Drilling Industry News Up-to-date news from water well, geothermal, foundations and a range of other drilling sectors. Have your own industry news to share? Email your press releases to pr@thedriller.com. https://www.thedriller.com/rss/2666-drilling-industry-news en-us Water well professionals united in full force at the South Atlantic Jubilee kgabriel@bnpmedia.com (Kerith Gabriel) 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. 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.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93956 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:19:48 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93956-water-well-professionals-united-in-full-force-at-the-south-atlantic-jubilee Insight, information and innovation was at the forefront during the first day of the South Atlantic Jubilee kgabriel@bnpmedia.com (Kerith Gabriel) 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. 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.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93955 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 18:35:43 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93955-insight-information-and-innovation-was-at-the-forefront-during-the-first-day-of-the-south-atlantic-jubilee The World Cup has ended but how much water did it actually use? A whole lot. kgabriel@bnpmedia.com (Kerith Gabriel) 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. 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.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93952 Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:22:45 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93952-the-world-cup-has-ended-but-how-much-water-did-it-actually-use-a-whole-lot The Geothermal Bottleneck How bureaucracy is losing in the war to increase the number of qualified drilling talent How bureaucracy is losing in the war to increase the number of qualified drilling talent

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93951 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:20:11 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93951-the-geothermal-bottleneck 'The ultimate impact' 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 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

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93950 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 05:55:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93950-the-ultimate-impact The surface to subsurface standard brock@thedriller.com (Brock Yordy) An examination of the operational standard that mitigates subsurface risk, minimizes surface disruption from heavy rig traffic, and reduces neighborhood impact. An examination of the operational standard that mitigates subsurface risk, minimizes surface disruption from heavy rig traffic, and reduces neighborhood impact.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93949 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93949-the-surface-to-subsurface-standard Deregulation is here. Are drillers ready for the liability? brock@thedriller.com (Brock Yordy) In 2026, navigating an expedited regulatory landscape is the cost of speed In 2026, navigating an expedited regulatory landscape is the cost of speed

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93947 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 06:28:06 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93947-deregulation-is-here-are-drillers-ready-for-the-liability 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 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 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 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 Niño, 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 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 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 With the House passing Rep. Luna’s amendment to remove pesticide liability protections, here’s what that could mean for remediation efforts 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. 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. 

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93908 Wed, 06 May 2026 11:30:43 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93908-with-the-house-passing-rep-lunas-amendment-to-remove-pesticide-liability-protections-heres-what-that-could-mean-for-remediation-efforts California announces plan to strengthen water management kgabriel@bnpmedia.com (Kerith Gabriel) 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 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

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93907 Wed, 06 May 2026 10:50:47 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93907-california-water-department-announces-plan-to-strengthen-water-management Three bits, presented by The Driller 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. 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.  

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93906 Tue, 05 May 2026 16:21:11 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93906-three-bits-presented-by-the-driller New Lead Website Expands Public Education Push on Exposure Risks 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. 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.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93904 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93904-new-lead-website-expands-public-education-push-on-exposure-risks Fervo, Vallourec Ink $800M Deal to Scale U.S. Geothermal Buildout This is another signal that geothermal is trying to move into a different phase. Less experimental, more repeatable. This is another signal that geothermal is trying to move into a different phase. Less experimental, more repeatable.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93901 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93901-fervo-vallourec-ink-800m-deal-to-scale-us-geothermal-buildout Senator Durbin Pushes Data Center Transparency Bill as Utility Costs Climb 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. 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.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93902 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93902-senator-durbin-pushes-data-center-transparency-bill-as-utility-costs-climb