National Driller articles from July 2002

National Driller archives from July 2002

Drillers' confidence remains both stalwart and realistic. (For Openers).(industry forecasts for this year)(Brief Article)(Column)
July 1, 2002... While the term "normal" remains difficult to gauge pre cisely these days, it's something that many people look forward to going back to -- even if they can't explain exactly what they mean by it right now. The first lesson here is don't feel...

What Boyle's Law means to you. (Tech Topics).(Brief Article)(Column)
July 1, 2002... In this month's column, we'll cover how to use Boyle's Law to calculate the amount of usable water in a captive air tank. The drawdown capacity of a captive air pressure tank is determined by a formula known as Boyle's Law. Simply put,...

Never work on Easter Sunday. (Porky's Hole Thoughts).(personal industry-based narrative)(Brief Article)(Column)
July 1, 2002... Howard "Porky" Cutter When I was much younger, my When dad and I -- doing business as H. E. Gutter & Dad Drilling Go. out of Enid, Okla., and Alma, Ark. -- were drilling some 3,000 fencepost holes on the Little Rock Strategic Air Command...

Godard joins Drilling Techniques. (New Scope).(Cleon Godard to be manager and national sales manager)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Drilling Technique LTD is pleased to announce that Cleon Godard has joined the company and will assume dual responsibilities as both manager of DTL's new piling division and national sales manager. Godard has filled numerous roles in the...

Ground Water Institutes for our Teachers. (New Scope).(training plan)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Ground Water Institutes for Teachers is an innovative two-day training program the American Ground Water Trust developed to help educators increase their understanding of ground water science and water resource issues. It has only been in the...

New core logging system. (New Scope).(oil drilling)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Australian scientists have developed what is believed to be the worlds first automatic system for mapping the minerals in drill cores, with potential to save the mining industry millions of dollars. The new rapid core logging system...

New digs for Bit Brokers. (New Scope).(Bit Brokers International)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Bit Brokers International has a new facility on its 20-acre site in Logan, Ill. It was built like a home - with a full kitchen and offices and conference room. The shop/warehouse is self-contained with bathrooms and offices and is attached to...

Microbes to clean up ground water. (New Scope).(Dow Chemical Co. to help clean up San Francisco Bay ground water)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Marking the end of a five-year lawsuit. Dow Chemical Co. has announced its plan to contribute $3 million for San Francisco Bay protection while it also cleans up ground water contamination at its nearby Pittsburg plant, according to a report...

Scientific drilling grants. (New Scope).(for Syracuse University, the University of Minnesota-Duluth, the University of Rhode Island and the University of Arizona from National Science Foundation)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Researchers from four universities have been awarded a $2-million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) program to take to the next level the scientific drilling of large lakes for paleoclimate research. The Global Lake 800 Drilling...

Put some magic in your business. (Marketing Strategies).(planning)
July 1, 2002... I would be suspicious if someone offered to give me some magical powers, particularly if it was supposed to help my business. Nevertheless, I have discovered a technique that will, without a doubt, improve your chances of accomplishing more of...

The art of the deal, such as it is: 'intense negotiations' between drillers eventually result in used rig transaction. (The World According to Wayne).(Wayne Nash narrative)(Brief Article)(Column)
July 1, 2002... I've written before about buying or selling a used rig, covering a lot of the things to look for in the mechanics of the rig, but there is one very important part that I left out -- the human dynamic between the buyer and the seller. I'm not...

Another MTBE ban. (New Scope).(methyl tertiary butyl ether, Kentucky)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Kentucky is the latest state to ban MTBE, with its restriction set to begin Jan. 1, 2006. The legislation is part of SB 13, designed to promote Kentucky-grown ag products. It also encourages ethanol use in place of MTBE after Jan. 1, 2004, and...

Drinking water systems improved. (New Scope).(Virginia Department of Health awarded financing by Environmental Protection Agency)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... The EPA has awarded an $11.1-million low-interest loan to the Virginia Department of Health to improve drinking water systems and protect drinking water supplies. The state will contribute $4.5 million in matching funds. The money will be...

Children's Water Festival sets attendance record. (New Scope).(Orange County, California)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... This May, in celebration of Water Awareness Month, the Orange County Water District (OCWD), the Blue Planet Foundation, the OCWD Groundwater Guardian Team and the Disneyland Resort hosted the Sixth Annual Children's Water Education Festival....

Museum marks launch pad of Black Gold Rush.(Drake Well Museum, Titusville, Pennsylvania)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Although many of have dried up, and big hitters Quaker State and Pennzoil have left the vicinity, Oil Creek Valley has not stopped paying homage to the slick stuff that gave the region a jolt of life and wealth beginning in the mid 1800s. In...

How many monitoring wells will be enough? (Kwader's Corner).(oil and gas field maintenance)(Brief Article)(Column)
July 1, 2002... Twenty years ago, three wells were a bout all you needed to monitor almost anything -- a gas station or a 20-acre landfill, one upgradient and two downgradient. There is no doubt that many sites still don't have enough monitoring wells to...

Ground water level monitoring - Part 2: essential components of water level monitoring programs.(wells)
July 1, 2002... Before discussing the uses and importance of long-term water level data, it is useful to review essential components of a water level monitoring program. These include: selection of observation wells, determination of the frequency of water...

6- and 8-inch hammers. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Delivering a remarkable rate of penetration (ROP), Halco's new Deep Well 600 and Deep Well 880 hammers have completed an exhaustive 18-month test market and now are available nationwide. While this rate should not be considered typical, a ROP...

Flexible water supply system. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Grundfos introduces a new renewable energy source-driven solution to the world water supply market. Grundfos' SQFlex pumping system represents a reliable, affordable alternative for those living in remote locations. As the name SQFlex suggests,...

Innovative dudes. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Be sure to visit the two most innovative dudes to hit the drilling industry in years! Many have met Rupe, and they are extremely happy. When you meet OTTO, you too will get excited! Stop by booth C-1 at the Myrtle Beach Jubilee, meet your new...

Augers offered. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Mills Machine Co. manufactures for stock and custom applications all types of earth drilling augers, bits and related products. Auger types include hollow stem, solid flight or construction augers, HexBore augers, and threaded jet augers for...

Well brush. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Cotey WELL Cleaning BRUSH is designed to agitate, surge and scrub simultaneously. It features interchangeable brushes that clean from 4- through 16-inch ID casing. The brush can be used in all types of water well casing, can attach to cable...

Drill pipe. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Talik Industrial Services Inc. manufactures drill pipe for construction or water well use. The competitively priced pipe is inertia (friction) welded and is constructed of grade E D.O.M. tubing. A variety of sizes, lengths are available -- the...

Hydraulic drive mud pumps available. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Centerline Manufacturing Co. 7 1/2 - by - 10 - inch hydraulic drive mud pumps are raising the standard in drilling fluid pumps. These high volume, high pressure, dimensionally smaller, less weight, positive displacement pumps now are...

4-inch submersible pumps. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Generation 5 high-flow 4-inch stainless steel submersible pumps from the A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. are available in 25-, 33-, 45-, 60-, 75- and 90-gpm flow rates, and Hp through 10 Hp. Features include 300 Series stainless steel intake and...

Lead-free valve. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Cycle Stop Valves Inc. introduces the new CSV1ZNL model. This model is lead free and has a 1-inch NPT female thread, as well as a standard 1 1/4-inch NPT male thread. There's still the same pump control expected with Cycle Stop Valves, and now...

Thread compounds. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Bestolife Corp. offers a broad range of thread compounds manufactured specifically for water well and monitor well applications. In addition to its standard lead-free and non-metallic formulas, Bestolife offers ECO-SIL and Copr Plus, which are...

Sloshing eliminator. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... Sloshers "baffle style balls" are an effective solution for eliminating sloshing in transportation tanks. Made by Park Plastic Products, Sloshers help increase vehicle safety, decrease vehicle maintenance and increase the life expectancy of...

PowerProbe 9630 Generation III. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... AMS introduces the new PowerProbe 9630 Generation III. The unit's sleeker design includes a metal power track, adjustable control panel, increased pull-up force, added safety features, a new pull yoke system and larger probe foot. Highlights...

Drill pipe compounds. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... KOPR-KOTE, Jet Lube's heavy-duty, environmentally preferred drill pipe compound, will be displayed at Booth No. 704. This Jet Lube premium drill pipe compound formula is designed to provide maximum protection against galling and seizing under...

Bentonite grouting material. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... TD-16 from Wyo-Ben Inc. is a one-step coated granular bentonite grouting material designed to achieve low permeability seals in water wells, geotechnical borings and heat pump holes. It achieves a range of solids contents, 16 percent to 20...

Bentonite grouts. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... CETCO's bentonite grouts are designed to exceed specialty and traditional sealing demands. Geothermal Grout has been reformulated to help provide optimum performance of closed-loop heat systems. Special-ized Grounding Grout provides conductive...

Wholesale distributor. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... Preferred Pump & Equipment is a leading wholesale distributor of products specializing in domestic water well systems and irrigation in the United States. The company sells a complete line of products to water well drillers, pump installers,...

Portable pump puller. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... Pul-A-Pump's patented design provides high performance in a portable pump-pulling device. Built-in features allow efficient, one-man operation. A unique belt drive mechanism affords continual automatic adjustment to varying diameters of...

Trailer-mounted washers. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... Marchman Chemical Products Inc. has been a leader in the hot and cold water pressure washer business for many years. The company carries several different lines of cleaning equipment and can work with you to meet your needs in the cleaning...

Compression Couplings. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... Designed for quick connections and easy system modifications in a broad range of applications, Spears Compression Couplings easily install by simply sliding nut over pipe, slip on gasket, then insert into body and tighten nuts. New body design...

Constant water pressure. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(advertisement)
July 1, 2002... Franklin Electric's SubDrive 75 is the next generation of the CP Water family of products. It combines the reliability of standard pumps with electronics technology to provide well. owners constant water pressure. By continually adjusting pump...

Small diameter hardfacing wire offered. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... HARDERN-Helle CRC2, a high chromium hardfacing wire, now is available in 0.045-inch diameter. With lower current and amperage requirements, it is a potent alloy against severe abrasion. It produces a steady arc with very low spatter and little...

Water Shut-Off Tool. (Product Showcase: Exhibitors' Choice).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Reed Manufacturing Co. has manufactured high quality pipe tools and vises since 1896. Reed introduces the new Standing Shut-Off Tool for compressing 3/4- to 1-inch PE tubing. This tool, shuts off the flow of water and features a 30-inch handle...

Acquisition strategies for contractors.
July 1, 2002... Acquiring a business has become the preferred method for growing a contracting firm; however, the odds of making a successful acquisition are no greater than 50 percent. The failures have many causes but usually can be traced to buyers ignoring...

5 keys to success in the contracting business: you need to think like a business owner, not a craftsman. (Smart Business).
July 1, 2002... It's tricky to generalize about what makes a successful drilling contractor because there are so many different facets to the business. But when I think about contractors I've met from all different trades and try to identify characteristics...

2002 Jubilee Exhibitor List.(Directory)
July 1, 2002... 2002 Jubilee Exhibitor List Company Booth Number A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. 526 Acker Drill Co. B-3 Aermotor c/o...

EPA proposes a new pollution trading program. (Legislative Update).(Environmental Protection Agency)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Bush Administration recently proposed a pollution trading system that would allow U.S. farmers, municipal sewage plants and others to swap federal credits awarded for improving water quality beyond what is required by law. Industrial and...

National water policy introduced. (Legislative Update).(Representative John Linder introduces bill)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Rep. John Linder, Ga., recently introduced legislation to create a presidential appointed commission to recommend how to better capture and store fresh water, fund public works projects, improve water shortage technologies and ease the federal...

Bill provides water well loans. (Legislative Update).(Affordable Drinking Water Act of 2001)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... President Bush signed the $190-billion farm bill that contains an amendment authorizing a program of loans to low-to-moderate-income households. The amendment, the Affordable Drinking Water Act of 2001, authorizes $10 million for grants...

Water Investment Act approved. (Legislative Update).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee recently approved the Water Investment Act. The bill authorizes $20 billion for clean water projects, such as wastewater treatment plants, $15 billion for safe drinking water projects such as...

Water bond vote. (Legislative Update).(funds would be used to restore the Sacramento Delta)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... According to the San Diego UnionTribune, a $3.4-billion water bond will be voted on by California voters this November. The bond would authorize $825 million for CalFed, the joint statefederal agency charged with restoring the environmentally...

Drought legislation introduced would lessen severity of losses. (Legislative Update).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... U.S. Senator Pete Domenici, N.M., recently introduced the National Drought Preparedness Act of 2002 to implement a cohesive policy to lessen serious economic and environmental losses that often accompany droughts. The bipartisan...

Governor signs water rules that will impact two states. (Legislative Update).(rules signed by Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating will affect Oklahoma, Arkansas)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating recently signed new water pollution standards that will affect the state of Oklahoma, along with the state of Arkansas. The rules restrict the level of phosphorous in Oklahoma's six designated scenic rivers to...

Aquifer study endorsed. (Legislative Update).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The U.S. House of Representatives Resources Committee has endorsed a bill that directs the Interior Department to conduct a study of an aquifer in northern Idaho and eastern Washington. The bill, which will go to the House floor for...

Congress passes bioterrorism bill. (Legislative Update).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2002 recently was passed by Congress. The $4.6-billion bill is designed to better prepare America for bioterrorist threats or other public health emergencies by improving America's...

EPA adjusts arsenic rules. (Legislative Update).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... A plan being endorsed by the EPA's National Drinking Water Advisory Council will permit small water systems carrying up to 20 parts per billion (ppb) of arsenic to put off complying with EPA standards for 14 years and allow larger systems with...

Hammer and bit trends, Part 2.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The hammer and bit and tri-cone bit markets are working double shifts lately. Suppliers are not content to simply work hard to get sales volumes back to previous peak levels; they're doing as much, if not more, to keep advancing the technology,...

Reverse circulation for seismic retrofit project. (Drilling Fluids).(AGRA Foundation Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Unique drilling procedures were developed by AGRA Foundation Inc. of Richmond, Calif., for the seismic retrofit project on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge spanning between Contra Costa and Marin Counties in the San Francisco Bay area. The...

Proper workplace values. (Portfolio: The Business Management Files).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... A sense of values is important to a healthy firm, and William LeMoult, professor of law and management at New York's Pace University, has some advice on how to keep these values instilled at your company. Values should be simple and easy...

A rainbow of currency. (Portfolio: The Business Management Files).(U.S. Treasury works to prevent counterfeiting)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... Imagine opening your wallet and seeing a pale yellow $20, a baby blue $50, or maybe even a lavender Benjamin. The idea isn't that farfetched. The U.S. Treasury Department recently testified before Congress about the need to change U.S....

Looking forward to Jubilee. (47th Annual South Atlantic Jubilee).
July 1, 2002... It's South Atlantic Jubilee time and that means drillers from all across the United States are heading for Myrtle Beach, S.C., for the South Atlantic Well Drillers Jubilee. Beginning on July 27, there will be four days of continuing education...

Know your competition. (Portfolio: The Business Management Files).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Two old friends are hunting out in the forest when they encounter an ill-tempered and hungry grizzly bear. One of the men pulls his running shoes out of his backpack and tightly laces them. His friend is incredulous and asks, "Do you really...

Let the phone cool off until the afternoon. (Portfolio: The Business Management Files).(people tend to be willing to listen longer in the afternoon)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... A supplier screwed up on your order for the second time in a row. Or, perhaps, an owner is upset with you about some minor problem and you need to smooth things over. You might want to consider making those kinds of tough phone calls after...

7 keys to sales success. (Portfolio: The Business Management Files).(tips for those of us involved in or impacted by sales )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Nationally recognized sales and management consultant Tim Conner offers the following tips for those of us involved in or impacted by sales -- that, of course, means everyone in the organiztion. * Anything offered for sale needs selling to...

Motivation through boredom. (Portfolio: The Business Management Files).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Can't get yourself motivated to crank out all that paperwork? Keep putting off getting the warehouse organized? Here's a friendly tip for all of us procrastinators out there: Bore yourself to death. That recommendation comes from Jeff Mayer,...

Artificial whitewater river for Paris.(recent opening of a water stadium )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... With the recent opening of a water stadium in the northwest corner of the greater Paris area, a place known for refined art and culture is getting wet and wild with a whitewater slalom course. The stadium uses water diverted from the...

Program encourages proper medicine disposal. (New Scope).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The prevalence of pharmaceuticals in drinking and source water is a hot topic of late in the United States. Earlier this year, the U.S. Geological Survey unveiled the first-ever study of pharmaceuticals, hormones and other organic waste...

Horizontal environmental wells -- Part 2: well design and drilling.
July 1, 2002... After an environmental remediation method or combination of methods is chosen, the horizontal well itself must be designed. Design criteria for a horizontal well include well screen location (including screen depth and length), screen size...

The changing face of continuing education. (Guest Editorial).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Not so long ago, continuing education was an optional activity in the water well industry. Early in it's history, the Jubilee offered educational courses. Shortly after it's inception as the National Water Well Association, the National Ground...

Flatwater and Mountain do business. (Trading Post).(Mountain Hydrofracture takes delivery of Flatwater Fleet well system equipment)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Jeff Holloway, owner of Mountain Hydrofracture, Morganton, Ga., is pictured taking delivery of his new WFT-VVell Frac system from Flatwater Fleet, Saginaw, Minn. The system includes a hydrostatically driven Frac-Pump that delivers both high...

Gordon & Sons gets new Schramm. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Gordon & Sons Water Well Drilling of Tipton, Mich., recently took delivery of a new Schramm T450MII Rotadrill. The rig is equipped with a 750/250 compressor, a 4-by-3-by-13 centrifugal mud pump and is mounted on a Sterling LT9500 truck with a...

Rowland travels to Pulstar for delivery. (Trading Post).(Rowland Pump Co., Pulstar Manufacturing Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Rowland Pump Co. of Chatfield, Minn., was recently at Pulstar Mfg. Inc., Dodge, Neb., to pick up its new Pulstar P12000 pump hoist.

Valley acquires drill from Higgins. (Trading Post).
July 1, 2002... This 1978 Ingersoll Rand TH60 has been purchased by Rick Palmer of Valley Well & Pump Service, Wasilla, Ark., from the Higgins Rig Co., Hodgenville, Ky. The drill is equipped with a 750/250 compressor and is mounted on a 1978 International...

Valley purchases second flatwater Rig Tender. (Trading Post).(Valley Drilling Corp., Flatwater Fleet)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Dennis Singhas, owner of Valley Drilling Corp., Upperville, Va., has purchased his second RTT-Rig Tender from Flatwater Fleet, Saginaw, Minn. Pictured taking delivery is driller Dewey Powers and his son Johnny. The 2,100-gallon unit includes a...

Daniels accepts drill from Spike's. (Trading Post).(Michael Daniels, Spike's Rig Sales)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Michael Daniels recently took delivery of a Mayhew 500 from Spike McMichael of Spike's Rig Sales, a company with offices in Oil City, Pa., and Marco Island, Fla. The drill will be used for water well drilling in Patterson, Ga., and the...

Clay Earle picks up Pulstar. (Trading Post).
July 1, 2002... Pictured proudly taking delivery of his new Pulstar P7000 pump hoist from Pulstar Mfg. Inc., Dodge, Neb., is Clay Earle of Clay Earle Water Well Drilling, Yantis, Texas.

Fourth Driltech for Virdell from Rock Drilling. (Trading Post).
July 1, 2002... Rock Drilling Supply Inc., Georgetown, Texas, has sold Taylor Virdell another new D25KW Driltech, making it the fourth Driltech that Virdell Drilling has purchased from the company. Pictured are Taylor (left) and Johnnie Armstrong, owner of...

SEMCO pump hoist for Hazelwood. (Trading Post).
July 1, 2002... Shown picking up a used S6000 SEMCO pump hoist are Richard and Travis Hazelwood of Keller, Texas. The pump hoist was sold by SEMCO of Lamar Inc., Lamar, Colo.

North Central sells to Sargent. (Trading Post).(North Central Manufacturing, Sargent Irrigation)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Sargent Irrigation of Broken Bow, Neb., has taken delivery of a 3,200-gallon DRSB from North Central Manufacturing of Saginaw, Min. The service body has underbody toolboxes, rear-folding man platform and custom front vertical cabinets.

J & R buys from Independent. (Trading Post).(J and R Drilling, Independent Well Rig and Supply)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Thanks to the sales efforts of Jim Price of Independent Well Rig & Supply, Mt. Pleasant, Mich., a used 1979 SIMCO 5000WS now belongs to J & R Drilling of Grimes, Iowa.

Higgins supplies Fetterolf with drill. (Trading Post).
July 1, 2002... Higgins Rig Co., Hodgenville, Ky., sold this 1979 DSI Quikdrill to Bennie Ferterolf, Topping, Va. His drill is equipped with a 220/125 Leroi Compressor, 5-by-6 Gardner Denver mud pump and is mounted on a 1985 International 1900 truck.