Our History
A Legacy That Began in 1958
The roots of High Plains Drilling trace back to 1958, when founder Marcus Frandsen began learning the trade at just six years old, working alongside his father on a 1,200-acre farm. Surrounded by irrigation systems and the realities of agricultural water management, Marcus developed an early understanding of water's critical importance to land and livelihood.
In 1977, Marcus and his wife launched their own drilling operation. In 1982, the company was formally established as High Plains Drilling, Inc. The business remains proudly family-operated today.
Decades of Experience in the Field
Knowledge Earned One Well at a Time
Over the decades, the Frandsen family continued drilling wells across diverse terrain and geological formations, gaining deep technical knowledge through hands-on experience. By 2008, the team had drilled more than 1,000 wells, serving residential, agricultural, and commercial customers.
Each project brought new challenges — and new understanding — shaping the company's approach to precision, planning, and long-term system performance.
High Plains Drilling Today
Family-Operated, Experience-Driven
The business remains proudly family-operated today. This structure ensures every project benefits from experience, accountability, and hands-on leadership.
Marcus Frandsen
Founder & Lead Driller
Marcus founded High Plains Drilling and continues to lead drilling operations
Travis Frandsen
Operations Manager & Driller
Works alongside his father Marcus leading drilling operations
Tim
Pump Specialist
Specializes in pump installation and system performance
The team is supported by multiple certified drillers whose technical versatility and field expertise are key assets to our operations.
Capability Across All Well Types
From Residential to High-Capacity Systems
High Plains Drilling has extensive experience working with a wide range of well diameters, depths, and flow rates:
- Residential wells producing a few gallons per minute
- Agricultural and irrigation wells supporting large operations
- Commercial and high-capacity wells delivering up to 20,000 gallons per minute
No two wells are the same. Each project is approached with precision, patience, and respect for the land and water source.
Equipment, Experience & Reliability
Built to Handle Demanding Projects
During peak irrigation demand, High Plains Drilling operated up to nine drilling rigs to meet regional needs. Today, the company maintains a modern fleet of rotary and cable tool drilling rigs, supported by a seasoned crew capable of delivering dependable water solutions for hundreds of customers each year.
Our equipment, paired with decades of field knowledge, allows us to handle projects of varying complexity while maintaining consistent quality.
Our Values
What We Stand For
At its core, High Plains Drilling is built on:
We take pride not only in drilling wells — but in helping families, farms, and communities secure the water they depend on every day.
Work With a Team Built on Experience
If you're looking for a well drilling company built on generations of knowledge, proven capability, and honest workmanship, High Plains Drilling is ready to help.