OneGuyFromBarlick

We could see the rig from Bleara Road yesterday when we were returning over the tops from Carleton.

Lovely sight Wendy, not long to go now!

Impressive. Somehow I got the impression it would be 3 scaffold poles forming a tripod and one of those pull it up and drop it drilling operations.

That technology is long gone China. These modern rigs owe a lot to oil and construction industry technology. Fast efficient and the best we have ever had access to.

They finished drilling next door this morning and found a good source of water at 40m. There are other jobs to do but the rig should be coming here tomorrow.

Bloody hell! That's quick Wendy! Could be a bit shallower with you as you are downhill...... Looking hopeful, at least you know there is water there now!

Remarkably quick! The first source they found was full of iron, so they continued down. They reckon that the lining system they use stops unwanted water getting in. It needs a couple of weeks to settle before water testing can be done so it will be a while before we find out how pure it is.
When they hit water at 40m the pressure sent it 9m up the borehole, they thought they had a gusher.

That all sounds very positive Wendy. Good!

Speaking of gushers, when we were in Iceland apart from visiting the Great Geyser we also went to the site of the water feed boreholes for the geothermal power station at Keflavik. As you approach the site you can hear and feel the power of the water. The ground around the station for about 50 metres vibrates and all the chippings on the road surface bounce. You can feel the heat as well as the water roars through the pipework at the take off point. The pipe is about 1 meter diameter and turns 90 degrees at the well head. There are multiple boreholes around the site and the water comes out of the ground at 100 degrees and at about 200mph, no pumps required, sounds like a jet engine. The pipes from each well head all converge and run down to the power station in parallel. Very impressive but you cant linger too long or you start to feel sick with the vibration.

Busy getting everything set up.

Exciting stuff...

You know sometimes van drivers can't manage to negotiate the bends in our track or even turn round without a struggle. These guys have brought 2 big 8 wheelers in, both loaded up with hefty equipment and parked up exactly where they want them, no trouble.

Ooh, we are off!

Day 1 as I understand it!
They drilled down to about 5.5 metres and came across a cavity in the shale which was full of black water that sprayed everywhere. They have sunk steel pipes and drilled on through the cavity to dry shale. Next step is to pour cement in to seal off the water from that cavity, which will be tomorrow's task.
I have been indoors trying to keep the dogs cool and calm while Col has been outside taking photos, a selection of which I will post later. These are pics which I have taken after the work has finished and the dogs, cats & I have ventured out.

Can't wait to see it!

Looks like an expensive operation.

But what an asset when it's done!

chinatyke wrote: ↑12 Jul 2018, 05:55 Looks like an expensive operation.

It ain't cheap!

I was kidnapped by a woman in a fast car...... Here she is with 35 year old Dennis



And here are Dennis, Sparky and Jack.



Wendy, Col and the rig.



Where it's all happening!

Shame you didn't get to see the rig in action Stanley!
The big steels are in place and grouted with cement to screen out groundwater. It takes 24 hours at least to set so the guys wont be back now till Monday when they will recommence drilling.

I was pleased with the pic of you and Dennis........ One of my better snaps I think! The Lads are a credit to you......

Stanley wrote: ↑13 Jul 2018, 02:11 I was pleased with the pic of you and Dennis........ One of my better snaps I think! The Lads are a credit to you......

I like the one with the ponies coming towards us and Jack moving at speed....

Lovely visit and an exciting week coming up for you.....

They are back again this morning, serious drilling about to resume.