National Driller articles from September 2002

National Driller archives from September 2002

Well abandonment using chipped bentonite.
September 1, 2002... While there are subtle differences from state to state, this article, provided though the courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, offers sound general work practices regarding the decommissioning of unused wells. Chipped...

One man's experience at the rescue. (For Openers).(Frank Sonnie)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... As a human being, I quite naturally was most happily relieved that Sunday morning last month when word spread that those trapped miners finally were rescued. As the editor of National Driller, I was delighted that the drilling industry...

If I knew then what I know now. (Marketing Stratagies).(effectiveness of business plans)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... My parents traveled from country to country looking for a place they could call home. Fortunately, my uncle married an American teacher while living in Italy, which allowed him to move to America. He sponsored my dad, his brother, to relocate...

Ground water level monitoring -- Part 4.(history of observation wells in the US)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The severe drought of the 1930s in much of the United States created widespread concern that declining water levels in wells and diminished flow of springs may be warnings of the eventual exhaustion of the nation's ground water supplies. During...

It's the little things that count: the Internet has made customer care more important than ever. (Smart Business).(Angie's List, a customer satisfaction organization)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Angie's List is a consumer organization that collects customer satisfaction ratings on local service companies in more than 250 categories--everything from plumbing to piano tuning to pet sitting. Formed in 1995, it is organized in 13 cities...

Drilling fluids recycling for large HDD rigs. (Drilling Fluid).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... As larger and more sophisticated HDD rigs become available to contractors, increasingly larger projects are being completed. The combination of these larger projects and better drilling fluid practices add up to contractors getting a lot more...

Water well rehabilitation technology.
September 1, 2002... The American Ground Water Trust is presenting an educational workshop addressing practical, cost-effective solutions to water well problems. This valuable program takes place Oct. 1-2 in Cincinnati. The workshop's focus is on explaining...

Management skills. (Portfolio).(ranking of importance)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The College of Business at Georgia State University conducted a survey in which high-performing companies were asked to rank the most important management skills by degree of importance. The results, in descending order: 1) Control 2)...

Tip for your marketing materials. (Portfolio).(how people read advertisements)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Eye movement research by Gallup Applied Science communicates how people read promotional materials, what draws their attention and what keeps it. By knowing how people read print advertisements, you are better prepared to come up with sales and...

Shorter vacations are in vogue. (Portfolio).(survey by the American Productivity and Quality Center)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... There was a time when management annoyed the workers by not letting them take two-week vacations. These days, however, employees wouldn't want to take two weeks off anyway. Nearly 80 percent of the people responding to a survey conducted by...

Look to the future. (Portfolio).(American Express survey of small business planning)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Small business owners are so wrapped up in the daily perations of their firms, they often are neglectful of long-term planning. That's one of the conclusions of an American Express survey. Other findings: * Fifty-seven percent of...

Billboards on wheels. (Portfolio).(effectiveness of)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2002... Research indicates that advertisements on trucks do a good job getting people's attention. A pre- and post-test were conducted at a mall asking respondents to name the 26th president of the United States. Only 20 percent of the people...

Wish them the best. (Portfolio).(what to do when employees resign)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... You can offer a great wage and benefits package, a terrific work environment and be the best boss in the world, but it's still going to happen--you're going to lose some extremely valuable employees along the way. While losing key people...

Boost your reputation. (Portfolio).(research by Texas A and M and Duke Universities on customer service)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... If you're looking to improve your firm's customer service reputation, you needn't perform miracles. Just be sure that you deliver the basics that customers rightfully expect and deserve. Researchers from Texas A&M and Duke Universities, in...

Don't worry about it. (Portfolio).(survey on uselessness of worrying)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2002... We hear from stress management experts (notice how the words "management" and "stress" are right next to each other?) that, on average, only 2 percent of a person's worrying time is spent on things that might benefit from worrying. The...

Once again, drillers rise to the challenge.(9 miners rescued at the Quecreek mine,Somerset, Pa.)
September 1, 2002... Everyone who has ever drilled a hole knows the coal mine rescue at the Quecreek mine near Somerset, Pa., was more than nine guys coming out of a hole in the ground 250 feet deep. The chain of events that fused this rescue together can only be...

Where we're at these days. (The World According to Wayne).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... By the time you read this, I hope things have improved, but, right now the stock market is below the post 9/11 low, and the war on terror drags on with little result. The rocket scientists in Congress are using this as an excuse to dip in our...

SEMCO pump hoist for Gutierrez. (Trading Post).
September 1, 2002... Picking up his new 56000 SEMCO pump hoist is Chris Gutierrez and his son of Gutierrez Pump Service, Sabinoso, N.M. The pump hoist was sold by SEMCO of Lamar Inc., Lamar, Colo.

Komarek gets Schramm from Boart Longyear. (Trading Post).
September 1, 2002... Boart Longyear recently sold a new Schramm 450WS to Komarek Well Drilling, Westboro, Wis. Ron Komarek is pictured with his fifth Schramm rig, which is equipped with an air-operated casing hammer.

Grela receives Pulstar from D&L Thomas. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Larry and George Grela of Terryville, Conn., took delivery of this 2002 P12000 Pulstar pump hoist from D&L Thomas Equipment Corp., Spofford, N.H., earlier this year at the New England Water Well Association's Spring Expo in Marlborough, Mass.

Roarke buys a Kyle 8K pump hoist. (Trading Post).(Roarke Well Drilling)(from Kyle Equipment)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Chuck Crover of Roarke Well Drilling, Hariman, N.Y., has purchased an 8K pump hoist from Kyle Equipment, Sterling, Mass. The pump hoist consists of a pump pulling crane with 8,000-pound pull, 120-ft./min. line speed and 360-degree continuous...

Hall's purchases rig from Rotary. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Sales representative Charles H. Rockett of Rotary Drilling Equipment Inc., Olyphant, Pa., recently delivered a new Driltech Model T25K5W to Larry Hall, owner of Hall's Well & Pump Co. in Lovingston, Va. Proudly picking up the rig are Larry...

Caldwell picks up number four from 2-M. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Caldwell Drilling of Moriarity; N.M., recently added rig number four to its fleet. Wes Caldwell proudly displays the newest edition to his Speedstar family, which he purchased from the 2-M Co. of Albuquerque, N.M. This new deep-hole Speedstar...

Bertram and North Central do business. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Bertram Drilling of Billings, Mont., has purchased a DRSB 2000 from North Central Manufacturing, Saginaw, Minn. The service body includes night work lights, water pump, rear work platform, welder rack and vertical torch toolbox.

Penn Diamond obtains unit from Independent. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... A used 1991 Mobile B-47HD is now in the hands of Ted Hemlock of Penn Diamond Products, Peckville, Pa. Jim Price of Independent Well Rig & Supply, Mt. Pleasant, Mich., sold the unit.

Launching the next generation: leadership development, strategy and succession planning.
September 1, 2002... Determining who can take over a company and how to transfer ownership are the most obvious questions to ask when contemplating the sale of a contracting business. However, to ensure the ongoing health of the company after the transfer, other...

KS Bit moves up from modest beginnings. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... To say KS Bit Service Inc. has come a long way from its humble beginnings is an understatement. KS owner Ken Sentel recalls just how humble. Back in 1982, Sentel started the business under a shade tree outside his home in rural southern...

Ingersoll-Rand; Total Depth: totally revealed! (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... While continually upholding the 100+ year tradition to be "The standard by which all others are measured," Ingersoll-Rand engineers have created the first two DHD models in the Total Depth series. The Total Depth Models TD60 and TD65 deliver...

CETCO offers the world drilling expertise. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Formed in 1991, CETCO is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amcol International Inc. (formerly American Colloid Co.) and provides value-added products and an integrated problem-solving approach to the several construction related and environmental...

AQUA-CLEAR PFD increase well yield. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... A drilling contractor requested assistance for a well development problem of insufficient production in Lompoc, Calif. This was a municipal well. The well geometry and screen configuration is as follows: Total depth: 185 feet ...

Foremost drills shine in diverse product portfolio. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Foremost Industries )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... What does Foremost Industries do? To people in the water well business, Foremost is probably best known for its unique line of Dual Rotary (DR) drills that simultaneously advance drill string and casing. Geotechnical and environmental...

WELL-X-TROL Professional line of pre-pressurized tanks redefines the industry. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(AMTROL Inc)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The WELL-X-TROL Professional line of pre-pressurized well tanks from AMTROL Inc. has redefined the industry with its advanced engineering and innovative product design, including sealed-in air charge and unique water chamber design. With proven...

Grundfos SQFlex system delivers reliable water supply to wells at remote locations. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Grundfos USA)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... SQFIex, an innovative water supply system introduced earlier this year by Grundfos USA, has received strong acceptance, the Olathe, Kan.-based manufacturer reports. The SQFLex system can be configured to operate off a 1,000-watt wind...

It's all about customer satisfaction at Bit Brokers. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Bit Brokers International is one of- the most well respected companies in the drilling industry. The president and founder, Tim opened for business in 1988 with the inspiration for the company to become everything it's known for today. It...

CertainTeed pledges quality and satisfaction. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... "Quality Made Certain--Satisfaction Guaranteed"--subsequently shortened to CertainTeed--was George M. Brown's slogan when he went into the asphalt shingle business in Illinois back in 1904. Since then, CertainTeed has expanded to more than 40...

Cycle Stop Valves leads constant pressure technology. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Experience proves Cycle Stop Valves is still the leader in "constant pressure" technology. When we say Cycle Stop Valves beat variable speed pumps and other types of control valves, we speak from experience. Countless successful...

Ingersoll-Rand equipment & services co. Rotary Drill reconditioning center. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The Ingersoll-Rand Rotary Drill Re-marketing Group, headquartered in Clarks Summit, Pa., is supplying quality, pre-owned rotary drilling equipment for all sectors of the drilling industry. The facility is especially suited to accommodate the...

Atlas Copco Construction Mining Technique USA Inc. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Atlas copco--Providing Drilling Equipment to the American Mining and Construction Industry for More Than 50 Years Atlas Copco Construction and Mining USA Inc. provides the construction and mining industries with state-of-the-art surface and...

Tident advances the cable tool industry. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Trident Tool Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... From its beginning in 1962, Trident Tool Inc. of Front Royal, Va., has been developing drilling innovations for the cable tool industry. Having developed over eight different carbide cable tool bits, as well as several tools to increase...

Schramm Inc. continues the tradition of innovative drill designs. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
September 1, 2002... Schramm Inc. is a Philadelphia-area company founded in 1900 by Chris D. Schramm. From its West Chester, Pa., location, Schramm has produced over 3,000 drills serving the water well, geothermal, blasthole, shallow oil and gas, mineral...

Drilling Supply and Manufacturing. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
September 1, 2002... Supplying drill rig replacement parts has been the specialty of Drilling Supply and Manufacturing (DSM) since it first opened its doors in 1977. Today, it is not only known as a supplier of essential replacement parts, it is also known as a...

CME exceeds customer expectations. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
September 1, 2002... Central Mine Equipment Co. (CME) was founded in St. Louis in 1928. Our initial product line included augers, cutters and related accessories for the coal mining industry. In 1962, we introduced our first drill rig, the CME-55. Today, our...

Performance Alloys wages war against wear. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Performance Alloys Corp. has been dedicated to the battle on wear caused by abrasion, impact and corrosion since its inception. It produces a line of hardfacing products that have proven to be the finest available in North America. What started...

Centerline creates New Mud Pump Prom a Simple Concept. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... What could be simpler? Make a mud pump that uses hydraulic cylinders to drive the fluid end pistons back and-forth to pump the drill fluid. Ask any engineer, could there be a more obvious and simple way to make a compact and lightweight pump?...

Washington provides industry with quality rotating diverters. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Washington Rotating Control Heads Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Washington Rotating Control Heads Inc., Washington, Pa., was founded in 1973, realizing there was a critical need in the drilling industry for a compact, easy-to-service rotating diverter. Our company's goal was to ensure a safe working...

GEFco delivers rigs to suit your needs. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(George E. Failing Co., )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... GEFco--the George E. Failing Co., founded in 1931--was built around the ideas of innovation, customer service and, most importantly, listening to the customers in the industry. This still stands true today as the company manufactures rigs with...

The Hydro-Frac evolution continues. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Kyle Equipment Co.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... In early 1981, Charles Kyle, owner of Kyle Equipment Co., was selling parts for drill rigs when one of his customers, Arthur Rollins of Chas M. Rollins Well Drilling, asked if he had heard of this process called hydraulic fracturing--more...

Flexibility keys Epley's advantage. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Epley Enterprises Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... So you find yourself digging in some particularly nasty volcanic rock. Repeated efforts net the same results--your bits walking like a crab in boogie shoes. Where can you turn? Well, last June a driller found himself in this very situation...

Flatwater fleet's well rehabilitation system. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Company Profile)
September 1, 2002... Flatwater Fleet is a company devoted exclusively to designing, engineering, manufacturing and servicing equipment and tools for the drill rig support and well rehabilitation needs of our customers. We are located on U.S. Highway 53,10 miles...

Versa-Drill--world's most advanced drill technology. (2000 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Versa-Drill division of Laibe Corp., headquartered in Indianapolis, manufactures a complete line of state-of-the art water will drills and a unique sonic drill model. Since the Versa-Drill division's founding in 1991 by Mark Laibe,...

Merrill continues its expansion. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Merrill Manufacturing Co.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Merrill Manufacturing Co. was founded in 1949 by Mr. Noel Merrill Anderson in a one-car garage in Des Moines, Iowa. Mr. Anderson started the company with his invention of the Merrill Any Flow Frost Free Yard Hydrant. The original marketing area...

Halco showcases new products. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Halco America Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Halco America Inc. recently unveiled two new products destined to cause a stir in the drilling industry--the fast, cost-effective Deep Well hammers and the Storm 500, an innovative step in the hard rock directional drilling market. ...

Drilling Equipment Sales Inc. keeps on growing. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
September 1, 2002... Drilling Equipment Sales Inc., located in Hickory, N.C., was started by Jeff Jacomine in 1994. Initially starting in a home office, Drilling Equipment Sales Inc. has moved twice in two years to aid the growing business. We now occupy a 17,000...

Flomatic leads the way for valve products. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Flomatic Corp. )(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
September 1, 2002... Flomatic Corp. is a dedicated valve manufacturer producing valve products in a size range from 1/4 inch through to 20 inches in various configurations and models, with exports to more than 40 different countries. Located in upstate New York,...

Ingersoll-Rand designs improved performance and efficiency into its popular T3W water well drill. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Ingersoll-Rand offers four primary product offerings in its water well drill group: these include the T2W, TH60, T3W and T4W The complete line gives drillers model offerings capable of handling down-hole-drill (DHD) hammer sizes for drilling...

DeepRock manufacturing boasts innovations. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Founded: 1962 Accomplishments: Drilling rigs currently in all 50 states and over 100 foreign countries Purpose: Form a working relationship with each driller and help all of them become successful Scope: 15 basic rigs with...

SEMCO Inc. sells Pump Hoists. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Toano Buys New S6,000 SEMCO Pump Hoist SEMCO Inc. has sold an S6,000 SEMCO Pump Hoist to Toano Well & Pump Service Inc., 103 Warrens Pond Rd., Toano, Va. The pump hoist has 12,000-pound capacity, 44-foot derrick, direct-mount PTO, remote...

Mills Machine upgrades production capabilities, lowers cost and increases inventory. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... For years, Mills Machine Co. has prided itself in being able to provide solutions for unusual drilling problems with our custom manufacturing capabilities. Now with the recent addition of computerized production machinery Mills Machine is...

Laibe Corp. -- total commitment to service and support. (2002 Manufacturer Spotlight).(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
September 1, 2002... Laibe Corp., located in Indianapolis, celebrated its 40th anniversary this spring. From the company's beginning in 1962, starting in well supplies and as a distributor for Ingersoll-Rand drills, to more recent years (1991) when the Versa-Drill...