Select Sonic Rigs Offering Features to Simplify Fieldwork

As the drilling industry evolves, so too do the demands of clients who require more from their equipment than ever before. 

“Our clients are facing increasingly complex drilling scenarios,” Doug Koehler, Geoprobe^® sonic expert, explains. “Whether it’s drilling in urban environments with space constraints or tackling challenging geological formations, they need equipment that can adapt to their specific needs.”

Continual innovation fueled by operator feedback means Geoprobe^® sonic rigs remain focused on providing solutions to make jobs faster, easier, and safer for the drill crew.

Control Panel

DJ Wardwell, drilling manager for Discovery Drilling, often is office-bound and considers himself a little rusty operating drills these days. The control panel design on the 8150LS made returning to the reigns natural.

“I have to say at first glance, it is the most intimidating set of controls I have ever seen on a drill rig, but after our training it became clear it was designed as a user-intuitive control panel with operator ease of use in mind,” Wardwell said. “I jumped on the controls and everything just felt right and simple. The design of the control panel is ideal for the operator, and with a little learned muscle memory, I found myself not even having to look at the control panel anymore when operating.”

The adjustable height control panel has been designed to optimize operator comfort and safety. On the new 8150LS V3, the panel not only swings in and out, but also can be adjusted up and down to suit the operator’s height. Operators can choose to situate the panel close to align rods or safely away from spinning tool strings, ensuring they can work efficiently and safely, even during long shifts. This focus on ergonomics is part of a broader commitment to safety by Geoprobe^®, which includes a range of other features designed to minimize the risk of accidents on site.

Additionally, simplified weight on bit controls and analog gauges to monitor common rig parameters make drilling faster and easier.

Centerline Head Side Shift

A direct response to the needs of operators working in confined spaces, the centerline head side shift allows the drill head to move 32-inches laterally. This feature provides operators with easy access to the casing without needing to reposition the entire machine — a significant time-saver, particularly in confined spaces such as urban drilling sites. The centerline head side shift makes an open borehole easy to access when utilizing the drill mast-mounted winches to install well materials or remove sampling tools.

“This kind of innovation is exactly what our clients have been asking for,” notes Koehler. “It’s about making the job easier and safer without sacrificing performance.”

Double Wrench Breakout System

The double wrench breakout system on the Geoprobe^®8150LS V3 sonic rig has impressed operators who regularly work in tough conditions. The recently re-engineered breakout system now offers increased clamp force — from 21,000 lbf to 31,000 lbf — and twist force — from 13,500 ft-lb to 37,000 ft-lb. These enhancements allow for increased productivity, improving the rig’s performance. The new design also makes common wear components replaceable versus requiring replacing the entire breakout, enhancing its serviceability.

Placement of Sensitive Components

With redesigning the 8150LS, sensitive components were relocated out of harm’s way while still allowing accessibility.

“We’ve made a lot of small but significant changes to the V3 version,” Koehler notes. “It’s all about making the rig more resilient and easier to maintain, so operators can focus on the task at hand rather than worrying about equipment issues.”