Video: Drilling Test Wells in The Grand Canyon

Drilling test wells at the bottom of the Grand Canyon requires a great deal of planning, logistics, and of course the right equipment and expertise. Yellow Jacket Drilling Services, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, was selected by the US National Park Service to do just that. The NPS is planning the replacement of their trans-canyon pipeline that provides water to the entire South Rim. This 14-minute video shows the logistics involved in installing several test wells to evaluate the potential yield of wells along Bright Angel Creek near Phantom Ranch in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It’s fascinating to watch the mobilization and demobilization of all equipment by Chinook helicopter, managing mule trains, and dealing with some very challenging drilling conditions.