Drilling Industry News

The Global Pitch

brock@thedriller.com (Brock Yordy) — 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.

The Geothermal Machine: Drilling out of our old energy ways

brock@thedriller.com (Brock Yordy) — 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.

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

brock@thedriller.com (Brock Yordy) — 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.

Fueling the fight over the future of Michigan's water? A $16 billion AI data center

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:41:08 -0400

Can the Great Lakes State afford AI's thirst for water? It's the question Michigan residents and others are asking.

Growing uncertainty for America’s clean energy future

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:15:10 -0400

Interior secretary Doug Burgum’s appeal of a federal renewable energy ruling could create new challenges for geothermal projects and permitting reform.

Looking at shallow geothermal from a 'low temperature, high impact' perspective

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

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

Can abandoned oil wells become geothermal energy sources?

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Thu, 21 May 2026 06:46:38 -0400

As more states explore converting orphan wells into clean heat, this multipurpose approach to remediation could solve a widespread problem.

Three bits: Preparing for El Nino, DOE payouts and a solar powered revival?

Thu, 21 May 2026 06:18:12 -0400

Each week, we take a look at three topics affecting the drilling industry in some shape or form.

A new direction for federal water policy?

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Wed, 13 May 2026 14:41:27 -0400

With EPA reshaping its approach to water policies, environmental advocates question if the agency's ideas can offset larger infrastructure and consumption problems.

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) — Wed, 13 May 2026 11:44:37 -0400

The abandoned well crisis in the Keystone State continues to grow as cleanup efforts struggle to keep pace.

Three bits: Revamping preconstruction, geothermal’s revival of orphan wells, and more

Wed, 13 May 2026 11:08:57 -0400

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.

Houston-based Prime Horizontal announces buyout with a goal of expansion into more global markets

kgabriel@bnpmedia.com (Kerith Gabriel) — Wed, 06 May 2026 12:29:40 -0400

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.

With the House passing Rep. Luna’s amendment to remove pesticide liability protections, here’s what that could mean for remediation efforts

Wed, 06 May 2026 11:30:43 -0400

Awaiting approval in the Senate, this amendment preserves the ability of states and individuals to hold manufacturers accountable and prevents federal overreach that would override stricter local protections.

California announces plan to strengthen water management

kgabriel@bnpmedia.com (Kerith Gabriel) — Wed, 06 May 2026 10:50:47 -0400

The project, being dubbed “A Vision for the San Joaquin Valley," is a fully integrated strategy with immediate and long term action plans to stabilize water resources

Three bits, presented by The Driller

Tue, 05 May 2026 16:21:11 -0400

With so much happening in the industry and at-large, The Driller plans to provide a weekly wrap of three topics you should know before you head out the door.

New Lead Website Expands Public Education Push on Exposure Risks

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The EPA’s latest update is a step toward making information more accessible. As lead exposure continues to affect homes, schools, andcommunities, clearer guidance could help people take action sooner.

Fervo, Vallourec Ink $800M Deal to Scale U.S. Geothermal Buildout

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400

This is another signal that geothermal is trying to move into a different phase. Less experimental, more repeatable.

Senator Durbin Pushes Data Center Transparency Bill as Utility Costs Climb

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Data centers are often backed by large investments and long-term energy agreements, and in some cases, companies have already secured water and power rights years in advance.

Eavor Wins Global CleanTech Award for Closed-Loop Geothermal Technology

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0400

The company’s first commercial-scale Eavor-Loop is now operating in Geretsried, Germany. This marks a key milestone as it looks to prove the concept at scale.

EPA Launches WRAP 2.0 to Expand Water Reuse Nationwide

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 01:00:00 -0400

The updated plan reflects a broader shift in how water is managed across the country - less as a one-time-use resource, and more as something that can be treated, reused, and reintegrated into the system.

Denver Water to Drain Antero Reservoir as Drought Intensifies

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Denver Water last drained Antero Reservoir during a drought in 2002. The reservoir was also emptied in 2015 to allow for dam rehabilitation work. Officials say refilling timelines will depend on future drought conditions.

GDA, HEET Secure MassCEC Grants to Expand Geothermal Workforce Training

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

A pair of state grants is set to give a boost to geothermal workforce training in Massachusetts, with the Geothermal Drillers Association (GDA) and the Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) teaming up to expand access to the field.

‘PFAS OUT’ Initiative Aims to Tackle Drinking Water Contamination Early

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 02:26:22 -0400

PFAS contamination isn’t a future problem—it’s already affecting thousands of water systems. The challenge is that fixing it can take years and significant investment.

Class VI Carbon Storage Well Approved in Kansas

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 02:21:32 -0400

This project is particularly notable because it ties carbon storage to ethanol production—an industry already widespread in the Midwest.

Texas Data Center Developers Play Offense on Water, Claiming Huge Cuts in Usage

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As Texas confronts decades of water mismanagement and growing demands for electricity from data centers.

DOE Backs $14 Million Geothermal Demonstration in Pennsylvania

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This project also taps into an existing advantage: thousands of oil and gas wells that could potentially be repurposed.

EPA Rolls Out $30 Million Initiative to Support Small and Rural Water Systems

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is opening a new round of funding aimed at one of the most persistent challenges in the country’s water sector:

Crackdown on Microplastics in Drinking Water

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 01:00:00 -0400

The initiative also reflects growing public concern about what’s in drinking water. By elevating microplastics and pharmaceuticals to priority status, federal agencies are responding to calls for more transparency and stronger oversight of emerging contaminants.

EPA Grants Ohio Full Authority Over Hazardous Waste Permitting Under Federal Law

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The shift reflects a broader trend in environmental policy, where states are given more responsibility to implement federal programs—so long as they maintain baseline protections.