If you're a field geologist using CorePlan's Client Portal, you've probably got a familiar routine: finish up on site, head back to camp, find some Wi-Fi, log in, and work through the day's Plods.

Depending on how your drilling contractor has set up the project, you can check over a Plod and sign off on it at the rig before you've even left site, while the details are still fresh.

Why waiting slows everything down

When approvals sit until end of day, so does progress. Contractors can't finalise their records and project managers can't see updated drilling data. You're also relying on memory to recall what you saw at the rig hours earlier.

If there's an issue like a measurement mismatch or an unclear interval, catching it in the field means it's solved on the spot. Catching it later from camp usually means more back-and-forth, or another trip out.

Getting approvals done sooner removes that bottleneck and keeps your workflow moving.

Your two options for approving Plods

How you approve depends on what your contractor has enabled for the project.

Option 1: On-site check and sign on the driller's device‍

Some contractors enable a setting called "client signature" in the app. If yours has, the driller's mobile app will show a signature field at submission. You're confirming on the spot that what's recorded looks right, while you're still on site and the driller's right there if anything needs clarifying. The formal approval still happens later in the Client Portal, and this on-site sign gives you a chance to catch anything obvious before the Plod moves through the system.

Option 2: Approve via the Client Portal

This is the standard approval path and it requires connectivity. Once you're back at camp, log into your Client Portal and work through any Plods waiting for your sign-off. You can approve or reject each one and leave comments if something needs attention.

If you're unsure which options apply to your project, check with your contractor. Client approval can also be turned off on a per-project basis, in which case Plods are finalised internally and you won't see them in your portal.

What this looks like day-to-day

At the rig:

You're reviewing Plod details alongside the driller, comparing what's recorded against what you've actually observed in the field. If client signature is enabled, you sign off then and there as an on-site confirmation. Either way, note anything that needs a closer look and pick it up in the Client Portal once you're back in coverage.

Back at camp (online):

Log into the Client Portal and work through your Plods. Once approved, the contractor's records update and the project data moves forward in CorePlan. Coming in with fresh context from your on-site check means your approvals are grounded in what you actually saw, not reconstructed from memory hours later.

Why the timing of your approval matters

Getting eyes on a Plod sooner means more accurate approvals. When you review data immediately after drilling, you remember the ground conditions and sample quality with a level of detail that fades quickly once you're back at camp. That context makes your approvals more meaningful and your data more reliable for the teams relying on it downstream.

Common questions

What if the driller loses service after I've signed on-site?

The signature is saved on their device and syncs automatically once they're back in coverage. Nothing gets lost.

Can I review past Plods without internet?

Past Plods are available in the Client Portal when you've got connectivity. On-site review happens on the driller's device, so you don't need your own connection at the rig.

What if a driller updates a Plod I've already approved?

You'll see the revised version after syncing and can re-approve or comment as usual.

What if my contractor hasn't enabled on-site sign-off?

The Client Portal is your standard approval path. On-site client signature is a setting the contractor controls per project, so availability varies.

The bottom line

Reviewing a Plod at the rig while details are fresh, then approving it quickly in the Client Portal back at camp, is a much tighter workflow than leaving everything until the end of the day. You'll catch issues sooner, your approvals will be more accurate, and there's less back-and-forth for everyone. The tools are ready to use, so go put them to work.

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