By Tomas Will, Sr. Environmental Scientist
An environmental consultant had been operating various horizontal remediation wells to address groundwater contamination at a heavily contaminated military base. After operating for over a decade, their air sparge wells began to show a decline in performance. Uncertain of how to best assess and address their problem, they reached out to Directional Technologies, which originally designed and installed the wells. Thanks to the consultant’s proactive efforts, the affected wells were assessed and rehabilitated with guidance from Directional Technologies. As part of their evaluation, Directional Technologies identified that the wells had not been operated under the guidance provided when the wells were originally installed. Using their extensive experience Directional Technologies was able to determine the cause of the problem and recommend revised operating parameters that would allow the remediation system to function better over long periods of use. Similar scenarios occur often and the consultants who plan ahead and know where to turn when issues arise are likely to see the greatest success when it comes to long-term well performance.
The most important determining factors affecting the long-term performance of horizontal remediation wells are the drilling methods and well-development techniques used to install the wells. At Directional Technologies, we have the knowledge and expertise to develop an appropriate drilling mud program and well development approach that is suited for the unique lithology at the project site. An expertly installed horizontal remediation well will be less likely to suffer from fouling, sedimentation, failed annular grout seals, and borehole deterioration over time. Furthermore, a properly engineered site-specific well screen design will greatly enhance the performance of the horizontal well from the moment it begins operating up until it is decommissioned. Through 29 years of experience, Directional Technologies has developed proprietary well design and installation techniques which enable optimal long-term well performance. Directional Technologies’ unique approach to custom well design recognizes that a well can not truly be effective unless it is designed to be effective at the specific site where it will be in use.
The next most important factor for long-term horizontal remediation well performance is a properly designed remediation system. Not only are the technical specifications of the remediation equipment critically important, but the operating parameters also have a bearing on the long-term success of the horizontal well. A system that is improperly sized or that operates at parameters that are poorly suited to the screen design and the local lithology will experience operating problems during long-term use. During the planning stages of a project, environmental consultants will frequently coordinate with Directional Technologies to establish appropriate remediation system specifications and equipment operating parameters to ensure that they can get the best long-term performance from their horizontal remediation wells. As a project partner, Directional Technologies routinely provides value-added engineering that comes from having more experience with horizontal well installation and custom well screen designs than anyone else in the remediation industry.
However, even techniques that are used to minimize long-term operating complications can not eliminate the eventual necessity of well maintenance for long-term horizontal wells. When remediation performance begins to show decline after many years of use, knowing when to perform well maintenance and how to approach rehabilitation will ensure that the well can continue offering effective performance for many additional years. Adopting the role of a project partner, Directional Technologies provides environmental consultants with guidance on how to best rehabilitate their wells regardless of how long it has been since the installation was completed.
What steps do you take when your projects require long-term well performance? Call our horizontal remediation well experts at 1-877-788-4479 to discuss your current project needs or visit our contact us page to reach out with questions, review case studies, and learn more.