E17: Geothermal Loops and Ground Investigations: Behind the Scenes with Josh Joyce

The Ground Investigation Podcast

In this episode of the Ground Investigation Podcast, we delve into the fascinating world of ground investigation and geothermal drilling with our guest, Josh Joyce. Josh shares his insights and experiences from his career journey, offering valuable information on the drilling industry and geothermal drilling.

Introduction and Career Journey:

• Josh Joyce introduces himself, sharing his background and career trajectory.
• He explains why he chose to enter the drilling industry and outlines the key objectives and challenges of geothermal drilling.

Drilling Industry Insights:

• Josh provides insights into the geothermal drilling industry for listeners unfamiliar with it.
• He highlights specific projects and drilling challenges he's encountered and discusses how he overcame them.
• The differences between drilling in settings like railways and highways compared to farmer's fields are explored, along with the unique challenges each presents.

Drilling Techniques and Skills:

• Josh discusses his journey from window sample drilling to operating a rotary drilling rig.
• He delves into the perception among drillers regarding the skills required for different drilling techniques (WS, CP, and Rotary drilling).

Geothermal Loop Installation:

• Josh describes the geothermal loop installation process in detail.
• He outlines the key steps involved in drilling to desired depths and installing the loops.

Rig Maintenance:

• The importance of rig maintenance is emphasised, and Josh shares tips for ensuring the longevity and optimal performance of drilling rigs.

Geological Challenges:

• Josh shares anecdotes about unique geological challenges he has encountered during his career.
• He provides examples and discusses how he dealt with these challenges.

Advice for Aspiring Drillers:

• Josh imparts valuable advice to those considering a career in drilling, drawing from his own experiences.
• He reflects on what he wishes he had known before entering the drilling industry and what changes he would make if possible.

Industry Insights and Future Plans:

• Josh reveals what he would miss the most about the industry if he stopped drilling today.
• He discusses his future plans in drilling and what he hopes to achieve.

Information Overload and LinkedIn Articles:

• Josh discusses the challenges of managing information overload in the drilling industry.
• He touches on his experiences writing articles on LinkedIn to share industry knowledge.

Future Goals and Aspirations:

• Josh provides details about a book he's working on and his plans for its publication.

Tune in to this episode to gain a deeper understanding of the drilling industry, geothermal drilling, and the career journey of Josh Joyce. Whether you're an industry professional or simply curious about the world beneath our feet, this episode has something to offer.

For more information on what was shared in this episode and to connect with Michael head to https://girec.co.uk/

Make sure you subscribe to the show to join host Michael Taylor as he discusses the ups and downs of running a business in the GI industry, getting geological experts to share their learnings and lessons as well as their plans for the future, highlighting what they think will improve the ground investigation industry moving forward.