Foxdrill contributes to sustainable future energy source

The test wells require wells of varying depths, some of which are deeper than 2,000 metres. The first project in Amstelland has now been completed. Foxdrill was contracted by the engineering firm Antea Group to supply a conductor and to provide piling to create a stable foundation for the drilling pit. Foxdrill is thus contributing to a project that could have a major impact on the energy supply in the Netherlands. This was demonstrated by the visit of the Dutch King, Willem-Alexander, to the site and the national news agency that stopped by to do a story.

"We piled the conductor with a diameter of more than half a metre to a depth of 72 metres," says Ewold Jager, Proposal Engineer at Foxdrill. "This conductor consists of six steel tubes. One tube is picked up with a special lifting clamp and placed in a frame on our truck. Using roller guides and measuring equipment, we can position the pipe exactly vertically. Then we position our hydraulic pile driver on top and start piling. When the tube is far enough into the ground, we place the next tube on top of it. When it is exactly vertical again, we weld it in place and start piling again.

After two and a half days, the conductor was in position and the drilling site could be built".

The Wagenborg Foxdrill team has other geothermal projects in the pipeline. Jager: "A while ago we installed the first conductor for a geothermal project in Middenmeer. Five more are planned near Bleiswijk. And there is a good chance that more projects will follow." 

Wagenborg Foxdrill has joined Geothermie Nederland, the Dutch geothermal industry association. Geothermie Nederland brings together companies and organisations active in the Dutch geothermal sector and works with its members to ensure the availability of sustainable and affordable heat for citizens and businesses.

"It fits in well with what we do and we want to make our contribution to the energy transition," says managing director Jan Willem Klaas.