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 sonic sample or sonic exploration jobs faster, easier, and safer for the drill rig operator.
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 drill rig 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 a sonic sample or completing sonic exploration faster and easier.
A direct response to the needs of drill rig 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.”
The double wrench breakout system on the Geoprobe®8150LS V3 sonic rig has impressed drill rig 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.
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 drill rig operators can focus on the task at hand rather than worrying about equipment issues.”
Contact Us
1835 Wall Street
Salina, Kansas 67401
Phone: (785) 825-1842
Enhanced safety and reduced physical strain placed on your team proves invaluable when weighing cost of investing in a sonic rig system.
ID: 14159 | Date:
Beyond physical rig components, evaluate a manufacturer’s ability to offer extensive support services to ensure you get the most out of your equipment.
ID: 14157 | Date:
Manufacturing productive sonic drill rigs requires more than just engineering prowess. Innovations are more effective when those skilled engineers are also experienced in operating the sonic rig themselves.
ID: 14156 | Date:
In a wide range of formations, a single sonic drilling rig can quickly provide continuous, undisturbed core samples to impressive depths while preserving the option for setting wells - often at less cost per foot.
ID: 14155 | Date:
After suspending in-house drilling around 2009, Nutrien — the world's largest fertilizer producer — brought it back after investing in a DM250 in 2023.
ID: 14095 | Date:
Geoprobe® Sonic Stack Rack Overview
ID: 14115
DM Water Well Rig Series Overview
ID: 14052
Geoprobe® Walkaround: DM650 Air Rig
ID: 14045
ID: 14042
ID: 14040
MWD - Measurement While Drilling
ID: 14039
ID: 13907