Volume 20 August 2023 Details on this unit and more from SEMCO on page 6. Make plans to attend DownHome DrillFest™ October 17-19 Springfield, Missouri
Are you Planning to go?...................................................38 Breaking News..................................................................13 Classifieds: WorldWide Buyers’ Guide™...................43-56 Dealmakers.......................................................................30 Education Connection......................................................35 Fun Page...........................................................................40 Hot Off the Press.................................................................9 Obituary: Buechting, Gerald F.........................................15 Obituary: Burkett, William James “Jim”.........................15 Obituary: Ferguson, Elizabeth “Liz”...............................15 Photo Page........................................................................16 Product Spotlight..............................................................40 Who’s in the News............................................................13 WorldWide Association Memberships................................42 WorldWide DownHome DrillFest™ 2023..............................7 WorldWide .........6 Acker Drill Company...........................................................53 Allegheny Instruments........................................................37 Armstrong Machine Co., Inc. (AMCI)..................................40 Atlantic Screen & Manufacturing, Inc. (ASI)........................20 Baker Water Systems.........................................................18 Better Water Industries Inc..................................................19 Bit Brokers International.......................................................8 Bitco, Inc.............................................................................17 Bloom Manufacturing, LLC.................................................36 Central Mine Equipment Company (CME)..........................14 Cotey Chemical Corp. (CCC)..............................................21 Drilling Equipment Sales, Inc. (DES)..................................55 Drilling Supply & Mfg (DSM)...............................................31 DRILLMAX®..........................................................................2 Flomatic Corporation..........................................................34 GEFCO (BAUER Equipment America, Inc.)........................56 Geothermal Supply Company, Inc. (GSC)..........................30 Heron Instruments, Inc.......................................................35 Holte Manufacturing............................................................10 Horizon Hoist......................................................................25 Infinity Tool Manufacturing....................................................4 Infinity Tool Manufacturing..................................................11 Infinity Tool Manufacturing..................................................12 Infinity Tool Manufacturing..................................................19 KS Bit, Inc...........................................................................39 Mills Machine Company, Inc...............................................15 Mountain States Ground Water Expo.................................13 N&N Drilling Supply.............................................................29 National Drilling Association (NDA) Convention……........41 Pacific Northwest Ground Water Expo................................27 Palmer Bit Company...........................................................23 SEMCO, Inc..........................................................................1 SIMCO® Drilling Equipment...................................................3 Specialty Rig Sales (SRS)..................................................28 Star Iron Works, Inc. - Construction....................................33 Star Iron Works, Inc. - Water Well.......................................32 Surface to Surface Mixers (STS)..........................................9 TDH Manufacturing Inc.......................................................54 TerraRoc.............................................................................26 Triflo International, Inc........................................................38 Well-Vu, Inc.........................................................................24 Wyo-Ben, Inc......................................................................22 Advertisers Featured Editorial C&G - Construction/Geotechnical ENV - Environmental G&O - Shallow Gas and Oil MIN - Mining DIR - Horizontal Directional Drilling EXB - Exploration/Blasthole GEO - Geothermal WTR - Water Focus for August 2023 - Horizontal Directional Drilling Innovations C&G DIR ENV EXB G&O GEO MIN WTR Connor, Tim: Reasons Managers Fail.......................8 E-News Flash Readers’ Choice Readers’ Choice: Construction Work..20 Boring Job with Exciting Potential.............................24 Peterson, Ronald: Horizontal Directional Drilling...17 Geomagnetic Model Aids Drilling..............................19 Choosing the Right Backreamer................................37 Best Practices for HDD Operations...........................41 Well Repair Just in Time............................................10 Battersby, Mark E.: Drilling Into Money Not Boring..18 Naples Stormwater Project........................................29 Wilson, Jr., Robert Evans: The Un-Comfort Zone II....12 New Bulk Emulsion System for Underground............32 Leading the Way with Lead-Free Detonators............36 Rerun Bits Can be a Good Fit.......................................11 Storkson, Britt: Vehicles that can Punish You.......27,28 Geothermal Partnering with Gas and Oil.........................16 Supporting Renewable Energy & Energy Resilience......22 WVU First Geothermal in West Virginia...........................30 New Research Says Critical Metals for Renewable...26 “Smith, Billy Bob”: The “Idiots” Corner...................34 Two Cities Working Together.....................................21 Rasmussen, Tim: Water for Life International..........25 Aardvark Packers..............16 Acker Drill Company..........16 Bit Brokers International....16 Bitco, Inc...........................17 Centerline Mfg. Co.............17 ChemGrout®......................17 Colton Bit...........................20 Diedrich Drill......................20 Drill King International.......20 Drill Pipe, Inc.....................21 Drilling Equip. Resources..21 Eastern Driller Mfg. (EDM)...21 Eijkelkamp North America...24 Flomatic Corp....................24 Heisey Machine Co...........24 Hole Products....................25 Mitsubishi Materials Corp..25 PennDrill Mfg.....................25 Star Iron Works, Inc...........28 T&T Carbide, Inc................28 TerraRoc............................28 VMAC................................29 Western Drilling Tools........29 Windmill 702 LLC...............29 5 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource®
Proudly Made in the United States of America - delivered WorldWide! WorldWide Drilling Resource® The complete magazine for the drilling industry worldwide, owned by drilling industry associates dedicated to bringing the most up-to-date technology and information to subscribers. Covering construction-geotechnical, directional, environmental, explorationblasthole, shallow gas & oil, geothermal, mining, water well, irrigation, wastewater; from bits, to pumps, to rigs, to tanks, through wire, and more - whatever it takes to get the drilling job completed! Managing Publisher/CEO/President: Veronica I. “Ronnie” Jones Vice President: Troy Cunningham Office Administrator: Michele Stevens Editor: Bonnie Love Public Relations Professional: Jan Allen Public Relations Professional: Linda Peterson Public Relations Professional: Sheryl Kevilly Representative: Marie Cunningham Editorial Contributors for this month Mark Battersby Tim Connor Ron Peterson Tim Rasmussen “Billy Bob Smith” Britt Storkson Robert Evans Wilson, Jr. Hyd/Eng Consultant: Thomas Kwader, Ph.D.,P.G. Consultant: Mary Ann Pelletier *Editorial contributions & advertisements include statements of fact and opinions that are the sole responsibility of the author and/or companies and do not necessarily imply any opinion of the owners, management, or staff of WorldWide Drilling Resource® . Images may have been altered for clarity. Complete advertising information may be found at: www.worldwidedrillingresource.com or by calling 850-547-0102. WorldWide Drilling Resource® makes every effort not to place advertisements for “like” products on the same page in our publication; this may occur however, due to size and space within the publication. We regret any inconvenience this may cause our advertisers. WorldWide Drilling Resource® is published monthly by: WorldWide Drilling Resource, Inc., a Florida Corporation, independently owned and operated. PO Box 660 (3089 Northride Lane) Bonifay FL 32425-0660. Telephone: 850-547-0102 Fax: 850-547-0329 E-mail: wwdr@worldwidedrillingresource.com Website: www.worldwidedrillingresource.com Copyright 2023, WorldWide Drilling Resource, Inc. Seen by countless WorldWide. Publication Agreement No. 40892520. Back issues may be requested. Cost per issue $10.00 USD. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the strict written consent of the publishers. Advertising rates furnished upon request. Editorial contributions are welcome subject to editorial review.* WorldWide Drilling Resource® reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. We Recycle Standing with our Drilling Industry . . . Yesterday ~ Today ~ Tomorrow Let’s all give Troy and Marie Cunningham a great BIG Welcome! Some of you may have already met my son Troy and his wife Marie, as they aren’t really newcomers to the industry nor this magazine. They have been covering some events for us for several years having travelled to Spain, Canada, and across these United States. Most recently, they took a road trip for us to the Best in the West conference in Spearfish, SD, combined with a short, much-needed vacation from Florida, and then onto this year’s Shallow Exploration Drillers Clinic (SEDC) in Butte, MT. They are moving into a much larger role with WorldWide, driving across the country to many upcoming trade events. What is different about their attendance at these events is, as they drive across the highways and byways, they are “in search of” drilling contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers. No, not to sell you something, but rather to sit down and chat with you, to get to know you and your business. No strangers to hard work, they do in fact, own and operate a building contracting company here in Florida. So when they say, “We feel your pain,” they honestly do. So go ahead and share your good/bad times. You may have also seen them at our DownHome DrillFest™ events in Missouri ~ they are the ones running hither and yon setting things up and making sure it all goes well. And if something is not right, they will do their best to ensure it gets right! Solid Gold Service ~ with a Smile!™ So my friends, let’s give them a great BIG DRILLING WELCOME! RONNIE’s REAL WORLD . . . with its ups and downs ~ but always positive thoughts, hopes, and dreams. See you on the trail . . . NEXT UP ~ NDA and Utility Expo With Pen - Computer in hand . . . Veronica I. “Ronnie” Jones, 850-547-0102 850-547-0102 ronnie@worldwidedrillingresource.com Marie and Troy 6 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® ~ From the Cover ~ SEMCO S8,000H Pump Hoist, 40’ derrick, two-speed main line winch, triple line option, remote control, pipe racks, auxiliary hydro valve, 1500’ capacity sand reel, hydraulic oil cooler, 96” toolboxes, Kubota diesel deck engine, 12’ steel flatbed, factory mounted on NEW 2023 Dodge Ram 5500. Don't miss out, CALL TODAY, 719-336-9006 PO Box 1174 • 7595 US Hwy 50 N Lamar, CO 81052-1174 E-mail: semcopumphoist@gmail.com www.SEMCOoflamar.com Thank-you Advanced Water Well Technologies Converse, TX
7 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Meet Special Guest Speaker - Major Ed Pulido Major Ed Pulido, U.S. Army (Ret.) is the Founder and CEO of John Daly - Major Ed Heart of a Lion Foundation which provides mental, physical, and wellness support to our nation’s children and America’s Veterans. He is also an Ambassador for the Folds of Honor Foundation, a Veteran’s charity providing the spouses and children of fallen and wounded with educational scholarships. On August 17, 2004, while serving with the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team in Iraq, Major Pulido was struck by an IED (improvised explosive device), a roadside bomb. Extensive injuries to his knee caused doctors to amputate his left leg. For his heroism and valor that day, the President of the United States along with General David Petraeus awarded him the Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and Joint Service Commendation and Achievement Medals. Since his amputation, Major Pulido has been a devoted advocate for Veterans with disabilities, focusing specifically on advocacy efforts to promote prosthetic technologies, visiting with fellow amputees at Brooke and Walter Reed Medical Centers, and raising awareness of the needs of Veterans with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and traumatic brain injuries on behalf of the Department of Defense and VA Real Warriors National Campaign. He has received numerous awards including the prestigious Disabled American Veteran of the Year Award, the Hero’s Award from the American Red Cross, and Valley Forge Freedom Foundation Award for National and State Level Service, just to name a few. Come hang out with Major Pulido and learn more about his inspiring story, during the 2023 WorldWide DownHome DrillFest™ in Springfield, Missouri, October 17-19, 2023. John Daly and Major Ed Pulido from Heart of a Lion Foundation. Sonic Rigs & More on Display Karaoke, Music, & Dancing with All Night Soundz Contractor’s Benefit Auction with Roger Melton Shawn Marlow Original 3D Painting Registration Forms and Agenda are Available at: worldwidedrillingresource.com/dhdf.html Join the WWDR Team for: . Exhibits . Educational Seminars . Networking Opportunities . Welcome Gathering . Ladies’ Day . and Much More! Have Questions? Give us a call at 850-547-0102
8 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Reasons Managers Fail by Tim Connor Over the years, I’ve observed many managers in a variety of circumstances and situations - such as run meetings, coach employees, interview candidates, make decisions, and discipline employees. Let me be clear from the start, there are thousands of great managers out there who each day validate and praise their employees while creating a positive motivational climate that leads to empowered and productive people. They have learned if they want an effective, productive organization, it will only come from motivated, trained, and valued staff. Now the flip side. A failing manager will cause any number of critical issues, mistakes, or negative circumstances from poor morale and communication to lost customers, profits, and many more harmful outcomes. So why do managers fail? Here’s a partial list: Emotional insecurity - The need for constant validation, approval, or acceptance will often cause a manager to make poor decisions, avoid conflict, procrastinate, waffle, and communicate without clarity or consistency. Out of control ego - The ego wants to control, manipulate, or look good. This will cause a manager to give little or no praise, recognition, or appreciation and always try to look good. They will take credit when things work, and point their finger elsewhere when things go badly. Poor people skills - Management is about managing things and leading people. Poor management people skills is the number one reason employees leave a business. People quit managers, not jobs. Poor people skills can range from constant invalidation to hibernation and everything in between. Arrogance - Superiority, overconfidence, self-importance, condescension, patronizing, or haughtiness. The inability to admit mistakes or poor decisions. Any sound familiar? Lack of integrity - I won’t elaborate on this one. Either managers do what’s right because it’s the right thing to do, or they don’t. Inconsistency - Decisions based on last month’s profits or sales. Employees who are hired just because you have an opening. Products which are still in inventory that have outlived their value or potential. Poor employees who are kept because they are family members or close to retirement. Rules that depend on who breaks them. Core values that change with the wind or the latest fad. Ignorance - People who are just ignorant; managers who just don’t get it. Lack of focus - Or focusing on the wrong things. Okay, so the economy is terrible right now - deal with it, get over it, get creative. Focus on what you can do or is working - not everything that’s wrong. Yes, fix what’s broken, but don’t let what’s broken keep your eye off the target. Unclear personal goals - Not knowing where you want your life and career to be next month, next year, or five years from now. Do you have the courage and will to measure yourself or members of your management team against the above criteria to see how you or they fare? In His service, Tim Tim Connor may be contacted via e-mail to michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com “Wisdom ofttimes consists of knowing what to do next.” ~Herbert Hoover
9 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Vermeer Expansions Vermeer opened its new 312,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Global Parts Distribution Center to support the important work customers and dealers are performing around the world. Vermeer team members will package and ship parts worldwide from the facility, located on the grounds of the corporate headquarters in Pella, Iowa. The distribution center builds on a legacy of customer support, located at the end of the old runway where company founder Gary Vermeer once delivered parts to customers by plane. Three times more space than the previous building, the new distribution center includes 23 dock doors, a warehouse management system, and improved warehouse technology. The investment will help drive efficiency by centralizing parts storage. “Vermeer is focused on optimizing this facility so we can most efficiently deliver the right part at the right time to our customers. This facility allows customer support, engineering, procurement, and logistics to be colocated. They work in conjunction with our operational team members to make sure we fulfill customer and dealer expectations daily,” said Tony Briggs, vice president of the Vermeer Lifecycle product group. This is the second facility Vermeer has opened in 2023. Earlier this year, the company expanded its parts manufacturing footprint in Des Moines, Iowa, which produces horizontal directional drill tooling and utility tractor attachments. For a link to this website, visit this page at: worldwidedrillingresource.com Since 1992, SURFACE TO SURFACE has been building equipment for the HDD industry. UTILITY AND PIPELINE CONTRACTORS STS’s proprietary “Four-Point Shearing System” solves the problem of fast mixing fully sheared bentonite slurry, mixes a thousand gallons of fully yielded bentonite or drilling fluid in less than 15 minutes. This ensures the contractor can mix one batch at the start of the day and it will stay fully mixed, ready for use, until drained. DIAMOND CORE DRILLERS - MINING EXPLORATION Our mixers and cleaners mix polymers and bentonite and enable the recycling of diamond drilling fluids for use again at least twice by removing small particle cuttings. This cuts fluid use and water consumption by more than half. CONTRACTORS WORKING INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES & MAINTENANCE This system uses a high shearing flail system to mix our solidification powders to quickly solidify the liquid slurry at high rates. This helps your work in infrastructure and infrastructure upgrades, by making your job simpler, faster, easier, and less expensive. Liquids don’t need to leave the site! For All Your Drilling Fluid Equipment Solutions, go to stsmixers.com
10 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Well Repair Just in Time Adapted from Information by Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve Lakes, woodlands, ancient sand dunes, native prairie, wetlands, picnic grounds, and ball fields make up the 193 acres of Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve in Illinois. The nonprofit is run by community volunteers dedicated to service in conservation. The water level in the sandpit lakes had been steadily dropping since June 2022, due to generally dry conditions and the Preserve’s inability to add water to the lakes due to a well pump, which had failed in early March, reducing its capacity by 85%. Since there was an insufficient amount of land/watershed around the lakes and very little stormwater runoff, well water had become the sandpit lakes’ primary inflow source. So well water had been added most years to keep levels adequate for fish, especially during the winter freeze-over. Due to parts supply delays, the muchneeded repairs were finally complete in January 2023 - thankfully, with no visible fish die-offs. Layne Christensen Company did the repair work on the original well drilled in 1974, to 481 feet through layers of sand, sand and gravel, blue clay, limestone, and shale. The installed pipe goes down over 100 feet and its pump capacity is 125 gallons per minute under normal conditions. Each year, nearly 1000 kids play at the ballpark nestled among cottonwood trees in a forest-like setting, which features three manicured fields, a batting cage, and full-service concession stand. The Preserve also hosts many events throughout the year, including the Fourth of July Village Picnic, November Turkey Raffle, art gallery events, and the Run Forest Run premier trail race. ENV
11 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Rerun drill bits are a crucial tool in the drilling industry. They are designed to be used multiple times and can save operators a significant amount of money. Essentially, rerun drill bits are drill bits which have been used before and have been reconditioned to be as good as new. This means any damage or wear and tear that has occurred while drilling has been repaired. The process of reconditioning involves cleaning, inspecting, repairing, and sharpening the drill bit to ensure it meets industry standards. Rerun drill bits provide an eco-friendly option for drilling companies as they reduce waste and are an economically viable alternative to purchasing new drill bits. It is important to choose the right drill bit for a project, whether it is going to be rerun or new. The type of bit selected can significantly influence the success of the project and the time and resources required to complete the job. A poor-quality or inappropriate bit can have a negative impact on the overall project’s results, leading to lost time, increased costs, and reduced success rates. Choosing the right bit not only saves time and money, it also leads to more efficient results. A budget-friendly option for companies looking to reduce their drilling costs, rerun bits are made from high-quality materials and carefully inspected and refurbished to ensure they are in excellent condition. This means they offer the same level of performance as new drill bits - without the higher price tag. Overall, rerun drill bits are an effective way for companies to save money without compromising on quality. Rerun bits are durable pieces of equipment. As the name suggests, these bits are designed to be used multiple times, which means they can withstand the wear and tear of repeated drilling operations. Rerun bits are particularly useful for frequent drilling in the same type of formation or similar drilling technique. By investing in these high-quality bits, companies can reduce their overall drilling costs and improve their bottom line over time. These bits are a step toward eco-friendliness in the drilling industry. They are used and have been refurbished for further use instead of being thrown away. They are designed to be durable, and with a little bit of reconditioning, they can perform just as well as a brand new drill bit. By using rerun drill bits, drilling companies can significantly reduce waste and save money at the same time. Not only is this environmentally responsible, it also makes good business sense. With rerun drill bits, both drilling companies and the environment benefit. Rerun in-ground drill bits are an excellent solution for a variety of drilling projects where budget constraints are a concern. These bits have a proven track record of performing well while maintaining maximum efficiency with minimal wear. Rerun bits are an ideal option for those looking to get the most out of their drilling projects while keeping their expenses under control. Suitable for large commercial drilling projects, rerun drill bits can be used in: aGas & Oil aWater Well aMining aGeothermal aDirectional aConstruction aRoads & Highways When it comes to selecting rerun drill bits, there are several factors which must be taken into account. First, the condition of the bits should be assessed thoroughly to determine whether they are suitable for reuse. Only bits that have undergone proper maintenance and are in good condition should be considered. Second, the compatibility of the bit with the drilling application is of utmost importance as it can affect the overall drilling efficiency and effectiveness. Make sure the rerun bit is appropriate for the material being drilled, the equipment being used, and the overall drilling specifications. Last, the cost-effectiveness of the rerun bit must also be considered. While this option may be cheaper, it is important to weigh the cost savings against potential risks and the potential impact on drilling efficiency and productivity. Rerun drill bits are a great solution for many large commercial drilling tasks. When a bit has lost its cutting ability or starts to wear out, the option to rerun it can be a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a new one. Rerunning allows the bit to be refurbished, extending its life span and performance while also lowering upfront expenses. Factors to consider when deciding to rerun a drill bit include its original condition, the type of rock it will be drilling into, and the depth of the well. In some cases, rerun bits may not be the best choice, but for the right application, they can save time and money while still providing high-quality drilling results. G&O Rerun Bits can be a Good Fit Adapted from Information by O-K Bit Service, Inc. DON’T TURN THIS PAGE Fantastic, thank you very much Michele! That was very fast. J Have a great day! Daniel Hidalgo Marketing Manager Flomatic Valves Glens Falls, NY Hi Bonnie, This is AWESOME!!!! You are the best! It’s PERFECT!!! . . . at the Board Meeting everyone appreciated it and commented on [how] great you all have been to work with and your participation has also helped our show become more successful. No one argued those points either!!! Jan Oster Program Chair Mountain States Ground Water Expo Great magazine - I read it cover to cover. Wayne Westberg M-W Drilling, Inc. Anchorage, AK
12 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® The Un-Comfort Zone II by Robert Evans Wilson, Jr. My Parents Were Married, but I was a Bastard by Law I was conceived by donor insemination when it was illegal. My life began as a lie. Perhaps my parents thought of it as an innocent lie and no one could be hurt by it. Maybe my father considered it a white lie which he told me were okay to tell because those were lies you told when you didn’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. My parents assumed no one would ever find out about their little white lie; then decades after their deaths, along came DNA testing for genealogy. On May 18, 2022, when I was 65 years old, I got the shock of my life. I learned I was not related to my father. It happened as I was telling my cousin (on my father’s side) about a new feature offered by Ancestry.com that uses your DNA to individually isolate each of your parents by ethnicity. It enables you to tell which parent's side of your family your DNA matches are on. My cousin sent me the Ancestry.com graph separating her parents by ethnic percentages. When I looked at it, I was baffled. Neither of her parents matched either of mine, but our fathers should have. When I told her, she suggested I look at another cousin’s profile on Ancestry who is also on my father’s side of the family. When I pulled up that profile it read: “You are not a DNA match for this person.” It didn't make sense to me, so I then pulled up the profile of the cousin to whom I was talking; it said the same thing. I was thunderstruck and didn’t know what to think, so I did an online search: “Ancestry DNA says I’m not related to my first cousin, what does that mean?” The response I got was: “Ancestry DNA is 99% accurate, if it says you’re not related to your cousin, then you are not related to your cousin.” I then made the stunning realization that if I wasn’t related to my cousins, I probably was not related to Dad. I couldn’t be adopted because I was seeing DNA matches on Ancestry from my mother’s side of the family. My mother certainly lacked scruples in some areas of her life, but I could not imagine she would cheat on Dad. When I got off the phone, I was shaken and confused. I imagined all the possibilities, but no answers were forthcoming. Eventually my consternation diminished, but turned into depression. I kept wondering how this could be. I wondered why no one told me. Unfortunately, everyone I could think of to ask was dead. Intellectually I could understand it didn’t really change anything about my life, but emotionally it was an earthquake. The next morning, I recalled my father contracted tuberculosis (TB) during World War II fighting on Okinawa. He spent a year in a TB hospital receiving intravenous chemotherapy comprised of a potent three-drug cocktail. Those powerful drugs eventually destroyed his kidneys, requiring him to have a kidney transplant ten years later. I went online to do some research and learned the TB drugs used in the 1950s did render some men infertile. I concluded my parents discovered Dad was infertile, but still wanted children. Yet, for some reason, they did not choose adoption, and instead they must have opted for artificial insemination with a sperm donor. Now I wanted to know who my biological father was. I went back to Ancestry.com and found the 12 closest relatives by DNA percentage on my biological father’s side and wrote to each of them. Of the 12, only one wrote back, but it was all I needed. My second cousin once removed sent me a detailed family tree. I eventually found out my biological father was an OB/GYN doctor who specialized in fertility; he passed away more than a decade ago, so getting to meet him was out. A few days later, I remembered one of my mother's best friends who is still living; so I phoned her. After a few minutes of chitchat, I told her how I’d learned I wasn’t related to my father. She replied, “Okay I can confirm all of that to be true; your father was sterile, and your mother conceived by artificial insemination, but she did not know the donor." She added, "Your mother made me promise to never to tell you, but you’ve already figured it out, she's been dead for 30 years, and I believe that people should know the truth so that they can live their most authentic lives.” When donor conception started to become obtainable after World War II, it was deeply frowned upon by society, and parents were told to tell no one. These children were considered illegitimate in all U.S. states. The legal father was the donor; and it did not matter the parents were married. The only way to make it legal was for the donor to sign away all rights to the child, and for the husband to formally adopt the child. Instead of following the legal procedures, most husbands simply put their name on the birth certificate as the father; this was done to avoid any stigma, and the secret was kept for life by the doctor, mother, and husband. Legally I was considered a bastard; and it remained true until I was seven years old when, in 1964, my home state of Georgia became the first state in the union to recognize donor conceived children as legitimate. Today - six decades later - the world is a different place, and donors of sperm and ovum can no longer expect anonymity. It’s been a year and I still think about it frequently. Much of what I've always believed to be true is now false. I’ve suffered an identity crisis. It has kept me awake and unable to sleep many nights. Which of my characteristics are nurture, and which ones are nature? Clearly, the values I live by began with the parents who raised me, but what strengths and weaknesses do I possess came to me genetically? It seems I’m still trying to process it. I feel bisected: there’s the life I've lived, and that which I might’ve lived had I been raised by my two biological parents. Genealogy has been a hobby of mine for decades, and for 65 years I thought I knew my family tree, but overnight an entire half disappeared and was replaced by another. I have relatives I've never met; I have ancestors I know nothing about. I’m still close and will remain close to all my cousins, but the thought is constantly in my mind that I’m not related to them, and it makes me sad. I’m left with many questions; some are about the health and genetics of my biological father, but others are about the motivations and feelings of my parents as they chose donor insemination. I wonder if my parents had lived until DNA testing entered the mainstream would they have told me about my conception. I wonder how they found out about donor insemination when it was taboo. And, I wonder if Dad treated me differently than he would have if I were his actual progeny. Nevertheless, I admire my parents for being willing to go against the status quo to have children. It tells me where I got my curiosity and willingness to question authority - both of which have been important components of my creative life. In the meantime, I wonder when I'll stop obsessing about who I am, and whether or not I'll ever have a relationship with my halfsiblings on my biological father’s side. Robert Contact him via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com WOW, IT WORKED! NOW, DON’T BUY OUR NEW SHARK REAMER 618-439-4042 infinitytoolmfg.com
13 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® WHO’S IN THE NEWS Additional announcements from Franklin Electric and GRL Engineers can be found in our online issue at worldwidedrillingresource.com Patterson-UTI Merges with NexTier Oilfield Solutions and Acquires Ulterra Drilling Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. and NexTier Oilfield Solutions Inc. have combined in a Merger of Equals, creating an industryleading drilling and completions services provider. Robert Drummond, president and CEO of NexTier said, "NexTier and Patterson-UTI each have proven track records of integrating businesses, and we're confident that combining through a merger of equals will enable us to leverage the strengths of both highly talented workforces and create exciting career opportunities for employees as we become a larger, more diversified platform." The new combined company will be headquartered in Houston, Texas. Patterson-UTI Energy also acquired Ulterra Drilling Technologies, L.P., a global provider of specialized drill bit solutions. The Ulterra business will continue to operate under the name Ulterra, and its headquarters will remain in Fort Worth, Texas. Bosch Rexroth Bosch Rexroth announced its president and CEO Gregory Gumbs is leaving the company. In the interim, Reinhard Schaefer, current Executive Board member, will join the North American Board to support the transition and identify the company’s next regional CEO. "I would like to thank Gregory Gumbs for his leadership in the region,” remarked Dr. Steffen Haack, CEO of Bosch Rexroth AG. For more information, call 480-609-3993 info@mountainstatesgroundwater.com mountainstatesgroundwater.com Buck Lively Scholarship Auction Seminars Educational Presentations Exhibits Networking Opportunities Raffles Third Annual ATV Raffle!
15 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® In Memoriam Gerald F. Buechting (1953~2023) With deep sadness, the Missouri Water Well Association reported the passing of lifetime member and past president Gerald F. Buechting on June 5, 2023. He was the owner of Buechting Drilling Co., which will continue to serve the community under the direction of his son. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and of the Pastime Club in Imperial. Gerald is survived by his children Jennifer, Jessica (Trey), and Jacob (Jessica); his brother Daryl (Linda); grandchildren Terry (Sarah), Bailey, Jolynne, Hadley, Isaiah, Sebastian, and Jackson; special friends Tammy and Gracie; and many family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Jackie and his brother Earl. William James “Jim” Burkett (1955~2023) The Tennessee Water Well Association is mourning the loss of board and longtime member William James “Jim” Burkett, who passed away June 5, 2023, at the age of 67. He was born in 1955, in Graham, Texas, and was a Vietnam era veteran who served four years in the U.S. Army as a field artillery crewman. Jim was the owner of Dixie Well and Pump and was a master groundwater drilling professional. Jim is survived by his wife Judy; mother Frances; daughters Angel (Phil) and Keri (Josh); brothers Bobby (Debbie) and Jonathan (Stacey); grandchildren Kaity, Macy, Morgan, Aiden, Riley, and Leila; and great-grandchild Dean. Elizabeth “Liz” Ferguson (1967~2023) The Ontario Ground Water Association directors and staff are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Elizabeth “Liz” Ferguson on June 26, 2023. She was an active and committed member of the association and the groundwater industry. She was 55 years old. Liz leaves behind her husband Todd; children Chelsea (Corey) and Johnathon (Hannah); grandson Chase; siblings Danny (Holly), Wayne (Maureen), Karen (Chris), and Caroline; and numerous nieces and nephews. The management and staff of WWDR extend their condolences to the family and friends of these individuals who were devoted to the water well industry. Lest we forget . . .
16 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Geothermal Partnering with Gas and Oil Adapted from Information by Fervo Energy and Devon Energy Corporation Geothermal technology leader Fervo Energy announced a $10 million strategic investment from Devon Energy Corporation. The investment initiates a partnership between two technical leaders and applies Devon’s 50-plus years of innovation in gas and oil to Fervo’s advanced geothermal capabilities, underscoring Devon’s confidence in the growth of the geothermal industry and Fervo’s winning approach. Fervo was successful in drilling and completing a horizontal well pair for commercial geothermal production - leveraging technologies, skills, and processes pioneered by Devon for gas and oil production. “We are thrilled to have Devon as a partner,” said Tim Latimer, cofounder and CEO of Fervo. “Devon is a technology leader with historic and unparalleled expertise in drilling and completing wells. We expect this partnership will help unlock further potential for geothermal as the primary 24/7 renewable energy source.” Fervo applies horizontal drilling, multistage well completion, and distributed fiber-optic sensing to geothermal reservoir development, delivering higher reliability on projects. By installing fiber-optic cables downhole in geothermal wells, they can gather and analyze real-time data on flow, temperature, and performance of the resource, for unique insights into subsurface behavior at a resolution never before possible. Advanced data analytics algorithms enable them to identify precisely where the best resources exist and optimize flow distribution through the reservor to maximize heat mining efficiency. The approach makes geothermal power accessible in far more places and dramatically increases its potential as a widespread energy source. “We are excited about this partnership with Fervo, an innovator and leader in the enhanced geothermal space,” said David Harris, chief corporate development officer and executive vice president at Devon. “This investment is a good match for Devon’s new energy ventures strategy.” GEO Great Team from Central Mine Equipment Company. Tyson was at SEDC for Wyo-Ben. Michael & Joe for Acker Drill Company. This is just a sneak peek ~ visit www.worldwidedrillingresource.com/gallery.html for more photos online! SEDC 2023 The World Museum of Mining’s tour guide Rick stopped to see Troy & Marie at the WWDR booth.
17 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Horizontal Directional Drilling Innovations by Ronald B. Peterson Drilling Products Specialist, Mountainland Supply Company The horizontal directional drilling (HDD) market continues to grow to match societal needs. The current expansion of fiber optics, driven by our appetite for more readily available technology at all levels, has created a bit of a boom in the HDD market. This has resulted in an increase in all segments, including short connection drops. The longer the bore, the more critical a properly designed drilling fluid becomes. On short drops, it is often possible to shoot the bore and pull the product line using just water, but it must be done quickly. Remember, luck is not a strategy; make sure you understand the limitations of the bore, your equipment, and personnel. The understanding of HDD drilling fluids and equipment limitations is improving. There are many single-sack drilling fluid products on the market that are very effective, especially in short drops. The length of the bore, lithology of the ground, and the design of the bore will determine the drilling fluid and tooling required. While most projects can be completed with the same old methods, drilling fluid and tooling advancements may reduce problems and shorten your time on the bore. Enhancements in tooling and drilling fluids can improve penetration rates and reduce borehole stability issues. This may result in fewer problems, less time on the bore, and better profitability. Advancements in tracking devices have improved accuracy of borehole monitoring and made it easier to measure and manage the bore. As the HDD market continues to grow and expand, there is a greater demand for personnel. The experience level of industry personnel is improving, but not fast enough to keep up with industry demand. Technological advancements continue to improve at an ever-accelerating rate. One of the most significant advancements is the availability of online training. Check with your supplier, be aware of what training is available, and use it to train yourself and your personnel. Contact your vendor to find out what is available and how to access it. Make sure you take advantage of any in-person training. The investment in your own knowledge and the knowledge of your personnel will pay off. Greater knowledge of our job requirements and the safest, best way to achieve them will result in better performance at all levels. Always remember to cultivate and stress a culture of safety in the workplace. There are many innovations in safety. We have come a long way. Always remember, “A man has to know his limitations,” but he doesn’t have to be defined by them. He can raise the bar. Working together, it is amazing where we can go. Enjoy the journey. If you have any questions on drilling fluids or if you have another topic you would like to have addressed, please remember this column is ours, your feedback helps me make it of value to you. It needs to be an interactive tool. I need your feedback. Please send your suggestions to Michele (below) and she will let get them to me. Ron Ron Peterson may be contacted via e-mail to michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com DIR eranhenderson@gmail.com New & Used Tricones PDCs Drag & Claw Bits Drill Collars Bit Tipping Subs & Stabilizers HDD Bits & Reamers DTH Hammer & Bits Custom Fabrication Junk Mills / Fishing Tools Rod Henderson 661-201-6259 Eran Henderson 661-330-0790
18 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Drilling Into Money Not Boring by Mark E. Battersby Combatting Less Available Working Capital Working capital is all about maintaining the level of cash needed for day-to-day operations, as well as managing the funds for investment in the drilling operation or business for tomorrow. Unfortunately, today’s tighter credit conditions along with inflation make managing working capital more difficult but still essential. By definition, working capital is simply the amount by which the operation's current assets exceed current liabilities. Working capital is important because it is necessary to keep the operation solvent, but how does an owner or manager know how much working capital the operation has? Quite simply, working capital is determined by the operation’s current assets minus its liabilities. Too little working capital means the drilling business will soon be unable to pay its bills. Too much working capital means the operation is passing up the opportunity to put excess working capital to work elsewhere to produce extra income. Comparing the amount of working capital today with the amount at an earlier date will indicate the amount and direction of change, which can be significant. However, not much will be accomplished insofar as determining the operation's future working capital needs or, more importantly, how to meet them. Working capital management is a strategy to ensure a business operates efficiently by monitoring and using its current assets and liabilities to optimize cash flow. This is achieved by the effective management of the drilling operation’s accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory, and cash. Every drilling business should have enough cash available to cover both planned and unexpected costs, while also making the best use of the funds available to fuel growth. While managing it effectively is something of a balancing act, working capital is essential to the health of every business. Many businesses have enough cash reserves to fund their working capital needs. If not, working capital can be created from a variety of sources. Much of most operations’ working capital comes from the earnings of the business. Other sources frequently include the sale of equipment or other unneeded assets, borrowed funds and, in some cases, the issuance of stock. By now it should be obvious that working capital has a direct impact on the cash flow of any drilling operation or business. Since cash flow is the name of the game for all business owners and managers, a good understanding of working capital is imperative to make their drilling operation successful. Mark Mark E. Battersby may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com
19 AUGUST 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Geomagnetic Model Aids Drilling Adapted from Information by National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) The unpredictability of earth’s magnetism can cause difficulties for any sector involving directional drilling. Because drilling hardware is often situated deep underground where magnetic field variations are stronger at small spatial scales, wells may be bored off the intended mark. Hence, accurate knowledge of the local magnetic field is important for estimating the wellbore path. Directional drilling operations cannot make use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) since GPS signals do not penetrate the ground. Instead, earth's natural magnetic and gravity fields are used to find the orientation of the drill bit. NCEI’s High Definition Geomagnetic Model (HDGM) serves as a solution to the issues geomagnetic variations can cause. It is an authoritative source for those seeking to drill safely, accurately, and cost-efficiently. Well planners utilize the program to compute magnetic reference values, and are also able to integrate the model directly into their directional drilling software. The HDGM allows for precise positioning so wells can be bored near each other in resource-rich areas with less risk of intersecting. The purpose of the HDGM is to serve as a model of the earth’s geomagnetic field. More than 90% of earth’s magnetism is produced by the shifting of electrically charged molten metals within its outer core. Other factors include currents in the ionosphere (part of the earth’s atmosphere which reflects radio waves), magnetic metals in and on the planet’s surface, and space weather events. Due to the transitory nature of these forces, the geomagnetic field is in a state of constant flux and is regularly strengthening and weakening. On November 15, 2022, NCEI’s HDGM received its latest annual update. Along with software adjustments and routine corrections made to accurately represent earth’s magnetic field, nine years worth of data collected from the Swarm satellite mission were incorporated. (Swarm is a constellation of three satellites in near-polar orbits launched by the European Space Agency to obtain better and more varied measurements of earth’s magnetic field and its temporal evolution.) With this overhaul, the HDGM will be accurate until December 31, 2023. Annual updates set the HDGM apart from other magnetic models, which may only provide averages based on data collected over a five-year period. The HDGM also provides calculations regarding more immediate changes to the geomagnetic field, smallscale variations of magnetism in the earth’s crust collected from satellites and marine surveys, and an annually averaged disturbance field. Crustal data drawn from magnetic trackline and grid data is archived by NCEI, which serves as the world’s largest repository of such information. Developed through a collaboration between National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Colorado, the HDGM-Real Time (RT) is also unique among other magnetic models in its ability to provide a live forecast of the earth’s magnetosphere. This is accomplished by the incorporation of data collected from a series of solar wind-observing satellites and land-based monitoring stations, as well as cutting-edge machine learning algorithms predicting likely changes in the geomagnetic field. In addition, the HDGM-RT is able to track daily changes in the ionosphere at mid and low latitudes. At the cost of the necessity of an Internet connection, the HDGM-RT allows for more efficient drilling during adverse space weather conditions by enabling live course correction. DIR
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDk4Mzk=