The Driller

Smarter PFAS Barriers Start with Better Site Data

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 06:00:00 -0400

From adsorption testing to injection strategy, experts explain the decisions that help remediation contractors build more effective PFAS containment systems.

America’s Largest Aquifer Is Drying Up. Ranchers Are Running Out of Room for Guesswork

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The Ogallala Aquifer supports millions of people and one of the nation's most productive agricultural regions, but decades of heavy pumping have taken a toll. Learn how better water data is helping producers manage every gallon more effectively.

Water well professionals united in full force at the South Atlantic Jubilee

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:19:48 -0400

Day two of the event was the kickoff of one of the largest trade shows for water well professionals. It also saw the event usher in new presidency.

Insight, information and innovation was at the forefront during the first day of the South Atlantic Jubilee

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 18:35:43 -0400

The annual meeting of the minds when it comes to water, and the workforce that powers it didn't disappoint on Saturday's day one of event.

Looking for a good pair of work gloves? We did the research.

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:23:30 -0400

The Driller editors did the homework and picked three solid options

The Summer Safety Four and 2026 Jubilee Preview

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:02:58 -0400

Brock Yordy breaks down the "Summer Safety Four," covering trenching, extreme heat, air quality, and volatile atmospheres. Plus, get a preview of what to expect at this year's South Atlantic Jubilee.

The World Cup has ended but how much water did it actually use? A whole lot.

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:22:45 -0400

Over 2.7 million gallons were used just to maintain the field on a game day, even before you got into regular maintenance of all 16 venues over the 39 days of the tournament.

The Geothermal Bottleneck

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:20:11 -0400

How bureaucracy is losing in the war to increase the number of qualified drilling talent

'The ultimate impact'

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 05:55:00 -0400

As four injection wells in Ohio were recently shut down, activists are calling on state officials to do more to protect well water from impurities

Looking for new work boots? Here's three to consider.

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:43:03 -0400

Our editors share three great work boots that caught their attention

The surface to subsurface standard

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

An examination of the operational standard that mitigates subsurface risk, minimizes surface disruption from heavy rig traffic, and reduces neighborhood impact.

Deregulation is here. Are drillers ready for the liability?

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 06:28:06 -0400

In 2026, navigating an expedited regulatory landscape is the cost of speed

High-Tech Gold Rush: A Crisis for Rural Aquifers

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Data centers are exploding in rural America. Brock Yordy reveals the hidden, destabilizing cost to your water supply.

As Temperatures Rise, So Do the Risks: Why Safety Can't Take a Day Off

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Thanks to fracking, this geothermal project in Utah just hit a major milestone

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:10:25 -0400

Hydraulic fracturing was an oil and gas thing, but those techniques are diving into exploratory ways to harness heat

Thanks to collaborative grant funding, Vandalia Ill. preps to go geothermal

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 11:05:35 -0400

The city will effort a geothermal pilot program that will kickstart Thermal Energy Network (TEN) utilities

EPA announces $25.5 million to help small communities tackle wastewater challenges

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:24:17 -0400

The funding helps support EPA's Real Water Technical Assistance initiative, known as RealWaterTA, which launched earlier this year.

Illinois has the money to plug orphan wells. So why are so many still sitting idle?

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:09:04 -0400

The capital investment to remediate many of the state's orphan wells is there. Still, the work isn't getting done,

New Lead Driller? Brock Yordy Says Growth Matters More Than the Title

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Brock Yordy shares practical advice for new lead drillers on earning trust, managing ego, trusting instincts, and developing the next generation of drilling professionals.

Geo X: The Generation Bridging the Energy Transition

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:00:00 -0400

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.

The silent safety hazard? Neglecting the mental health of our drilling and construction workforce

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 06:36:08 -0400

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?

PPE is not just physical, it's also needs to be protection for the mental health of our workforce too

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 06:05:12 -0400

You would never step onto a site without proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Your mental health requires its own PPE load out.

The Global Pitch

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Parker’s Story: A toast to a dear friend in drilling

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

One of the toughest guys to ever do it, Bob Parker is a cautionary tale for the rest of us

The Geothermal Machine: Drilling out of our old energy ways

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:01:38 -0400

When it comes to geothermal energy, we are aiming for mass global deployment, but a revolution of this scale requires a starting line.

House passes bipartisan geothermal energy package

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:23:43 -0400

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.

Coal plant extension reignites the debate between job creation and environmental responsibility

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:01:04 -0400

As the DOE commits to keeping more coal plants active, the decision pits dependable power against research into clean energy transition

What’s it like to be in the business of drilling? We ask an unlikely face in a growing industry.

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

From power generation to water supply, here’s what the impending El Niño can expose

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:30:00 -0400

El Niño is coming. Brock Yordy explains the impacts on groundwater, drilling job sites, and global water infrastructure.

USGS launches nationwide water availability tool for future planning

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:23:24 -0400

New national water availability assessment provides data to help evaluate water supply and demand long term across the United States.