Groundwater level, samping, and monitoring equipment, borehole and well data management, groundwater modeling software, and training courses

A MOSDAX* sampling probe is used to take discrete fluid samples at formation pressure through your multilevel system without repeated purging. Westbay sampling probes allow collection of discrete fluid samples at formation pressure through the Westbay System casing.

How it works:

• Sampling probe contains a valve, operable from the surface, which is used to control the sampling operation once the probe has sealed around and opened the port valve.
• Sample containers for collecting fluid samples are suspended below the probe.
• After a sample is taken, the valve closes, and the sampler and container are brought up to the surface.
• The sample container has valves at both ends so that a sample can either be decanted to other containers or transported to the laboratory while maintaining formation pressure.
• Sampling probe also contains a pressure sensor that measures the pressure inside the Westbay well before sampling, the formation pressure before sampling, the pressure during sampling, and the fluid pressure inside the casing after sampling. These measurements confirm that the sampler is operating properly and that the sample was taken from the monitoring zone outside the measurement port coupling.

Westbay System Product Brochure

Groundwater Basin Management

Use the Westbay System to construct a three-dimensional network of monitoring zones provides the data necessary to observe groundwater behavior on a "macroscopic" scale. This detailed data allows basin managers to optimize the use of groundwater resources.

Environmental and geological repository site characterization studies

The Westbay System has been used in the nuclear waste research programs in Canada, the United States, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, and South Korea.

Scientists involved in studying the possibility of burying nuclear waste deep underground agree that the most likely pathway for radionuclides to return to the biosphere is through groundwater.

As a result, careful evaluation of groundwater conditions is critical to determine the feasibility of an underground disposal site. The detailed, defensible data collected through Westbay System provides the key to a thorough understanding of groundwater conditions at a proposed repository site.

Deep contaminant monitoring projects

Information on the vertical distribution of fluid pressures and chemistry is the key to characterizing, managing and remediating contaminated groundwater sites. The Westbay System enables you to collect the data you need to identify the problem—affordably. 

Geotechnical studies for landslides, ground settlement, mines, tunnels, and dams

Engineers and geologists involved in the geotechnical sector have received vital pore pressure data and water chemistry information using the Westbay System technology on large construction projects that involve slope stability, dewatering and settlement.

Because fluid pressures and displacements are two of the most important parameters in the study of slope stability, the Westbay System has been used on some of the largest landslide and slope stability studies ever undertaken.

The Westbay System Implementation Process

Monitoring Well Design

Draw on our knowledge and experience to help you select equipment and develop well designs to meet your technical objectives, borehole conditions and Westbay System capabilities.

We'll start by asking you about your project (objectives, depth, geology, drilling method, etc.) and help you select the best Westbay System components and type of borehole completion method for your particular situation. Our Westbay System casing can be installed in an open hole, through a temporary guide tube or in a cased well. The type of seals (e.g., packers) selected must match the drilling equipment and the expected borehole dimensions and stability conditions. Where packers are not used, monitoring zones can be sealed by backfill.

Field installation

Our on-site technician helps your installation proceed smoothly. We work with your field installation team according to a well-proven process:

• Approve the monitoring well design.
• Visually inspect and lay out the Westbay System casing components in sequence.
• Record the serial numbers for each packer, measurement port, and pumping port.
• Assemble each casing joint and test the hydraulic seals.
• Lower the casing into the borehole.
• Test the hydraulic integrity of the entire casing string.
• Inflate the packers sequentially from bottom to top, recording the inflation pressure and volume of water used for each packer.
• Measure fluid pressures at each measurement port to confirm proper operation and check the annular hydraulic seals between monitoring zones.
• Then QA zones have been added between monitoring zones, pressure measurements in them help confirm packer seal quality.

Maintenance and repair

Westbay System monitoring well components require little maintenance. That said, we recommend that you invest in a comprehensive maintenance, service and QA program for the portable measurement and sampling equipmentfor good QA of monitoring data and to support their continued reliable operation. Our maintenance programs can include annual recalibration of sensors, parts replacement, and priority response when you require repairs.

Operator training

We'll train your field operators to meet our high standards and yours. We provide training in all aspects of operating Westbay wells, including:

• Pressure profiling—with pressure probes or sampling probes.
• Sample collection using a Westbay sampling probe and accessories.
• Using pumping port open/close equipment and any pump supplied, if you plan to carry out purging.
• Hydraulic testing using pumping ports.
• Deployment, programming, downloading, and recovery of automated data acquisition equipment.
• Operating procedures, QA checks, and routine equipment maintenance in the field.
• Upon successful completion of the training, you'll receive a certificate as well as comprehensive equipment manuals to guide you along the way.

QA testing and review

Our technical services staff can also advise you on quality assurance testing and evaluation and, upon request, will review your data to verify that your equipment is operating properly.

Trust us to help you choose and implement the best combination of instrumentation and operations to meet your unique groundwater monitoring needs.

Westbay System casing is available in two sizes:

Westbay55 (55 mm ID): Install larger diameter casing deeper, providing you greater flexibility and upgrade potential.

Westbay38 (38 mm ID): Functions like Westbay 38 but with a smaller diameter.

Operational capability

Variation of system size and material of construction provides operational capability ranging to depths of greater than 1,200 m (4,000 ft) in boreholes or wells ranging in size from 76 mm (3 inches) to 160 mm (6-1/4 inches) and larger. Varying well completion methods are available to meet specific project requirements and/or hydrogeologic environments.

Operating specifications can vary considerably from project to project. We can help you to choose the system that best meets your requirements.

Casing Systems

	MP38 Westbay	MP55 Westbay	Other Systems
Overall System Design:
Casing valved ports
Bundled standpipes
In-situ measurements
Surface measurements
Measurement:
Pressure
Temperature
Conductivity, pH, Redox, DO
Shut-in zone
Sampling:
No purging required
After purging
Testing:
Hydraulic Testing
Shut-in zone
Sealing well/casting:
Packers
Backfill
Specifications:
Inside Diameter (mm)	38	55	Depends on the system
Max. Depth (m)	1000	1350	Depends on the system
Max. Number of levels	Unlimited	Unlimited	Depends on the system