National Driller articles from December 2008

National Driller archives from December 2008

We're going with you.(For Openers: News and Notes at Press Time)
December 1, 2008... There are significant factors at work--some obvious, others more subtle--that are causing a lot of drilling professionals to look at markets outside their historically tried-and-true experiences as a way to keep their companies healthy and...

New infrastructure resource.(For Openers: News and Notes at Press Time)
December 1, 2008... ADSC: The International Association of Foundation Drilling has published Infrastructure: Evaluation, Maintenance and Repair, written by ADSC vice president Tom Witherspoon, a noted foundation contractor, engineer and researcher. Witherspoon...

Next EPA chief?(For Openers: News and Notes at Press Time)
December 1, 2008... President-elect Barack Obama is strongly considering environmental lawyer and advocate Robert Kennedy Jr. to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to political columnist Juliet Eilperin on washingtonpost.com. Other names...

Online CEUs.(For Openers: News and Notes at Press Time)
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The oft-cited pain-in-the-butt factor has been eliminated in Texas. Water well drillers, pump installers and apprentices in the Lone Star State now can complete their continuing education requirements online. Simply...

We've got mail--philanthropists seek assistance.(For Openers: News and Notes at Press Time)
December 1, 2008... Next to HIV/AIDS, waterborne bacteria from unsafe drinking sources are a leading killer in Tanzania, particularly for children who have not yet developed immunity to these bacteria. We invite you, as professional water well drillers, suppliers...

Crazy horse sculpture taking shape.
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sixty years ago this coming year marks the first blast on what, some day, will be one of the world's largest sculptures. No one is ready to predict a completion date, but with updated equipment, the sculpture...

Master the art of listening: there's a reason why the best salespeople talk only 10 percent of the time.(Smart Business)
December 1, 2008... Last month's article dealt with the art of asking questions as a way to build knowledge of customers' wants and needs. There is a second part to that equation. Asking all the right questions will get you nowhere unless you develop careful...

Single-phase electrical components: the fundamentals of pumped water systems.(Tech Topics)
December 1, 2008... During the next few months, we will focus on the electrical side of pumped water systems. We'll start by looking at the components in two-wire and three-wire single-phase systems, explaining the purpose, function and options available for each....

TJM handles HD 110 rigs.(BULLETIN BOARD)
December 1, 2008... TJM Inc., headquartered in Aliquippa, Pa., is the exclusive full-service distributor of the German-designed-and-engineered HD 110 hydraulic crawler drill rigs for the eastern United States. The HD 110 compact rigs can be tested at TJM's...

New digs for Atlas Copco.(BULLETIN BOARD)
December 1, 2008... Atlas Copco Compressors LLC recently opened a new distribution center in Rock Hill, S.C. The facility is staffed by more than 30 full-time employees, who manage the shipping of an average of 1,000 orders each day. The opening of the new...

E&L Drilling sets new depth record.
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Western Pennsylvania long has been a leader--with many firsts--in the energy industry. Oil in the United States was first discovered there, and the first commercial well was drilled in Titusville in 1859. Now coal...

Studies begin on pipeline proposals.
December 1, 2008... TransCanada Pipeline USA recently filed a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) permit application for the proposed Pathfinder Pipeline Project and for Northern Border Pipeline Co.'s Bison Pipeline Project. A TransCanada subsidiary...

Desalination research.(BULLETIN BOARD)
December 1, 2008... The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has received $2 million from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund to establish a desalination and water management research program that could lead to commercial ventures and help solve water scarcity...

Trading post.
December 1, 2008... Please send Trading Post submissions to National Driller, Attn: Lisa Schroeder, 1050 IL Route 83, Suite 200, Bensenville, IL 60106 E-mail: SchroederL@bnpmedia.com. [Entries will be run on a space-available basis.] Heartland Drilling...

Coming events.(Calendar)
December 1, 2008... December 2-5 NGWA Ground Water Expo Las Vegas 800-551-7379 www.ngwa.org 16-17 Franklin Electric FranklinTech Three-Phase Seminar Wilburton, Okla. 800-348-2420 www.franklin-electric.com January 5-7 Idaho Ground Water...

The bucket drilling method.
December 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The bucket rig is a form of the rotary drill rig. It uses mechanical or hydraulic drive to rotate a kelly, which is attached to the bucket. This type of rig normally will utilize a square friction-type or round...

Surviving a recession: keeping profits up when the economy is down.
December 1, 2008... Recession, the "R" word--it's everywhere. You can't surf through MSNBC, CNN or even the local news without hearing a reference to the mortgage crisis, rising energy prices or falling consumer confidence. But recession does not have to be a...

Assorted rig maintenance tips.(The World According to Wayne)
December 1, 2008... With winter headed our way, a lot of us--especially the guys up North who usually shut down--are starting to think about maintenance and upgrades during our slow season. Of course, the drillers in the South run year 'round, so they get to work...

Partnering for marketing power.(Drilling Fluids)
December 1, 2008... Times are hard right now, or different, to say the least. You've considered renaming your company AIG Drilling (to see if you can ride on the coattails of the bailout), but thought better of it in the end. So, what can you do in slow times? ...

Rig maintenance and repair.(Porky's Hole Thoughts)
December 1, 2008... In October this year, I called on drillers in northwestern Pennsylvania, many of them rotary and cable-tool drillers. Most of the rotary drillers are the younger generation. I was surprised at how many cable-tool drillers there are in this part...

Three simple money-saving ideas.("Let Me Tell Ya")
December 1, 2008... Dear friends, I have to start this article with a confession that I misled you in my last article, which appeared in the October issue of National Driller. In the last paragraph, I promised that, in this article, we would complete the well we...

Accolades for aquifer remediation project: USGS recognized for improving a contaminated Montana aquifer.(BULLETIN BOARD)
December 1, 2008... The Department of the Interior recently honored a team of USGS scientists and collaborators with the 2008 Environmental Achievement Award for the significant improvements they made to a contaminated aquifer in northeastern Montana. The...

Auger drilling safety guidelines.
December 1, 2008... Auger drilling uses direct power to rotate (screw) flighted augers into the ground. Drill rigs must have kill switches in operable condition. Familiarize yourself with their location and operation. At least two persons must be present when...

What's new in 2009.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
December 1, 2008... Christmas is coming, and it's time to tell Santa what you'd really like for the coming year. Companies from across the industry have submitted their new releases and product upgrades. Whether you're looking for a new drill, new pump or new...

Successful IGSHPA conference.
December 1, 2008... For those who attended the 21st annual International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) conference in Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 1-2, news accounts of the energy credits tied to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 were the...

A boost to geothermal: long-term tax incentives set for residential geothermal heat pumps.
December 1, 2008... The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, H.R. 1424, which recently became law, contains long-term tax incentives to encourage the use of renewable energy technologies in homes and businesses. The bill includes geothermal heat pumps in...

Super-geothermal systems research.(On the Job)
December 1, 2008... The Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP) is a consortium formed to investigate the economic feasibility of producing energy and useful substances by drilling down deeper into geothermal systems--down to what are known as "supercritical...

Atlantic Drill hire.(BULLETIN BOARD)
December 1, 2008... Atlantic Drill & Equip-ment Co., based in Wood-stock, Va., recently hired Ridley Judd as its new inside sales representative. Judd has more than 14 years of experience in the foundation drilling industry, including expertise as a purchasing...

New digs for RMG and GES.(BULLETIN BOARD)
December 1, 2008... Rocky Mountain Geothermal Inc, Rocky Mountain Geo-Drill and Geo-Energy Services LLC relocated on Oct. 1. The new address for Rocky Mountain Geothermal is 14250 E. Easter Place, Unit B, Centennial, Colo. 80112; the new address for Geo-Energy is...

Water research center moves.(BULLETIN BOARD)
December 1, 2008... The Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health has signed an affiliation agreement with the Institute for Public Health and Water Research (IPWR) that calls for the institute to relocate to the school's College Station...