Environmental Scientifics Group reaches new limits at Castleshaw reservoirs

Monday 21 June 2010

Environmental Scientifics Group (ESG), the UK’s leading geotechnical specialist recently had their skill and ingenuity put to the test. In October 2009, two earth embankment reservoirs known as the Castleshaw Reservoirs near Oldham, required twenty boreholes to be drilled over a period of seven weeks. However, there were some unusual and significant challenges.

James Northeast, Project Manager at Soil Mechanics (an ESG brand) explains - “we were faced with some very steep slopes, on an environmentally sensitive area, as well as weight and width restriction on the access roads. To add extra complexity, this meant that the use of cranes to lift the rigs to drill the boreholes and their rotary follow-ons was not possible – and we had some rather inclement weather conditions to take into account as well!”

However, ESG has faced similar challenges and was again, able to rise to the occasion. The specialist team used their expertise to create a unique winching and kentledge system to lower and raise the heavy equipment. They also built scaffold platforms on which the rigs could operate, as well as employing ground protection measures.
James concludes - “Our pragmatic and practical approach to meeting our clients’ needs is what sets ESG apart – we see challenges as opportunities to add value.”

--ENDS--
 

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