s nothing about our other machines that the 7822DT can’t handle.”

Having all this capacity to perform such a range of drilling applications, the 7822DT still remains simple to operate.

“We use it to train future drillers on,” Coates said. “Not because it’s at the bottom of the ladder; it’s just easy to train on. It’s a great machine for any driller to get familiar on the ins and outs of drilling.”

Reliable Partnership

Coates describes Geoprobe^® service as “top-notch.”

“All we provide to our customers is a service, so we take service pretty seriously. Just the other day we needed two mud tubs, and Geoprobe^® only had one. They got one fabricated and sent out to us the same day,” he said. “We’re extremely grateful and appreciate Geoprobe^® partnering with us. We’re not just another order. When they can, they stop what they're doing when we need something.”

He also recognizes the focus Geoprobe^® engineers place on solving struggles for their customers through innovation. They recently purchased the new 4.25 Hollow Stem Auger Continuous Sampler. Within a week, he received a call from the sales team to gather what he liked or any suggested changes. He's already seen engineering drawings on potential revisions.

“Geoprobe^® really listens to the customer more than other tool and rig manufacturers across the industry," Coates said. "They take complaints seriously, and when they hear multiple similar concerns, they take action to offer a solution."