Taking Geothermal Business to Next Level

Launching Island Geo Drillers in New York five years ago, Joe Dalba and partner Ryan Maletta were ready to take their closed-loop geothermal installation business to the next level. Their projects were progressing from residences with up to 50-ton fields to schools requiring 300-ton fields with 90 bores to 350 feet. Yet, they desired to go after more municipal projects. What they needed to take the next step was a new drill rig.

“We wanted to increase efficiency,” Dalba said. “We wanted to go deeper and needed more power and pull back, switching from 10-foot to 20-foot stroke to clear holes of cuttings.”

They looked at several different rigs, wanting to keep everything non-CDL.

“To get a more capable rig and take our business to the next step, DRILLMAX^® DM250 [by Geoprobe^®] was the only one non-CDL,” Dalba said. “Others with these capabilities required a CDL or were not yet in production, just prototypes.”

Dalba did his research, talking to other DRILLMAX^® by Geoprobe^® owners on the island.

“I watched videos and thought ‘it can’t be that fast’. It almost startles you,” Dalba said. “With our old rig, I’d look at the pressure gauge because I had time to, but this just happens in the blink of your eyes.”

Recently COVID-19 restrictions limited them to having just the two owners on site. Dalba and Maletta completed the 15 bores to 305 feet through tough, plastic clay 80 percent of the hole. Dalba ran the rig while Maletta worked the mud cleaner getting loops ready for installation.

“The DM250 took a beating but got right through it. We doubled our production speed with the stroke and pump,” Dalba said. “The way she forces plastic clay out of the hole was pretty unbelievable. The 20-foot stroke and speed of the tophead means it goes faster for a longer distance, good for plunging clay out of the hole.”

The pressure consistency produced by the piston pump, physical comfort created by the wide driller's platform, and production capability provided by the rod loader add to the advantages afforded by the DM250.

“It has everything really – it’s faster and lots easier,” Dalba said. “Speed of tophead rotation combined with 20-foot stroke on tight package, ramps up production, and it being non-CDL also saves on insurance.”