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Our
Expertise . . . |
Geotechnical Projects (select list)
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Copper Eagle Gas Storage and Gas
Commission, Arizona, USA
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Exxon Company, USA, Colorado,
USA
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Glenn Springs Holdings, Inc.,
Tennessee, USA
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Mountain Coal Company, Colorado,
USA
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Rio Tinto, Ankara, Turkey
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West Ridge Resources, Utah, USA
Copper Eagle Gas Storage and Gas Commission,
Permitting Support for EPA Class I & II Underground Injection Wells,
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
AAI represented Copper Eagle Gas Storage (CEGS) in their pursuit of
EPA underground injection control (UIC) permits. The proposed gas
storage project involved solution mining salt to provide caverns for natural
gas storage. The brine generated by solution mining the salt was
proposed to be injected deep into a structural basin. CEGS was seeking
a UIC Class I permit for injecting brine associated with solution mining the
salt, and an EPA Class III UIC permit for the solution mining activities.
AAI represented CEGS to the EPA, the Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality (ADEQ), and the Arizona Oil and Gas Commission. The project is
currently on hold, reflecting the recent downturn in the natural gas market.
Exxon Company, USA, Colony Resource and
Geotechnical Drilling Program,
Piceance Creek Basin, Colorado, USA
AAI field personnel were responsible for overall management of
drilling, geophysical logging and reclamation subcontractors, as well as for
providing geologic staff to collect and analyze the data. Data
developed included geologic and rock structural core logs, geophysical logs,
production, rock mechanics tests, oil shale assay, and remote sensing data.
Hydrologic characterization was conducted to both single drill holes and in
nests of holes completed for testing and long-term monitoring. Water
level, quality, and conductivity data were gathered routinely on all of the
holes drilled. Downhole jetting test measurements of water production
were performed on holes completed specifically for long-term hydrologic
monitoring. Radioactive tracer tests were conducted in two holes to
establish in-hole patterns of flow, and correlated with geophysical spinner
logs.
Glenn Springs Holdings, Inc., TDR Monitoring at the Copperhill Mining
District, Ducktown, Tennessee, USA
The Copperhill Mining District in southeastern Tennessee had been
mined by open stope methods from the turn of the century into the 1970s. The
stopes were mined close enough to the surface that several dramatic collapse
subsidence features had developed. AAI assessed the relative risk of
subsidence, and delineated various levels of potential for collapse. AAI
designed a TDR monitoring program based on this subsidence evaluation. The
crown pillars overlying open stopes were drilled into from the surface to
confirm the depths to the openings. The drill holes were then plugged with a
borehole friction plug that was modified by AAI to function as the delivery
system for the TDR cable and the grout tremie system. This was important to
assure that the TDR cable was not damaged by drill steel entering the drill
hole. AAI also designed high-pressure end caps for TDR cables to assure that
groundwater intrusion to the cable dielectric was prevented. Groundwater
intrusion turns TDR cables into effective piezometers, but destroys their
function as deformation measuring instruments. AAI is currently providing
technical review of the TDR data.
Mountain Coal Company, Geotechnical Instrumentation for Panel 14 Gateroads,
West Elk Mine, Somerset, Colorado, USA
The objective of the study was to install instrumentation and
perform stress measurements and mechanical property tests for design
verification of Panels 14–17 (District 2) and design evaluation of Panels
18–24 (District 1). This instrumentation was justified in the light of
ground control problems experienced at the West Elk Mine and of a
geotechnical analysis of Panels 14–17.
Mesa County, Department of Public Works, Slope Stability Evaluation of a
Reclaimed Slope, Durant Pit—Mesa County, Colorado, USA
Mesa County had reclaimed a sand and gravel pit highwall by grading
to a 2H:1V slope, contour furrowing, and successfully seeding the slope.
Unfortunately, the reclamation plan stipulated a 3H:1V slope or flatter. The
Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology requested that stability analyses
be conducted to demonstrate stability of the model. AAI collected soil
samples, designed a comprehensive laboratory testing program, analyzed
laboratory data, and conducted slope stability analyses. The evaluation
revealed that the existing slope is expected to be stable.
Rio Tinto, RQD, Rock Mass Indice and Rock Mechanics Testing Program, Kazan
Soda Project, Turkey
Agapito Associates, Inc. performed laboratory testing, and
calculated RQD and rock mass indices, Q and RMR, on material for seven core
holes as part of the geotechnical investigations for a potential solution
mining project in Turkey. Laboratory testing included:
All
tests were performed to ASTM standards.
West Ridge Resources, Inc., Reclaimed Slope Stability Evaluation, Price,
Utah, USA
AAI designed a
relatively steep (40 degree) backfill slope to be constructed during
reclamation of the West Ridge Mine. Key components of the slope design
include a geogrid-reinforced uncompacted plant rooting zone at the slope
face, geocomposite drains, a rockfill toe drain, compacted backfill
material, and at least 70% eventual revegetation. Mt. Nebo Scientific,
of Springville, Utah teamed with AAI and designed the revegetation plan.
AAI has represented West Ridge Resources at regulatory agency meetings.
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AGAPITO
ASSOCIATES, INC.