Hot Water Exploratory Drilling

Consulting and Management

At Hot Water Exploratory Drilling, we are dedicated to enabling groundbreaking projects that involve melting ice covers for scientific, personal, or various other applications. Our mission is to provide innovative drilling solutions, expert consultation, and project management services that unlock new possibilities beneath frozen landscapes, contributing to the advancement of knowledge, exploration, and sustainable initiatives.

Over Two Decades of Excellence: Pioneering Hot Water Drills Since 2000

Welcome to Hot Water Exploratory Drilling, where our passion lies in the groundbreaking field of Hot Water Drilling. With a wealth of experience, we offer comprehensive consultation and expert project management services, facilitating your access to sub-frozen environments. In this dynamic industry, the possibilities are endless, ranging from pioneering scientific research, to the retrieval of long-buried relics within trapped ice sheets, and even support for space exploration endeavors. Our specialized expertise revolves around mastering the art of ice melting, water storage, and efficient heating in the harshest of environments. Let's embark on your next extraordinary venture together. Contact us today and explore the uncharted realms of possibility.

Our Consultation and Project Management
Services

  • Financial Plan and Budget

    Financial Plan and Budget

    We provide effective financial planning and budgeting for your hot water drill. This involves carefully assessing the costs of equipment, maintenance, operation, logistics, and personnel to ensure optimal allocation of resources and long-term sustainability of the drilling operations.

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    Mechanical Engineering Expertise

    Using the knowledge from previous drills, we provide engineering expertise in designing robust and efficient systems that can withstand extreme conditions, effectively melt ice, and ensure the safety and reliability of the drilling process.

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    Equipment/Personel Management

    We provide consultation on strategic planning, efficient scheduling, and proper coordination to ensure the availability, functionality, and proper utilization of equipment, as well as the skillful deployment and safety of personnel, contributing to the successful execution of drilling operations.

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    Operation and Maintenance

    Hot water drills involve diligent monitoring, regular inspection, and proactive maintenance to ensure smooth functionality and safe operation in extreme environments. With over twenty deployments and field seasons our team can help ensure proper operation and maintenance creating an environment for an overall successful mission.

GET IN TOUCH

Projects

  • Oranssi project: studio shed

    WISSARD PROJECT

    The WISSARD (Whillans Ice Stream Subglacial Access Research Drilling) project aimed to explore the subglacial environment of Antarctica, specifically the Whillans Ice Stream, using clean access hot water drilling techniques to gain insights into the dynamics of ice sheets and their impact on global sea-level rise.

  • SALSA

    SALSA (Subglacial Antarctic Lakes Scientific Access) is a scientific project focused on exploring and studying the subglacial environment of Antarctica by accessing and sampling the pristine waters of subglacial lakes to better understand their unique ecosystems and the potential for life in extreme environments.

  • ICE CUBE

    The IceCube Drill is a specialized hot water drilling system used to create deep boreholes in the Antarctic ice to deploy and maintain the sensors of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, enabling the detection and study of elusive cosmic neutrinos.

What Our Clients Say

  • “The skill and dedication off these guys led to the first sampling of subglacial lakes under the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, a mission that had numerous unknowns. I consider them as part of our science teams who had significant input to a publication in Annals of Glaciology on drilling operations for the projects. They will get the job done!”

    John Priscu, Professor Emeritus, Montana State University

    Chief Scientist Whillans Ice Stream Subglacial Access Research Drilling (WISSARD) project

    Chief Scientist Subglacial Antarctic Scientific Assess (SALSA)

  • "Drilling to the base of glaciers and polar ice sheets requires familiarity with the environment, extensive preparation, attention to detail, and a focus on safety. I know of no other team more knowledgeable, experienced, or successful at using hot water drilling to access science targets in deep ice than Dar and Graham and highly recommend them!"

    Brent C. Christner - Professor, University of Florida

  • "These drillers are professional and hard-working - they get the job done no matter how tough the conditions. A pleasure to work with this team, with a total focus on success."

    Amy Leventer, Department of Earth and Environmental Geosciences, Colgate University

  • "You really don't want to build or operate anything more than the most basic hot water drill without having proven expertise at the engineering end. This team is the gold standard: whether you need to drill a cubic kilometre of ice to Swiss cheese or develop a modular clean-access system deployable by small- to medium-sized aircraft, they have experience in designing, building and operating hot water drills that will help you achieve your objectives."

    Christian Schoof - University of British Columbia

Our
Team


  • Mechanical Engineer and Co-Founder

    Graham Roberts started his hot water drilling career in 2009 as a mechanical engineer. In his first season he worked alongside a team of international scientist and engineers on the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. He gained a wealth of operational knowledge working with both the Andrill Hot Water drill and the Shot Hole drill. The following season he applied this knowledge and his past engineering experience to help build the first clean access hot water drill at University of Nebraska Lincoln. In 2013 Graham deployed with the WISSARD team, and successfully provided clean access to subglacial Lake Whillans on the west Antarctic ice sheet. This inaugural achievement allowed scientist the ability to gain insights into subglacial environments. With over a decade of deployments and experience building and operating hot water drills, Graham brings creativity and problem solving skills based upon real world experience to the team.

  • Operations Manager and Co-Founder

    Dar began his polar career in 1998 by spending a year at the South Pole as a meteorologist and was immediately impressed by the relentlessly ambitious culture of collaboration, cooperation and teamwork that drove the United States Antarctic Program. After several more seasons and another winter working in science support at the South Pole he joined the IceCube project with the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a driller where he began his understudy in hot-water drilling with an incredible team of engineers, scientists and Antarctic superheros. That led to a series of successful subglacial lake exploratory hot-water drilling campaigns with the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The drill team's efforts allowed a multi-disciplinary science team team to be the first to explore and characterize Antarctic subglacial lakes and ice sheet grounding zones. Dar brings a wealth of unique Antarctic and Arctic operational experience to project planning, logistics, process and implementation.

Why Choose Hot Water Exploratory Drilling?

  • Two Decades of Experience: With over 20 years of experience, we bring a wealth of knowledge to every project.

  • Expert Consultation: Our team of seasoned professionals offers expert consultation to ensure your project's success, from initial planning to execution.

  • Comprehensive Project Management: From logistics to on-site operations, we manage every aspect of your project, ensuring efficiency and precision.

  • Cutting-Edge Technology: We stay at the forefront of technology, utilizing the latest advancements in Hot Water Drilling equipment and techniques.

  • Environmental Responsibility: We prioritize environmentally responsible practices, ensuring minimal impact on delicate ecosystems.

  • Proven Track Record: Our portfolio boasts numerous successful projects, each a testament to our commitment to excellence.

Ready to discuss your next ice-melting project?

Contact us today, and let's embark on an extraordinary journey together. Our team is eager to turn your vision into a reality, opening up new frontiers in science, exploration, and discovery.