Reverse Circulation Drilling
Efficient for creating large-diameter boreholes in unconsolidated formations. Provides uncontaminated samples and excellent borehole stability
Recovery & Fishing Troubleshooting
Expert services to retrieve lost or stuck equipment from boreholes and troubleshoot downhole challenges.
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About
Recovery & Fishing
As any driller will tell you, drilling doesn’t always go to plan!
Boreholes can collapse, tools can become stuck, casing can shear, and equipment can break off deep below the surface. When these problems arise, time is lost, budgets are threatened, and progress stalls.
That’s where Igne’s recovery and fishing troubleshooting services come in.
We specialise in recovering lost equipment and resolving downhole problems safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption to your programme. With decades of real-world drilling experience and an extensive range of recovery tooling, we know what to do when a borehole goes wrong, and we have the kit and know-how to put it right.
Explainer
What Is Fishing & Recovery in Boreholes?
Fishing refers to the retrieval of lost, stuck, or broken items from within a borehole. This might include drill rods, core barrels, casing, packers, sensors, cables, pumps or sampling tools.
Recovery operations require specialist tooling and skilled drillers who can assess the problem, select the right technique and work patiently and safely to remove the obstruction.
Common borehole problems that require fishing and troubleshooting include:
- Stuck drill rods or casing due to collapse or debris
- Broken tooling left downhole after mechanical failure
- Grouted-in instruments or cables that cannot be extracted
- Objects dropped downhole during monitoring or installation
- Pumps and risers stuck in boreholes
- Hard blockages or swelling ground preventing progress
These issues can happen at any depth and in any ground conditions, and resolving them quickly is critical to keeping your project on track.
The process
Igne’s Approach to Downhole Troubleshooting
We bring together experience, diagnostics and the right tooling to get to the root of the problem. Our troubleshooting process typically includes:
- Reviewing site logs, borehole records and equipment history
- Using probing or imaging tools to assess downhole conditions
- Designing a step-by-step recovery plan, including bespoke tooling if required
- Deploying fishing tools such as spears, overshots, jars or magnets
- Attempting staged recovery to avoid further damage
- Stabilising or re-drilling where necessary to complete the borehole
We know that every borehole is different. That’s why our approach is flexible, hands-on and based on a deep understanding of geology, drilling mechanics and downhole dynamics.
The benefits
Why Choose Igne for Borehole Recovery?
Because we drill, we understand.
Our recovery services aren’t just about sending down a hook and hoping for the best, they’re about experience, strategy and minimising downtime.
Clients trust us because we offer:
- An extensive inventory of recovery tools and fishing equipment
- Teams with real-world problem-solving experience
- Responsive mobilisation for urgent troubleshooting
- Support for rotary, percussive and coring boreholes
- The ability to complete or reconfigure the borehole after recovery
- Advice on how to avoid repeat incidents
We’ve rescued hundreds of stuck or failed boreholes, and we’re ready to help save yours too.
FAQ
Borehole Recovery & Fishing Frequently Asked Questions
- What causes drilling tools or equipment to get stuck in boreholes?
Common causes include borehole collapse, swelling clays, gravel bridging, broken threads, mechanical failure, or tools left in place too long without movement. Sometimes, debris or dropped tools also obstruct progress.
- What types of equipment can Igne recover?
We can recover rods, core barrels, casing, piezometers, vibrating wire instruments, gas tubing, fibre optic cables, pumps, risers and other downhole tooling, depending on access and borehole condition.
- How do you locate where the obstruction is?
We review drilling records, rod lengths and penetration data to estimate depth. We may also use sounding rods or downhole borehole CCTV cameras to assess the blockage or locate broken parts.
- What tools are used for borehole fishing?
We use tools like overshots, spears, magnets, reverse circulation systems, fishing jars, and custom-made tools. The method depends on what’s stuck and the condition of the borehole.
- How long does a recovery operation take?
This depends on the depth and complexity of the problem. Some tools can be recovered in hours, while more difficult recoveries may take several days. We always aim to minimise downtime.
- Can Igne assist if another contractor has caused the issue?
Yes, we’re often brought in to help resolve borehole problems that occur during third-party drilling or monitoring work. We approach these situations professionally and discreetly.
- What if the tool or obstruction can’t be recovered?
In rare cases, full recovery isn’t possible. In these situations, we can advise on safe abandonment or re-drilling, and help you redesign the borehole to achieve your monitoring or structural goals.
- How can borehole problems be prevented in the future?
We offer advice on good drilling practice, borehole design, and equipment handling. Prevention is often about careful planning, regular checks, and knowing the ground conditions.
The Next step
If your borehole has gone wrong, it’s not the end of the world
Igne’s specialist fishing and troubleshooting services can help you recover equipment, restore progress and finish the job properly.
Get in touch today, and let’s get your borehole back on course, safely, efficiently and professionally.
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.