Drilling for water? It might be due to overlooking these key details when selecting the drilling rig.

Drilling for water? It might be due to overlooking these key details when selecting the drilling rig. 

Drilling for little or no water often doesn't mean there's no water underground, but rather that several crucial details were overlooked when selecting the drilling rig. Avoiding these common mistakes can greatly improve the success rate of drilling.

I. Severe Mismatch Between Geology and Drill Rig Type

1. Using the wrong drilling rig for hard rock

Incorrect: Using a regular rotary drilling rig to drill hard granite or basalt.

Result: The drill bit wears out extremely quickly, progress is slow, or drilling may fail altogether.

Correct selection: When encountering hard rock layers, a down-the-hole hammer drill must be used. It uses high-pressure air to break the rock through impact, making it several times more efficient than a regular drilling rig.

2. Using the wrong drilling rig for loose layers

Incorrect: Using an impact drill (butt drill) or a rudimentary auger to drill sandy or quicksand layers.

Result: The wellbore cannot be formed, severe borehole collapse and sand inrush occur, and the water quality after drilling is extremely turbid and quickly becomes clogged.

Correct Selection: In loose strata such as sand and gravel, a positive or reverse circulation rotary drilling rig must be used. It can use mud to protect the wellbore wall, drilling a regular hole and laying the foundation for subsequent key processes.

II. Focusing Only on Price, Ignoring "Well Completion Technology"

This is the most crucial yet easily overlooked detail. A drilling rig that cannot complete the standard well completion process only drills a "hole," not a "well."

Key Questions That Must Be Asked:

"Can this machine easily and correctly 'install the filter pipe'?"

Why is it important: The filter pipe (slotted pipe) is the channel through which water enters the wellbore; the size of its gaps determines the sand-blocking effect.

"Can it perform 'gravel filling' operations?"

Why is it important: Filling the space between the filter pipe and the well wall with gravel of a specific size acts as a natural filter, blocking fine sand and ensuring clear water and a stable water flow.

"Is the drilling rig's depth and capacity sufficient to reach a stable aquifer?"

Why is this important? Insufficient machine capacity will only reach shallow, stagnant water, inevitably leading to drying up during the dry season. It's essential to refer to the depths of successful wells in neighboring areas and choose a drilling rig with ample capacity.

Conclusion: When selecting a drilling rig, don't just look at "how deep it can drill," but more importantly, consider "whether it can drill a complete, durable well that produces clean water." Installing a filter pipe and gravel packing are crucial for ensuring well quality.

III. Neglecting the Matching of Power and Formation

High-Power Misconception: Believing that higher power is always better. Using excessively powerful machines in soft soil layers can actually lead to inefficiency due to mismatched speed and pressure.

Power Type: In areas with convenient electricity, electric drilling rigs are more economical and quieter.

In remote areas without electricity, diesel-powered drilling rigs must be selected, ensuring sufficient power to handle the expected formation.

IV. Solutions: Essential Preparations Before Drilling a Well

Geological Assessment: Inquire with neighbors who have successfully drilled wells to understand the approximate depth of the local water layer and the geological formation (soil, sand, or rock).

Clarify Needs: Determine the primary purpose of the well (drinking water, irrigation) and the required water volume. This will determine the well's depth and diameter.

Professional Consultation: Choose an experienced drilling team. Clearly explain the geological conditions and your needs to them, and ask them to explain the drilling rig and well completion techniques they will use to ensure water quality and quantity.

Contract Clarification: The contract should clearly specify the expected water depth, water volume, and well completion standards to avoid future disputes.

Summary: Failure to drill a well often results from "incorrect tool selection" or "lack of proper techniques." Remember this core principle: A good well = a drilling rig suitable for the geological formation + standardized filter pipe and gravel packing techniques. Next time you choose a drilling service, don't just ask "How much does it cost per meter?", but also ask: "What kind of machinery do you use? How can you guarantee that my well won't collapse, won't become muddy, and that there will be enough water?"