Deep Polling
Definition
Deep polling occurs when a driller continues drilling past a productive water zone — either claiming insufficient yield or simply drilling without disclosing that water has already been reached at a shallower depth — in order to charge for additional footage at the per-foot billing rate. In regions like Northern Idaho where customers are rarely present during drilling and may not understand when a productive zone has been reached, deep polling can be difficult to detect. Because well drilling is billed per foot in many contracts, each additional unnecessary foot drilled adds directly to the customer’s final invoice. The practice is most harmful to first-time well buyers and property buyers unfamiliar with local depth norms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Deep Polling Matters
How Trident Drilling Company Uses It
Trident Drilling specifically addresses deep polling risk through its transparent worst-case scenario bidding approach. The company provides upfront estimates that include the anticipated depth range and the cost implications of each scenario — ensuring clients understand what they are authorizing and have a reference point if the final depth is questioned.