Our Drilling Services
Geotechnical Drilling
CGD’s geotechnical drilling services help engineers and builders understand subsurface conditions for infrastructure and development projects. We exclusively use dry solid-stem augers to advance boreholes, an efficient method for soil sampling and site investigation. Auger drilling is fast and cost-effective, producing high-quality soil samples without the need for drilling fluids. This makes it ideal for investigating soft to medium soils across Alberta’s varied terrain. In conjunction with auger drilling, our crews install an array of geotechnical monitoring instruments on-site, such as:
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Vibrating-wire piezometers to monitor groundwater pressure
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Slope inclinometers to track ground movement
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Settlement gauges and standpipes for measuring subsurface deflection and water levels
Each instrument installation follows strict quality procedures, providing reliable data for design and monitoring throughout the project.
Environmental Drilling
Our environmental drilling services support Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, remediation projects, and groundwater monitoring programs. Using our hollow-stem auger rigs, we can drill boreholes with minimal risk of cross-contamination and install monitoring wells or piezometers to exact specifications. We routinely perform soil sampling and groundwater well installations for clients assessing contamination or managing environmental compliance. From industrial brownfield investigations to remote spill sites, we work with precision and care, ensuring that all samples remain representative and uncontaminated. Our team is experienced in the safety and documentation protocols that environmental projects demand, so you can trust us to execute the drilling portion of your environmental project responsibly and efficiently.
Aggregate Exploration
Canadian Geological Drilling has extensive experience in drilling for aggregate resource exploration. We work with sand and gravel producers, quarry operators, and engineering geologists to identify and evaluate aggregate deposits. Our drilling methods are well-suited for overburden and granular materials, allowing us to recover continuous samples and accurate stratigraphy of soil layers. By drilling test holes across a potential pit or quarry site, we help map the depth, thickness, and quality of sand and gravel deposits. This information is crucial for determining the economic viability of aggregate resources. We are capable of mobilizing to remote or off-road locations north of Edmonton and across Alberta to support your aggregate exploration needs, using equipment that minimizes disturbance to the land. Our goal is to provide the data you need to develop resources efficiently and sustainably.
Borehole Logging
As part of our aggregate service, CGD provides detailed digital logging of all boreholes. After drilling, our geologist digitizes the soil and gravel descriptions into a structured logging software. This produces clear, shareable logs and cross-sections for resource planning and reporting. (Digital logging is offered exclusively for aggregate exploration programs.)
Cone Penetration Testing (CPT)
CGD now offers Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) as an active service. CPT is a modern in-situ test where a sensor-laden cone is hydraulically pushed into the ground at a constant rate. The probe continuously measures cone tip resistance (qc), sleeve friction, and pore-water pressure, creating a detailed soil profile without sampling. These three parameters together accurately characterize soil stratigraphy and strength. The real-time data from CPT provides a broader, more reliable picture of subsurface conditions than point-based tests. Since there’s no waiting for samples to be analyzed in a lab, results can be reported immediately on-site. This precise data helps optimize foundation design and reduce conservatism in engineering recommendations. CGD’s CPT equipment has been used on recent projects (e.g. power plant and transmission sites) to verify soil conditions and support safe, cost-effective designs.
Concrete Coring
When subsurface data or well installations must pass through an existing concrete slab, our crew performs precision concrete coring before advancing the borehole. Using diamond-tipped, water-cooled coring rigs, we cut clean, exact openings—typically 100 mm to 250 mm in diameter—without damaging reinforcing steel or surrounding structures. The process is quick, dust-controlled, and complies with all silica-exposure and lock-out safety requirements. Once the slab core is removed, we immediately continue with solid or hollow-stem augering, sampling, or well installation, ensuring a seamless, single-mobilization solution for interior floor slabs, bridge decks, or paved industrial sites.
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