Industrial drilling: High capacity solutions for companies and large projects
Industrial drilling involves strict technical requirements, high flow rates and complex documentation. Complete guide for project managers and engineers.
Team ForajePuțuri.ro
Author
What are industrial drilling?
Industrial boreholes are underground water capture works sized for large flows (10–1,000 m3/day) and used for commercial, agricultural or production purposes. They differ from domestic drilling by the technical complexity, strict regulation and extensive documentation required by law.
Main applications of industrial drilling
ðŸ Industry and production
- Cooling industrial installations (factories, thermal plants)
- Technological processes (food, pharmaceutical, chemical)
- Equipment washing and industrial cleaning
- Fire water and safety reserves
🌾 Agriculture and animal husbandry
- Irrigation systems for agricultural areas (10–500 ha)
- Animal watering in large farms
- Greenhouses and solariums with automated irrigation
🨠Tourism and HoReCa
- Hotels and tourist complexes
- Swimming pools and water parks
- Camps and holiday villages
â™¨ï¸ Geothermal energy on a large scale
Industrial boreholes are the basis of heat pumps systems for office buildings, residential complexes and industrial halls. The need for wells can reach 20–50 wells for large projects.
Technical differences from domestic drilling
| Parameter | Domestic drilling | Industrial drilling |
|---|---|---|
| Flow rate | 0.5–5 mc/h | 5–200 mc/h |
| Diameter | 125–160 mm | 200–600 mm |
| Depth | 20–100 m | 50–500+ m |
| Execution time | 1–5 days | 2–8 weeks |
| Equipment | Medium Equipment | Large Rotary Rigs, DTH |
| Documentation | Simplified | Hydrogeological study, AGM, authorizations |
| Test pumping | Several hours | 72–240 hours (flow test) |
Mandatory documentation for industrial drilling
Unlike domestic drilling, industrial drilling involves a complex file. Full details in the guide on wells legislation.
- Hydrogeological study — technical document that estimates available flow and water quality
- Water Management Notice (AGM) — mandatory, issued by the Water Basin Administration
- Construction permit — if it involves outbuildings
- Environmental authorization — for projects with significant impact
- DSP notice — mandatory if the water is used in the food industry
- ANAR registration and payment of the royalty for water abstraction
Test pumping — industry standards
The pumping test for industrial wells is much more rigorous than for domestic wells:
- Duration: Minimum 72 hours (recommended 7 days for aquifers with complex behavior)
- Stages: Gradual pumping (step test) + constant flow pumping + regeneration
- Monitoring: Dynamic level, flow, conductivity, water temperature
- Analyses: Water samples at regular intervals throughout the test
- Final report: Pumping curves, transmissivity calculation, recommended sustainable flow rate
Industrial drilling costs 2025
| Work | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Hydrogeological study | 5,000–20,000 lei |
| Industrial drilling (200–300 mm, 100 m) | 80,000–150,000 lei |
| Stainless steel tubing | 20,000–50,000 lei |
| Test pumping (72 hours) + report | 8,000–20,000 lei |
| Complete pumping station | 30,000–100,000 lei |
| Obtaining approvals (AGM, DSP) | 3,000–10,000 lei |
Maintenance of an industrial drilling
Industrial drilling requires stricter maintenance schedules:
- Continuous monitoring — permanently installed flow and level sensors
- Quarterly analyses — for food or pharmaceutical processes
- Annual or biennial denisipation — for wells with high flow rate; details in the professional denisipari guide
- Annual video inspection for deep wells (200+ m)
- Periodic pumping test — every 5 years to check parameters
How to choose a company for an industrial drilling
The criteria are stricter than for domestic drilling. In addition to the general guide to choosing the drilling company, check:
- ✅ ANAR authorization for the execution of industrial drilling
- ✅ Demonstrated experience in similar projects (request references)
- ✅ Own hydrogeology and design capacity
- ✅ Adequate machinery (300+ kW rotary plants for deep depths)
- ✅ Professional civil liability insurance minimum EUR 500,000
- ✅ Possibility of long-term service and maintenance
We carry out hydrogeological studies, industrial drilling and complete documentation. Contact us for a project evaluation.
→ Industrial drilling — let's discuss your project
Conclusion
Industrial drilling is a complex project that requires rigorous planning, complete documentation and a company with proven experience. The investment is significant, but an own source of groundwater reduces dependence on the public network and can bring major savings in the long term. Avoid the costly mistakes outlined in our guide to common drilling mistakes and make sure your documentation is complete before you start work.