GPR & Drilling – Subsurface Investigation

Project Overview:

A global engineering & environmental consulting firm engaged Summit to perform a multi-technology subsurface investigation in Linden, NJ, supporting data collection for injection well installation and site development planning. The project included GPR preclearance, drilling across 16 locations, and the installation and development of multiple open-hole injection wells.

Challenge/Conditions:

Although the project did not present technical subsurface complications, the site demanded careful execution due to high traffic, inclement weather, and demanding scheduling expectations. Maintaining safety and efficiency under these operational pressures was essential.

Services Provided:

• Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey of 16 drilling locations
• Preclearance of 16 locations to 5 ft
• Sonic drilling to 20–35 ft for weathered and competent bedrock sampling
• Air rotary drilling: (10) locations advanced to 70 ft and cased 32–35 ft, completed as open-hole injection wells
• (1) location advanced to 150 ft and cased 32–35 ft
• (1) location advanced to 70 ft with NQ coring and reamed to 6" diameter
• Well development
• Management and transport of investigation-derived waste (water and soil cuttings)
• Roll-off containers and frac tank coordination
• Permit variance support for open holes exceeding 25 ft

Solutions/Approach:

Summit deployed a coordinated multi-rig strategy including: Sonic, Air Rotary, and Auger to efficiently meet varied drilling depths and sampling objectives. GPR was used up front to safely preclear the work zones. Each well was installed with proper casing lengths and left open for future injection work as required by the client. Field crews worked under tight site constraints, adjusting sequencing and protection zones to maintain safety and productivity despite traffic and weather challenges. Waste streams were contained and transported in compliance with project specifications.

Outcome/Results:

The project was completed safely and to specification, with clean execution across 16 locations using multiple drilling technologies. Injection wells were installed and developed successfully, and all investigation-derived waste was managed and transported without incident. The customer praised the team's professionalism, efficiency, safety adherence, and collaborative approach, noting exceptional performance under challenging conditions.