Customer-focused pioneer in ground investigation rigs
Geomachine
Geomachine has been designing and building ground investigation rigs for the world’s most challenging conditions for over four decades. Today, its product family includes seven different rig models to meet all ground investigation needs.
Geomachine began developing ground investigation rigs in 1984. Until then, investigations in Finnish conditions were conducted manually, and Geomachine sought to explore whether the process could be automated using machinery.
Today, the machine lineup comprises seven rig models capable of performing all investigation methods required for challenging Scandinavian conditions. To meet future demands for zero emissions, Geomachine has also developed the fully electric heavy-duty GMe100 investigation rig, which is suitable for all the same methods as its diesel-powered twin.
Significant advancements have occurred in rig development over recent decades. In the future, development will continue robustly, but its focus areas will evolve.
Cornerstones of rig development
Developing ground investigation rigs is an iterative process. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel each time; instead, new products are often built upon existing foundations. Proven and functional elements are retained, while areas identified through customer feedback are further developed.
According to Geomachine’s Sales Manager, Alexander Packalén, customer feedback is often very concrete. “For example, our GM85 rig model was developed because its predecessor, the GM75, couldn’t accommodate a compressor large enough to meet the customer’s power requirements. Our product family’s giant, the eight-wheeled GM8, came into being because a customer needed to work in rocky and challenging terrains inaccessible to tracked machines. Thanks to its off-road capabilities, the GM8 is in a class of its own and is now used on wind power construction sites, which are often located in remote areas.”
In addition to customer feedback, new product development is guided by legislation, environmental requirements, and the ongoing need for safer and more efficient operations. “In the ground investigation industry, as in other sectors, the pressure for environmental friendliness is continually increasing. Moreover, safety remains a crucial theme today, just as it was decades ago. As investigations become increasingly demanding and diverse, the need for larger machines and additional equipment, such as more powerful compressors, grows.”
When discussing ground investigation, one aspect stands above all. “Data must be collected from the ground with high quality. If this isn’t achieved, nothing else matters. That’s why our most significant focus in product development is currently on enhancing machine intelligence. The heart of our digital product family, the GMTracker data-logger, increases the automation level, efficiency, and data quality of investigation work. In addition to the data-logger, we offer innovative tools for planning and managing investigation projects, maintaining and servicing machines, and managing equipment registers. By adopting these tools, it’s possible to create a seamless value chain for the entire ground investigation process, significantly boosting productivity.”
Smarter, more efficient, and environmentally friendly in the future
Geomachine’s Head of Engineering, Juha Sandholm, notes that there hasn’t been much development in the actual investigation methods in recent years, meaning that the rigs’ basic functions will remain relatively similar. “Where there’s still significant room for improvement is in increasing the intelligence of operations and, consequently, their productivity. We started developing our digital products about four years ago, and this development will continue strongly. Thanks to machine learning, our rigs will become even more analytical and predictive. Unnecessary manual workflows will be eliminated, and machine downtime will be minimized. Information will flow in real-time throughout the value chain, improving project turnaround times and profitability.”
The importance of digitalization will also be emphasized in the future because a new generation of drillers is entering the ground investigation industry. “Fresh, younger professionals are continually joining the field. They naturally live in the digital age, and therefore, a high level of intelligence in tools is an expected standard for them, not just a nice addition. We aim to be the most attractive partner in the market for future ground investigation professionals.”
Electrification is another main theme in future product development. “Our rig models have been available as hybrids since 2021. Recently, we also launched the fully electric GMe100 rig, which is expected to meet the increasingly stringent zero-emission requirements in ground investigation. However, customers’ equipment purchases are often strongly influenced by cost, which currently somewhat slows the transition to electrification. We anticipate that the world will evolve in a direction where manufacturing fully electric investigation rigs more affordably becomes possible in the future.”
A satisfied customer is the foundation of everything
Geomachine’s strong foothold in the ground investigation industry is primarily thanks to its customers. “Without satisfied customers, we wouldn’t exist. The ground investigation industry is relatively small, and word-of-mouth travels far. Customers share a lot of information with each other and pass on their experiences about how well our products and services have met their needs.”
According to Juha Sandholm, the main reason for customer satisfaction is that Geomachine understands the primary goal of its customers’ operations. “Each of our customers wants to conduct their business in the most productive, profitable, and smart way possible. They feel that our products and services together form a package that enables this.”
Interested? Contact Geomachine!
Geomachine
Geomachine’s range of drilling rigs covers all the needs of ground investigation. The fleet currently includes seven versatile rigs designed for various levels of challenging investigations. Each rig is packed with superior technical features, usability, and intelligence.
The smallest rig in Geomachine’s product family is the two-ton GM50, which can be transported on a car trailer. The flagship model is the eight-wheeled GM8 mammoth, capable of traversing even the most difficult terrains with low ground pressure. The core of the machine lineup consists of the GM75, GM85, and GM100, multi-purpose machines highly valued by ground investigation professionals.
All Geomachine drilling rigs are designed and manufactured in Finland. Each rig operates flawlessly in varying soil conditions, challenging terrains, as well as in snowy and harsh weather. The largest geotechnical drilling rigs are also excellently suited for geological investigations when equipped with diamond drilling equipment.
Modularity brings customization
All Geomachine drilling rigs are modular. This ensures that customers always have access to the most suitable tool without expensive customization costs or long delivery times.
In practice, modularity means that the machine base can be equipped with the most suitable boom. The boom range includes several innovative and durable options and can be categorized based on their operating principles into direct feed, chain feed, and dual mast booms. All boom types can also be installed on platforms other than Geomachine’s own, provided they have sufficient hydraulic output. In addition to drilling rigs, they are also suitable for tractors, excavators, and barges.
An essential part of the machines’ modularity is the dual drill table in Geomachine’s booms, which can be equipped with drilling and investigation equipment tailored to the user’s needs.
The power source of the machine can also be selected according to needs. For those prioritizing zero emissions and quiet operation, an electric motor package is the right choice. The diesel engines used in Geomachine’s drilling rigs meet the strictest Stage 5 emission standards and can be operated with renewable diesel.
Most valued features
Geomachine’s products are always developed to serve genuine customer needs. Year after year, customers highly value ergonomics, usability, and safety in operations. Therefore, these features are always standard in all Geomachine ground investigation rigs.
A crucial factor affecting work ergonomics is the control panel positioned at the right height. Geomachine’s machine control panels have multi-directional adjustability, allowing the panel to be set at an optimal height even on uneven terrain.
Usability is further enhanced by the fact that all machine models today have very similar operational functions. This means that once the operating principle of a tool is learned, it doesn’t need to be relearned when switching machine models.
Safety features in Geomachine’s machines are also at a high level. Work safety is improved by features such as remote control enabled by the electronic IQAN control system and a separate rod-changing area.
Intelligent working
The ground investigation business follows the same principles as business in general. The ultimate goal is always to operate as qualitatively, productively, and profitably as possible. The investigation process itself is quite standardized today. The most productive detail for the entire process is how qualitatively the investigation data can be captured and how diversely it can be utilized.
Geomachine stands out from its competitors with the intelligence of its products. When all of Geomachine’s digital services are activated, the operator is equipped to efficiently and data-drivenly perform the most critical key tasks of all investigation projects.
Project profitability improves immediately as supply chains become transparent, equipment downtime decreases, equipment management improves, and unnecessary manual work becomes a thing of the past for all members in the project’s value chain. In the long term, project productivity further increases because, thanks to machine learning, investigation work as well as machine maintenance and servicing become more predictive. As the knowledge base on operations and equipment performance diversifies, it helps make the overall operation increasingly profitable.
Uncompromising quality for frontline professionals
Geomachine’s products and services are the right choice for industry operators who are not satisfied with merely completing the work but aim to conduct investigations more intelligently and with higher quality continuously. This means that only top-class tools are acceptable, and they must also be ready to meet future challenges. In the future, those who understand the importance of seamlessness in the project members’ value chain will also succeed.
Geomachine aims to help all its customers excel in their work in the best possible way. This is achieved by taking the ground investigation industry to a new, smarter, and more productive era.
Interested? Contact Geomachine!
Geomachine
Adopting digital tools for ground investigation is easy with Geomachine’s guidance. You don’t need to understand the technology or speak in complex terms. All you need to know is the direction in which you want to develop your operations.
“In the ground investigation industry, things have been done the same way for years, using familiar methods,” says Pasi Majakangas, who designs digital services for Geomachine. “Learning something new alongside your regular work can seem like a burden, so often, people prefer to stick with familiar practices. But what if embracing new solutions was made easy, and it turned out to be a smart and effortless investment from a business development perspective?”
Two ways to adopt
The core of Geomachine’s digital product family, the GMTracker data-logger, is automatically included with the purchase of a new machine. The data-logger can also be added to a machine already in use on-site.
Since digital tools are still relatively new in the ground investigation industry, discussions about their adoption are always led by the customer’s workflows, challenges, and needs, rather than product features. “Some of our customers know exactly what smart features they want from their new machine, and these are added to their GMTracker during the machine’s production phase. Other times, the customer might not have a clear vision of the best solutions for their specific operations. In those cases, we ask the right questions and determine the goals they have for the machine and their business development.”
The customer may also have identified pain points in their operations that they need solutions for. “If the areas that need improvement are already known, we focus on how our digital tools can help resolve these issues. If the goal is simply to get more out of their machines and processes, we’ll explain what’s possible with our digital services.”
Real-life examples
Pasi Majakangas shares that one issue may be long downtime due to maintenance queues, leading to slow and unprofitable project completion. “In such cases, we suggest adopting GMCare. It opens a two-way connection between the operator, machine maintenance manager, and service partner. The software gives the service partner a real-time view of the equipment’s condition, enabling preventive actions to reduce machine failures. GMCare also digitizes and standardizes maintenance documentation, storing it centrally in one place. The software uses machine learning to continuously build a knowledge base, making future machine maintenance more individualized and predictive.”
Another issue might be keeping the machine documentation up to date. “In that case, we suggest using GMFleet. This ensures all relevant equipment information is always available in real-time and kept up to date. GMFleet contains all the information related to the machine, including technical documentation and lifecycle data. It also provides easy access to information about the machine’s technical capabilities.”
A customer might also struggle with communication issues that slow down project progress. “In such cases, we recommend using GMSiteOps. It streamlines project management and resource allocation, automating related tasks. It digitalizes the project manager’s workspace and integrates it into the project’s value chain. GMSiteOps improves process transparency, real-time data, quality, and safety, while helping to transform the data collected from processes into business-driving actions.”
So, how to move forward?
If you’re interested in improving your business, the right place to start the conversation is with Geomachine’s Sales Manager, Alex Lindholm. “You can email or call Alex. He will arrange a meeting with you to review your business and needs. After the meeting, you’ll receive a proposal for the digital features that can help you reach your goals. If you’re integrating digital tools into an existing machine, the software installation will typically take 1–3 working days. It’s important to consider this when planning your project schedules.”
For those buying a new machine, the process is even easier. “Digital services are always offered with a new machine purchase, allowing you to share your operational optimization goals with our sales team. When the machine leaves the factory, it will already have all the intelligence you wanted pre-programmed.”
According to Pasi Majakangas, there’s no need to fear digital services. “Our product family is easy to understand and use, and our customers who already use the tools agree. If you want to boost your productivity and improve the quality of the data you collect, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll tell you which of our tools best suit your needs and how to get them up and running quickly.”
Interested? Contact Geomachine!
Geomachine
Geomachine aims to make ground investigation as efficient, profitable, and high-quality as possible. That’s why it develops cutting-edge digital innovations that will lead the industry into a new and smarter era.
Continuous development is deeply embedded in Geomachine’s DNA. In recent years, the company has focused particularly on digital innovations in its product development to enable companies in the ground investigation industry to conduct their business more intelligently and profitably.
“In the ground investigation industry, traditional methods have often been used, resulting in many manual workflows and fragmentation in the value chain,” says Pasi Majakangas, who designs digital services for Geomachine. “Four years ago, we initiated the development process for digital products with the aim of tackling these challenges.”
Geomachine’s digital product family currently includes four innovative tools. “The heart of our product family is the GMTracker data-logger. It is an extremely smart tool that provides full visibility into the investigation processes and gives an overview of the performance of the equipment used. In its StandAlone version, GMTracker works locally as an operator tool, and in its Cloud version, it creates a real-time, two-way connection between all project stakeholders. The Cloud version can also be extended with modules such as GMCare, which enhances machine maintenance and servicing, GMSiteOps for optimizing project management and planning, and GMFleet, the equipment registry.”
Step by step forward
As with all of Geomachine’s product development projects, the planning and development of the digital product family involved strong customer collaboration. “In the development of the GMTracker data-logger, we received invaluable support and insights from our long-time customer, Aluetaito Oy. They were involved in the project from the very beginning, and through iterative work, we developed the data-logger to the point where it could be launched to the market.”
The first version of the GMTracker data-logger was made for research methods used in Finland, and later versions were developed for Sweden and Norway. “From a product development perspective, the initial challenge was that there was considerable variation in the needs and practices of companies in the ground investigation industry. A single software solution for everyone was not an option at that point, so the product had to be configured individually for each customer’s specific needs. We focused heavily on customization in our product development. Today, customizing GMTrackerCloud to meet the unique needs of customers can be done with just a few clicks.”
Once the first version of GMTracker and its project management features were up and running, the product development moved forward. “In the next phase, we began considering solutions to enhance machine maintenance and servicing and improve equipment management transparency. These challenges were addressed with the development of the GMCare and GMFleet tools.”
Toolbox expands as needed
According to Pasi Majakangas, no other digital product family like Geomachine’s is currently available on the market. “Until now, individual tools could be purchased from various providers. However, this has resulted in customers having to manage a system architecture that could become messy and difficult to handle. Each program had to be learned separately, and integrating them could require a lot of effort. Managing the whole is now much smarter and easier when all the essential tools can be obtained from one provider.”
One of the strengths of Geomachine’s digital product family is its scalability. “Our products adapt to the needs of the user. You don’t have to purchase the entire extensive toolbox at once; it can be expanded as needed.”
Once all the innovative features of GMTrackerCloud are activated, it provides solutions for the efficient and data-driven execution of the key tasks in ground investigation projects. The transparency of supply chains immediately increases project efficiency, reduces equipment downtime, improves fleet management, and reduces the amount of manual, unnecessary work. In the long term, projects become more productive continuously, as machine learning makes maintenance and servicing operations more predictive. Data on operations and equipment performance constantly increases, helping to make the overall operation more profitable over time.
Continuously smarter and more versatile
Pasi Majakangas says that the development of the digital product family is still ongoing. “In the future, our product family will include even more analytics and 3D visualization features. With these, for example, risk assessments and quality assurance on work sites will be done even more efficiently. The drill rig will learn to identify ground characteristics and automatically suggest them to the driller. Additionally, it will take care of its own maintenance and identify its own issues. This way, maintenance can be performed as soon as the machine starts to show signs of failure, even before an actual breakdown occurs.”
Geomachine’s digital tools are currently in use by leading companies in the ground investigation industry in Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland. “Every ground investigation company that understands that project productivity requires transparency across the value chain can benefit from our innovations. We want to enable our customers to focus on the right things. Do more with less – that’s what we want to offer our customers in a nutshell.”
Interested? Contact Geomachine!
Geomachine
Updating the equipment used in geotechnical investigations becomes relevant for every industry player from time to time. Whether it’s a facelift or a complete renewal, the process is clear and seamless under Geomachine’s guidance.
“The geotechnical investigation industry in the Nordic region is relatively small,” begins Alexander Packalén, Geomachine’s Chief Operating Officer. “It’s a highly specialized field where industry professionals often know each other. That’s why the companies reaching out to us for their equipment needs are frequently already familiar to us.”
Regardless of whether the customer is a long-time partner or a new acquaintance, the discussion always starts by aligning with their needs. “Most of our customers are well-informed and have a clear idea—down to the model—of the machine that best suits their requirements. However, sometimes they only have a general idea of the intended use. In such cases, we explore the situation in more detail, and based on these discussions, we determine the best approach for moving forward with the procurement process.”
The needs of all stakeholders are considered
When a customer first contacts Geomachine about acquiring a machine, their primary concern is usually the cost. “When the time comes to make a purchase, it’s naturally important to understand the budget scale. Once the investment range is clear, the customer can proceed with internal decision-making within their organization.”
The next step involves diving into the details. “We arrange a meeting for a thorough needs assessment. In addition to the decision-maker, we also welcome the machine operators to this discussion. A skilled driller typically has a strong opinion on the features their tool must have. By mapping out these requirements during the design phase, we can ensure a cost-effective production process, avoiding unnecessary modifications later when the machine is already nearing completion.”
Should you upgrade or replace?
According to Alexander Packalén, the goal is always to find the best solution tailored to each customer’s needs. “We provide calculations for our customers to assess whether upgrading their existing equipment or investing in a new machine would be more cost-effective in their specific case. This analysis is especially crucial for companies continuously striving for better profitability.
Sometimes, an upgrade isn’t enough. Companies positioning themselves as industry pioneers and preparing for future changes in their business environment often choose to acquire an entirely new machine. “The geotechnical investigation industry is subject to increasingly stringent regulations, particularly regarding emissions standards. If a company aims to operate in densely built urban areas or participate in public tenders, acquiring a new machine is often the smartest choice. Even if an old machine has been upgraded with smart technology, a new boom, or other modern features, it won’t be competitive if its diesel engine exceeds emission limits.”
The geotechnical investigation sector is constantly evolving. “We closely monitor industry developments and regulatory changes. While no one can predict the future with certainty, we can at least provide well-informed insights based on our expertise.”
Start the conversation when the need arises
When it’s time to update or renew equipment, Alexander Packalén encourages reaching out to Geomachine without hesitation. “Our Sales Manager, Alex Lindholm, is the right person to contact by phone or email. He initiates the discussions and assembles the Geomachine team to drive the procurement process forward. Depending on the case, machine production times range from a few months to a year. That’s why it’s best to start the conversation as soon as a new purchase is on the horizon—ensuring that the machine is ready for use exactly when needed.”
Regardless of the level of preparedness or prior knowledge about equipment procurement, Geomachine is always a valuable partner. “We have been in the geotechnical investigation field for several decades and have learned to listen closely to our customers’ needs. We guide the procurement process in close collaboration with our clients, from the initial needs assessment to the moment the machine rolls off our production line. Customer satisfaction is always our priority, and we are known for this in the industry. That’s why we are the right partner for professionals who want to work with the best tools on the market and continuously improve their business success.”
Interested? Contact Geomachine!
Geomachine
The emission class requirements for machines used in ground investigation are becoming increasingly stringent, and the pressure to work in an environmentally friendly manner is growing. Geomachine’s response to this challenge is the fully electric GMe100 drill rig.
The emissions of diesel-powered work machines have begun to be restricted, especially in densely built urban areas. For example, in Oslo, their use is no longer permitted. Efforts to reduce emissions are also evident in public tenders organized by cities, where emission class requirements are stricter than before, even if emissions are not yet legally regulated in the tendering area.
In the world of ground investigation, just like in technological development in general today, the trend is towards electrification. New product innovations are continually being introduced under this theme. Geomachine is also actively developing products to meet changes and expectations in its operating environment. The latest example of this is the fully electric GMe100 ground investigation rig.
New product innovations are created in collaboration with customers
Geomachine’s Chief Technology Officer, Vesa-Matti Salminen, explains that the GMe100 ground investigation rig was developed based on market needs. “When the requirement for zero-emission operation was enforced in Oslo, Norway, our distributor operating there contacted us. Following discussions and market research, we began developing an electrically powered drill rig in 2023.”
The GMe100 drill rig was built on the existing diesel-powered GM100 platform. It retains the same functionalities and usability as its diesel-powered twin. The machine’s operations remain hydraulic, but power generation in this rig is fully electric.
The length of Geomachine’s product development process varies depending on whether it involves a completely new product innovation or the further development of an existing product. The journey of the GMe100 drill rig from the drawing board to machine delivery took about two years.
When developing a completely new innovation, the product development process does not end at the time of delivery. “Although the machine is ready at delivery, close collaboration with the customer continues in the support phase,” says Geomachine’s Head of Engineering, Juha Sandholm. “We collect customer feedback on the real-world functionality of the machine to make further refinements if needed. Customers who invest in new innovations are industry pioneers. They understand that a finished product can still be refined after deployment and are keen to participate in this stage of product development.”
An electrically powered option for ground investigation
The GMe100 ground investigation rig is suitable for all the same investigation methods as its diesel-powered twin. These include dynamic probing, weight sounding, percussion drilling, casing drilling, spt and dspt testing, cpt and cpt-u testing, and pore pressure drilling. Additionally, it is suitable for groundwater pipe installation and sampling from both hard and soft grounds.
The GMe100 rig is powered by a battery-operated electric motor. Compressed air is supplied via an electric compressor. “During product development, we realized that using an electric compressor improves the efficiency of the fully electric machine, allowing for longer operation on a single battery charge,” says Juha Sandholm. “With a dedicated motor for the compressor, we were able to reduce the size of the machine’s main powertrain motor.”
The battery life of the rig varies depending on the investigation method used, and its capacity can be increased with an additional battery pack if necessary.
Like Geomachine’s equipment in general, the GMe100 is highly intelligent. It features an IQAN control system and GMTracker data logging software. A Cloud version of the logging software is also available, enhancing workflow efficiency, machine maintenance, and project management by connecting all stakeholders in the project’s value chain in real time.
Usability was another key focus in designing the GMe100 rig. This machine includes more storage space than before for the operator’s tools and essential liquids.
Key principles of product development
Vesa-Matti Salminen explains that Geomachine adheres to specific requirements in product development, ensuring that every product meets the highest standards. “We strive for quality in everything we do; our machines must be durable and perform at their best. Our products must also be easy to use. That’s why we aim for minimal differences in usability between models. Workplace safety is another crucial factor, and we continuously develop new solutions to enhance it.”
Geomachine’s customers share a commitment to working with the most reliable and user-friendly machines on the market. But that’s not all. “Our customers also highly value efficient and high-quality customer support. It’s important for them to get assistance from a familiar service representative who knows the machine’s history and features inside out.”
The GMe100 is a product innovation that Geomachine is extremely proud of. “Drawing on our extensive experience, we have successfully built a machine that enables ground investigation with exceptional quality and efficiency—now also in a more environmentally friendly and emission-free manner, meeting today’s demands.”
Interested? Contact Geomachine!
GMTracker
Information about the geotechnical field equipment used in ground investigations must be documented in the investigation report. Thanks to a new feature in the GMTracker data-logger, data on equipment is now transferred to the investigation report without manual effort.
The equipment required for ground investigations include, for example, CPT cones, vane shear devices, and sampling tools. These details must also be recorded in the work report for the investigation.
The new feature added to the GMTracker data-logger enables the maintenance and automatic adding of equipment data in work reports. The equipment registry contains information on the device’s identifier, model, type, and calibration, depending on the device. GMTracker is the only data-logger on the market whose registry also includes sampling tubes. Thanks to this new feature, equipment data is always accurately recorded in reports.
In the future, equipment management will also be integrated into the Cloud version of the GMTracker data-logger. Once data can be stored in the cloud, all stakeholders requiring equipment information will gain a comprehensive view of the devices used by the investigation company, their age, condition, and calibration status.
Managing specialized equipment through GMTrackerCloud will not only enhance reporting but also streamline the execution of investigation projects. It will help project management allocate sampling tasks to specific investigation vehicles without needing to transfer equipment from other sites. In the future, calibration values for equipment will also be manageable via GMTrackerCloud.
Interested? Take contact!
GMTracker
A new intelligent feature has been added to the GMTracker data-logger’s Cloud-version. The digital safety inspection streamlines the process of ensuring occupational safety measures are met, making it easier to comply with safety and quality requirements.
Before starting a soil investigation or well-drilling work, a commissioning inspection must be performed on the drilling rig at the site. For longer-term projects, daily or weekly inspections are also required. The GMTracker data-logger now serves as a tool to efficiently carry out these procedures as well.
Thanks to the new feature in the GMTracker data-logger, the safety inspection process can now be conducted in a standardized, digital format, eliminating time-consuming paperwork. The Cloud version of the data-logger enables real-time reporting of inspection results and any detected discrepancies to all relevant stakeholders. This feature ensures that the inspection history of the equipment, including records of any failed inspection tasks, is securely stored. Inspection task lists are fully customizable to meet user needs.
By digitizing site inspections, Geomachine emphasizes that working safety is just as important as its efficiency, quality, and environmental sustainability. This feature aims to familiarize operators with safe work practices and integrate risk assessment into routine operations. It also ensures that information about working conditions and the safe operational status of machines is always accessible to external inspectors, such as authorities, when required.
International standards ISO9001 and ISO14001 require Geomachine to operate in accordance with the highest quality standards. However, our aim is not only to meet these requirements but also to exceed them whenever possible. Adding the digital safety inspection feature to the GMTracker data-logger is one example of this commitment.
Interested? Contact us!
Geomachine
Geomachine is a company deeply committed to product development. At the core of every innovation lies a profound understanding of customer needs, the unresolved challenges within the industry, and the future directions of the field.
The guiding principle of Geomachine’s product development is to create solutions that genuinely meet its customers’ needs. To deepen its customer insight, Geomachine engages in close discussions with professionals in the geotechnical investigation and well-drilling sectors. This collaborative approach was pivotal also in developing the GM2000 drilling rig, designed specifically for deep geothermal well drilling.
To dive into the world of geothermal wells, Geomachine collaborated with consultant Jukka Ahonen. Ahonen’s expertise spans various drilling and piling methods, from anchoring to rotary drilling and quarry techniques ranging from precision holes for dimension stone to large-scale hammer drilling and shaft sinking.
“I have been involved in numerous mining projects, hydroelectric construction sites, and challenging foundation reinforcement projects around the world,” begins Jukka Ahonen. “In the well-drilling industry, I have worked for decades both in Finland and abroad, particularly in the Middle East, North America, and South America. My comprehensive understanding of the field has been built through hands-on experience, research, and especially through collaboration with local drilling professionals, who are the true experts in the field.”
The changing landscape of well drilling
According to Ahonen, the well-drilling industry has undergone significant changes in recent years. “Households have become more urbanized, and people now live in areas where municipalities provide water supply and wastewater infrastructure. Private households no longer find it worthwhile to maintain their own wells, making the drilling of traditional water wells for households increasingly rare. In contrast, vacation homes and farms, especially dairy farms, continue to invest in drilled well water.”
Global trends also influence the well-drilling sector, with the increasing demand for renewable energy being a major driver. As a result, the focus has shifted significantly towards drilling geothermal wells. “Today, 70–80% of new buildings rely on geothermal energy for heating. Geothermal wells have also been adopted as a heating solution for large new construction projects, such as halls, shopping centers, and factories.”
In densely built urban areas, one major challenge in utilizing geothermal energy has been the limited availability of land. “Previously, to meet the energy needs of a large property it has been necessary to drill for example 150 shallow wells. In densely built areas, this has naturally been challenging, if not impossible. Therefore, there has been a real need for deeper wells.”
Currently, a 2,000-meter-deep geothermal well is considered the most economically viable option, and thanks to QHeat and Geomachine, cost-efficient drilling to such depths is now possible. “The overall cost-effectiveness of a well is not only influenced by the drilling costs but also on how efficiently heat can be extracted from the well without losses. QHeat and Geomachine have successfully addressed this challenge.”
Unique challenges of deep geothermal well drilling
The Scandinavian bedrock is a slab of granite and other deep-rock types, hundreds of kilometers thick. Ahonen notes that in this ancient, folded, and layered bedrock, drilling conditions vary significantly as the depth increases. “Even in hard bedrock, there are fault zones, and within the first 500 meters, there is usually a lot of groundwater. Faults and high water inflow can cause the well walls to collapse. In the GM2000 solution, this challenge is mitigated by reinforcing the well walls with a casing for the first 500 meters. Besides preserving the well’s structure, wall reinforcement also serves another critical purpose: it acts as a surface water barrier, preventing unwanted substances from entering the groundwater.”
Water present in the bedrock also affects the drilling process. “Within the first 500 meters, encountered water can be under high pressure, ranging from 40 to 50 bar depending on rock fractures. This means the compressors used in drilling need to handle higher pressures than before. The GM2000 solution ensures a stable air supply by enhancing compressor performance with a dedicated high-pressure booster.”
To maximize cost-efficiency, it is essential to drill continuously without interruptions. “When drilling stops at the end of a shift, the well begins to fill with water. This means the well must first be emptied before drilling can resume. Developing faster methods for well-emptying is one area of future product development. Another focus is creating quieter drilling methods, which would enable 24/7 drilling without noise disturbances.”
Drilling brings up significant amounts of groundwater, which must also be managed. “The solids content in the groundwater must not exceed 300 mg/l. The water must either be transported off-site or treated before being discharged into the sewage system. Developing advanced water treatment systems is another key focus for deep-well drilling product development.”
Increasing demand for renewable energy
Geothermal energy is highly likely to grow in popularity in the future. “The drive for energy self-sufficiency is intensifying. In Sweden, for example, interest in property-specific geothermal wells has surged due to the volatility of electricity prices.”
One of the challenges for the future is how to drill wells in confined environments, such as from within existing buildings. “In Canada, for example, there have already been attempts to develop new drilling and collector solutions for such scenarios.”
To make geothermal energy accessible for a wide range of properties, it’s essential to consider which well solution best suits each case—depth isn’t always the key factor. “Shallow wells are suitable for areas with fractured, water-rich bedrock, while deep wells are a good solution when the bedrock is homogeneous and relatively dry.”
Ahonen believes that drilling deep geothermal wells will continue to become more efficient. “Drilling to depths of 300–400 meters was still a significant challenge twenty years ago, but today it has become routine. Progress has been remarkable and will continue. Thanks to QHeat and Geomachine, we now have a solution that makes deep drilling cost-effective and replicable. The results achieved at the Salo Waste-to-Energy plant are very promising and suggest great potential for the future.”
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GMTracker
Weather conditions can impact the results of geotechnical investigations, which is why they are documented in the project’s work report. Geomachine has enhanced its GMTracker data-logger with a new feature that records weather data during investigations, allowing this information to be easily integrated into reports.
Geomachine’s GMTracker data-logger is now smarter than ever, thanks to its new weather-tracking feature. This functionality significantly streamlines the work of project managers, as weather information can now be directly copied into the report from geotechnical investigation data. This means that there’s no need to retrieve it separately from a weather service during the report preparation phase anymore.
Using this feature in the GMTracker is straightforward. With the device’s location tracking enabled, the data-logger automatically fetches weather data from a weather service and includes it in the investigation report. Recorded data includes temperature, dew point, precipitation, and wind speed during the investigation.
Geomachine’s GMTracker is currently the only geotechnical data-logger on the market equipped with a weather tracking feature.
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