Reverse Circulation Drilling
Efficient for creating large-diameter boreholes in unconsolidated formations. Provides uncontaminated samples and excellent borehole stability
Large Diameter Boreholes
Drilling for Scale and Performance
Home > Services > Specialist Drilling > Advanced Drilling & Installations > Large Diameter Boreholes
About
Drilling at Scale
Large diameter boreholes play a crucial role in specialist drilling projects, enabling high-volume water abstraction, deep foundations, geothermal systems, and complex infrastructure development.
Drilling at this scale requires precision, expertise, and the right equipment to ensure success. At Igne, we specialise in large diameter borehole drilling, providing bespoke solutions to meet the demands of major projects across multiple sectors.
Explainer
What Are Large Diameter Boreholes?
A large diameter borehole is generally classified as any borehole with a diameter exceeding 300mm. However, in some applications, boreholes of over 600mm or even 1 metre in diameter are required.
These boreholes serve a range of purposes, from deep dewatering wells to structural foundations and geothermal energy extraction.
Drilling boreholes at this scale presents unique technical challenges, requiring robust drilling rigs, advanced methodologies, and experienced specialists who understand how to overcome geological complexities.
Igne has the expertise and equipment to ensure large diameter boreholes are drilled efficiently and safely.
The Reasons
Why Are Large Diameter Boreholes Needed?
The primary reason for drilling large diameter boreholes is to accommodate applications that require significant flow capacity, stability, or structural integrity. They are essential for projects where smaller boreholes would be insufficient, such as:
- Water Supply Boreholes requiring high abstraction rates
- Geothermal Wells for district heating and cooling
- Deep Foundations & piling for large structures
- Dewatering Systems for mines, tunnels, and construction sites
- Monitoring Wells for environmental and geological assessments
Large diameter boreholes provide greater operational efficiency in these applications, ensuring long-term performance and durability.
The Uses
Who Needs Large Diameter Boreholes?
A range of industries and organisations require large diameter boreholes to support critical infrastructure and environmental management, including:
• Water utility companies for high-capacity water abstraction
• Geothermal energy developers for district heating networks
• Civil engineering firms for foundation piling and ground stabilisation
• Mining and tunnelling companies for effective site dewatering
• Environmental consultants for large-scale groundwater monitoring
Igne works with clients across all these sectors, delivering specialist drilling solutions tailored to their specific needs.
Weighing it up
Pros & Cons of Large Diameter Boreholes
Advantages
- High flow rates for water abstraction and geothermal applications
- Increased structural stability for piling and deep foundation work
- Better access for inspection, maintenance, and monitoring
- Enhanced dewatering capacity for large-scale projects
Challenges
- Higher costs compared to standard boreholes due to increased drilling time and materials
- More complex drilling operations requiring specialist equipment and expertise
- Potential for greater geological and hydrological risks that need careful management
With Igne’s experienced drilling teams, these challenges can be efficiently managed, ensuring that large diameter boreholes are drilled to the highest standards.
The Process
How Are Large Diameter Boreholes Drilled?
Drilling large diameter boreholes requires a methodical approach to maintain borehole stability and ensure efficiency. The process typically involves:
- A thorough site assessment to determine ground conditions and potential risks
- Selection of the appropriate drilling technique, such as rotary, cable percussion, or auger drilling
- Use of drilling muds or casing to stabilise the borehole during drilling
- Continuous removal of cuttings to maintain borehole integrity
- Installation of the required borehole lining or casing to support long-term stability. Including selection of appropriate casing materials, wall thicknesses and grouting methods
Igne’s expert drilling teams carefully plan and execute every stage of the process, ensuring successful borehole completion with minimal disruption.
The challenge
Specialist Equipment & Challenges in Large Diameter Drilling
Drilling large diameter boreholes requires heavy-duty equipment capable of handling the additional stresses and loads involved. Specialist rigs, large-diameter drill bits, reinforced casing systems, contract crane lifts and high-powered mud circulation pumps are often necessary to support drilling operations.
Key challenges include:
- Ensuring borehole stability in weak or unconsolidated formations
- Managing high volumes of cuttings and drilling fluids
- Overcoming artesian pressures or unexpected groundwater conditions
- Drilling efficiently while minimising costs and environmental impact
- Mitigating any ground gas risks
- Installation of fully grouted large diameter and deep casing often by contract crane lift
- Management of a large scale site
With our extensive experience and industry-leading equipment, Igne is well-equipped to handle these challenges, delivering reliable and effective large diameter borehole solutions.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Large Diameter Boreholes
- What is considered a large diameter borehole?
A borehole is generally classified as large diameter if it exceeds 300mm, with some projects requiring boreholes of 600mm or more.
- Why would a project need a large diameter borehole?
Large diameter boreholes are essential for applications requiring high water flow, deep structural foundations, or geothermal heat extraction.
- What drilling methods are used for large diameter boreholes?
Techniques such as rotary drilling, cable percussion drilling, and auger drilling are commonly used, depending on ground conditions and project requirements.
- Are large diameter boreholes more expensive?
Yes, they typically require more time, materials, and specialist equipment, but they provide significant operational and structural benefits that justify the cost.
- What challenges come with drilling large diameter boreholes?
Challenges include borehole stability, cuttings removal, groundwater management, and ensuring efficient drilling rates.
- Can Igne provide specialist support for large diameter drilling?
Absolutely. Igne has the expertise, equipment, and experience to handle large diameter borehole projects across multiple sectors.
The Next Step
Need Expert Large Diameter Borehole Drilling? Contact Igne Today
Drilling large diameter boreholes requires skill, experience, and the right equipment to ensure success. Whether your project involves high-capacity water abstraction, deep foundation piling, or geothermal energy, Igne is the trusted specialist drilling partner you need.
Get in touch today to discuss your requirements and discover how our expert drilling solutions can support your project.
Artesian Boreholes
Specially designed to access confined aquifers under pressure. Igne offers complete design, drilling and testing services.
Angle Boreholes
Used where vertical access is limited or to intercept specific targets such as old mine workings or structural features. Can be cored or open holed depending on project requirements.
Drilling with Mud
Supports borehole stability and facilitates drilling in soft or variable ground. Suitable for a range of geotechnical and environmental applications.
Large Diameter Boreholes
For water supply, dewatering, geothermal energy or structural support. Igne has the equipment and expertise to drill large diameters efficiently and safely.
Deep Boreholes
Our teams are experienced in drilling to significant depths, whether for monitoring, exploration, energy or environmental purposes.
Acidisation
Used to improve borehole performance by dissolving scale, mineral deposits or blockages within the borehole or surrounding formation to improve the yield.
Hydrofracturing
Enhances borehole yield by opening fractures in the surrounding rock to increase water flow.
Dewatering
Design and installation of boreholes to lower groundwater levels for construction or mining projects.
Monitoring Boreholes
For groundwater sampling, piezometric monitoring or other environmental assessments. Igne handles design, drilling, installation and instrumentation
Vibrating Wire Piezos
Installation of vibrating wire piezos for accurate measurement of pore water pressure and ground movement.
Fibre Optics
Deployment of fibre optic sensors within boreholes for monitoring temperature, strain or acoustic signals.
Seismic Monitoring
Drilling and installation of boreholes to house seismic monitoring equipment, supporting geotechnical and structural assessments.
Deep Wireline Coring
Recovery of continuous core samples from depth for geological, geotechnical or environmental analysis. In Geobor S, PQ, NQ and HQ.
Gas Control
Design and drilling of boreholes for gas extraction, venting or monitoring, often in brownfield or landfill sites.
Deep Soakaways
Installation of deep boreholes for sustainable drainage and infiltration of surface water.
Decommissioning
Safe and compliant sealing and decommissioning of redundant boreholes to prevent environmental risk.
Specialist Plant & In Hole Equipment Hire
Provision of advanced drilling equipment and downhole tools to support client and contractor projects.
Recovery & Fishing Trouble Shooting
Expert services to retrieve lost or stuck equipment from boreholes and troubleshoot downhole challenges.