What are the challenges facing the environmental drilling industry in the next 20 years? Cheaper, faster and better are the way things are going. A shift from the HSAs to the direct-push wells will continue especially for shallow wells with shallow water tables.
Advances in portable laboratory equipment has made it possible to analyze most of the compounds of concern using equipment housed in small trailers or vans, run by one person. Samples can be run at a rate of 30 minutes to 45 minutes per sample, with as good or better accuracy (because of short holding times) and detection limits as permanent laboratory facilities. Consultants will be looking for drilling/direct-push companies with laboratory capabilities or contracting with portable laboratories so that the on-site data can guide the drilling activities by having data in minutes rather than three to four weeks.