National Driller articles from August 2008

National Driller archives from August 2008

Water well drilling industry statistics.(News and Notes at Press Time)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A brand-new report from IBISWorld concludes that revenue within the very mature water well drilling industry is volatile, reflecting wide annual fluctuations in the value of construction put into place of water wells...

Washington state seminars.(News and Notes at Press Time)
August 1, 2008... The Washington State Ground Water Association presents several educational opportunities this fall. The Annual Fall Convention being held Sept. 25-27 at the Mirabeau Hotel in Spokane will include classes for drillers and pump installers, along...

We've got mail.(News and Notes at Press Time)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Mr. Schmitt, Thanks for the cable tool column ("Another Seldom-used Drilling Method," June 2008). We drill a lot of small cable tool wells here. I didn't think it was unusual. We once did a lot of big cable...

Geothermal conference.(News and Notes at Press Time)(Conference news)
August 1, 2008... The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association's Technical Conference and Expo 2008 takes place Oct. 1-2 in Nashville. The ground source heat pump industry continues to grow through new technologies and industry training, and this event...

Pentair/GE joint venture.(News and Notes at Press Time)
August 1, 2008... Pentair Inc. and GE Water & Process Technologies have announced a joint venture to combine their respective global water softener and residential water filtration businesses. With the formation of this joint venture, "Pentair and GE expect to...

On the legislative front.(News and Notes at Press Time)
August 1, 2008... Passed on by the inimitable Caroline Mims: * The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing a rule to clarify that permits are not required for transfers of water from one body of water to another. Such transfers include routing...

Coming events.(Calendar)
August 1, 2008... AUGUST 25-26 NGWA Geothermal and Horizontal Drilling Forum Columbus, Ohio 800-551-7379 www.ngwa.org SEPTEMBER 7-10 WateReuse Symposium Dallas 703-548-0880 ...

Sealing the wellhead: the fundamentals of pumped water systems.(Tech Topics)
August 1, 2008... One of the most important factors when installing a water well system is to provide a method of protecting the wellhead so that surface water, debris, insects and vermin do not enter the well. There are two primary methods used to provide...

Speed-control product for pumps.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPS, TANKS & ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Grundfos CUE is the latest addition to an expanded line of speed-controlled pump systems for all submersible applications, such as municipal water supply, agriculture and irrigation. This new series of...

4-inch submersible motor line.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPS, TANKS & ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... ITT has expanded its line of CentriPro 4-inch submersible motors to include 1/2-HP to 5-HP single-and three-phase models. CentriPro motors feature all-stainless construction and built-in lightning and surge protection. CentriPro/ ITT, Card No....

Custom-programmed variable speed drives.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPS, TANKS & ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... ArtesianDrive is a custom-programmed variable speed drive from Flint & Walling Inc. that enhances the performance of standard centrifugal pumps. When applied to three-phase motor-driven pumps, ArtesianDrive eliminates pressure cycling. Based...

PVC tank tees and pressure relief valves.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPS, TANKS & ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Merrill Manufacturing offers Schedule 80 PVC tank tees and pressure relief valves. The company also manufactures brass and galvanized tees to fit unique installations. Merrill Manufacturing, Card No. 283

City water-pressure booster.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPS, TANKS & ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CITY BOSS from Lancaster Pump and Water Treatment is a city water-pressure booster system utilizing the MAS-CONTROL pump controller and a single-stage pressure-booster pump. The pump controller monitors both flow and...

Pressure switch.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPS, TANKS & ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Schneider Electric's Square D brand Pumptrol 9013FSG pressure switch offers a compact size with an accommodating electrical wiring channel and fast-on terminals to facilitate quick termination during production. In...

Check valves.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPS, TANKS & ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... Strataflo produces check valves with fully formed poppets to ensure a reliable, leak-proof seal. These valves use only 100-percent American-made components. Strataflo, Card No. 280 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Reverse osmosis system controller.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPS, TANKS & ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new model 250C reverse osmosis system controller from Electronic Systems Design Inc. is suitable for manufacturers of industrial and commercial water purification systems. The ESDI model 250C performs functions...

Prefabricated lift station.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPS, TANKS & ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Metropolitan Industries' prefabricated lift stations are complete pump systems with all the components required for continuous operation. Available in stainless steel, epoxy-coated steel or fiberglass, each lift...

Hydro-pneumatic water well tanks.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPS, TANKS & ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... Elbi TOP-PROtector series of hydro-pneumatic water well tanks come with a deep-drawn design with one single-body weld. Features include a heavy-duty butyl diaphragm, stainless steel water fittings and elbows, TOP-PRO corrosion-proofing, a...

Jet pump solution.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPS, TANKS & ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... Pompco inc.'s MJ model jet pump features a single-phase, J-face flange, 115-volt to 230-volt motor that comes with automatic thermal protection and a stainless steel shaft. Its stainless steel disc is built into the pump body to make...

Control valve.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPS, TANKS & ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designed to resolve backflow problems, the Hydro Surge control valve from American Turbine Pump is integrated into the bowl assembly. The Hydro Surge control valve simply slows the return rate of the fluid in the...

Tanks for corrosion-and chemical-resistance.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: PUMPS, TANKS & ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... Assmann Corp.'s horizontal tanks of high-density cross-linked polyethylene or FDA-compliant linear polyethylene are created for storing liquids. With capacities from 25 gallons to 2,500 gallons, these cylindrical horizontal tanks for corrosion-...

Sonic drilling accesses ore resources.
August 1, 2008... PROSONIC Corp. recently conducted a geological drilling project in northern KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. PROSONIC drilled unconsolidated sand dunes to define the existing titanium ore resource for Richards Bay Mineral (RBM), one of the largest...

Drilling contractor shaves $200,000 off project costs.(Foundation Drilling Topics)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Subsurface Constructors Inc., St. Louis, was selected to install the drilled shafts for Pinnacle Entertainment's $430 million downtown St. Louis casino, luxury hotel and parking garage. As part of its...

Titan installation school in Colo.(Foundation Drilling Topics)
August 1, 2008... In their quest to bring continuing education to their customers, ADSC associate members TEI Rock Drills and Con-Tech Systems Ltd. presented the fourth annual Titan Installation School June 4-5 at the TEI plant in Montrose, Colo. TEI holds...

New Con-Tech warehouse.(Foundation Drilling Topics)
August 1, 2008... Con-Tech Systems Ltd., has opened a new warehouse in Shafter, Calif. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The warehouse is equipped with two-strand production lines, and boasts an inventory of all strand accessories, and selected sizes of TITAN...

Industry icon Osterberg passes.(Foundation Drilling Topics)
August 1, 2008... LOADTEST's Jorj Osterberg died peacefully in his sleep June 1. Osterberg is best known as the inventor of the O-Cell. One of the true pioneers of geotechnical engineering, he is recognized for his innovations in soil sampling and testing...

Free Foundation drilling newsletter.(Foundation Drilling Topics)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We can help you stay on top of the most recent developments in the foundation drilling industry with our complimentary e-newsletter, The Foundations Report. Each month, we'll e-mail you the newsletter that keeps you...

World's largest hand-dug well.
August 1, 2008... The story of the world's largest hand-dug water well began in the 1880s when both the Santa Fe and Rock Island railroads were laying tracks across the plains of Kansas. A large supply of water was needed for the steam locomotives and for the...

Safety practices and techniques: Part 1 in a series of articles to help drillers enhance safety performance, environmental performance and overall project quality.
August 1, 2008... Environmental drilling can be performed safely with proper pre-fieldwork planning and proactive adjustment of planned safe work procedures to actual conditions in the field. As every experienced driller and environmental professional knows, it...

Defy the downturn with smart financial moves.
August 1, 2008... When the economy slows, any business owner can be proud to have a list of new drilling jobs lined up in advance. The problem, however, is that strong sales alone are no guarantee of financial health, because the first signs of a weakening...

Roller cone underreamers.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Recommended for soft- to hard-rock formations, the Mills Machine roller cone underreamer enlarges the borehole below the casing. It primarily is used to provide clearance for running casing, to obtain adequate...

Spinners.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... The original spinner from Rauch Manufacturing, the 512B, uses two hardened-steel serrated power rollers and one idle roller to handle sizes 2 3/8 inches to 7 1/2 inches. Included is a special spring counterweight system that helps reduce thread...

Single- and two-stage air boosters.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Keystone Drill Services LLC packages new Gardner Denver single- and two-stage air boosters with rated discharge pressure up to 2,500 psi. Mounted on a heavy-duty oilfield skid, these units feature Gardner Denver...

Inertia-welded drill pipe and accessories.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] tube technologies inc. manufactures inertia-welded drill pipe and other drilling accessories, such as subs, drill collars, stabilizers, drillable casings and ground anchors. The company creates products for the water...

Product for well development.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... Dry Acid is a member of the Cotey Chemical Corp. family of products. Dry Acid develops new wells to their maximum flow capacity by breaking down mud-cake produced during drilling, removes clays, shales, drilled cuttings and commercial drilling...

Fixed-cutter drill bits.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Torquato Drilling Accessories' Silver Bullet PDC bits are designed for fast penetration in limestone, sandstone dolomite and shale. These fixed-cutter drilling bits shear away rock, allowing operation at faster...

Automatic drop hammer.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Geoprobe Systems' DH100 automatic drop hammer conforms to ASTM Standard D158699, and mounts on most Geoprobe trackmounted machines. All moving hammer components are enclosed for operator safety. The DH100 operates at...

Ground protection mats.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Alturnamats ground protection mats are used by drillers to prevent rigs from getting stuck in mud, sand or soft terrain. These 1/2inch thick polyethylene mats also serve as a working platform around the drilling...

Product/water interface meters.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For accurate measurements of floating product and ground water levels, AMS Inc. offers interface meters. These meters provide an accuracy of up to 1/400th of a foot. Features include a zero-displacement element for...

Booster compressors.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... Ring Power Corp. carries Hurricane booster compressors for purchase and/or rent. Intended for drilling applications where extra pressure is required to drill deeper and more efficiently, Hurricane booster compressors are designed for the most...

Drilling lube.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Merrill Manufacturing provides Copper 31 Bucket, a drilling lube commonly used for heavy-duty oil drilling, and now for water well drilling. Also available is a Merrill Copper Lube. The products come in any size or...

Well construction tool.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... The Solinst Tag Line provides a simple method to accurately measure the depth of a backfill layer, or depth to well bottom during construction. It uses a weight attached to a durable stainless steel wireline, in lengths up to 1,000 feet, and is...

Portable Roadway Systems.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SVE Portable Roadway Systems Inc. provides TrakMats, a ground cover mat system for moving vehicles across terrain, and preventing ground damage or stuck equipment. The 100-percent HD polyethylene plastic will not rot...

Continuous-flight augers.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] DrillingWorld manufactures continuous-flight augers on automatic welding machines, providing strong uniform welds. High-chromium hardfacing also is automatically applied. These continuous flight augers are available...

Casing installation tools.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... The short-profile 48-inch casing driver model DND VH 6-12 from Drill an Drive Inc. installs 6- to 12-inch casing simultaneously as drilling takes place. The tools utilize the rotation and down-pressure of the drill stem to provide hammer impact...

Trailer-mounted mud system.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mud Technology International's newest offering in its line of drilling fluid mixing, cleaning and pumping systems is the MCT1000 HVU large-capacity and volume, trailer-mounted mud system. This mobile unit is designed...

Track-conversion system.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... Intended for use when work site access is critical, Mattracks' model 200 series track-conversion system is engineered to operate in all seasons, in all types of terrain and under the worst traveling conditions. The 18-inch-wide rubber track...

Centralizer and spacer systems.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... KwikZIP produces inert centralizer and spacer systems for use with all types of casing, pipe and screen, including PVC, steel, fiberglass, gravel-packed screen installations and monitor wells. The systems are designed for rapid on-site assembly...

Drilling and repair tools.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] J&K Tool Co. offers tools for drilling and repair. The Kwik Klamp 1 or 2 can be used on PVC, stainless and galvanized pipe. The company also manufactures PVC casing elevators for bell-end pipe sizes 1 inch to 16...

Grouting materials for geothermal applications.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... Thermal Grout Lite and Thermal Grout Select by GeoPro Inc. were designed specifically for the geothermal heat pump industry. These two products are thermally enhanced grouting materials for geothermal applications. They can be mixed to achieve...

Water level indicator.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... The Heron Water tape water level indicator is used for measuring the depth of water in wells, boreholes and standpipes. The Water Tape will signal water with a bright LED light and solid tone buzzer, allowing the user to make water-level...

Large-diameter borehole camera.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Suitable for use with all types of casing, pipe and screen, this large-diameter borehole inspection pan-and-tilt zoom camera from CCV Engineering & Manufacturing Inc. has a maximum outside diameter of 4 1/4 inches....

Drill rods.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... Kingsland Drill specializes in drill rods for all applications, whether you are drilling 60 feet or 6,000 feet deep to provide water, a sound foundation, blasthole or gas well, straight holes or directional. Kingsland Drill International, Card...

Stakes for underground line identification.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING ACCESSORIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Almetek Industries offers E-Z Smart Stakes for underground line identification. Designed to allow the clear marking of pre-excavation sites, E-Z Smart Stakes help reduce errors by clearly identifying the proper...

More about cable-tool drilling.("Let Me Tell Ya")
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] My last comment to you readers in the June issue was to work safely, that you did not need any injuries. I don't know what things are like where you are, but here in southern Michigan, we're getting "injured"--big...

Diversity--a new way of thinking.(The World According to Wayne)
August 1, 2008... In 40-plus years in the drilling business, I've certainly see my share of changes in the industry. I can remember taking all winter to drill one well with a 36L Bucyrus, and watching those holepunchers with their new-fangled rotary rig, rig up...

Problems experienced with cement as a grout.(Drilling Fluids)
August 1, 2008... Many drillers who have used cement as a grouting material have had problems that have cost them time and money. Here are a few of the problems that have been experienced with cement grouts. Heat of hydration occurs as part of the curing...

Home again.(Porky's Hole Throughts)
August 1, 2008... Bess and I recently returned home to Oklahoma to attend the Marshall School alumni function. We went to Marshall to visit some old friends, Ernie and Verba Vculek. Ernie used to work for my dad, managing and maintaining several oil leases near...

Unique jet grouting project.
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Warnerville Pumping Station in Queens was commissioned by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection as part of the area's new combined sewer overflow system. In early 2007, Nicholson Construction...

Our age of safety enlightenment: jobsite safety results from a mindset--and from economic incentives.(Smart Business)
August 1, 2008... After graduating high school more than four decades ago, I went to work in a factory for a little more than a year. Despite the passage of so much time, one co-worker remains etched in memory as a grotesque reminder that the good old days...