Latest Drilling News

Renewed DOE Science Panel Includes ‘Geothermal Heat’ Among its Priorities

josephjsmith749@gmail.com (J.J. Smith) — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:24:09 -0400

Electricity generation urged to be part of the panel’s geothermal focus

Heading to this week's NDA Drill Expo? Here's what you can expect.

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 07:11:53 -0400

Big rigs, industry challenges, AI, safety and two packed days in Nashville. Here’s what you won’t want to miss Sept. 17-18.

Nevada King Gold Corp. Adds Fourth Rig as Atlanta Gold Drilling Program Expands

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:18:29 -0400

The company has plans to move into new exploration areas, working through a 40,000-meter reverse circulation drilling program.

Three bits: Geothermal grants, Good Samaritan awards and Ohio's doubt with data centers

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 17:25:45 -0400

Your daily crawl of drilling news from around the globe that's affecting the industry and the people involved in it.

EPA Adds Microplastics to Drinking Water Watch List, but Regulation Could Be a Long Way Off

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:15:53 -0400

Environmental watchdogs argue the move is unlikely to lead to enforceable limits anytime soon.

Three bits: Geothermal is heating up in China, the 21-year Superfund cleanup and more.

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:20:12 -0400

A daily crawl of drilling news from around the globe that's affecting the industry and the people involved in it.

Oral Arguments in Lawsuit Challenging EPA’s PFAS Rule Set for Sept. 18

josephjsmith749@gmail.com (J.J. Smith) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 13:48:08 -0400

The lawsuit against the agency filed on June 7, 2024, is focused on the initial EPA’s PFAS rule issued in April 10, 2024 that set drinking water standards for PFAS substances of from 4.0 parts per trillion to 10 parts per trillion.

Workplace Safety Playbooks Haven't Changed. But The Hazards Have.

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 15:26:50 -0400

The most important shift in workplace safety isn't that today's hazards are inherently more dangerous; it's that the risk they create has become increasingly conditional.

EPA Accepting Applications for Annual Brownfields Job Training Grants

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:25:52 -0400

Over $6 million in funding is available with a max ceiling for $300,000 for interested organizations and government agencies, with Sept. 23 the deadline to submit for funding.

Three bits: The State of Things, Class is in Session for Geothermal, and More

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 09:29:42 -0400

A daily look at the news that's affecting the industry and the people involved in all of it, brought to you by the Driller

Veolia Files Lawsuit in Delaware to Recover PFAS Treatment Costs from Nine Companies

kgabriel@bnpmedia.com (Kerith Gabriel) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The suit, filed in Delaware Superior Court, alleges that nine industrial companies near Veolia's Stanton Plant are culpable in creating high levels of PFAS in Delaware's drinking water.

The Differences in Safety Culture Between Employees and Contractors

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:23:31 -0400

Global safety statistics show that contracted workers are injured more frequently than permanent work force. The disparity has nothing to do with skill or competence

Another Shortage Affecting America's Water? The Decline of People Working in the Sector

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:45:34 -0400

The EPA is looking for ways to bring more workers into the nation’s water sector as expected retirements raise concerns about who will operate and maintain drinking water and wastewater systems in the years ahead.

EPA releases new checklist aimed at catching drinking water issues earlier

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

EPA officials say the move is intended to help the agency and state regulators work together to assess water systems and protect drinking water.

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

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — 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.

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) — 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.

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

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — 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

USGS launches nationwide water availability tool for future planning

johnnyoldaniwords@gmail.com (John Oldani) — 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.

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.

Florida-based Next Era Energy wants in on wind

Thu, 28 May 2026 06:57:08 -0400

The merger would give company larger market value than any U.S. energy company other than the two oil giants, ExxonMobil and Chevron.

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 Niño, 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.

Plugging your drill bits? Consider the following...

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:52:56 -0400

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.

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.

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.

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.