Tri-State Drilling Company History

The real workhorses of Tri-State's fleet of 17 rigs are it 6 Watson 3000 drill rigs. With the capability to drill holes up to 12 feet in diameter and up to 80 feet deep these rigs can handle most power line foundations. When within 700 to 800 miles of home Tri-State's two twin engine Cherokees ferry most of the crews. For longer distance men fly commercial and return home to their families every weekend.

Tri-State was founded in 1955 as Tri-State Drilling & Equipment, Inc., a municipal water well contractor and pump supplier. In the 1960s, we innovated techniques for installing gravel-packed dewatering wells for the construction industry. We also began installing drilled foundations for buildings. The business gradually shifted from supplying water to removing water. With our wells and pumps we lowered the ground water tables so that general contractors could excavate and perform their construction in the dry.

Our experience in wet soil conditions led to foundation work in wet soil conditions. Our experience in dewatering for utility contractors, whose work is spread along a line, led to techniques involving extreme mobility. In the seventies, we started doing foundations for electrical transmission line towers, which is also a linear application. By 1980, this sector had grown to over half of our total volume. Over time, the wireless industry, which also requires extreme mobility, has become a large and growing part of our volume.

Dewatering for utility contractors, whose work is spread along a line, let Tri-State develop a very mobile operation. To do this they purchased two pieces of equipment that again would change their focus business - the Watson truck mounted drill rig and the Barco boom truck. Along with the growing popularity of hydraulic rams this equipment made it possible for crews to move to a new location and set up ready to drill faster than ever before. This capability allowed Tri-State to make roads into the power line construction industry. From the regional base in the Midwest expansion to other large market proceeded at a rapid pace. Soon, Chicago, New England and the entire East Coast became as familiar to Tri-State crews as the plains of Minnesota. With the onset of cellular phones in the late 70's and early 80's Tri-State was mobilizing across the entire nation providing foundations for microwave towers as well as power lines.

As always Tri-State is looking toward the future, purchasing the latest drilling equipment and pursuing drilling innovations. A recent addition to our stable of drill rigs is our 48 inch diameter Ingersol Rand Cluster Drill. It is capable of boring holes into solid granite at advance rates of 1 to 2 feet per hour. With this acquisition Tri-State can now say, "there is no rock we cannot drill".

So whether it is hard rock, unstable soils, high water table, or pier diameters to 18 feet - all are in a days work for Tri-State crews and equipment somewhere in the U.S. Whatever your project - The Rockies to the Appalachians, swampland, desert, or tidewater flats - Tri-State has

• Environmentally sensitive experts for drilling in Flood Plains, Tidal Flats, and Marshlands.
• Management and employees that have more than 800 Years of Combined Drilling Experience.