Joel PoppertExecutive Vice PresidentRocky Mountain GeoExploration, Inc., &Alpine Geothermal Drilling

Experience and Certifications

• B.Sc. Geology, B.Sc. Physics University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (2004)

• M.Sc. Global Energy Management , University of Colorado-Denver Business School (Current)

• IGSHPA Accredited Installer

• CoGEHPA, President

• Ground Heat Exchanger contractor

WWW.ALPINEGEOTHERMAL.COM

Analyzing Subsurface Geological Conditions: GHP Design and Vertical Borehole Installation

Introduction: Colorado’s Unique Geological History

Introduction: Why is Subsurface Analysis So Important?

Design Considerations

Liability Cost of Installation Change Orders? Schedule

Preparation and Management

Tools that can be used to Analyze the Subsurface Conditions of your Project

Google Earth Google Earth Geological Layers Aerial View

Google Maps Terrain Street View

Water Well Permits Aqua Map Well Construction Reports

Geotechnical Site Specific Soils Report

Google Earth: Geological Map Overlay

Geological Map Overlay Used to identify both the overburden and

the underlying bedrock formations Shows major geological structures such as

fractures, faults, tilted bedrock Can expose bedrock that could contain

voids such as caves or fractures Easy to identify glacial and river terrains

Google Earth: Geological Map Overlay

Google Earth: Geological Map Overlay

Google Earth: Aerial View

Google Earth Aerial View Used to identify if bedrock is presence at or

near the surface Linear striations can indicate tectonic

activity and dipping bedrock Major outcropping visible indicates harder

rock such as sandstone or granites Can define glacial and river boundaries

Google Earth: Aerial View

Google Maps: Terrain View

Google Maps Terrain View Terrain can be used to identify bedrock, alluvial

fans, landslides, river and glacial deposits Steep terrain indicates hard bedrock Terrain inconsistent with surrounding terrain

can indicate landslides, alluvial fans, and/or glacial moraines

Flat terrain in a valley indicates deeper overburden deposits

Flat terrain can also indicate horizontal bedrock such as seen in the western slope as buttes or mesas

Google Maps: Terrain View

Google Maps: Street View Google Maps Street View

If you can’t personally visit the site, street view can be used to help visibly confirm your analysis

Can also be used to identify any site restrictions that may present difficulties for drilling operations

Water Well Permits: Aqua Map

#4620

Used to locate onsite and/or nearby water well permits

Water Well Permits: Well Permit Search

Well Permit Search Look up Permit # in Well Permit Search Click tab Located at Bottom and Open Downloaded Documents

Water Well Permits: Construction Report

Water Well Construction Report Review the drillers log and compare to your

analysis Does it confirm your analysis? Are there any discrepancies? What is the vicinity of the log to your project

location? Depth to Groundwater and Yield (GPM)

Establishes if groundwater may be present Yield defines the volume of water in the formation Beware; large volumes of water can come from 1-3’

fractures which will be sealed up with the grout Sandstone tends to hold larger amounts of water

that could be exposed to the loop pipe over longer depths

Water Well Permits: Construction Report

Download Construction Report Review Driller’s Log Look at Depth to Groundwater and Yield (GPM)

Geotechnical Subsurface Soils Report

Soils Report Each new construction project should have

this report available at your request Gives an indication of near sub surface

conditions (depths 0-45’ in many cases) Indicates overburden thickness and type Can determine bedrock depth and type in

many cases Valuable for estimating excavation costs and

schedule

Understanding Subsurface Conditions: How it Can Impact Your Project?

Design Reduces liability with the design Could reduce costs by limiting over-design Help determine the most cost effective design for the heat exchanger

Costs Complicated geological conditions will increase installation costs Understanding the subsurface can help identify proposals that haven't

taken complicated subsurface conditions into consideration Scheduling

Complicated subsurface conditions can affect your construction schedule

Drilling operations take up space and limit other contractors to execute their work

If it is likely potential problems may arise due to the subsurface, you can mitigate the impact to the schedule by scheduling drilling operations early or during a period that will minimize impacts to other construction activities

Conclusion

Thank You!Questions and Answers

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WWW.GOGEONOW.ORG

Relevant Links

Google Earth http://www.google.com/earth/index.html

Google Maps https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&authuser=0

DWR Home Page http://water.state.co.us/Home/Pages/default.aspx

Colorado Geological Survey (CGS) http://geosurvey.state.co.us/Pages/CGSHome.aspx

Alpine Geothermal Drilling www.alpinegeothermal.com