The good news for me, and by extension the readers of GDI, is that they are more than willing to share their experience, proving an insight into the planning and innovation that is needed to successfully complete drilling projects. It means you can read about CAN Geotechnical's use of a helicopter on a slope stabilisation project in Scotland and how companies are making smaller rigs to make restricted access job sites easier to approach.

It is not only the issue of getting plant, materials and the workforce that can be a challenge that contractors are willing to rise to. Engineers and planners are continuing to push the boundaries of what can be done. For example, the challenge of windfarms requiring ever-larger piles to support bigger turbines is examined by Signe Hansen.

While in the North American market, Brian M. Fraley discovers how Urban Foundation/Engineering used Bauer rigs to conquer an underground boulder field.

It is also worth remembering that none of these projects would happen were it not for the work of the geologists whose early input in projects is so important and this issue of GDI includes a feature looking at just what it takes to become a principal geologist.