Resource Enterprises

Resource Enterprises (“REI”) was established in 1981 in Salt Lake City, Utah, as a subsidiary of TerraTek, Inc., a geomechanics and drilling laboratory, to commercialize coalbed methane (“CBM”) independent of and in conjunction with coal mining operations.

Recognizing the importance of advanced technology to the economic production of CBM, REI was selected by the Gas Research Institute (“GRI”) and contracted to formulate, manage, and operate a large-scale, field-oriented research project directed at developing technology to recover low-cost CBM from Cretaceous-age coal reservoirs. Over $25 million was invested by GRI and REI in a single site, with cooperative well research programs comprised of exploration, drilling/completion, and coalbed methane reservoir characterization and evaluation studies.

REI's initial venture in association with active coal mining was a commercial underground coal mine methane (“CMM”) recovery and use project performed in cooperation with the Soldier Canyon Mine in Carbon County, Utah.  That project, which started in 1982 and operated for 10 years, was the first of its kind and involved implementing an in-seam directional drilling methane drainage approach, installing and managing an extensive underground gas collection system, and installing and operating surface gas processing and compression equipment for injection and sale (1 to 1.5 MMCFD) into a natural gas pipeline. This project was the origin of numerous coal mine methane (“CMM”) opportunities investigated by REI (see Design and Consulting Tab).

Through its research and commercial development efforts, REI advanced both CBM and CMM technology in all phases of exploration and development, including geologic evaluation, exploratory drilling, core analysis, log analysis, well testing, reservoir engineering, production well drilling, completion, stimulation, upstream operations, reserve determination, system performance, and economic evaluations. As a result of REI’s considerable amount of CMM and CBM experience, REI became internationally recognized as a leader in this field.

REI Drilling, Inc.

REI expanded its capabilities while operating the CMM project at the Soldier Canyon Mine.  It started to provide directional drilling services to the underground coal mining industry involving steered, long in-seam boreholes for methane drainage, geologic exploration, verification of abandoned mine workings, dewatering, and water transfer on a contract basis.  Set apart as a separate division and under new ownership in the 1990s, REI Drilling, Inc. improved directional drilling tooling and technology and aggressively expanded into other mining sectors such as evaporite, hard-rock, oil (surface and underground), civil, and environmental industries. 

REI Drilling, Inc.’s team of skilled engineering and drilling professionals consider geologic, geo-mechanical, stress, reservoir, and hydrologic conditions, including the mining or construction demands associated with each project, and work directly with operators to formulate directional drilling solutions which are engineered and applied using advanced systems to the highest standards in the industry. These solutions solve complex problems relating to gas emissions, geology, including uncharacterized anomalies in advance of mining and tunneling, water inflows requiring shielding or transfer, the prevention of acid mine blow-outs, material softening to reduce the impact of mining-induced stresses underground, locating and mapping nearby abandoned mines or oil and gas wells, and the need for remote installation of monitoring instrumentation, or necessary utilities. 

Our industries demand new, intelligent, efficient methods to maintain production and lower costs. Our response is to innovate, work at the cutting edge of technology, and continuously expand our capabilities. Because of this, we take on drilling challenges that others will not touch and thrive on supplying custom solutions. Our clients value these solutions, as our philosophy is to provide much more than just a borehole. 

Today, REI Drilling, Inc. is the preeminent provider of directional drilling services to the mining industry in North America and is engaged in virtually every mining sector. It provides comprehensive turnkey directional drilling solutions, focusing on cutting-edge technology. 

Drilling Products, Inc.  (www.drillingproductsinc.com)

In 2008, REI established Drilling Products, Inc. (“DPI”) to supply directional drilling equipment that was developed and field-proven by REI Drilling, Inc. (by Drillers for Drillers) to third parties worldwide.  Products include non-magnetic downhole motors, LWD/MWD systems, drill rods integrated with downhole communication systems, bits, hole openers, packers, and all associated wellhead control equipment, including triplex pumps and drills certified for use in coal mining environments. In the late 2010’s DPI diversified its product line and now also supports the mineral exploration industry. It is a preeminent provider of directional drilling and wedging systems to maximize exploration from every borehole collar developed underground or on the surface.

We take on drilling challenges others will not touch