Driving drilling innovation for more than 40 years

Geotechnical data directly impacts the viability of your project — that’s why J&S Drilling has built a team of only the most committed and knowledgeable drillers.

Backed by generations of drilling experience, its team of highly skilled professionals integrate seamlessly with different operations and workflows while upholding the highest safety standards. The team coordinates closely with site investigation programs, foundation design schedules and reporting timelines.

With a strong operational footprint across Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory, J&S delivers quality drilling services and accurate, high-quality samples wherever and whenever you need them.

Founded in 1982 by John and Sheryl McLellan, ADIA member J&S Drilling has grown from a small domestic operation into a renowned leader in the geotechnical, exploration, environmental and overwater drilling sectors across Australia.

The company has set itself apart by consistently delivering high-quality services, maintaining a strong commitment to safety and fostering long-term relationships with clients and employees alike.

J&S Drilling’s meticulous drilling techniques are designed to obtain high-quality in situ soil and rock samples. Its diamond coring and rotary mud drilling systems use environmentally approved fluids to maintain borehole stability while preventing sample contamination.

Sonic drilling technology provides advanced, high-frequency drilling technique that uses mechanical oscillations — typically in the range of 50–150 Hz — to reduce friction between the drill string and the subsurface materials. This vibration allows for faster penetration with minimal disturbance to the sample. The team is meticulous with technical reporting, providing detailed drilling logs, borehole completion records and geotechnical data to support AS 1726 standards. Its documentation directly supports foundation design, slope stability analysis and regulatory submissions.

Rig power

A key component of J&S Drilling’s success is its diverse and powerful fleet of rigs. Over the years, the company has invested heavily in our team and training, while providing well-maintained equipment to ensure they can meet the demands of any project, no matter how challenging.

J&S Drilling founder and director John McLellan says the company’s rigs are the backbone of its operations.“Each one is equipped to handle a variety of drilling techniques, which allows us to offer our clients a wide range of services without needing to mobilise multiple rigs.”

J&S Drilling’s fleet includes a selection of Fraste and Edson rigs, which are known for their versatility and reliability in the field. Among these are the Fraste XL Max and XL Duo Sonic rigs, which are particularly valued for their ability to perform in difficult terrains.

“The Fraste XL Max and XL Duo Sonic are workhorses in sensitive environments,” John said.

“They’re built tough and can handle everything from geotechnical drilling, water well drilling to mineral exploration drilling.”

The company also operates specialised rigs like the Fraste FS250, 300, 400 and Edson 3000, which are designed for precision work on larger scale projects.

“The XL Duo Sonic is one of our more specialised pieces of equipment,” John said.

“It’s perfect for projects where we need to minimise our environmental impact, such as tailing dam environments.

To support these rigs, J&S Drilling utilises a range of auxiliary equipment, including tracked support equipment and MAN and Hino 4WD support trucks.

The company’s commitment to maintaining its fleet is evident in its rigorous inspection and maintenance schedule.

“We don’t cut corners when it comes to maintenance,” John said.

“Our rigs undergo thorough inspections, typically on an annual basis, or as required by our clients. This ensures that they’re always in top condition and ready to perform at their best.”

Expanding services

J&S Drilling’s success in the domestic waterwell market laid a strong foundation for the company’s expansion into more complex and diverse sectors. Recognising the potential for growth in the geotechnical, environmental and exploration drilling markets, J&S Drilling broadened its services to include land-based oil and gas, mineral sands, coal and bauxite projects amongst others.

“We saw opportunities in these sectors that we couldn’t ignore. Expanding into these areas has been instrumental in our ability to weather industry downturns and maintain steady growth,” John said.

One of the company’s most notable projects involved an environmentally sensitive oil and gas drilling operation in the Northern Territory. To meet the project’s unique challenges, J&S Drilling purchased and customised a low-footprint, amphibious drilling platform that minimised environmental impact.

“The mangrove buggy project was a highlight for us,” John said.

“We had to design a solution that would allow us to work in a very delicate ecosystem without causing harm to the mangrove environment. It was a tough challenge, but the results spoke for themselves.”

In Western Australia and Queensland, J&S Drilling undertook complex overwater drilling projects, managing logistics, crew transfers, barge towing, and cyclone preparation. The projects delivered successful outcomes for marine infrastructure and dredging investigations.

Tackling tough environments

J&S Drilling has earned a reputation for successfully completing projects in some of Australia’s most challenging environments, including intertidal zones, salt lakes, mangroves and remote locations.

The company has developed specialised drilling platforms and equipment to navigate these difficult conditions, ensuring that projects are completed safely and efficiently.

In particular, the company’s experience with overwater drilling projects has proven invaluable. J&S Drilling has managed projects involving unknown seabed conditions, environmentally sensitive areas, and challenging logistics.

“Overwater drilling is a different beast altogether,” John said.

“You’re dealing with factors that are completely out of your control, like sea conditions and environmental regulations. But we’ve developed systems and processes that allow us to manage these risks effectively.”

Under the leadership of Brian Bawdon, along with a dedicated team of experienced professionals, J&S Drilling continues to set the standard for drilling services in Australia.

“Our success is very much a team effort,” Brian said.

“We’ve got a fantastic group of people who are all dedicated to delivering the best possible results for our clients. As long as we stay true to our values and keep pushing forward, I’m confident the future remains bright for J&S Drilling.”