5 Field Logging Mistakes That Cost You Hours

After working with drilling teams across the UK, we’ve seen the same problems come up again and again. Small mistakes in the field that turn into hours of rework in the office.

Here are the five most common - and how to avoid them.

Inconsistent depth references

Is that depth from ground level, top of casing, or top of standpipe? When different people use different references - or the same person switches mid-project - the data becomes unusable.

Fix: Establish and document your datum before drilling starts. Use software that enforces consistent references.

Incomplete sample records

It’s tempting to skip fields when you’re busy. But that missing sample type or recovery percentage will come back to haunt you when you’re generating reports.

Fix: Use digital logging with required fields. If a field matters, make it mandatory - the system won’t let you move on without it.

Photos without context

A photo of brown soil tells you nothing. Without depth markers, scale references, or labels, photos are nearly useless for reporting.

Fix: Always include a scale card or tape measure. Better yet, use software that automatically tags photos with depth, location, and sample ID.

End-of-day data entry

Scribbling notes on paper and typing them up later is a recipe for errors. Details get forgotten, handwriting gets misread, and tired people make mistakes.

Fix: Log directly into a digital system in real-time. Capture data while it’s fresh, with automatic timestamps.

Single point of failure

Paper logs can be lost, damaged, or left in a van that drives away. Data on one phone or tablet is at risk until it’s backed up.

Fix: Use a cloud-based system that syncs automatically. GIMLabs syncs every record as soon as you have signal - nothing lives on just one device.

Better tools, fewer problems

Most of these mistakes aren’t about bad people - they’re about bad workflows. Modern digital logging eliminates entire categories of errors while making your team faster.