National Driller articles from August 2006

National Driller archives from August 2006

EPA tightening lead rules.(Sorting Through the "In" Box)
August 1, 2006... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to tighten its rules on lead. That's the gist of proposed revisions that would affect the lead portions of the lead-and-copper rule for drinking water. The proposal would: [ILLUSTRATION...

Aquatech announces new hire.(Sorting Through the "In" Box)
August 1, 2006... Aquatech International Corp., Canonsburg, Pa., announces the addition of John Livingston as business development manager for its WATERTRAK line of water treatment products. His responsibilities will include developing a national distribution...

New manager for consolidated pump.(Sorting Through the "In" Box)
August 1, 2006... Consolidated Pump & Supply (CPS) has hired Randy Mather as its northwest regional manager; he'll oversee the sales and administration of the CPS branches in Washington and Oregon. Mather has 30 years of leadership experience in the water...

Oops!(Sorting Through the "In" Box)
August 1, 2006... In last month's issue, we ran the incorrect advertisement for N & N Drilling Supply Mfr. on page 82 (the June ad ran again instead of the July ad). This month's ad on page 38 is correct. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Yellow it shall be.(Sorting Through the "In" Box)
August 1, 2006... Beginning August 15, all Atlas Copco Secoroc rock drilling tools delivered will be dressed in yellow. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

TEREX Africa expansion.(Sorting Through the "In" Box)
August 1, 2006... TEREX Africa, a subsidiary of TEREX Corp., has purchased certain assets and hired personnel of Southern Denver in Johannesburg, South Africa. Southern Denver specializes in the maintenance of drill rigs and air compressors. This move...

Build your own down-hole camera.(We've Got Mail)
August 1, 2006... From Andrew of Butler's Well Drilling in Newark, Ohio: Being in the drilling industry, you're probably aware of the many borehole cameras out there. I recently queried a few companies and received quotes on the most basic systems. I was...

Full disclosure.(We've Got Mail)
August 1, 2006... How do you sleep at night? You kill trees to put out a magazine devoted to people who tear up our earth's ecosystem for profit. Have you no shame? Angie D., president Nature's Utopian Team Justly Overseeing Beauty Washington,...

Ocean-drilling research continues: a group of ocean-drilling research scientists that has been exploring the Arctic Ocean subseafloor have released new findings.
August 1, 2006... The report, supported by Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) research operations, contains analyses of subseafloor sediment samples gathered from nearly 1,500 feet beneath the Arctic Ocean, near the North Pole. To recover the sediments...

Selecting and sizing submersible pump cable: the fundamentals of pumped water systems.(Tech Topics)
August 1, 2006... Guidelines for electrical installations are contained in the National Electric Code (NEC). The code contains general requirements regarding the type of cable to be used when installing pumps, but the installer is given some latitude as to the...

Coming events.(Calendar)
August 1, 2006... JULY 29-Aug. 1 South Atlantic Well Drillers Jubilee Myrtle Beach, S.C. 540-740-3329 www.well-drillers.com AUGUST 10-13 New Zealand Drillers Federation Drill Conference Nelson, South Island, New Zealand ...

Mind your telephone manners: your lowest-paid employees have a lot to do with your business health.(Smart Business)
August 1, 2006... I'm in a bad mood right now, which makes it a good time to address a pet peeve. The reason is a phone call I made--two phone calls, actually--trying to reschedule an annual appointment with my ophthalmologist. My eye doctor is highly regarded,...

Submersible motor controls.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... PENTEK offers a full range of 1/2 HP to 15 HP submersible control boxes that are interchangeable with existing control boxes for capacitor start/induction run (CSIR) and capacitor start/capacitor run (CSCR) applications. They feature a NEMA 3R...

Floating stage system.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... Franklin Electric introduces its TRI-SEAL floating stage system. In this new hydraulic design, a phenolic washer in each stage provides axial sealing as each impeller floats independently. In addition, an impeller hub seal system seals radially...

Motor protection.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... The Grundfos MP 204 is an electronic motor protector, designed for the protection of a submersible motor and pump. R100 compatible, it protects both single- and three-phase motors operating from 115V to 575V, and 1/3 HP to 260 HP. The MP204...

Pump control solution.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... The AMTROL'R Digital Control is a pump control solution, designed to provide consistent water pressure with a fully adjustable pressure range that can be set as narrow as +/-5psi. Built-in diagnostic features for short-cycling, low-suction,...

Adaptable wireless switching systems.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... Remote Control Technology develops adaptable wireless switching systems. Intended to be easy to use, these transmitters and receivers are engineered to be durable and operate over long ranges. Wireless switching technology can control just...

Constant pressure pump control valves.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... Cycle Stop Valves are mechanical, constant-pressure pump control valves that turn most standard, constant-speed pumps into a constant-pressure, variable-flow pumps. These valves allow users to utilize smaller pressure tanks as well as benefit...

Pressure booster pump.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... Suitable for reverse osmosis equipment as well as many other pressure-boosting applications, the Flint & Walling line of multi-stage pressure booster pumps is capable of increasing incoming line pressures up to 200 psi, with capacities ranging...

Deep well pumps.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... National Pump Co. builds deep well pumps, developing high-volume and high-head submersible well pumps. The company regularly builds 1,500-gpm to 2,000-gpm submersibles with as much as 1,700 feet of head, and manufacturing 600-HP submersible...

Pressure boosting pump sets.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... Davey Pumps introduces a new range of pressure boosting pump sets for use in applications that require anywhere from 70 gpm up to 300 gpm with pressure boosts up to 58 psi. All pump sets arrive at the job site pre-assembled and pre-tested,...

Stainless steel submersible pumps.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... Shakti Pumps manufactures completely stainless steel submersible pumps, including the impeller and diffuser. Its range includes 4-, 6-, 8-, 10- and 12-inch sizes, with capacities from 1.2 gpm to 1,400 gpm. The product line conforms to...

High-pressure booster pump.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... Pompco inc. offers a high-pressure booster pump with stainless steel discs. With all components made of stainless steel, Noryl and polycarbonate, it can boost pressure up to 320 psi. This pump is specially designed to be portable and easy to...

Programmable pump protection relay.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... The model 777-KW/HP pump saver from SymCom Inc. can be used on any three-phase motor. It is a fully programmable motor and pump protection relay with power-monitoring capability. Digital programmability permits customization. Voltage, current...

Submersible motors for large, deep wells.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... CentriPro offers 6-inch to 10-inch submersible motors for 5-inch and larger deep wells. The 6-inch canned design motor features a replaceable plug-in motor lead, moisture-resistant insulation and a resin that protects the motor against thermal...

Solar-powered submersible.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... The solar-powered Lorentz PS200 submersible pump from Conergy lifts up to 165 feet and offers a flow rate up to 9.5 gpm. Designed for simple, maintenance-free installation, its applications include drinking water supply, irrigation and more. It...

Water pressure booster controller.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... The VFDC-4000 microprocessor-based controller from SJE Rhombus is specifically designed for constant pressure applications using variable frequency drives (VFDs). Capable of controlling up to four VFDs, the VFDC-4000 controller features P.I.D.,...

Vertical turbine pumps.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPING EQUIPMENT)
August 1, 2006... Flowserve Pump Division--Hastings Business Unit specializes in the manufacture of vertical turbine pumps for ground water development for use in municipalities, irrigation, agriculture and turf. Flowserve--Hastings has pumps with a capacity...

Good vibrations, great results: taking a closer look at sonic drilling.(On the Job)
August 1, 2006... Although geothermal energy still is in the early stages of technology adoption by mainstream users, today, in Canada, there are fire halls, sports complexes, ice arenas, swimming pools, civic centers, schools and entire residential communities...

Water well casing and screen selection, Part 2: a brief overview of the five primary manufacturing processes.
August 1, 2006... Water well use represents a very small percentage of the production of steel tubular products. Practically all steel pipe manufactured worldwide falls into two categories: * transmission (line) pipe for the conveyance of water, oil or gas...

Economics of water well rehabilitation.
August 1, 2006... There are several ways that cost savings from well rehabilitation can be calculated. One method is to calculate the cost savings associated with reduced power requirements corresponding to a decreased water level drawdown within the well for a...

PVC well casing.(PRODUCT INFO)
August 1, 2006... Certa-Lok PVC well casing utilizes CertainTeed's spline-locking design to form a full-strength, sealed joint in all weather conditions without any special tools. No solvent cements or reinforcement screw attachments are required. Ease of...

Workflow-based software.(PRODUCT INFO)
August 1, 2006... Welldreams is a workflow-based software tool that is designed to eliminate paperwork and reduce back office time by more than 50 percent. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This software allows you to access historical well data, quotes and build...

New frost-proof wall faucets.(PRODUCT INFO)
August 1, 2006... Merrill Mfg. has added many Arrowhead frost-proof wall faucets to its existing line of wall faucets. These wall faucets are a domestic manufacture with commercial and hot/cold models for all applications. The new wall faucets have code...

Ductile-iron flanged butterfly valves.(PRODUCT INFO)
August 1, 2006... Danfoss Flomatic Corp. has introduced Model AZURE AWWA butterfly valves. These new ductile-iron flanged butterfly valves complement Danfoss Flomatic's Sylax series lug and wafer-style butterfly valves. The Model AZURE is designed to ANSI/AWWA...

Simple system kills iron bacteria.(PRODUCT INFO)
August 1, 2006... The HaloVac product line from Berry Systems Inc. eliminates iron-reducing bacteria in the well. HaloVac helps prevent clogging, blockages and slime in the well proper and in the distribution system. The dispenser automatically imparts a...

Small datalogger.(PRODUCT INFO)
August 1, 2006... With a length of 3.5 inches and a diameter of less than an inch, the Micro-Diver from Schlumberger Water Services is specifically designed for monitoring wells too small to accommodate larger data loggers. Suitable for monitoring projects and...

EPA grants oil and gas exemption.(BULLETIN BOARD)
August 1, 2006... A final U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule exempts storm water discharges of sediment from construction activities at oil and gas sites from the requirement to obtain a permit. The 1987 Water Quality Act (WQA) added a section...

Expanding the definition of wireless technology.
August 1, 2006... The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word "wireless" as "having no wires." When most people hear the word "wireless," they think of cell phones, Internet, television remotes and other more traditional wireless objects. Most likely, the...

Truck-, trailer- or track-mounted rig.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: COMPACT RIGS)
August 1, 2006... The DeepRock DR150 can be trailer-mounted, single-axle truck-mounted or track-mounted. This DR150 on a Ford F550, 19,000-GVW four-wheel-drive truck is PTO-driven with a Rupe piston mud pump, 250-gpm, 400-psi and includes an automatic breakout...

Deck engine-powered drill.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: COMPACT RIGS)
August 1, 2006... Laibe Corp. recently introduced its new Versa-Drill model V-1040DP, a compact deck engine-powered drill (CAT C15 540 HP) that is light in weight (46,000 lbs.) and provides 40,000 pounds of top-head pullback. It also features an Ingersoll-Rand...

Track-mounted drill rig.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: COMPACT RIGS)
August 1, 2006... The new Soil-Scout from Acker Drill Co. is an all-hydraulic compact drill for soil sampling, ground water monitoring and core drilling in very restricted spaces. Weighing in at just 6,100 pounds, its features include a hydraulic cathead, a...

Rig for working under overhead obstructions.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: COMPACT RIGS)
August 1, 2006... Central Mine Equipment Co.'s CME-55LC has a feed and retract system and a quick disconnect mast for working under overhead obstructions. The overall working height with the mast disconnected is 11 feet, 11 inches when mounted on the CME-300...

Maneuverable drill.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: COMPACT RIGS)
August 1, 2006... Sandvik Mining and Construction's Commando hydraulic top hammer drills are suitable for small-diameter drilling (7/8" to 1 3/4") involving foundation drilling, road cutting, trenching, bolting, demolition or breaking thick concrete. Their...

Compact multi-purpose rig.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: COMPACT RIGS)
August 1, 2006... Typically mounted on an F-550 4-by-4 truck, the SIMCO 2800 HS(HT) is a compact rig that can be set up for mud rotary drilling with a 2,840 ft.-lbs./0 rpm to 185 rpm drillhead and either a piston or centrifugal mud pump. Or it can be set it up...

Compact tophead-drive drill rigs.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: COMPACT RIGS)
August 1, 2006... Schramm Inc. offers a complete line of Rotadrill tophead-drive drill rigs. The T300M and T450MIIA model Rotadrills are compact, truck-mounted rigs equipped with tophead-drive and pipe-handling sys-tems. PTO-powered, they are designed for...

New compact HDD trailer rig.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: COMPACT RIGS)
August 1, 2006... TT Technologies manufactures a new, compact HDD trailer rig designed and rated to accommodate the Grundodrill 4X compact HDD and a Grundomudd DS 225 bentonite mixing and delivery system. The dual-axle HDD trailer comes equipped with added stem...

Limited access rigs.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: COMPACT RIGS)
August 1, 2006... TEI Rock Drills manufactures limited access rigs and drilling attachments. The small rigs are used for DX geothermal and shorter GX holes. They are appropriate for residential geothermal, whether a retrofit or new construction. TEI Rock Drills,...

Units available for rent.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: COMPACT RIGS)
August 1, 2006... This Geoprobe 540 MT unit is one of the rental units available at Rig Source Inc. It is only 36 inches wide and features a telescoping tower suitable for low overhead clearance projects. The unit is said to be easily maneuvered by two people. A...

Geothermal drilling costs.
August 1, 2006... Drilling a geothermal well consists of a succession of steps of drilling and well casing construction until the top of the resource is reached. Once the well penetrates the geothermal reservoir, the only additional casing that may be required...

Seawater desalination in America.
August 1, 2006... Although seawater desalination has been common practice in some parts of the world for a number of years, it has historically been considered infeasible in the United States. While there have been several small seawater desalination plants in...

Geothermal drilling.(Porky's Hole Thoughts)
August 1, 2006... Sometime back, I was a geothermal site inspector for a college. My job was to oversee and document all the geothermal holes drilled, closed loops installed, grouting of the holes and the testing of the loops. The driller contracted was a...

Mandatory testing opposed by realtors and home builders.(LEGISLATIVE UPDATE)
August 1, 2006... Members of North Carolina's real estate and home-building industries are opposing legislation that calls for mandatory testing of new private wells for drinking water. Members stated that until there are assurances that the tests won't...

Storm water rule finalized.(LEGISLATIVE UPDATE)
August 1, 2006... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized revisions to storm water regulations to advance the comprehensive energy policy enacted by Congress last year. This action, implementing an amendment to the Clean Water Act passed in...

Water transfer rule proposed.(LEGISLATIVE UPDATE)
August 1, 2006... A rule proposed by the EPA would clarify that permits are not required for transfers of water from one body of water to another. Such transfers include routing water through tunnels, channels or natural stream courses for public water supplies,...

Water-use appeal rejected by court.(LEGISLATIVE UPDATE)
August 1, 2006... The Supreme Court recently rejected an appeal from Alabama and Florida to prevent Atlanta from drawing more water from the Chattahoochee River. Georgia's congressional delegation gathered enough support to kill an appropriations amendment...

Hurricane season is back.(The World According to Wayne)
August 1, 2006... It's just the first week of June, and already those of us in the Southeast have gotten a heads-up call. The season isn't a week old, and already a tropical depression developed in the Gulf and threatened to grow to hurricane strength. If it had...

Six tips for well rehabilitation.(Drilling Fluids)
August 1, 2006... Interest in well rehabilitation is much more common these days when compared to even a couple of decades ago. A couple of reasons for this include the cost of new construction, the difficulty in obtaining new construction permits, and the...

A SIMCO heads to Mexico.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... University of Mexico has purchased a new SIMCO 2800 HS (HT) with a deck engine. The new rig is to be used for geotechnical/environmental drilling. Pictured from left to right in front of the rig are Jesus Ramos, SIMCO's Rich Clarke and Javier...

Rosick acquires a Kyle.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... Dave Rosick, Rosick Well Drilling, Hudson Falls, N.Y., bought a Kyle 8K Evolution pump hoist. This hoist is corner-mounted on a Ford F-550 4-by-4 with a utility body. This truck also features a fixed pipe rack and an oxy/acy compartment. ...

Schippers obtains a SIMCO.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... Schippers Marine Construction Inc., Homosassa Springs, Fla., bought a new SIMCO 2400 SK-1 with a long-stroke mast to be mounted on a barge for the installation of piers for boat docks. Pictured on the rig is Shane Schippers. [ILLUSTRATION...

A2L Technologies accepts delivery.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... Larry Schmaltz, A2L Technologies, Thonotosassa, Fla., recently took delivery of a new 9100P AMS PowerProbe. Shown from left to right: Corey Dobson, Kent Ward, Gerald Hawkins, Monty Watson and Larry Schmaltz (not pictured, Jeff Borgmeyer). ...

Icon Environmental takes delivery.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... Icon Environmental Services Inc., Baton Rouge, La., recently obtained a new AMS 9500-VTR PowerProbe, powered by a liquid-cooled 47-HP diesel engine, complete with an upgraded 201-ft.-lb. hydraulic hammer with 2,200 bpm and a rotating deck. This...

American Radiation purchases new AMS.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... Elvin Chavez of American Radiation, Los Alamos, N.M., recently picked up the company's new 9100-P PowerProbe from the AMS facilities in American Falls, Idaho. The 9100-P came complete with an upgraded 90-ft.-lb. hydraulic hammer with 1,100 bpm....

Grela works with Kyle.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... Larry Grela of Grela Well Drilling, Terryville, Conn., purchased an 8K Evolution pump hoist from Kyle Equipment Co. This hoist is center-mounted on an International 7400. Also included was the Kyle removable pipe basket system. This unit also...

Fraiser Oil buys a SEMCO.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... Fraiser Oil LLC, Salyersville, Ky., is shown picking up its new SEMCO $15,000 pump hoist. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Spectrum Exploration chooses SIMCO.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... Spectrum Exploration, Sedalia, Colo., received a new SIMCO 2800 HS (HT) rig. Mounted on a F-550 4-by-4, this PTO-powered, geotechnical rig is set up for auger, core and rotary drilling, and includes a CME automatic hammer and a heavy-duty probe...

Walker receives a DeepRock.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... This DeepRock DR30A is being shipped to Joel Walker, Kittyhawk, N.C. The rig will be used to install shallow sand points; it was sold by Mike Beasley, DeepRock Mfg. Co. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Sweeney and higgins do business.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... Bill Sweeney of William Sweeney Inc., Key West, Fla., obtained this 1991 Gus Pech 1100C from Higgins Rig Co., Hodgenville, Ky. Sweeney's rig is equipped with 3-by-4 mud pump, grout pump and is mounted on 1991 International truck. ...

Higgins sells to Axiom.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... Jim Spillers of Axiom TP LLC, Woodlands, Texas, purchased this Wilson double-drum pulling unit from Higgins Rig Co., Hodgenville, Ky. This unit is equipped with a six-cylinder deck engine, 45-foot telescoping pole, and is mounted on 1984 Chevy...

A SEMCO for Eagle Well Service.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... Russel and Brandon Parson, and John Connelley of Eagle Well Service, Salyersville, Ky., are pictured with the company's new SEMCO rig. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Watson delivers a new rig.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... Watson Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, recently delivered a truck-mounted model 3110TM drill unit to Allen Drilling, Las Vegas. The 3110TM utilizes a 10-inch-by-8-inch-by-6-inch solid telescoping kelly bar installation, and is capable of drill depths...

Pocono Test Borings obtains an Acker.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... Pocono Test Borings & Drilling Co., White Haven, Pa., recently acquired a factory-rebuilt AD-II from Tom Miller, Acker Drill Co. Pictured with Miller (r) are Ray Sipple, Frank Sipple Jr. and Frank Sipple Sr. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Carver Logistics buys from Higgins.(TRADING POST)
August 1, 2006... Higgins Rig Co. sold this CME 750 all-terrain drill to James Honeycutt of Carver Logistics Inc., Norcross, Ga. This unit is equipped with a six-cylinder Ford gas engine, two hydraulic winches, and a 3L8 Monyo pump. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]