The Driller RSS Keep up to date on what's new at The Driller.com with equipment and trends for contractors in drilling sectors including water, geothermal, HDD, foundations, energy and mining. https://www.thedriller.com/rss/17 en-us As Temperatures Rise, So Do the Risks: Why Safety Can't Take a Day Off johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) Complacency can be one of the biggest hazards on a drilling jobsite. From routine equipment inspections to heat stress and near misses, the small decisions crews make every day can have the biggest impact on safety. Complacency can be one of the biggest hazards on a drilling jobsite. From routine equipment inspections to heat stress and near misses, the small decisions crews make every day can have the biggest impact on safety.


]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93945 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93945-as-temperatures-rise-so-do-the-risks-why-safety-cant-take-a-day-off Thanks to fracking, this geothermal project in Utah just hit a major milestone johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) Hydraulic fracturing was an oil and gas thing, but those techniques are diving into exploratory ways to harness heat Hydraulic fracturing was an oil and gas thing, but those techniques are diving into exploratory ways to harness heat  

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93944 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:10:25 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93944-this-geothermal-project-in-utah-just-hit-a-major-milestone Thanks to collaborative grant funding, Vandalia Ill. preps to go geothermal The city will effort a geothermal pilot program that will kickstart Thermal Energy Network (TEN) utilities The city will effort a geothermal pilot program that will kickstart Thermal Energy Network (TEN) utilities

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93943 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 11:05:35 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93943-thanks-to-collaborative-grant-funding-vandalia-ill-preps-to-go-geothermal EPA announces $25.5 million to help small communities tackle wastewater challenges johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) The funding helps support EPA's Real Water Technical Assistance initiative, known as RealWaterTA, which launched earlier this year. The funding helps support EPA's Real Water Technical Assistance initiative, known as RealWaterTA, which launched earlier this year. 

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93942 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:24:17 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93942-epa-announces-255-million-to-help-small-communities-tackle-wastewater-challenges Illinois has the money to plug orphan wells. So why are so many still sitting idle? johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) The capital investment to remediate many of the state's orphan wells is there. Still, the work isn't getting done, The capital investment to remediate many of the state's orphan wells is there. Still, the work isn't getting done,

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93941 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:09:04 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93941-illinois-has-the-money-to-plug-orphan-wells-so-why-are-so-many-still-sitting-idle New Lead Driller? Brock Yordy Says Growth Matters More Than the Title johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) Brock Yordy shares practical advice for new lead drillers on earning trust, managing ego, trusting instincts, and developing the next generation of drilling professionals. Brock Yordy shares practical advice for new lead drillers on earning trust, managing ego, trusting instincts, and developing the next generation of drilling professionals.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93939 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93939-new-lead-driller-brock-yordy-says-growth-matters-more-than-the-title Geo X: The Generation Bridging the Energy Transition brock@thedriller.com (Brock Yordy) As deep geothermal grabs headlines and investment dollars, the geothermal exchange community is quietly delivering scalable results today. Drawing parallels to Generation X, one industry veteran makes the case for "Geo X," a movement built on proven technology, pragmatic innovation, and a determination to claim its place in the energy transition. As deep geothermal grabs headlines and investment dollars, the geothermal exchange community is quietly delivering scalable results today. Drawing parallels to Generation X, one industry veteran makes the case for "Geo X," a movement built on proven technology, pragmatic innovation, and a determination to claim its place in the energy transition.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93940 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93940-geo-x-the-generation-bridging-the-energy-transition The silent safety hazard? Neglecting the mental health of our drilling and construction workforce brock@thedriller.com (Brock Yordy) The idea of leave the drama at home and get back to work is the standard. But how's that working out for today's tradesmen? The idea of leave the drama at home and get back to work is the standard. But how's that working out for today's tradesmen?

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93938 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 06:36:08 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93938-the-silent-safety-hazard-neglecting-the-mental-health-of-our-drilling-and-construction-workforce PPE is not just physical, it's also needs to be protection for the mental health of our workforce too brock@thedriller.com (Brock Yordy) You would never step onto a site without proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Your mental health requires its own PPE load out. You would never step onto a site without proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Your mental health requires its own PPE load out.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93936 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 06:05:12 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93936-ppe-is-not-just-physical-its-also-needs-to-be-protection-for-the-mental-health-of-our-workforce-too The Global Pitch brock@thedriller.com (Brock Yordy) As nations race toward decarbonization targets, geothermal developers are turning to advanced drilling, subsurface modeling, and innovative well designs to unlock reliable baseload power at scale. http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93935 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93935-the-global-pitch The Geothermal Machine: Drilling out of our old energy ways brock@thedriller.com (Brock Yordy) When it comes to geothermal energy, we are aiming for mass global deployment, but a revolution of this scale requires a starting line. When it comes to geothermal energy, we are aiming for mass global deployment, but a revolution of this scale requires a starting line.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93932 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:01:38 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93932-the-geothermal-machine-drilling-out-of-our-old-energy-ways House passes bipartisan geothermal energy package Geothermal power has been used in the United States for nearly 70 years, but it still generates less than 1% of the nation’s electricity. Geothermal power has been used in the United States for nearly 70 years, but it still generates less than 1% of the nation’s electricity. 

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93931 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:23:43 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93931-house-passes-bipartisan-geothermal-energy-package What’s it like to be in the business of drilling? We ask an unlikely face in a growing industry. kgabriel@bnpmedia.com (Kerith Gabriel) He came to drilling with questions, not experience. Two years later, Gerard Sylvain says humility, hard work, and the right team made all the difference. http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93928 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93928-whats-it-like-to-be-in-the-business-of-drilling-we-ask-an-unlikely-face-in-a-growing-industry From power generation to water supply, here’s what the impending El Niño can expose brock@thedriller.com (Brock Yordy) El Niño is coming. Brock Yordy explains the impacts on groundwater, drilling job sites, and global water infrastructure. El Niño is coming. Brock Yordy explains the impacts on groundwater, drilling job sites, and global water infrastructure.



]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93924 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:30:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93924-el-ninos-threat-to-groundwater-and-drilling Fueling the fight over the future of Michigan's water? A $16 billion AI data center johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) Can the Great Lakes State afford AI's thirst for water? It's the question Michigan residents and others are asking. Can the Great Lakes State afford AI's thirst for water? It's the question Michigan residents and others are asking.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93926 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:41:08 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93926-fueling-the-fight-over-the-future-of-michigans-water-a-16-billion-ai-data-center Growing uncertainty for America’s clean energy future johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) Interior secretary Doug Burgum’s appeal of a federal renewable energy ruling could create new challenges for geothermal projects and permitting reform. Interior secretary Doug Burgum’s appeal of a federal renewable energy ruling could create new challenges for geothermal projects and permitting reform.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93925 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:15:10 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93925-growing-uncertainty-for-americas-clean-energy-future Looking at shallow geothermal from a 'low temperature, high impact' perspective Two leaders in shallow geothermal react to the recent Hill Day, the industry’s annual fly-in to Washington, D.C.

Two leaders in shallow geothermal react to the recent Hill Day, the industry’s annual fly-in to Washington, D.C. 


]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93923 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93923-looking-at-shallow-geothermal-from-a-low-temperature-high-impact-perspective Florida-based Next Era Energy wants in on wind The merger would give company larger market value than any U.S. energy company other than the two oil giants, ExxonMobil and Chevron. The merger would give company larger market value than any U.S. energy company other than the two oil giants, ExxonMobil and Chevron.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93922 Thu, 28 May 2026 06:57:08 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93922-florida-based-next-era-energy-wants-in-on-wind EPA announces $2.9 billion project to eradicate lead-based piping still used today in drinking water. johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) The EPA says it's prepared for the long haul when it comes to providing cleaner water. The EPA says it's prepared for the long haul when it comes to providing cleaner water. 

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93919 Thu, 28 May 2026 06:38:05 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93919-epa-announces-29-billion-project-to-eradicate-lead-based-piping-still-used-today-in-drinking-water New Hydro-Excavation equipment reflects industry push for efficiency johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) MTech just produced three new tools designed to help reduce physical strain on crews while also shortening setup times, particularly during lift station cleaning or work in confined areas. MTech just produced three new tools designed to help reduce physical strain on crews while also shortening setup times, particularly during lift station cleaning or work in confined areas.


]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93918 Thu, 28 May 2026 06:28:10 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93918-new-hydro-excavation-equipment-reflects-industry-push-for-efficiency Is $39 million enough to clean up PFAS contamination in Pennsylvania? The EPA thinks so. johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) This new wave of funding specifically targets drinking water contamination in vulnerable communities. This new wave of funding specifically targets drinking water contamination in vulnerable communities.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93920 Thu, 28 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93920-is-39-million-enough-to-clean-up-pfas-contamination-in-pennsylvania-the-epa-thinks-so Can abandoned oil wells become geothermal energy sources? johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) As more states explore converting orphan wells into clean heat, this multipurpose approach to remediation could solve a widespread problem. As more states explore converting orphan wells into clean heat, this multipurpose approach to remediation could solve a widespread problem.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93917 Thu, 21 May 2026 06:46:38 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93917-can-abandoned-oil-wells-become-geothermal-energy-sources Three bits: Preparing for El Nino, DOE payouts and a solar powered revival? Each week, we take a look at three topics affecting the drilling industry in some shape or form. Each week, we take a look at three topics affecting the drilling industry in some shape or form. 

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93915 Thu, 21 May 2026 06:18:12 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93915-three-bits-preparing-for-el-nino-doe-payouts-and-a-solar-powered-revival The science of creating stable boreholes, explained Knowing the right way could mean the difference between a clear compact borehole wall and needing to rethink the whole process entirely. Knowing the right way could mean the difference between a clear compact borehole wall and needing to rethink the whole process entirely. 

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93914 Thu, 21 May 2026 06:00:43 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93914-the-science-of-creating-stable-boreholes-explained Plugging your drill bits? Consider the following... From tricone to PDCs, today's bits are impressive and powerful as they've ever been. But they’re only as effective as how they’re utilized. From tricone to PDCs, today's bits are impressive and powerful as they've ever been. But they’re only as effective as how they’re utilized.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93913 Wed, 13 May 2026 14:52:56 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93913-plugging-your-drill-bits-consider-the-following A new direction for federal water policy? johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) With EPA reshaping its approach to water policies, environmental advocates question if the agency's ideas can offset larger infrastructure and consumption problems. With EPA reshaping its approach to water policies, environmental advocates question if the agency's ideas can offset larger infrastructure and consumption problems. 

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93912 Wed, 13 May 2026 14:41:27 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93912-a-new-direction-for-federal-water-policy Pennsylvania is trying to solve its orphaned well problem. But it's still trying to figure out just how many there are. johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) The abandoned well crisis in the Keystone State continues to grow as cleanup efforts struggle to keep pace. The abandoned well crisis in the Keystone State continues to grow as cleanup efforts struggle to keep pace.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93911 Wed, 13 May 2026 11:44:37 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93911-pennsylvania-is-trying-to-solve-its-orphaned-well-problem-but-its-still-trying-to-figure-out-just-how-many-there-are Three bits: Revamping preconstruction, geothermal’s revival of orphan wells, and more Each week, The Driller looks at three newsworthy items affecting the work you do. Consider it your two-minute news update for the drilling community and the industry at-large. Each week, The Driller looks at three newsworthy items affecting the work you do. Consider it your two-minute news update for the drilling community and the industry at-large.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93910 Wed, 13 May 2026 11:08:57 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93910-three-bits-revamping-preconstruction-geothermals-revival-of-orphan-wells-and-more Star Iron Works, Inc. Manufactures Fishing Tools including Spears and Overshots Star Iron Works, Inc manufactures a line of fishing tools to help with your drilling needs in an emergency or to stock on your shelf before an emergency occurs. Star Iron Works, Inc manufactures a line of fishing tools to help with your drilling needs in an emergency or to stock on your shelf before an emergency occurs.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93697 Thu, 07 May 2026 13:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93697-star-iron-works-inc-manufactures-fishing-tools-including-spears-and-overshots Houston-based Prime Horizontal announces buyout with a goal of expansion into more global markets kgabriel@bnpmedia.com (Kerith Gabriel) The company still prides itself on being the first HDD guidance firm to complete an intersect pilot hole and still holds records for drill depths with its system. The company still prides itself on being the first HDD guidance firm to complete an intersect pilot hole and still holds records for drill depths with its system.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93909 Wed, 06 May 2026 12:29:40 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93909-houston-based-prime-horizontal-announces-buyout-with-a-goal-of-expansion-into-more-global-markets