Scaling Up with Sonic Drilling Efficiency

Legion Drilling Pty Ltd, an Australian drilling company, focuses primarily on the environmental, geotechnical, and sonic drilling industries across 4,000 km of the country’s east coast. When they bought their first sonic rig in 2013 – a Geoprobe^® 8150LS – the aim was to combat Australia’s tough drilling conditions. 

“Direct push methods face limitations in Australian lithology. So, the prospect of obtaining continuous samples in challenging formations and landfill sites using sonic technology was highly compelling,” Matthew Hansen, owner, said.  

Gaining Ground on Sonic Drilling

At the time, sonic drilling technology was new to the industry and clients. But in 2023, a big project led to the purchase of two 8150LS sonic rigs.  

“In 2023, we undertook a major project involving the installation of deep groundwater monitoring wells for a mining operation in Queensland, Australia,” Hansen said. “It’s noteworthy that while sonic technology faced adoption challenges in 2013, by 2023 it had become the preferred method among clients for environmental and geotechnical drilling.” 

A major deciding factor for choosing the 8150LS sonic drilling rigs: the rod handling. 

“Our clients prioritize efficient rod handling and minimizing manual contact with drill rods. The SRC30DT sonic rod carrier resolves 90 percent of these risks,” Hansen said. “Geoprobe^® provides the most effective rod loading solutions available on the market.” 

Virtually Hands-Free Sonic Drilling

Hansen calls out four specific features of the SRC30DT: 

• Rod capacity: “It accommodates sufficient rods for most projects, where we typically drill to depths of 300 feet, installing 4-, 6-, or 7-inch wells.”
• Road loading options: “For over casing scenarios requiring larger diameters, the ability to load additional or varied casing sizes from the rear is a significant benefit.”
• Self-propelled carrier: “Its independent mobility ensures quick and efficient setup.”  
• Simplicity Mechanically: “The design is mechanically straightforward, which is preferable to more complex systems from other manufacturers, especially for maintenance in remote areas.” 

Clients and Hansen aren’t the only ones who appreciate the SRC30DT – drillers do as well. 

“The absence of complaints from our drillers indicates the system is performing effectively,” Hansen said. “Feedback has been positive, with comments noting that manual rod handling previously caused significant physical strain. Now, operators simply manage controls, reducing contact with steel, alleviating fatigue, and minimizing crew discomfort.”