The Hidden Value of a Competent Drilling Crew

May 1, 2026

Behind every successful drilling project is a crew making practical, safety-critical decisions in real time.

While equipment, method statements, procedures and specifications all play an important role, the quality, experience and competence of the people on site often have the greatest influence on whether drilling work is delivered safely, efficiently and to the required standard.

For clients, principal contractors, consultants and project teams, it can be easy to view drilling as a relatively straightforward site activity. A rig arrives, boreholes are completed, samples are recovered and information is passed on for interpretation. In reality, the process is far more complex. Drilling crews are often working in challenging, variable and sometimes unpredictable conditions, where good judgement matters just as much as technical capability.

Competence in drilling is not simply about holding the right card or certificate. These are important, of course, but true competence also comes from experience, supervision, training, attitude, communication and an understanding of how decisions made on site can affect safety, quality and the wider project.

A competent drilling crew understands the equipment being used, the method being followed and the risks associated with the work. They also understand when something does not look or feel right. That ability to recognise a change in ground conditions, identify a developing hazard, question an instruction or pause work when necessary is an essential part of safe and professional drilling.

In many cases, drilling crews are the first people to encounter the ground conditions that will shape the next stages of a project. The way they respond to those conditions can have a significant impact on the quality of the information recovered, the reliability of the investigation and the decisions made by engineers, designers and contractors further down the line.

Good communication is also central to competence because a skilled crew does not work in isolation. They communicate with supervisors, engineers, clients, consultants and other site teams. They report issues clearly, raise concerns early and provide practical feedback from the working area. This can help prevent small problems from becoming larger ones, whether those relate to access, buried services, ground stability, sample recovery, environmental controls or site safety.

Competent crews also contribute directly to better project outcomes, as they help reduce downtime, improve planning, protect equipment, support accurate records and maintain professional standards on site. Their work can influence programme certainty, cost control, safety performance and the quality of the ground investigation data on which future decisions rely.

This is particularly important in an industry where the consequences of poor practice can be significant. Inadequate supervision, poor communication, unsuitable equipment, weak risk awareness or a lack of experience can all lead to avoidable problems. These may include safety incidents, non-conformances, poor-quality samples, delays, rework or increased project risk.

For the British Drilling Association (BDA), competence sits at the heart of its work to improve standards across the land drilling sector. Through the BDA Audit, training activity, guidance, technical resources and ongoing engagement with members, the Association continues to promote safer, more consistent and more professional drilling practice.

The BDA Audit, in particular, provides an important framework for demonstrating that drilling operatives are working to recognised industry expectations. It supports a culture of continuous improvement and helps clients and principal contractors identify drilling teams that take competence, safety and quality seriously.

However, competence should not be seen purely as a compliance requirement. More, it is a practical asset that gives clients confidence, whilst also helping contractors manage risk. It supports better decision-making too  and strengthens the reputation of the drilling industry as a skilled and essential part of the wider construction and ground engineering sectors.

The rig may be the most visible part of the operation, but it is the people behind it who make the critical decisions. Investing in their competence, supporting their development and recognising their professional value is essential to the future of the industry.

For clients and principal contractors, appointing BDA members and audited drilling operatives provides greater confidence that drilling work is being carried out by people who understand the technical, safety and professional standards expected across the sector.

Behind every successful drilling project is a crew making practical, safety-critical decisions in real time.

While equipment, method statements, procedures and specifications all play an important role, the quality, experience and competence of the people on site often have the greatest influence on whether drilling work is delivered safely, efficiently and to the required standard.

For clients, principal contractors, consultants and project teams, it can be easy to view drilling as a relatively straightforward site activity. A rig arrives, boreholes are completed, samples are recovered and information is passed on for interpretation. In reality, the process is far more complex. Drilling crews are often working in challenging, variable and sometimes unpredictable conditions, where good judgement matters just as much as technical capability.

Competence in drilling is not simply about holding the right card or certificate. These are important, of course, but true competence also comes from experience, supervision, training, attitude, communication and an understanding of how decisions made on site can affect safety, quality and the wider project.

A competent drilling crew understands the equipment being used, the method being followed and the risks associated with the work. They also understand when something does not look or feel right. That ability to recognise a change in ground conditions, identify a developing hazard, question an instruction or pause work when necessary is an essential part of safe and professional drilling.

In many cases, drilling crews are the first people to encounter the ground conditions that will shape the next stages of a project. The way they respond to those conditions can have a significant impact on the quality of the information recovered, the reliability of the investigation and the decisions made by engineers, designers and contractors further down the line.

Good communication is also central to competence because a skilled crew does not work in isolation. They communicate with supervisors, engineers, clients, consultants and other site teams. They report issues clearly, raise concerns early and provide practical feedback from the working area. This can help prevent small problems from becoming larger ones, whether those relate to access, buried services, ground stability, sample recovery, environmental controls or site safety.

Competent crews also contribute directly to better project outcomes, as they help reduce downtime, improve planning, protect equipment, support accurate records and maintain professional standards on site. Their work can influence programme certainty, cost control, safety performance and the quality of the ground investigation data on which future decisions rely.

This is particularly important in an industry where the consequences of poor practice can be significant. Inadequate supervision, poor communication, unsuitable equipment, weak risk awareness or a lack of experience can all lead to avoidable problems. These may include safety incidents, non-conformances, poor-quality samples, delays, rework or increased project risk.

For the British Drilling Association (BDA), competence sits at the heart of its work to improve standards across the land drilling sector. Through the BDA Audit, training activity, guidance, technical resources and ongoing engagement with members, the Association continues to promote safer, more consistent and more professional drilling practice.

The BDA Audit, in particular, provides an important framework for demonstrating that drilling operatives are working to recognised industry expectations. It supports a culture of continuous improvement and helps clients and principal contractors identify drilling teams that take competence, safety and quality seriously.

However, competence should not be seen purely as a compliance requirement. More, it is a practical asset that gives clients confidence, whilst also helping contractors manage risk. It supports better decision-making too  and strengthens the reputation of the drilling industry as a skilled and essential part of the wider construction and ground engineering sectors.

The rig may be the most visible part of the operation, but it is the people behind it who make the critical decisions. Investing in their competence, supporting their development and recognising their professional value is essential to the future of the industry.

For clients and principal contractors, appointing BDA members and audited drilling operatives provides greater confidence that drilling work is being carried out by people who understand the technical, safety and professional standards expected across the sector.

Author: Mark Toye, Chair, British Drilling Association