Multi-Depth Monitoring Well Installation

Project Overview:

Summit was contracted by a global engineering firm to drill and install a comprehensive network of Type II and Type III monitoring wells in Raleigh, NC. The scope included ten total monitoring wells installed to depths ranging from 25 to 170 feet below ground surface to support ongoing groundwater characterization at a challenging, variable subsurface site. All work was performed under an expedited schedule.

Challenge/Conditions:

This site presented high variability in depth to bedrock and inconsistent groundwater yields across fractured rock zones, conditions Summit had encountered during previous drilling programs at the location. The project was quoted on a footage/production basis, making efficiency critical to success. Additionally, the work was awarded in early Q2 with a tight completion window before year-end, requiring careful crew coordination and schedule compression to avoid delays and cost overruns that had impacted earlier efforts at the site.

Services Provided:

• Air rotary drilling and installation of three (3) Type II monitoring wells (Depths: 25–50 ft)
• Construction: 2" SCH 40 PVC riser with 0.010 machine-slotted screen
• Air rotary drilling and installation of seven (7) Type III monitoring wells (Depths: 70–170 ft)
• Construction: 6" SCH 40 PVC surface casing socketed into bedrock
• Grouted and cured prior to drilling to terminal depth
• Installation of 2" SCH 40 PVC monitoring well with 0.010 slotted screen
• Completion of all wells with 2' x 2' concrete pads and flush-mounted covers
• Containment of liquid IDW in frac tanks supplied by Summit's customer
• Containment of soil cuttings in 55-gallon drums
• Coordination with customer for transport of drums and liquid IDW

Solutions/Approach:

To meet the aggressive schedule and maintain production efficiency, Summit mobilized two coordinated drilling crews, one from Bridgewater and one from Fort Mill, working concurrently under centralized field supervision. This approach allowed Summit to manage variability in drilling conditions without downtime and to adapt rapidly to changing bedrock depths and water-bearing fractures. Strong field leadership ensured consistent communication between crews, customer representatives, and project management, allowing production targets to be maintained while meeting all construction and documentation requirements.

Outcome/Results:

Through proactive staffing and disciplined field execution, Summit completed the scope seven days ahead of schedule, finishing a 40-day project in just 33 days. The project avoided the significant change orders that had impacted prior drilling efforts at the site and successfully met their customer's accelerated timeline. The project also highlighted the value of experienced field supervision, with Summit's Drilling Field Supervisor playing a key role in managing multiple crews from different offices and maintaining consistent performance across the site.