Hammer drilling

Microtunnel AG strengthens its position as specialist

After several succescul drilling projects in the region of Zermatt, this one did not go as expected. 28 meters with 324 mm diameter should have been drilled for an electric cable for Elektrizitätswerk Zermatt. After 8 meters only, the drilling with common hammer-drilling method without steel casing jamend in the gravel layer. Also the second attempt with common hammer drilling method, but now with steel casing which is pushed into the drilling hole, failed. After only 6 meters, it was not possible to push the pipe further, because of the geology. A wide range of drilling methods and the use of ne wand promising drilling technologies is one principle of Microtunnel AG. Only if so, Microtunnel AG can provide the current best drilling technology for the specific drilling project. Accordingly, Microtunnel AG used the Geonex-Drilling system already in April 2016 as the first usage in the region of the alps.

On this low-risk drilling project, the Microtunnel AG got trust in this drilling system and gathered first experiences. Due to this, it was possible for Microtunnel AG to use this „unknown“ system together with Geonex Oy in this difficult drilling project in Zermatt without bad conscience.

This third attempt and first usage in the alpine geology was rewarded with a completed, continuous hole. However, also this drilling was not without any interruptions, as because of the urgency of the project no Geonex drilling machine was used. (Geonex Oy only supplied the drilling system and support).