National Driller articles from July 2005

National Driller archives from July 2005

From over the transom.(For Openers)
July 1, 2005... Money for Water Wells [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The final rule on the Household Water Well System (HWWS) Grant Program officially took effect recently. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has issued...

Drilling industry in crisis.(From the Green Jackets)
July 1, 2005... Our livelihood is threatened and we are in jeopardy of losing the domestic well market--and have ourselves to blame. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rural water lines are spreading like wildfire throughout the countryside. Many reasons are...

Mud school dates are set.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... Wyo-Ben Inc., Billings, Mont., has announced the dates for its 2005 Mud School--September 12-16, 2005. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The weeklong session includes plant and mine tours of the bentonite facilities in Wyoming, hands-on work in...

Meet Miller the Driller.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... The Geodrilling 2005 tradeshow took place May 18-19, in Derbyshire, England. On hand at the H & F Drilling Supplies booth was legendary Swedish drillmaster, Miller the Driller, to dispense advice and guidance to visitors on a wide range of...

Franklin sponsors lecture.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... Franklin Electric Co., manufacturer of submersible electric motors, has agreed to underwrite the next three years of the William A. McEllhiney Distinguished Lecture Series in Water Well Technology. The lecture series was established in 2000...

Geysers project awarded.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... The Santa Rosa Geysers Recharge Project received the Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence from the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) as an example of "innovation and leadership in the water community." The City of Santa...

Charity golf tournament.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... The Water For People organization's charity golf tournament, presented by RE/MAX International Inc., takes place Monday, Aug. 22, in Sedalia, Colo., at the renowned Sanctuary Golf Course. Space is limited and sponsorships are offered on a...

Water infrastructure woes.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... With water becoming a scarce commodity, the aging U.S. water infrastructure is a cause for much concern. Although government spending in this sector is substantial, the infrastructure requires urgent restoration for compliance with updated...

Coming events.(Calendar)
July 1, 2005... JULY 15-16 Empire State Water Well Drillers Summer Meeting Bluff Point, N.Y. Phone: 315-339-8960 www.nywelldriller.org 20-24 Texas Water Quality Association Convention & Expo The Woodlands, Texas Phone:...

Weatherford to buy Precision Drilling and energy divisions.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... Weatherford International Ltd. announces that the company has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Precision Drilling Corp.'s Energy Services Division and International Contract Drilling Division. Under the terms of the agreement,...

3M buys Cuno for $1.3 billion.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... 3M Co., the maker of Scotch tape and Thinsulate fabrics, has agreed to buy the manufacturer Cuno Inc. for nearly $1.3 billion in a move that broadens its line of filtration equipment. 3M also will assume about $60 million in net debt in the...

Purchase the right estimating system.
July 1, 2005... We had just settled into our new house and were ready to paint. The bedroom walls were pink and we decided on white. No problem. The previous owners left lots of white paint they had purchased from a discount hardware store. Did I say no...

Variable frequency drives (VFDs)--Part 2.(Tech Topics)
July 1, 2005... Last month, we began a discussion on variable frequency drives (VFD) with a look at how three-phase AC-induction motors work and how they are controlled by a VFD. We learned the speed at which a three-phase motor runs is determined by the...

Memories are made of whatchamacallit.(Smart Business)
July 1, 2005... In a perfect world, doing quality work would convince people to beat a path to your door. In the real world, you have to scratch and claw for every advantage [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] People have all sorts of horror stories about...

Arsenic removal projects.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... Carollo Engineers, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., has been selected by the Awwa Research Foundation (AwwaRF) to implement two significant arsenic removal research projects. The first of these projects, titled, "Unintentional pH...

Water trust fund hearing.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... The House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee's June 8 hearing included testimony by Water Infrastructure Network (WIN) member organizations regarding a new dedicated trust fund for clean water. The U.S. Environmental Protection...

"Exhibitor's choice".(Product Showcase)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... Intended to be a preview of the trade show floor, the products featured here are among those you can look forward to seeing at this year's South Atlantic Well Drillers Jubilee in Myrtle Beach, S.C. An array of items from rigs to check valves is...

Stockholm Water Award bestowed upon P & G.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... The Proctor & Gamble (P & G) Co. has been awarded the 2005 Stockholm Industry Water Award in recognition of its development of the PUR--Purifier of Water drinking water treatment system for households not served by a potable water supply...

The geothermal industry beckons--Part 2: drilling for geothermal projects offers a solid opportunity.
July 1, 2005... Direct-exchange (DX) and water-sourced geothermal air conditioning and heating systems usually run about the same installed cost, and several thousand dollars more than a conventional, air-to-air heat pump. Though, with DX you'd see much better...

Drilling in Alaska: missile silo project.
July 1, 2005... Although the Cold War has long since ended, the threat of attack on the United States by long-range ballistic missiles remains real. In addition to the recognized nuclear powers of the world, numerous other countries have ballistic missiles,...

Garden to clean water, air: Milwaukee gets $100,000 grant for rain garden project.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... The city of Milwaukee is using a $100,000 grant from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 to demonstrate how turning pavement into an area of native plants and vegetation could help lessen urban stormwater runoff, improve water...

Mountain Hydrofracture joins the party--Part 2.
July 1, 2005... Editor's note: In Part 1 of this article, we introduced Mike McGinn of Mountain Hydrofracture in Blue Ridge, Ga. We pick up here with McGinn discussing his firm's relationship with area drilling contractors. McGinn stresses, "We like to be...

A history of well construction and related matters.
July 1, 2005... The watering place always has been the focal point of life on earth. First animals and then humans clustered around their source of fresh water. Both animals and humans can exist for weeks without food, but without water, life ceases within...

Pentair's new Asian Pacific post to John Ma.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... Pentair announces that it has named John Ma president of the Asia Pacific region for the Pentair Water Group. This newly created position will report to Pentair vice chairman Richard Cathcart. "Pentair's water business continues to gain...

Severn Trent CEO to head coalition.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... Leonard Graziano, president and chief executive officer of water and wastewater services supplier Severn Trent Services, has been named president of the Water Partnership Council (WPC) for a one-year term. The Washington, D.C.-based WPC...

AWRA conference.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... The American Water Resources Association will hold its 2005 Annual Conference in Seattle, Nov. 7-10. For complete details, telephone 540-687-8390 or e-mail info@agwa.org.

House panel approves funding.(Legislative Update)
July 1, 2005... The House Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee marked up 2006 spending legislation to include $850 million each for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF). The bill also would provide $2.4 billion for...

EPA drops its blending policy.(Legislative Update)
July 1, 2005... Based on review of all public comments and congressional hearings, EPA will not finalize the sewage blending policy as proposed in November 2003. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To provide clarity in the ways peak waste-water flows are handled,...

Water-use rules are overturned.(Legislative Update)
July 1, 2005... The Oregon State Court of Appeals recently overturned state rules on ground water-pumping rights in the Deschustes River Basin. The rules were adopted by the state Water Resources Commission in 2002. An environmental coalition, headed by...

Water protection proposals.(Legislative Update)
July 1, 2005... Nine environmental organizations have created a package of water protection proposals and promised a renewed lobbying effort on its behalf, saying the state of Michigan had failed to honor a promise to regulate water withdrawals made in 1985...

Desalination legislation.(Legislative Update)
July 1, 2005... Legislation to increase the federal government's role in developing desalination plants as part of a solution to America's growing water supply crisis has been introduced for the first time in the U.S. Senate, and identical legislation has been...

Additional monitoring funds allocated by EPA.(Legislative Update)
July 1, 2005... The EPA is awarding additional water quality monitoring funds to each state, American Indian tribes and interstate agencies involved in establishing and implementing water pollution control programs. The funds are awarded under the Clean Water...

Australian show scheduled.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... The inaugural Construction & Mining Expo (CME 2006), which takes place April 6-8, 2006, at an outdoor venue, will be the largest event in Western Australia dedicated to the construction, mining and allied industries. The event is staged only...

Treatment firm sold.(NewScope)
July 1, 2005... PURE Bioscience, a maker of products in the water treatment and bioscience sectors, has announced that it has signed a contract to sell its water treatment division for $2,375 million. The contract is with Maryland-based Innovative Medical...

Equipment maintenance problems and solutions.(Porky's Hole Thoughts)
July 1, 2005... With today's technology, the instruction and parts manual included with new equipment is one of the most important pieces included. Some manufacturers include two complete sets of manuals, one for the office and one for the rig. Take care of...

Rig maintenance.(The World According to Wayne)
July 1, 2005... My editors asked me to write something this month about rig maintenance, so I thought I'd pen a few words on the subject to make them think I was being responsible before I wander off into one of my usual stories. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Using drilling foam to increase production.(Drilling Fluids)
July 1, 2005... No matter what kind of drilling fluid you are using, the purpose for using it and the functions the fluid and additives must perform remain the same. A short list of what we need drilling fluid to do: * Suspend and remove cuttings as the...

NDWAC's security road map.
July 1, 2005... Water and wastewater utilities now have an official security road map that identifies key features and measures along with a plan to encourage their implementation. Approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) National...

Ekco and Flatwater Fleet do business.(Trading Post)
July 1, 2005... Ekco Drilling, Elko, Nev., has acquired a new RST-Rig Supplier from Flatwater Fleet Inc. This 2,500-gallon unit is loaded with a custom headache rack, custom vertical cabinets and custom heavy-duty, folding, rear tailgate that is lockable in...

Carson Water Well takes delivery.(Trading Post)
July 1, 2005... Carson Water Well Specialist of Warrington, Pa., receives a 6T Smeal from Drillers Service Inc., Hickory, N.C. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Kent obtains another Schramm.(Trading Post)
July 1, 2005... Shown with their new Schramm T450MILA Rotadrill are Bob Kent and son Bobby, Kent Well Co., Wrenshall, Minn. The new mud rotary rig, equipped with a 5-by-6 mud pump and 15-pipe lazy susan carousel, will complement their Schramm T450WS air rig....

Higgins sells to Miller.(Trading Post)
July 1, 2005... Higgins Rig Co. of Hodgenville, Ky., has sold this 1972 Speedstar drill rig to Barry Miller of Hillsboro, N.H. Miller's three-line Speedstar is mounted on a trailer. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Bomber Oil purchases a Pulstar.(Trading Post)
July 1, 2005... Bomber Oil, Parker, Kan., recently visited the Pulstar Mfg. facility in Dodge, Neb., to pick up its new Pulstar P12000 pump hoist. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Mid America ships to Earl's.(Trading Post)
July 1, 2005... Earl and David Muffette of Earl's Well Drilling, Summerfield, Fla., take delivery of a QuickDrill 600 that they purchased from David Owens of Mid America Drilling Equipment. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

ADT works with D & L Thomas.(Trading Post)
July 1, 2005... Joe Miranda and Derek Walker of Aquifer Drilling and Testing (ADT), New Hyde Park, N.Y., recently purchased a new Schramm T450WS with enhanced rod-handling system. This new Schramm--the second one for ADT--was modified to accommodate the...

Rabold buys a used rig through Higgins.(Trading Post)
July 1, 2005... Chuck Rabold, Cam Well & Pump, Hernando, Fla., purchased this 1996 Speedstar SD300 from Higgins Rig Co., Hodgenville, Ky. Rabold's rig was completely refurbished and painted. It is equipped with a 750/300 compressor, 5-by-6 mud pump, four...

Atlas Copco marketplace.(PREOWNED EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2005... 1998 IR T4W S/N 6314 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mounted on CCC powered with a Cummins 300 HP LT10 engine, 8 speed Fuller transmission, jake brake, QSK19C 600 HP deck engine, HR2.5 1070/350, worm gear head, std pullback, 18 GPM Bean water...