WorldWide Drilling Resource

Drilling and Blasting to Deepen the Delaware River Compiled by Amy White, Associate Editor, WorldWide Drilling Resource ® After more than five years of work, the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project is nearing its final phase. Since 2010, the Army Corps of Engineers has been dredg- ing the channel from 40 to 45 feet - the updated standard for ports to accommodate huge ships set to transit the newly-expanded Panama Canal once it’s finished. Army Corps spokesman Ed Voigt said the Delaware River is the last remaining 40-foot-deep port complex on the East Coast. It’s also one of the busiest in the nation, moving over 70 million tons of cargo annually, and almost 100% of the East Coast’s oil supply. The Delaware River project will not only enable larger ships to transit the river, but current ships will be able to carry heavier loads through the deepened channel. The $360 million dredging project was divided into eight contracts. The final two contracts are the only ones left to complete. The latest work included drilling and blast- ing from a barge to pretreat seabed rock formations in the river. The presence of these rock formations made this the only section which could not be deepened entirely by hydraulic or mechanical methods. The Drillboat Apache, operated by Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company ran 24/7 until March 2016 to remove the first portion of 320,000 cubic yards of rock along the river-bottom between Claymont, Delaware; and just south of Philadelphia International Airport. Workers drilled into the rock outcrops, planted explosive charges, and set them off twice a day. The debris was then scooped up by mechanical dredging and hauled away. Due to seasonal environmental concerns over endangered Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon populations, drilling and blasting can only be performed from December until March. Workers will resume opera- tions in December 2016, with completion set for March 2017. The Panama Canal Expansion is expected to be complete in 2016. By al- lowing the same large vessels transiting the expanded Panama Canal to reach ports on the Delaware River, the river channel deepening project will make way for regional ports to evolve with the changing shipping industry and stay competitive. The Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company Team retrieved blasting wire after conducting rock blasting operations in the Delaware River. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia District Army Corps of Engineers. 62 JUNE 2016 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Ronnie, I just wanted to say that even though I have nothing to do with the mining industry per se, I can’t wait to get our copy of WWDR to read your column. I just love how down-to-earth, sincere, and sometimes very funny you are. I feel like I kind of know you even though we’ve never met. Have a great rest of your week. Nicki B2B Advertising, Inc. Beaverton, OR