Kees van Beek Well-Management Symposium

Growing importance of wells

Wells constitute our most important access to the subsurface. The realisation of robust, reliable and (cost-)efficient wells has become more important. The (deeper) subsurface is after all being used with greater intensity, at the same time we want to ensure the protection of groundwater quality and quantity. Over the past 20 years a great deal of knowledge and practical experience has been built up in the Netherlands in the areas well management and well technique. We have also learnt a lot about well clogging, which is the main operational problem in wells.

‘Well doyen’ Kees van Beek

Kees van Beek (KWR) played a significant part in all these developments. On 10 March 2017, this ‘well doyen’ bid farewell, following a career of more than 40 years in the ‘wellfield’. KWR organised a farewell symposium in his honour, which more than 50 people from the water and soil communities attended. Twelve presentations were made, providing an excellent overview of the many innovative developments in well technology during the past two decades.

Well clogging

In his keynote address Kees van Beek himself referred to the breakthrough which took place over 10 years ago, when it was found that the on-off switching of wells led to less mechanical well clogging. In the past few years, Kees has focused his attention on chemical iron clogging, and in the process discovered that there is a difference between homogenous and heterogeneous iron oxidation. These processes lead to different forms of iron precipitation and call for different responses. The follow-up research is still ongoing.

New techniques and new solutions

Other speakers completed the overview of advances and experiences accumulated over the past few years. Among the subjects they addressed were new techniques for well installation (Horizontal Directional Drilled Wells, Extended Diameter Gravel Well and the Multiple Partially Penetrating Well), iron precipitation in wells, and the application of Dutch expertise in Myanmar and Surinam. All this new knowledge contributes to new solutions for the supply  of freshwater for drinking water production, horticulture and industry, through the use of the subsurface – e.g., Coastar, Dinteloord and the Horizon 2020 SUBSOL project.

Presentation by Martin van der Schans

Kees passes on the baton

At the conclusion of the symposium Jan Willem Kooiman paid tribute, in the name of the ‘well sector’ in general and of those in attendance in particular, to Kees van Beek’s commitment over the decades. Fortunately, Kees does not leave behind a sector devoid of expertise: within KWR Martin van der Schans takes over the baton. Working at KWR and TU Delft, Martin does research on the scientific challenges still facing well management, such as methods for making use of more of the subsurface, for realising wells that are more reliable, economical and sustainable, and for keeping wells biologically and chemically safe. According to Martin collaboration is the key to progress in the area.