Cascade Drilling products

Sonic technology is ideal for both deep and shallow drilling applications where undisturbed core sampling through almost any type of geological formation is required.  This powerful technology provides many advantages over other types of drilling techniques. It is a low-impact technology that is safer by minimizing crew tool handling. By rotating and vibrating the rod, core barrel, and casing at sonic frequencies a clean borehole is drilled, cored, and cased at the same time. A great deal less cuttings are generated, saving time and money. Continuous cores are produced using a single tube core barrel and an override casing.

Hollow stem auger drilling is a proven and relatively inexpensive technique for a wide range of environmental and geotechnical applications including: sampling, installation of monitoring wells and data collection instruments, and subsurface improvements.  Hollow stem auger drilling employs flighted tubing (augers), a cutter head and rotation to advance through the formation and remove the drill cuttings.  Different cutter head designs can be utilized based on geology.  Soil samples are easily obtained by lowering and advancing a variety of different sized split spoon samplers through the hollow stem augers and out in front of the bit face.

Rotary technology uses a sharp, rotating drill bit and downward pressure to cut, or crush, through the subsurface. Impact energy is supplied to the drill bit from either an above ground or down hole impact hammer. This impact force aids in the drilling. Depending on the competency of the substrate, the drill casing is advanced as the hole is cut, keeping the hole open during drilling. Competent rock may be drilled "open hole", not requiring the use casing..

Diamond core drilling is a common technique in the mining industry for extracting core samples.  It is ideal for geotechnical work in semi-consolidated/cemented rock to hard rock environments. Downward pressure and high rotation rates advance drill bits that are faced with diamond impregnated steel.  Down pressure and fluid circulation are carefully monitored during drilling. Rock core samples are typically returned using an efficient wireline system. There is a wide selection of drill bits to choose from based on rock types and core sizes. Cascade typically uses a wireline coring system for hard rock applications to obtain core samples and Rock Quality Designation (RQD).

Rapid screening tools reduce investigation time and save money by quickly identifying areas of the site for further investigation with more costly definitive technologies. The MiHPT allows for rapid reconnaissance of sites to zero in on source areas and plume cores while identifying both transport zones and contaminant mass storage zones.

Lack of a sufficient understanding of the subsurface conditions often leads to underperforming remedies. Development of a valid Conceptual Site Model (CSM) is the single most important activity for ensuring that sound site management decisions, including remedy selection and design, are made.

The Optical Image Profiler (OIP) is a high resolution site characterization (HRSC) tool that efficiently delineates non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL, or free product) hydrocarbon fuels in the subsurface. The OIP is advanced via direct push drill rig, generating multiple data sets simultaneously. This system provides real-time information which allows the investigation team to make changes to the program while mobilized to target the locations and depths that will provide the most value. Combining the vertical profiles from multiple locations enables the development of more complex visual representations of NAPL distribution, such as transects, three-dimensional models, and interactive maps. Ultimately, these data enable better decision making. Whether the next step is a risk assessment, additional characterization, or remediation, this tool will reduce uncertainty – saving time and money.

Detection and monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are important health and safety measures, and partnering with professionals experienced in soil vapor probe installation is crucial to ensuring the work is done right. If installed or sealed improperly, leaks could occur and result in incorrect sample results and flawed project plans.