Rotary Drilling
Rotary drilling relies on the continuous rotation of a drill bit to bore through various materials. As cuttings are generated, they are dispersed out of the borehole with either air or drilling fluids (mud).
With a vast variety of size, depth and diameter we are able to utilize air and mud systems for most applications. We also have dual rotary rigs for boreholes that need to be cased while drilling.
Diamond Core Drilling:
Diamond core drilling utilizes a diamond-impregnated drill bit to cut a cylindrical core sample to depths that can reach several thousand feet. Coring is typically used for drilling into hard materials such as bedrock. These continuous rock core samples are analyzed by geologists and engineers for mineral content and other properties.
- Cascade utilizes the following core systems: 94mm Wireline Punch Core, NQ, HQ, and PQ Hard Rock Wireline Coring.
Sonic Drilling
Sonic drilling employs the use of high-frequency, resonant energy to advance a core barrel or casing into subsurface formations. During drilling, the resonant energy is transferred to the drill bit at multiple sonic frequencies. Simultaneously, the drilling rods are rotated to “core” the formation, allowing you to collect continuous samples with close to 100 percent recovery in most formations. Sonic may be the best technology for shallow (<600 feet) drilling.
We are also experienced in directional drilling, and can provide other surface drilling services on mine sites such as:
- Reverse circulation drilling
- Water wells
- Dewatering wells
- Geotechnical investigations
- Stock pile sampling; and
- Environmental sampling
Geothermal Applications
Cascade Drilling, L.P. offers a variety of services for the geothermal market. Whether it is for investigation or well installation for a geothermal electrical plant we are capable of installing the standard 12 inch casing to depths up to 2,500 feet below ground surface.
We are capable of drilling open and closed-loop holes for industrial and residential geothermal solutions. This can be done with our rotary rigs, or if precision is necessary we are also able to drill it with a sonic rig.
Cascade provides a range of geothermal well drilling services including:
- Borehole drilling
- Single Well Installations
- Standing Column Well Installations
- Double Well Installations
- Borehole grouting