Past projects

Real projects, real results

Solutions in Action

At Pilot & Index Mining Solutions, we don’t just offer advice—we deliver results. With decades of hands-on experience, we’ve helped mining operations overcome challenges, improve efficiency, and stay on budget. From mine planning and equipment optimization to ventilation and dewatering solutions, our work speaks for itself. Explore our past projects to see how our expertise has made an impact.

Our Past Projects

Proven Strategies, Proven Success

Underground Oil Recovery Facility

PIMS founder Jason Todd, PG was the technical lead on developing an underground oil recovery facility consisting of a 970’ conventionally sunk shaft, mining, drilling, and related infrastructure. PIMS member, Josh Walton, was the General Manager overseeing construction of the facility.

Between the two, all phases of the project were driven by their leadership, from initial concepts, fund raising, property acquisition, permitting, regulatory compliance, mine design, procurement, contractor management, patented safety protocols, directional drilling, workovers, and finally into production. During construction the project won the prestigious MSHA Sentinels of Safety Award in 2014. The facility is still in production today.

Site design, including power, septic and general arrangement

Geologic and reservoir modeling. Using over 100 historic well records and supervising an 8 hole modern diamond drill core program both geologic and reservoir data was compiled into production models.

Mining, design and construction management. 970 ft X 17 ft diameter conventionally sunk cement lined shaft

960 ft X 8 ft diameter raisebore shaft

Underground mining using drill-blast and roadheader

Installation of pumping works for mine water, drill mud, and oil. This included a patented surge tank arrangement to allow for large volume pressure vessels to be slung through a small shaft opening.

Drilling design, safety protocols, and geosteering. Established ventilation controls for drilling into an H2S rich reservoir. Assisted with fluid isolation designs to prevent gas kickbacks to the underground environment.

Worked with drillers, geotechnical engineers, and bit manufacturers to develop bits capable of achieving acceptable ROPs through challenging geologic structures.

Designed directionally drilled wells and worked with in-house drillers to achieve small-bore open hole distance records. Up to 5,000 foot holes @ HQ diameter while staying in a 5’ target zone. Total drilling ~87,000 ft.