Drilling Industry Top Stories Explore the freshest and most trending topics currently making waves in drilling. Dive into the latest buzz, timely insights, and noteworthy content that's driving our industry forward. https://www.thedriller.com/rss/5946-drilling-industry-top-stories en-us The Unknown Formation johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93961 Thu, 06 Aug 2026 09:01:23 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93961-the-unknown-formation Teaching The Next Generation of Water Well Drillers kgabriel@bnpmedia.com (Kerith Gabriel) As experienced drillers retire, a new generation is stepping up. Meet the students, educators, and industry leaders working to build the future of water well drilling through hands-on training, mentorship, and opportunity. As experienced drillers retire, a new generation is stepping up. Meet the students, educators, and industry leaders working to build the future of water well drilling through hands-on training, mentorship, and opportunity.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93960 Wed, 05 Aug 2026 14:20:27 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93960-teaching-the-next-generation-of-water-well-drillers The Energy Blueprint: Why Drillers Must Master the Business of Power Understanding all aspects of the drilling industry is how your business stays strong and you remain ahead of the game. http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93959 Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93959-the-energy-blueprint-why-drillers-must-master-the-business-of-power Smarter PFAS Barriers Start with Better Site Data johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) From adsorption testing to injection strategy, experts explain the decisions that help remediation contractors build more effective PFAS containment systems. http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93957 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93957-webinar-smarter-pfas-barriers-start-with-better-site-data America’s Largest Aquifer Is Drying Up. Ranchers Are Running Out of Room for Guesswork johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) 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. http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93958 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93958-americas-largest-aquifer-is-drying-up-ranchers-are-running-out-of-room-for-guesswork 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 Summer Safety Four and 2026 Jubilee Preview kgabriel@bnpmedia.com (Kerith Gabriel) 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. 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.

]]> http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93953 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:02:58 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93953-the-summer-safety-four-and-2026-jubilee-preview 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 Looking for new work boots? Here's three to consider. kgabriel@bnpmedia.com (Kerith Gabriel) Our editors share three great work boots that caught their attention http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93948 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:43:03 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93948-looking-for-new-work-boots-heres-three-to-consider 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 High-Tech Gold Rush: A Crisis for Rural Aquifers brock@thedriller.com (Brock Yordy) Data centers are exploding in rural America. Brock Yordy reveals the hidden, destabilizing cost to your water supply. http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93946 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93946-high-tech-gold-rush-a-crisis-for-rural-aquifers 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 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 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 Parker’s Story: A toast to a dear friend in drilling One of the toughest guys to ever do it, Bob Parker is a cautionary tale for the rest of us http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93933 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93933-parkers-story-a-toast-to-a-dear-friend-in-drilling 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 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 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 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