National Driller articles from June 2006

National Driller archives from June 2006

Our imaginary gasoline problem?(From Over the Transom)
June 1, 2006... A lot of hoopla about $4-a-gallon gas coming soon. Sadly, much of the debate is politically motivated. Sadder still--both the Democrats and Republicans are mishandling it. And the real head shaker: Some morons are protesting gas station owners...

Getting all "gilligan's island" on us.(From Over the Transom)
June 1, 2006... Preferred Pump & Equipment entertained more than 400 top customers and vendors as part of its annual Dealer Awards Program. Guests enjoyed a week-long Caribbean cruise on the "Mariner of the Seas," the newest and largest luxury cruise ship in...

Do water features aid healing?(From Over the Transom)
June 1, 2006... A new research project is underway to prove that water features in healthcare facilities can aid in the treatment of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The research initiative is being launched by Accents in Water, a firm that sells water...

Sticky gunk may be useful.(From Over the Transom)
June 1, 2006... A common bacteria that clings to the inside of water pipes is the strongest glue known to exist in nature and could be used for engineering and medical purposes, according to a recent Associated Press article on the Environmental News Network....

Legislative issues.(From Over the Transom)
June 1, 2006... Caroline Mims of our Florida office brings these two issues to our attention: Great Lakes Cleanup -- Acting under the authority of the Great Lakes Legacy Act, the Environmental Protection Agency has announced a new rule that will outline...

Our new Web address.(From Over the Transom)
June 1, 2006... Your favorite drilling magazine has a new Web address: www.nationaldriller.com (kinda makes sense, huh?). Don't worry if, by force of habit, you key in the old address--you'll immediately be redirected. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Kimmes-Bauer's customized rig.
June 1, 2006... If you're thinking about doing a complete rebuild on one of your drill rigs, Mike Miller has this to say: "It's extremely time-consuming; you probably will come across more headaches than you thought you would." Miller is a driller with...

Build your own pump test station.(Tech Topics)
June 1, 2006... You're a pump man: You install submersible pumps. Some of your jobs involve installing a new pump in a new well. Others are repair jobs, where you troubleshoot and repair or replace defective pumps. When your customers call and say they are out...

Let the buyer beware: introducing my nominees for the Marketing Chutzpah Hall of Fame.(Smart Business)
June 1, 2006... How is it that a species such as ours, one that can maneuver spacecraft on planets millions of miles away, that can probe the inside of atoms, that can mesmerize viewers/listeners/readers with artistic masterpieces, be so stupid as to fall for...

Achorn receives Premier Pump award.(BULLETIN BOARD)
June 1, 2006... Christopher Achorn (left), president of Premier Pump & Supply, Belmont, N.H., presented Andrew Spires with the company's 2005 "Larry E. Fisher" award for his excellence in salesmanship, professionalism and dedication to the customer. The award...

Axel Johnson buys Kinetico.(BULLETIN BOARD)
June 1, 2006... Axel Johnson Inc., the Stamford, Conn.-based North American operating arm of the Sweden-based Axel Johnson Group, announced that it is acquiring Kinetico Inc., manufacturer of residential, commercial, industrial and municipal water treatment...

A lesson learned about change orders.(HORRORS!)
June 1, 2006... Contractor: Shore Drilling Inc., Oceanport, N.J. Project: Install one 40-foot, 4-inch well down-gradient of contaminated gas station Location: Northern New Jersey Conditions: 94 degrees F, 94 percent humidity Drilling method:...

Boulders pose challenge to piling job.(On the Job)
June 1, 2006... The construction of Serendib Flour Mills' mill buildings and silos at the northern end of Colombo Port in Sri Lanka required the installation of 634 32-inch piles. The contractor, Sincon International Ltd., commenced the project using a Bauer...

Industry office program.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING INDUSTRY SOFTWARE)
June 1, 2006... Nevada Computer offers WaterFlex for Windows. This software features the ability to create detailed work orders, comprehensive customer service and billing histories, equipment tracking and equipment service histories, and specialized reports...

Workflow-based software.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING INDUSTRY SOFTWARE)
June 1, 2006... Welldreams is a workflow-based software designed to eliminate paperwork and reduce your back office time by more than 50 percent. The software allows you to access historical well data, quotes and build intelligent quotations. You can build...

Directional drilling program.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING INDUSTRY SOFTWARE)
June 1, 2006... PathTracker 4.0 from PG2, is a Microsoft Windows 16-bit software program developed by Onscreen Software Solutions for the directional and horizontal drilling industry. PathTracker computes the location of the bottom of a wellbore based on...

Analysis application.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING INDUSTRY SOFTWARE)
June 1, 2006... Waterloo Hydrogeologic Inc. has released HydroGeo Analyst, version 3.0, an all-in-one information management solution designed for professionals working on ground water and environmental resource management projects. HydroGeo Analyst provides...

Company management system.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING INDUSTRY SOFTWARE)
June 1, 2006... Geographic Insights' WellMagic is a drilling company management system designed to allow users to manage all aspects of their businesses, including estimating, work orders, invoicing and well logs. Information never is entered twice. WellMagic...

Service management.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRILLING INDUSTRY SOFTWARE)
June 1, 2006... SERVICE FIRST! On-Demand from KRS Enterprises Inc. is a Web-based dispatching and service management application for managing the entire front office of your drilling business. Using a simple Web browser, you and your team have secure access to...

Irrigation well basics.
June 1, 2006... Effective irrigation is not possible without a reliable water source. Irrigation wells must produce a high volume of water during the driest months of the year, July and August. To maintain consistent, high production from year to year, a well...

An especially interesting experience.(HORRORS!)
June 1, 2006... This story stands out in my memory, not so much for its successful outcome, but for the strange circumstances involved. In June of 1998, I received a call from someone who wanted me to locate a water supply on some property in northern...

Associations collaborate on irrigation.(BULLETIN BOARD)
June 1, 2006... The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) and the Irrigation Association (IA) have signed an agreement that will support efforts to address mutual areas of interest such as scientific, technical and policy issues related to ground water and...

Selecting the best Web host for your business.
June 1, 2006... It may seem simple, yet it often is overlooked. When it comes to choosing the right Internet hosting provider for their Web sites, the majority of business owners or companies know very little about making the best Internet/Web hosting...

My downhole disaster story.(Porky's Hole Thoughts)
June 1, 2006... I can say that I never lost a foot of drill stem or tools in the hole over my years of drilling. Many times, however, I should have left the tools in the hole due to the time, dollars and jobs lost recovering the tools. My most memorable...

The big turnover.(The World According to Wayne)
June 1, 2006... I'm contributing to the down-hole disasters theme this month. I usually try to stay on a lighter note, but this happened to me in 1976, and is a good example of a combination of Murphy's law and human error. Our industry is dangerous enough,...

Had no sleep, but several visitors.(HORRORS!)
June 1, 2006... My "job from hell" was a week long--or, more precisely, exactly 120 hours long. Anyone who has started a business knows that in the early days, you have a lot of long hours and sleepless nights. This particular job was during my first winter in...

Composite-constructed units.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER TANKS)
June 1, 2006... A WellMate water tank features a high-density, corrosion-proof composite construction. From the high-density polyethylene inner liner to the fiberglass-wound and epoxy resin-sealed outer shell, a WM-Series well pressure tank contains no steel,...

Diaphragm hydro-pneumatic tanks.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER TANKS)
June 1, 2006... ELBI's TOP-PROtector series of hydro-pneumatic water well tanks come with a true deep-drawn design with one single-body weld. In these DWT series tanks, there are no inner domes to limit the diaphragm's expansion, therefore, the maximum...

Steel pressure tanks.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER TANKS)
June 1, 2006... PRO-Source PLUS heavy-gauge, steel pressure tanks from Pentair Water are designed and manufactured for lasting durability. The electrostatically applied polyester paint gives an appliance-quality finish that resists nicks and corrosion. The...

Lightweight tank line.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER TANKS)
June 1, 2006... Tank Depot's fresh water tanks are designed to store potable water for residential and commercial applications. The polyethylene resin complies with U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations for storage of potable water. Tank Depot's water...

Enhanced tanks.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER TANKS)
June 1, 2006... The new Goulds Pumps Hydro-Pro tanks now feature the following enhancements: a polypropylene injection-molded liner to ensure that water will not contact metal, a stainless steel system connection for optimal corrosion resistance, and a 125-psi...

Fiberglass water system tank.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER TANKS)
June 1, 2006... Flexcon Industries has developed a fiberglass water system tank to include a patented controlled action diaphragm (CAD) system--the FL Series. The new Flex-Lite tank uses the latest CAD design that Flexcon first introduced in Well-Rite steel...

Storage tanks.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER TANKS)
June 1, 2006... Perma Tank offers diaphragm, glass-lined, galvanized and large storage tanks from 2 gallons to 12,500 gallons. For added control, the company's products can include the Protector, which provides both pump control and protection. Perma Tank,...

Corrugated tanks.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER TANKS)
June 1, 2006... BH Tank Inc. manufactures pre-assembled corrugated tanks with capacities up to 15,000 gallons. The company offers complete delivery and installation services using its own equipment or specialized carriers throughout the United States and...

Well tanks.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE: WATER TANKS)
June 1, 2006... Well-X-Trol announces its most comprehensive well tank offering. With sizes up to 119 gallons, the company offers models designed for constant pressure systems, outdoor applications and underground installations. NSF 61-certified, Well-X-Trol's...

One of the worst jobs I won't soon forget.(HORRORS!)
June 1, 2006... It was early August when I got a call from a customer who had no water. We went to check out the site, and determined the well is not producing enough water. We concluded that we could deepen the well rather than drill a new one--we would be in...

About lost circulation problems.(Drilling Fluids)
June 1, 2006... Almost every drilling contractor, at one time or another, has experienced the aggravation of loosing return flow. One minute the penetration rate is good and drilling seems to be going as planned, and the next minute, it is as if the bottom...

Water grant legislation introduced in N.M.(BULLETIN BOARD)
June 1, 2006... New Mexico lawmakers are sponsoring legislation, authorizing the Water 2025 grant program, as a way to provide communities and water systems with a means to gain federal assistance for projects related to water conservation, water-use...

Aquatech USA.(BULLETIN BOARD)
June 1, 2006... Billing itself as "The Water Opportunity Show," WQA Aquatech USA 2006 took place Mar 27-31 in Rosemont, Ill. The show is all about customized water--whether it's drinking water in a home or restaurant, softened water for cleaning dishes, scale...

Another solid great lakes show: Michigan Ground Water Association's annual expo.
June 1, 2006... The Michigan Ground Water Association (MGWA) hosted its 78th annual convention and trade show in Grand Rapids, Mich., March 28-29. Despite the sluggish state economy, the association held its own: 600 industry members attended the two-day...

Piqua Petro receives a Pulstar.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... Piqua Petro Inc., located in Piqua, Kan., takes delivery of its new Pulstar P12000 pump hoist it purchased through Venture Drilling Supply, Tahlequah, Okla. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Please send Trading Post submissions to National...

SIMCO sells to LM Engineering.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... LM Engineering Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., recently purchased a new SIMCO 2400 SK-1 drilling rig for geotechnical and environmental drilling. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

American Water Well buys from Kyle.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... Randy Alleman, American Water Well, Agua Dulce, Calif., bought this 8K pump hoist from Kyle Equipment Co. Corner-mounted on an F-550, this truck features the aluminum flat bed option. Also included is the aluminum Space-Pak storage system. ...

Perini acquires a SIMCO.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... Perini Management Services Inc., Framingham, Mass., acquired this 2400 SK-1 mounted on a SIMCO 3800 trailer with a complete tool string from CME. This rig will be doing geotechnical/environmental drilling in Iraq. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Mathers Environmental Drilling chooses AMS.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... Mathers Environmental Drilling, Houston, purchased this new AMS PowerProbe VTR-s, which it picked up at the 2006 Neilson show in Tampa, Fla. This is the second AMS PowerProbe the company has added to its fleet. Pictured from left to right are...

Andres & Mooney purchases a Pulstar.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... Bob Mooney of Andres & Mooney Electric, Andover, N.J., recently visited Pulstar Mfg. to pick up the company's new Pulstar P12000 pump hoist. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Energy Systems obtains a DeepRock.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... This track-mounted DeepRock DR 150, sold by Mike Beasley, DeepRock Manufacturing Co., was delivered to Energy Systems, Pensecola, Fla. A wide rubber track with low ground PSI was requested for drilling closed loop geothermal wells on the beach...

Higgins and Haynie do business.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... Higgins Rig Co., Hodgenville, Ky., sold this Gardner Denver 1000 to John Haynie, Haynie Leadership Group Inc., Decatur, Texas. This drill is equipped with 580/50 compressor, 5-by-6 mud pump, 7 1/2-inch table, Groutmaster pump and is mounted on...

A SEMCO for the Simpsons.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... Phillip and Renee Simpson, Wittmann, Ariz., pick up their new S6000 SEMCO pump hoist. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Technical Drilling and Blasting buys another Tamrock.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... Technical Drilling and Blasting Co., United Arab Emirates, has acquired its fifth Tamrock Ranger 700-2 surface drill rig in less than three months, bringing its total Tamrock fleet to 11 rigs in five years. The new rig features a rear-mounted...

Kaderabeck takes delivery.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... Earth Exploration Equipment Inc., East Haddam, Conn., delivers a newly painted 1998 Simco 2400 DrillTeam Probe to Kaderabeck Co., Miami. A custom skid base was fabricated, a 3L6 progressing cavity pump was added, and then the complete unit was...

D & L Thomas delivers to all About H2O.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... All About H2O, Chepachet, R.I., takes delivery of a 1989 ReichDrill from D & L Thomas Equipment Corp., Spofford, N.H. Pictured from left to right: Dwayne Koprusak, Ray Dew of D & L Thomas, and owners Melissa and John Koprusak. ...

Anderson purchases from Douglas Drill.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... Anderson Well Drilling, Amelia, Va., accepted delivery of its new REICHdrill T-650-W LEGEND 4 from Douglas Drill Services Inc. at the Virginia Water Well Association show in Roanoke, Va. Pictured with the drill are Jeff Muren and Scott...

Abyss Management gets a DeepRock.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... This DeepRock DR 20 rig, sold by Mike Beasley, DeepRock Manufacturing Co., is being prepared for delivery to Abyss Management Friendswood, Texas. The rig will be used for dewatering. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Rone Engineers works with Rig Source.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... Dennis Taylor, Rone Engineers Ltd., Dallas, receives the company's "like new" D-120 drill rig, which is mounted on a Mack truck. The unit was fully refurbished by Rig Source Inc. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Higgins ships to Honduras.(TRADING POST)
June 1, 2006... Higgins Rig Co., Hodgenville, Ky., sold this Ingersoll-Rand T3 to Juan Jose Ruiz, Perforaciones Jaro, Honduras. Ruiz's rig is equipped with a 900/150 compressor, 8V71 Detroit deck engine and is mounted on a 1970 CCC. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...