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Five Tips for Drill Pad Planning
Five practical checks for drill pad size, hole placement, permits, site access and coordination before drilling begins.
Start with the drilling objective
Define the purpose of the hole and the drilling method before sizing the pad. The rig, ancillary equipment, consumables, sumps and access routes all need room to operate.
Allow room around the planned hole
Position the pad around the surveyed borehole. Leave working clearance for the rig, rod handling, support vehicles and safe movement by the crew.
Coordinate permits early
Discuss pad dimensions and the expected surface disturbance with the drilling contractor before finalizing environmental or land access permits.
Plan the supporting site
Review access roads, utilities, drainage, water and fuel delivery, sumps, communications and material staging as part of the same layout.
Review the layout together
Bring the drilling contractor and project stakeholders into the plan early. Their input helps resolve practical constraints before mobilization.
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