Are you using air sparging techniques to target groundwater contamination? Then, more screen-to-contaminant contact is likely your goal. Horizontal remediation wells place hundreds of feet of screen per well directly within the contaminant plume, increasing airflow into the target zones to maximize volatilization.

Increase Airflow and Screen Contact
A simple orientation change from vertical to horizontal significantly increases airflow and screen contact with contamination in the subsurface. While vertical wells typically contain 10 to 20 feet of screen per well, horizontal remediation wells often contain hundreds of feet or more. When you combine increased screen footage with the 3-dimensional horizontal directional drilling (HDD) navigation control, you receive maximum screen-to-contaminant contact within the target zone. This is particularly useful in air sparging situations because groundwater plumes are almost always more laterally extensive than vertically. It makes sense to install a horizontal well that runs along the axis of the groundwater plume rather than perpendicular to it.

Provide Access
Horizontal air sparge wells provide access to subsurface locations that are difficult for traditional vertical methods to reach. It is typical for volatile organic carbon (VOC) contamination to exist in places where traditional vertical techniques have difficulty reaching, such as beneath manufacturing facilities, private residences, or commercial buildings. The inability to access source area contamination can keep sites open for years beyond their scheduled timeline. In these situations, the horizontal well can be installed beneath the building or obstruction, targeting the contaminated groundwater with increased volumes of airflow.

Situations Where Access Is Not An Issue
While horizontal wells are an excellent technology for providing access to difficult locations through directional drilling, they are also highly effective when access is not an issue. A highly functional application of horizontal wells lies in the context of sparge barriers. Typical vertical barriers may require several tens of wells in a row, relying on preferential pathways to communicate between each well in the barrier. This can create gaps in the remediation efforts, significantly decreasing the effectiveness of the air dispersion. On the other hand, one horizontal well with hundreds of feet of screen can replace an entire row of vertical barrier wells, cutting down on construction costs and infrastructure at the surface. This cost-effectiveness ensures that your investment in remediation is optimized. The increased oxygen delivered via the horizontal air sparge remediation well will enhance the biodegradation process by dispersing significantly more airflow into the subsurface.

How can the advantages offered by decades of technological advancement in horizontal wells benefit your project? Call our horizontal remediation well experts at 1-877-788-4479 to discuss your current project needs, or contact us to discuss how we can create the most successful outcome for your client together.

Written by: Elliott Andelman, Professional Geologist