Deep drilling in Hoof (municipality of Welkenraedt)
In order to gather more information for the Einstein Telescope about the deeper soil layers and vibration sensitivity caused by industry or roads, for example, deep drilling will soon commence in Hoof in the Walloon municipality of Welkenraedt. The location is in the outskirts near Rue de Pres.
This drilling is part of the drilling campaigns, the first of which ran in 2024 and the second of which is currently in full swing in 2025. This year, drilling is or will be carried out in Plombières (Beusdael) and Herve (Asse).
Permission
The drilling in Hoof is planned to start in mid-September. The drilling will reach a depth of 490 metres. Agreements have been made with the owner of the site and the municipality of Welkenraedt regarding permission and licensing aspects. No special (traffic) measures are required. Special equipment will be used to capture and neutralise any nitrogen released.
Rural area
The drilling site is located in a rural area. Local residents have been or will be informed about the drilling. They will also be kept informed via municipal channels.
Planning
The Belgian drilling company Smet Group will start preparing the site this week or next week. According to the current schedule, the drilling itself will start in mid-September. Setting up the site, the drilling itself and then clearing the site will take 10 to 14 weeks.
