Undo plugged well?

[nc73]

Can a plugged (abandoned) well be undone? It's 6 inch steel 215ft deep from 18 years ago. Recently plugged with bentonite. I wanted to turn it into a geothermal well, put a U poly 200ft pipe down and grout. I'm think probably cheaper to dig new. If not I will go the horizontal route.

 

[Valveman]

Drilling out Bentonite is about the same as drilling a new well. If you are just putting in Geo loops, the well doesn't have to be very large diameter and doesn't need casing. Usually a well for a geo loop is much less expensive than a larger diameter, cased, water well. But also usually more than one loop is needed.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[nc73]

Drilling out Bentonite is about the same as drilling a new well. If you are just putting in Geo loops, the well doesn't have to be very large diameter and doesn't need casing. Usually a well for a geo loop is much less expensive than a larger diameter, cased, water well. But also usually more than one loop is needed.

I was quoted 6k years ago just for 1 well for geo. I've moved since and running pump and dump. I was going to make it hybrid, 1 ton in the pond and 1.5 for the well. Your CSV works great btw!

 

[Valveman]

Thanks! Wouldn't hurt to get a quote on drilling out the plug?

 

[nc73]

Thanks! Wouldn't hurt to get a quote on drilling out the plug?

Yeah I'll have to leave the driller a message. They don't answer the phone. They put in 200ft well for 9k with pump etc for the previous owner. I don't think they do geo per their website. Maybe I can show them how.

 

[VAWellDriller]

Drilling out bentonite is nothing like drilling a new hole, it would be much easier to drill a new well.

 

[Valveman]

Drilling out bentonite is nothing like drilling a new hole, it would be much easier to drill a new well.

Agreed! With the right bit I have been able to do it fairly easily a few times. But like you say it would have been easier to move over, just couldn't get a permit for moving even a foot.

 

[nc73]

Well they said no to drilling the bentonite so looks like I’m getting 2 drilled for my geo. Much cheaper than digging a water well and no permits required.

 

[VAWellDriller]

Agreed! With the right bit I have been able to do it fairly easily a few times. But like you say it would have been easier to move over, just couldn't get a permit for moving even a foot.

I was referring to the swelling characteristics...it drills like butter, just hard to keep mud right and get it out of hole...

NC73....permits are requied

 

[nc73]

I was referring to the swelling characteristics...it drills like butter, just hard to keep mud right and get it out of hole...

NC73....permits are requied

That’s what the driller said no permits. Not sure it matters being in Ohio.

 

[VAWellDriller]

Ohio...sure it matters. I thought you were in Virginia. I have no idea what the rules are there.

 

[Reach4]

Is plugging normally done over the full depth, or the first xx feet?

 

[nc73]

He did drill a well for the previous owner, he got a permit for that but it was for a water well of course. Might have to call the county.
Reach4, plugging should be from bottom to top, most leave a few feet unplugged. At least that's the rule here.

 

[Reach4]

He did drill a well for the previous owner, he got a permit for that but it was for a water well of course. Might have to call the county.
Reach4, plugging should be from bottom to top, most leave a few feet unplugged. At least that's the rule here.

I was thinking it might be the top 30 feet or some such. Guess not.

 

[nc73]

I was thinking it might be the top 30 feet or some such. Guess not.

Yeah I was hoping they forgot to plug it but the well receipt that I got from the previous owner said they did at 400 dollars with bentonite.

 

[Valveman]

I was referring to the swelling characteristics...it drills like butter, just hard to keep mud right and get it out of hole...

NC73....permits are requied

I remember needing a larger settling pond. But I don't remember it being that hard to drill out. Might not have been straight Bentonite. Getting old and have slept many times since then. LOL. Back then I would try anything. Don't know that I would try it today if it came up.

 

[nc73]

I think it just comes down to what makes more money? I'm sure drilling new makes more They are out here now prepping. Too bad i couldn't reuse the 3 wells that's out here. What a waste.

 

[VAWellDriller]

I think it just comes down to what makes more money? I'm sure drilling new makes more They are out here now prepping. Too bad i couldn't reuse the 3 wells that's out here. What a waste.

Sure, a 200' loop hole would drill in about 2 hours (for someone knowing what they are doing with a moderately capable rig........it's not a huge deal, but it might take twice as long to drill out bentonite.

 

[nc73]

Sure, a 200' loop hole would drill in about 2 hours (for someone knowing what they are doing with a moderately capable rig........it's not a huge deal, but it might take twice as long to drill out bentonite.

Well the drilling started this am. They hit a small boulder at 6ft, some limestone deeper, took about 6 hours total to get the 200ft, setup time included. They should be done with the second hole by noon tomorrow.

 

[Reach4]

put a U poly 200ft pipe down and grout.

What is that?

Any casing?

Are they taking steps to make the well not useful for drinking or lawn watering for fear that your city water bill would go down?