Goals & Scope:
SóGeo required a geo-exchange network to provide the property with sustainable heating and cooling. GT Drilling was responsible for drilling and mud-drilling each borehole, installing FRANK PE100 RC loops, and conducting pressure and flow tests before and after the loops were set in place. The 14 probes serve as the foundation of a ground-source heat pump system, connecting back to the home’s larger hydronic or forced-air mechanism. The ultimate objective was to introduce a low-carbon HVAC solution without disturbing the tranquil vineyard landscape that defines Merricks.
Site Conditions & Drilling Methods:
The estate rests between two vineyards, offering a visually stunning environment but also posing logistical considerations for equipment maneuvering. The GT35 rig proved well-suited for these conditions, featuring robust onboard mud pumps. These pumps were crucial for mud drilling, a technique chosen to manage the mixed strata of fractured basalt bands and predominantly clay layers. Each 120-meter bore was drilled to the specifications provided by Geo-Exchange Australia, ensuring that the final loop placement would maximize thermal transfer and longevity. Once drilling concluded for each bore, FRANK PE100 RC loops were inserted, followed by pressure testing and flow checks to confirm performance standards. This step guaranteed the network’s readiness for integration into the overall system SóGeo would later finalize.
Collaboration & Execution
Communication between GT Drilling, SóGeo, LBA Builders, and Geo-Exchange Australia was instrumental in coordinating drilling schedules, loop placements, and system design parameters. The estate’s layout, flanked by vineyards, meant that drilling zones had to be carefully selected to avoid potential damage or obstruction to the vines. GT Drilling maintained a clean, orderly worksite throughout the four-week schedule, minimizing disruption to the estate’s operations and preserving the property’s scenic appeal.
Collaboration & Execution
Communication between GT Drilling, SóGeo, LBA Builders, and Geo-Exchange Australia was instrumental in coordinating drilling schedules, loop placements, and system design parameters. The estate’s layout, flanked by vineyards, meant that drilling zones had to be carefully selected to avoid potential damage or obstruction to the vines. GT Drilling maintained a clean, orderly worksite throughout the four-week schedule, minimizing disruption to the estate’s operations and preserving the property’s scenic appeal.
Outcome & Significance:
The newly installed borefield now powers a ground-source heat pump setup designed to reduce the estate’s reliance on conventional energy sources for heating and cooling. By harnessing clay and fractured basalt subsurface layers, the system achieves stable, year-round efficiency. Each loop passed stringent pressure and flow tests, ensuring reliability and future-proofing the installation. The project demonstrates GT Drilling’s capability to execute a complex geothermal assignment in the heart of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, managing challenging geology while maintaining respect for the vineyard setting. It also underscores the collaborative strength of SóGeo as the geothermal contractor, iEnergi as the heating and cooling contractor, Geo-Exchange Australia as the designer, and LBA Builders overseeing the broader construction scope.
Additional Observations:
This Merricks Rd project exemplifies GT Drilling’s adaptability, from deploying specialized mud drilling techniques to handling a blend of clay and fractured basalt in multiple boreholes, all while adhering to strict quality checks. The process confirms that even vineyard-adjacent landscapes can accommodate advanced ground source heat pump systems when drilling is performed with care and attention to local terrain. The estate’s owners can now enjoy a renewable heating and cooling solution that takes full advantage of the region’s geology—without sacrificing the aesthetic or daily operations of a working vineyard.
