REVERSE CIRCULATION DRILLING

REVERSE CIRCULATION DRILLING

Reverse circulation drilling is really a form of excavating. The equipment cleans out a hole in the ground as it rotates. The drill cuttings are sucked up into the machine similar to dust being sucked into a vacuum cleaner. It is through this method that large diameter, high capacity wells have become more feasible for municipalities, industry, irrigation and other large water users.

The reverse circulation procedure has been best proven in areas containing deep sand and gravel formations. It is capable of developing a well which will produce more water per cubic foot of usable formation than any other method of well construction now available to the industry. Reverse rotary is not, however, a rock well drill rig; at least not in hard rock areas. It can and has been used in soft prolific rock structures with some success. Its greatest performance is in "sand country" where large capacity wells are more prevalent.

Usually, you will find reverse rotary equipment being employed for drilling wells for high capacity projects. In some instances, reverse rotary has been instrumental in drilling large diameter entrance and feed holes for underground storage caverns for gas and water reserves.