Field Exploration and Geotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical drilling, sampling and engineering on land, in the marsh and on open water. In-house rigs, barges and crews based in Mobile, Alabama, mobilized across the Southeast and the Caribbean.

Whatever the terrain, we get there first

Regardless of materials, terrain or conditions, our field testing team has the equipment and expertise to accomplish your project requirements. Challenge maintains a variety of in-house drill rigs and equipment specific to geotechnical soil boring and marine sediment core sampling.

Our seasoned geotechnical engineer and crew have tackled virtually every subsurface investigation the Gulf Coast region has to offer. We mobilize quickly and troubleshoot effectively based on decades of experience. The result: improved design, lower project costs and more efficient construction timelines.

Who we work with

  • Engineering firms and consultants
  • Commercial developers and contractors
  • Port authorities and marine operators
  • Oil, gas and energy, including well pads and compressor stations
  • Mining and industrial sites
  • Government and Corps of Engineers projects
Challenge marine drill rig at the Port of Mobile

Services

Geotechnical engineering

  • Commercial development geotechnical investigations and reports
  • Deep or shallow foundation analysis
  • Water storage tank investigations
  • Well pad and compressor station analysis
  • Vane shear field testing
  • Geotechnical instrumentation: piezometer, inclinometer, settlement plates
  • Slope inclinometer installation
  • Hydrographic marine and stockpile surveys
  • Project management and inspection

Drilling and sampling

  • Rock coring and sampling
  • Split spoon sampling
  • Undisturbed thin-walled tube sampling (Shelby and piston)
  • Marine sediment core sampling
  • Vibracore sampling
  • Hydrographic marine surveys
  • Angle, mud rotary and hollow stem auger drilling

Environmental drilling

  • Direct push, auger and rotary sampling of soil, groundwater, vapor and sediment
  • Phase II investigations, property transfers and site assessments
  • Groundwater, vapor, extraction and observation wells, with development and decommissioning
  • In-situ remediation and compound injection for petroleum, PFAS and hazardous waste
Field exploration barge

Our own fleet, ready to mobilize

Center of a ship channel? Remote and rocky hillside? Swampy backwoods bayou? When you need to know what’s down there, it’s our job first to get there. We run our own equipment and engage contractor partners throughout the Southeast and Caribbean, and we use best in class geotechnical software and video quadcopter inspection for thorough reporting.

  • Track mounted CME 75, CME 55 (3) and CME 45 (2)
  • Truck mounted CME 75 and CME 45
  • Rubber tired ATV CME 750 and CME 550
  • 7822 Geoprobe
  • Rig mounted Shelby tube extruders
  • NQ rock coring, angle, mud rotary and hollow stem auger capabilities
  • Trailer-ready pontoon work barge, 40 ft x 11 ft, with a Dierich D25
  • Drill work boat with center well, 21 ft
  • Marine piston vibracore units
  • Off-road utility vehicle

Why Challenge

Credentials and project history

Challenge Testing is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned business certified by the SBA and an ABS Service Supplier. Our field work includes Corps of Engineers projects, dam investigations in Puerto Rico, test borings in Arecibo and marine drilling at the Port of Mobile.

SBA Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Certified
ABS Service Supplier

Your challenge? Let’s go.

Tell us about the site, the access conditions and what the design team needs to know. We respond to every inquiry as soon as possible. For a fast mobilization, call the Mobile office directly.

Phone: (251) 666-1435
Headquarters: 4234 Halls Mill Road, Mobile, Alabama
Mail: P.O. Box 91537, Mobile, Alabama 36691

Request a quote

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What needs testing, the specification if you have one, and your timeline.