Inclined wet wells

Greenfield, Nova Scotia

MDL was prime contracted to directionally drill two wet wells at 12- & 7-degree casing alignments, intersecting the cleavage plane of the slate at 30 degrees to drill thru water bearing zones in rock under and existing river. The wells would be cased from surface and additional open hole drilled, swabbed and air lifted. Excavation of the over burden would allow us to start the pilot bores in rock. These wells, if water bearing formations are found would supply water to an industrial location.

Environmental considerations to the drilling equipment and drilling mediums were made to mitigate any chance of contamination of the water source. Air/foam drilling was specified by the hydrology consultants. The R400 DTH hammer was utilized to complete the pilot bores. A TCI roller cone hole opener was utilized for the push ream and our AR8 pneumatic hammer was utilized to run casing from surface.

The project was first discussed in the summer of 2019 but regulatory approval and permits were only granted in December, adding weather and freezing temperatures in to the mix of an already complex job. Mobilization of pipe and equipment started in the 2nd week of January. The site was surveyed and alignment of wells decided. The wells were successfully drilled, cased and yield tested by February 14th, 2020 and are the first wells in the region to be constructed utilizing horizontal directional drilling equipment and technologies.