Once a drill site has been identified and the land leased from the owners, several steps are taken to prepare the site for drilling operations. Surface and underground surveys help to plot and plan for well drilling. These detailed plans are submitted to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) for a permit.
With the necessary state and local permits in hand, construction can begin to create a site covering up to five acres. A road is built to access the site. The topsoil is retained for later site reclamation, and every effort is made to minimize disturbance to the surrounding area. A solid work platform is laid down in layers beginning with a fabric sheet that acts as an environmental filter or barrier, then a layer of large rocks for a solid base and finally a top dressing of fine gravel.
A drilling rig, the accompanying equipment and support personnel work together as a highly specialized, extremely efficient operational team. Some of the support personnel live and work right on the site in trailers that serve as housing and offices. A small, temporary outpost quickly takes shape as it is delivered on flatbed and tractor-trailer trucks. Site-generated electric power and satellite communications are included in the setup.
Well drillers refer to starting the well hole as "spudding the well." An extra large drill bit is used to drill or "spud" the upper part of the bore of a new well. As the drilling progresses the crew change shifts (called towers) every eight or twelve hours. The crew supervisors, drill-bit directional engineers, geologists and other specialists work for three weeks and then take three weeks off.
