canada embraces geothermal

With the global push to find and use more sustainable sources of energy, it should come as no surprise that geothermal is leading the race. In Canada, a number of provinces have embraced geothermal as an affordable and environmentally-friendly energy option for both commercial and residential projects. And, considering the benefits of using a sonic drill rig, it’s also not surprising that companies are embracing this drilling technique for their geothermal projects. In the eastern province of Ontario, GeoEnergy Solutions Inc., of Bolton, has been able to position itself as a leader in the expanding sector of geothermal drilling by using a sonic drill rig.

 

“The sonic drill is extremely efficient,” says Jeremy Beatty, president of GeoEnergy Solutions Inc. “We completed approximately 20 major drilling projects during the last year. Many were two-week long projects, mostly in the commercial sector with about 10% of our work done for residential clients.”

 

“We are able to complete that many projects as a result of the unique capabilities of the sonic drill which allows for rapid, simultaneous drilling and casing of the bore hole.” he says.

 

GeoEnergy Solutions uses a Sonic Drill Corporation drill rig with its patented sonic-drill head. The sonic head works by sending high-frequency, resonant vibrations down the drill string to the drill bit, while the operator controls the frequencies to suit the specific conditions of the soil/rock geology. Resonance magnifies the amplitude of the drill bit, which fluidizes the soil particles at the bit face, allowing for penetration through most geological formations while an internal air-spring isolates these vibrational forces from the rest of the drill rig. Because of this unique drilling technique, the sonic rig is able to bore, case, loop and grout in one-easy operation making it the perfect tool for geothermal installations.

 

Beatty describes the company’s biggest project of the summer of 2008, for Idomo Furniture in North York, as having been particularly challenging given its scope as well as the on-site ground conditions. “We had to drill through 200 feet of overburden and case the material as we progressed downward, then, switch to a different technique as we reached the bedrock. The versatility of the drill allowed us to do this quickly and we were thus able to bore 66 holes to a depth of 550 feet in two and a half months,” says Beatty. The challenging working environment meant having to bore some of the holes at a distance of only ten feet away from the building, which meant that they had to drill at night for three weeks to avoid disrupting Idomo’s business.

 

Another noteworthy project for the company was one that involved drilling a geothermal installation before the actual building was built by Toronto Community Housing. GeoEnergy took on the task of drilling 50 bore holes to a depth of 430 feet, taking into consideration an extra 30 feet of drilling for the two-level underground parking facility. “The unusual part of this operation was that we had to cut away the pipe casing 30 feet below ground level to allow for the subsequent construction of the underground parking. We then had to remain on site while they were doing the excavating to make sure they did not damage our pipe installation.”

 

GeoEnergy Solutions is now on the verge of acquiring a second sonic drill – pleased with the results obtained so far with the first one. “We purchased our Sonic SDC 550 from the outset since we had heard many positive things about the outstanding performance provided by these rigs. In the two years-plus that we have been using this equipment, we have been more than happy with the results in our various drilling projects,” says Beatty.

 

GeoEnergy Solutions is a family-owned and operated company that was created two years ago as a new geothermal installation enterprise to complement the activities of the environmental consulting firm Beatty & Associates Limited.

 

The company’s services also include:

 

• geological mapping and groundwater assessments

• feasibility studies

• earth energy and groundwater modelling

• and the design of borehole fields as well as water supply and injection wells.

 

“We consider Sonic Drill Corporation to be an important stakeholder in what we do,” he adds. “They are widely viewed to the leaders in their field of expertise. Our experience with their equipment confirms this and, in turn, this has enabled us to build our own enviable reputation in the area of geothermal drilling.