2515 Highway 70 SW j Hickory, NC 28602 j jeffj@drillingequip.com Call JEFF for all your Equipment and Tooling Needs 828-322-3056 more on page 6! Drillingequip.com Volume 20 October 2023 REICHdrill - Now Available! Special Hole Products Centerfold LAST CHANCE! See Info on page 7
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Are you Planning to go?...................................................15 Breaking News..................................................................13 Classifieds: WorldWide Buyers’ Guide™...................43-56 Dealmakers.......................................................................27 Education Connection......................................................22 Fun Page...........................................................................28 Hot Off the Press.................................................................9 Obituary: Larson, John Melvin........................................16 Photo Page........................................................................39 Product Spotlight..............................................................39 Who’s in the News............................................................13 WorldWide Association Memberships................................38 WorldWide DownHome DrillFest™ 2023..........................7,8 WorldWide ........6 Acker Drill Company...........................................................53 Allegheny Instruments........................................................29 Armstrong Machine Co., Inc. (AMCI)..................................40 Atlantic Screen & Manufacturing, Inc. (ASI)........................40 Baker Water Systems.........................................................13 Better Water Industries Inc..................................................35 Bit Brokers International.....................................................15 Bitco, Inc.............................................................................25 Bloom Manufacturing, LLC.................................................36 Central Mine Equipment Company (CME)..........................11 Derex, Inc...........................................................................42 Drill Pipe, Inc.......................................................................14 Drilling Equipment Sales, Inc. (DES)....................................1 Drilling Supply & Mfg (DSM)...............................................54 Empire State Water Well Drillers Assoc. (ESWWDA) Ann. Mtg..24 GEFCO (BAUER Equipment America, Inc.)..........................2 Geoprobe Systems®............................................................56 Geothermal Supply Company, Inc. (GSC)..........................27 Heron Instruments, Inc.......................................................18 Horizon Hoist......................................................................41 Infinity Tool Manufacturing....................................................3 Infinity Tool Manufacturing....................................................9 Infinity Tool Manufacturing..................................................10 Infinity Tool Manufacturing..................................................20 KS Bit, Inc...........................................................................19 Mills Machine Company, Inc...............................................26 Mountain States Ground Water Expo.................................22 N&N Drilling Supply.............................................................30 Palmer Bit Company...........................................................23 SEMCO, Inc........................................................................55 SIMCO® Drilling Equipment...................................................4 Specialty Rig Sales (SRS)..................................................34 Star Iron Works, Inc. - Construction....................................32 Star Iron Works, Inc. - Water Well.......................................33 T&T Carbide Inc..................................................................37 TDH Manufacturing Inc.......................................................31 Well-Vu, Inc.........................................................................39 Wyo-Ben, Inc......................................................................12 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 October 2023 - Where do you Fit in the World of Drilling? C&G DIR ENV EXB G&O GEO MIN WTR Benefits of Minipiling...................................................9 Vital Tunnel Open 50 Years.......................................24 Connor, Tim: Want to Live Longer?..........................26 New York’s Largest Geothermal Residential.............40 Wilson, Jr., Robert Evans: The Un-Comfort Zone II....10 New Alternative to Traditional Rotary Steerable Sys...12 E-News Flash Readers’ Choice Readers’ Choice: Deep Borehole........30 Smith, Billy Bob: The “Idiots” Corner........................14 Using Ice Core Samples to Learn More About...........27 Dewatering Methods and Benefits............................29 Indigenous Company to Provide Mining Equipment...15 Ensuring Worker Safety in the Drilling Industry............25 Battersby, Mark E.: Drilling Into Money Not Boring..33 Are These Affecting Your Winch?.................................36 Dispelling Gas and Oil Myths....................................21 Wells Completed in Barnett Shale Formation...........32 Open Dataset for Onshore Geoscience Research....34 Renewable Energy and Affordable Housing..............35 Storkson, Britt: Beware of the Rogue Water Heater...41 The Toughest Pants in the West................................20 Critical Mineral Resources Discovered in Northern...28 Peterson, Ronald Let’s Mix it Up..............................17 Rasmussen, Tim: Water for Life International..........18 A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co......16 Aardvark Packers..............16 Acker Drill Company..........16 Bit Brokers International.....17 Centerline Mfg. Co.............17 ChemGrout®.......................20 Diedrich Drill......................20 Drill King International........21 Drill Pipe, Inc......................21 Drilling Equip. Resources..21 Eastern Driller Mfg. (EDM)...24 Eijkelkamp North America...24 Flomatic Corp....................24 Get Association Help™......25 Heisey Machine Co............25 Hole Products....................25 Mitsubishi Materials Corp...28 PennDrill Mfg.....................28 Star Iron Works, Inc...........28 T&T Carbide, Inc................29 TerraRoc............................29 VMAC................................32 Western Drilling Tools........29 Windmill 702 LLC...............32 WorldWide Drilling Resource®........17,20,32 5 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource®
6 OCTOBER 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 A GREAT BIG . . . THANK-YOU from the WWDR Team to our advance Sponsors Sponsors and Exhibitors of this year’s WorldWide DownHome DrillFest™ RONNIE’s REAL WORLD . . . with its ups and downs ~ but always positive thoughts, hopes, and dreams. See you on the trail . . . NEXT UP ~ WorldWide DownHome DrillFest™ With Pen - Computer in hand . . . Veronica I. “Ronnie” Jones, 850-547-0102 ronnie@worldwidedrillingresource.com Pulstar Pump Hoists Mudslayer Systems Rose-Wall Water Trucks and Grouters UP-Z-DAZY by Funk Mfg. Drilling Equipment Sales ~ Your Connection for: And so Much More! Give us a Call Today - 828-322-3056 REICHdrill RTD69 PTO Heron Instruments Preferred Pump Rex McFadden Co. Drilling Equipment Advanced Water Well Technologies Baroid IDP CENERG Continental Technologies, Inc. / Redi Clean Geoprobe® / DRILLMAX® (Rig) Infinity Tool Mfg. LGWA (Louisiana Ground Water Association) Mitsubishi Materials, USA SEMCO (Pump Hoist) T.G. Rankin Company Xcelerate Chemicals, LLC Baker Water Systems / Baker Manufacturing CETCO® Environmental Works, Inc. (Sonic Rigs) Drilling Equipment Resources Greene Rig and Equipment Rental Innovative Pump Solutions, LLC Northam, Inc. Preferred Pump SIMCO Drilling Equipment (Rig) TDH Manufacturing (Pump Hoist) Not Comparable - Most who put on trade events have been doing the same event for 25, 50, 75 plus years - DHDF is in its infancy - Won’t you help us GROW? Join us October 17-19, Springfield MO. Join us October 17-19, Springfield MO.
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8 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Advanced Water Well Technologies Baker Water Systems / Baker Manufacturing Baroid IDP CENERG CETCO® Drilling Products Continental Technologies, Inc. / Redi Clean Drilling Equipment Resources Environmental Works, Inc. (Sonic Rigs) Geoprobe® / DRILLMAX® (Rig) Greene Rig and Equipment Rental Infinity Tool Mfg. Innovative Pump Solutions, LLC LGWA (Louisiana Ground Water Assoc.) Mitsubishi Materials, USA Northam, Inc. Preferred Pump SEMCO, Inc. (Pump Hoist) SIMCO Drilling Equipment (Rig) T.G. Rankin Company TDH Manufacturing (Pump Hoist) Xcelerate Chemicals, LLC Advance Exhibitors and more on the way . . . Rig Area Rig Area Advance Show Sponsors Include: Heron Instruments, Inc. Rex McFadden Drilling Equipment Preferred Pump
9 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® New Assembly Facility for BAUER Equipment America The WWDR Team was thrilled to join BAUER Equipment America as they celebrated the new assembly facility in Conroe, Texas, for GEFCO water well rigs. During the event, BAUER Equipment America CEO Christian Gress said, “Now, we are looking at our general equipment headquarters to be here in Conroe, Texas. This means everything that revolves around this product - the design, development, production, purchasing, everything that we are doing with this product, is here in Conroe.” Conroe officials as well as company directors and managers were also on hand for the official ribbon cutting. “We’re here because we feel very welcome . . . You managed to create an atmosphere and an environment where it’s just great to do business and continue to build the business. This is outstanding. Thank you very much.” For a link to this website, visit this page at: worldwidedrillingresource.com Benefits of Minipiling Adapted from Information by Piling Equipment Ltd Minipiling, also known as micropiling or small-diameter piling, involves the use of small-diameter piles typically ranging from about 4 to 14 inches in diameter to support structures. Minipiling can be used in a variety of soil types, including soft, unstable, and contaminated ground. This makes it a versatile solution for a range of construction projects. Minimal disturbance to surrounding ground results in low levels of vibration and noise during installation. This makes it ideal for use in urban areas or where nearby structures may be affected by traditional driven pile methods. The equipment is also typically smaller than traditional piling rigs, allowing it to operate on sites with restricted access or limited headroom, such as basements, tight urban spaces, homesites, back gardens, and existing commercial properties. Minipiles can be installed quickly, making them an efficient solution for projects with tight schedules. They are often more cost-effective than traditional strip foundation methods, particularly for small- to medium-sized projects. Despite their small size, minipiles can support significant loads, making them an effective solution for a wide range of construction projects. This is a clear advantage when there are poor soil conditions looking for heavily loaded piles. Driven piles do not require any spoil to be removed during installation making them suitable for contaminated sites or areas. Overall, minipiling offers a range of advantages, making it a popular choice for a variety of construction projects. C&G DON’T TURN THIS PAGE
The Un-Comfort Zone II by Robert Evans Wilson, Jr. Weird Things Just Happen to Me After hearing one of my stories, a friend commented, “So many weird things have happened to you that you should start writing them down.” Thinking back on some of the unusual situations and encounters I've experienced, most of them happened in my youth. Perhaps some of them occurred because of a general lack of knowledge, experience, and well . . . common sense. Here are two of them. What do you think? I'll share my analysis at the end. When I was 18, during the summer between high school and college, my buddy Billy and I went on a two-week camping trip in the mountains of Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. We camped in a different spot every night. We revisited old favorites and discovered new places, some of which were not official campgrounds. One day as we were driving through the mountains of North Carolina, we saw a tiny white clapboard church with its own little steeple nestled in the woods. It was so precious it would’ve made a perfect picture postcard. As we stopped to gaze at it, we thought any church so beautiful surely must inspire the most uplifting sermons; we decided right then and there to return on Sunday and attend their morning service. There were no signs on the church; nothing to indicate denomination or operating hours, so we assumed from our own churches back in Atlanta that services would begin at 11:00 a.m. On Sunday, thinking we were arriving early, we showed up at 10:30, but as we entered the building we saw the service had already begun, so we quickly and quietly slipped into a pew near the back. The minister, who had been giving his sermon, immediately stopped speaking and stared at us. The two dozen or so people in the congregation all turned around in their seats and stared at us too. No one said a word, nor did the minister greet us. After a few moments, he gestured for everyone to stand, so we rose along with everyone else, thinking perhaps it was time for a hymn, but then the minister left his pulpit and started walking down the center aisle toward the front door. As he passed each row, the pew would empty and the people followed him as he walked to the door, opened it, and walked out. We followed everyone outside, but saw the congregation clustered tightly together over to the left of the building opposite of where all the cars were parked on the right side. They were all staring at us, and again, no one said a word to us. We felt extremely awkward so we decided to leave and started walking back to our car. As we did, the congregation, led by their minister, walked back into the church; the door closed and we heard it audibly lock. We were dumbfounded; we arrived expecting to meet friendly people, but left feeling shunned and confused. We pondered that perhaps they were serpent handlers and our ill-timed arrival coincided just as they were about to bring out the rattlesnakes. A couple of days later, we were driving in the mountains outside Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was late in the afternoon, and we hadn’t yet picked a spot to camp for the night when we saw a dirt road going off into the forest. On a lark we turned down it, and drove about half a mile through thick woods to the end. There we found a wide, well-built stone staircase with at least two dozen steps rising up a steep hill into the trees. Curious, we climbed to the top. At the summit, a broad level field opened up before us; directly behind it was the sheer cliff of a carved rock wall shaped like a curved panoramic movie screen. At the top of each end of the cliff was a huge six- to eight-foot tall sculpted stone eagle with wide-spread wings much like those seen on the reverse of a traditional U.S. quarter dollar. In the center of the field was a sunken circle, approximately 12 feet in diameter and three feet deep; it was lined by a masonry stone wall with four sets of two-step stairs leading down into the pit. The steps were spaced at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. In the center of the circle were several large, flat boulders pressed close together upon which many fires had been burnt. It looked like an Old Testament altar for burning sacrifices. We said things like: “This place is creepy!” “Satanic cults probably practice their rituals out here.” “Or the KKK hold their cross burnings.” We decided to stay overnight anyway since it was too late to find another place, and it was nice and level for pitching our tent. We pitched out tent close to the top of the stairs, built a small fire (not on the altar), and cooked some dinner. Afterward, we went for a walk down the road we came in on. At the end of the road by the highway, we ran into a couple walking their dog. We asked them what they knew about the place. They said they didn’t know much, but occasionally they’d find goat heads nailed to trees along the dirt road. Perhaps it's needless to say, but it creeped us out even more. We talked again about leaving, but it was nearly dark, and we had no idea where to go, so we stayed. Then throughout the night we teased each other by urgently saying things like, “What was that?” or “Did you hear that?” just to watch the other jump, and then laugh at him. We were really scared, and barely slept that night, and then as soon as the dawn broke, we packed up our stuff and got out of there. Looking back on those events, I recognize in my youth I lacked a proper sense of boundaries, including an understanding of trespass laws. Fewer strange incidences have come my way as I've gotten older. Today I would be wary of a church - or any building for that matter - with no signage before I would enter it. Now, I'm astonished I wasn't more fearful after hearing about goat heads nailed to trees. It makes me think my temerity may have been indicative of the prefrontal cortex of my brain - the area which gives us our sense of mortality - not yet being fully formed (and the reason car insurance is more expensive for people under age 25). There's an old saying, “Age and wisdom trump youth and beauty” which makes me appreciate (despite some of my youthful foolhardiness) still being alive in my sixties. What weird things have happened to you? Robert Robert is an innovation/change speaker, author, and consultant. He works with companies that want to be more competitive through innovation and with people who want to think more creatively. Contact him via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com 10 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® WOW, IT WORKED! NOW, DON’T BUY OUR NEW SHARK REAMER 618-439-4042 infinitytoolmfg.com
12 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® New Alternative to Traditional Rotary Steerable Systems Adapted from Information by Enteq Technologies Enteq Technologies is celebrating a significant milestone as its SABER Tool, a game-changing alternative to traditional rotary steerable systems (RSS), has successfully completed downhole drill testing with the system proving to be effective in an operational environment. Initial testing took place in Norway earlier this year; the most recent testing took place at the Catoosa Drill Test Facility in Oklahoma. During the extensive trial, the SABER system was able to successfully generate steering forces to change the trajectory of a well (generating dogleg) in typical reservoir rock conditions. An independent survey was conducted to measure the well’s trajectory and an expert review confirmed the ability of the SABER Tool to provide sufficient steering forces for commercial applications. Reflecting on the results, Enteq CEO Andrew Law said, “Since acquiring the technology from Shell, we believed SABER could change the future of drilling. The goal has been to optimize and verify that the technology can outperform the solutions available today. I am proud to say that we have achieved this, with a next generation tool which could transform oil and gas RSS performance, and also play a significant role in the energy transition.” With SABER’s unique application of Bernoulli’s principle now validated, the company has confirmed the tool will deliver true at-bit steering competitively for commercial drilling applications around the world. Enhancing its range of applications beyond typical RSS technologies, the SABER Tool is capable of operating at temperatures up to 350ºF (177ºC) making it compatible with geothermal operations. It can also be used for methane capture projects for the mining sector. Martin Perry, Chairman of Enteq said, “As an independent and agile company, our mission is to play a defining role in the downhole drilling industry, identifying current inefficiencies in the market, and providing solutions to address them. We took on SABER because we knew the potential of the technology to make a positive change to the energy sector and following the successful trials, there are exciting times lying ahead for Enteq as we move into the next stage of the game-changing SABER Tool’s commercialization.” The SABER Tool is steered right at the bit, using internally directed pressure differentials, rather than external pads or pistons to generate sideforce. Specifically, the tool utilizes Bernoulli’s effect generated across the bit face for steering. DIR
13 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® WHO’S IN THE NEWS Additional announcements from Brown and Caldwell, Curry Supply Co., and the Deep Foundations Institute Educational Trust, can be located in our online issue at worldwidedrillingresource.com New Line of Bits from Boart Longyear Boart Longyear has launched a new line of bits - the IMPAKT™ line. The Rock Tools Team at Boart Longyear used advanced computational modeling to identify a deadpool at the center of traditional bit designs. This results in significant wasted energy due to inefficient flushing. The IMPAKT top hammer bit, featuring a patent-pending “Raceway” face profile, eliminates the deadpool, improving drill string energy transfer and overall drilling perfomance. After development and global third-party testing, this innovative design has proven to actively clear cuttings from the entire cutting face. With flushing speeds increased by 25%, the penetration rate improved by an average of 18%. Jeff Hogan, global product line manager for Rock Tools at Boart Longyear said, “Real world trials . . . demonstrated alignment with our developmental testing and validated our innovation to deliver value for our customers.” Keller North America Curtis Cook has been promoted to executive vice president for Keller’s South Central Business Unit, comprised of the Southeast, Florida, and Central regions of the United States. Chris Banks has been promoted to senior vice president, succeeding Curtis and leading Keller’s Canadian business. Eric Drooff, president of Keller North America said, “Chris and Curtis are well-deserving of these roles, and I am confident that their regions will continue to be successful under their leadership.” Curtis Cook. Chris Banks. See us at the WorldWide DownHome DrillFest™ Booth 30
14 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® The “Idiots” Corner by “Billy Bob Smith” Ever had some idiot tell you, “I’ve got some bad news for you.” Or, “I’ve got some good news?” Idiots often love sharing bad news or even stupid news that even they don’t understand - or they are not sure how you will respond, or they want you to respond in a certain way. Ever had some bad news and then found out later it was actually good news? So, was the earlier news really good or was it really bad? Consider the following brief ideas idiots will probably think are stupid. My experience tells me most idiots in life look at all news good or bad, as bad. You get some news - You got the job. Is it good or bad news? Ask me in a year. You get some bad news - Your spouse says he or she wants a divorce. Ten years later, you decide it was the best news you have ever received. Possible? So, what is good and bad news? It’s just information, and you get to decide if it’s good or bad, true or false, important or not. News is perceived according to your circumstances, emotions, history, personality, education, opinions, prejudices, expectations, etc. Get it? The same news could be perceived differently by different people, driven by a variety of different stuff. So, an idiot sees it one way and an intelligent person sees the same stuff differently. The outcome of news is also determined by your response or reaction to it. So you just got fired and spend the next three months whining, complaining, or sulking; or on the next day, you hit the road looking for a new and better position or opportunity, and you find a better one than the last job. Good or bad news? Your doctor just told you, “You have a year to live.” So you lock yourself in your house until it’s over, or you call the airline and plan the next several months’ traveling the world or spending time with the people you love, and you have more fun that year than ever before in your entire life. Tell your boss, spouse, kids, family, etc. to stop giving you good or bad news. Tell them you just want the news. Is your reaction or response the same to good or bad news? Or do you let the news determine your response? So I ask, if your response or reaction depends on the news, what or who is in charge of your day or life? The news you get from the outside world, or you? I love bad news - it forces me to get creative, and positive, to learn, to grow, and to take better control of my life. Do I always like it? Nada, no, but do I let it control me or my day or my life? Nada, no. What about you? Love it, or hate it? I remember a former boss telling me, “I have some bad news for you.” So I told him before he tried to give it to me, “I have some good news for you - I quit.” I remember, a few years ago a previous girlfriend at a dinner date telling me, “I’m sorry, but I have some bad news for you . . . we are breaking up . . . blah, blah, blah.” Looking back, I wonder why it took her so long to give me the bad news, or I didn’t give it to her. I’m done. I’ve got some bad news for you - from now on, you must figure this stuff out for yourself. So, how do you define good news or bad news? Which do you really want to hear? Try sharing some good news with idiots and I will guarantee they will see it as bad news. Billy Bob Contact him via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com “This is what I say: I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, you don't have to worry, you can't change the past. The bad news is, you don't have to worry, no matter how hard you try, you can't change the past.” ~Charles Yu “The bad news is that yesterday sucked. The good news is that yesterday is gone. Today's a new day. Own it! Shape it! Live it! ~Steve Maraboli “The bad news is nothing lasts forever; the good news is nothing lasts forever.” ~J. Cole
Indigenous Company to Provide Mining Equipment Adapted from Information by Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. has signed a major agreement with Nyamal Holdings to provide mining equipment for the company’s Iron Bridge Magnetite Project in Pilbara, Western Australia. The $18 million agreement, which builds on contracts already awarded to Nyamal businesses since 2019, will see Nyamal Holdings initially provide five contour drill rigs, one stemming loader, and two platform rigs to Fortescue. This will grow to include six additional platform rigs over the next two years to meet the Iron Bridge mine plan. Fortescue Metals Chief Executive Officer Fiona Hick said, “The drill and blast program at Iron Bridge represents one of the most crucial aspects to achieving maximum throughput in the processing plant. We are pleased that we have been able to partner with Nyamal to deliver this important capability. “From the outset, Fortescue has been focused on practical initiatives that drive economic and employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians. Contracts like this support the growth of Indigenous businesses, enabling them to build capability which in turn provides ongoing economic benefits to communities.” The Iron Bridge Magnetite Project first achieved production in May 2023, and is the company’s first magnetite mine. Unlike other projects, this mine will transport wet concentrates through an 80-mile specialist slurry pipeline to Port Hedland where dewatering and materials handling will convert the slurry into a high-grade magnetite product. Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation Chair Gavin Mitchell said, “Nyamal Holdings are excited to secure this significant contract for the Nyamal people enabling us to own the fleet which will provide ongoing training and employment opportunities for Nyamal members. Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation have strong and ongoing engagement with Fortescue, and we are pleased that through this contract we are able to build on this longstanding relationship.” Danny Brown, CEO Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation; Travis McPhee, director of Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation and Nyamal Holdings; Fiona Hick, CEO Fortescue Metals; Graham Howard, general manager Iron Bridge; Martin Drage, group manager Aboriginal Business Development; and Gavin Mitchell, chair Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation and director for Nyamal Holdings. 15 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® EXB Looking for Events? Click on this box in our online issue worldwidedrillingresource.com
16 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® In Memoriam John Melvin Larson (1954~2023) The WWDR Team was saddened to hear of the loss of our dear friend John on August 14, 2023. Born October 15, 1954, in Killam, Alberta, Canada, to Melvin and Kathryn Larson, he was the youngest child of six and the only boy in 19 years - with five older sisters. He began his water well drilling career at a young age before starting his own business - Larson’s Waterwell Drilling & Servicing in 1977 - which is still in operation today. He was an Alberta Water Well Drilling Association (AWWDA) member who served a number of years as Director. Later in his career, John shared his love of the trade by becoming the journeyman water well instructor at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP). An assistant dean at RDP said of John: “I enjoyed all the time I spent working with John. His love of the trade and how passionate he was about the importance of protecting groundwater was inspiring for me. I learned a lot from our conversation, and it gave me a better perspective on something I took for granted. His influence made me continue to be invested in the water well drilling trade. John started teaching the Water Well Drilling program at RDP in October 2009, and his last contract ended in February 2019. During those ten years, John taught over 50 apprentices from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia who went on and will continue to be the future of the water well industry.” The program was suspended in 2019 and would not be reinstated until this fall of 2023 where John was to once again return to teaching. John will be deeply missed by his wife of 48 years, Carol; daughters Kristi (Taylor) and Sheena (Kaylan); grandchildren Annika and Barek; his sisters Dolores, Norma, Pat (Bud), Roxy, and Elsie (Jack); many beloved nieces and nephews; and numerous friends. The family has asked for any donations to be made to the Alberta Water Well Drilling Association. To honor John’s legacy, donations will be put into a John Larson Memorial fund for an outstanding student of the Red Deer Polytechnic Journeyman Water Well Drilling program. Lest we forget . . . A Certificate of Appreciation for 16 years of dedicated service to the AWWDA Board of Directors was presented to John during the 2006 Convention & Trade Show. In 2015, John proudly presented the Maurice Lewis Memorial Award to Matt Denboer For Highest Mark 2nd Year Water Well Driller Apprentice. John with Carol and Sheena. Enjoying the company of his students in 2016. John surely made an impact.
17 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Let’s Mix it Up by Ronald B. Peterson Drilling Products Specialist, Mountainland Supply Company In last month’s article, I mentioned some things to always remember regarding drilling fluids. Let’s talk now about the mixing system. The most important thing in the mixing of drilling fluids is having an adequate mixing system. Mixing systems come in many configurations and a wide range of prices. I have seen everything from bare hands to shovels, and up to gear-driven mixers used in the drilling industry. A venturi mixing system is very effective; it can be modified and sized to fit your needs. Venturi mixers are very common and are used in all types of drilling operations. The thing you have to remember is, the better the mixing system, the more efficient it is. Higher efficiency mixers work faster, which reduces the risk of introducing unyielded product into the borehole. This will reduce waste and save time. In the drilling industry - time is money. I have included a schematic of a venturi mixer designed by Carl Mason, an early drilling fluids representative of Baroid IDP in the 1960s. The components of this mixing system can mostly be picked up at your local hardware store. What you can’t get there, can be easily fabricated. This system can be effectively run with a centrifugal pump as long as it will provide 40 gallons per minute at 40 psi. You must always remember that the funnel is a mixing hopper - not a storage hopper. One thing consistent with mixers is that, at some time, they are going to be plugged. Since they are going to get plugged, and it will never be at a convenient time, I recommend not using a wrench to make the funnel connection. Tighten it by hand, that way it will be easy to remove and unplug when necessary, and you won’t have to find a pipe wrench. There are several well-designed venturi mixers on the market, if you don’t want to build your own. There are other less sophisticated, as well as more sophisticated systems. It all depends on your needs and your budget. Make sure you get the one which best meets your operation. I strongly recommend the use of a prehydration tank - more on that later. The investment in your own knowledge and the knowledge of your personnel will pay off. Greater knowledge of job requirements and the safest, best way to achieve them will result in better performance at all levels. Always cultivate - and stress - a culture of safety in the workplace. There are many innovations in safety. We have come a long way. 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 get them to me. Ron Ron Peterson may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com WTR Nice work everyone. Very cool! [Women in Drilling feature] Kris Oothoudt Operations Manager Hole Products
by Tim Rasmussen Christmas in July. Not likely, but it happened. On July 16, Gary Bartholomew received a call from a local FedEx driver, asking for specific directions and saying he had a couple of pallets to be delivered to Water for Life at Gary’s Lincoln Road address. Gary gave the lady some directions and said he would go down, open the gate, and wait for the truck so he could guide it up to the shop for unloading. By the time Gary was at the gate, the truck was waiting. As they unloaded, Gary could see the pallets were from Xylem Inc. and contained Goulds Water Technology well pumps. Goulds Water Technology, a Xylem brand, is one of the world’s leading brands in residential and commercial water products. The shipment contained 102 pumps. The pumps ranged from .5-horsepower units to 1.5-horsepower units. These were not used or returned items. They were new pumps, being either excess inventory or nonsalable items because of expired dates. For the purposes we intend, they are brand new. This generous gift was the result of a conversation between Gary and Susan O’Grady of Xylem at the Groundwater Week convention last December. Susan talked with Paul Wright, their Warranty Manager, and he set aside the products over the next few months, consolidating them into one shipment to Water for Life. The donation was on the condition the pumps would not be sold to others or returned for warranty, refund, etc. The donations were part of Xylem’s corporate responsibility program, Watermark, whose mission is to provide education and equitable access to safe water and sanitation to support healthy lives and build communities. The company does this by encouraging employee volunteerism in various humanitarian activities. Water for Life will put these pumps to good use in rural villages of Guatemala. There are many villages close to the highways where there is grid power, but no available wells or sources of safe water. Water for Life will drill wells in these villages and install these pumps. This generous donation, along with many others, encourages us in Water for Life to continue the work of bringing safe, clean water to areas where there is none. We want to thank Xylem Corporation and the fine men and women who work there for being willing to assist Water for Life in this endeavor. There are other donors who regularly assist us and, without them, we would not be able to carry on the work we started about 20 years ago. We thank you all for helping. If you have a heart to help others and would like to be part of something changing the lives of people, please join us by contacting us through this publication. If you would like to help, contact Gary Bartholomew at 509-939-1941 Tim Tim Rasmussen may be contacted at michele@ worldwidedrilllingresource.com WTR 18 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource®
20 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® The Toughest Pants in the West Compiled by Editorial Staff, WorldWide Drilling Resource® The boom-and-bust cycle of the California Gold Rush era is a well-known chapter in American history. However, there was one product that boomed during this time and never busted: blue jeans. Although denim pants have become a staple of modern attire, their rugged beginnings reflect a time much different than the fast-fashion culture of today. The birth of blue jeans is a story about Levi Strauss, Jacob W. Davis, and all the miners who wore denim trousers to make a living in unforgiving environments. California, Colorado, Nevada, and Arizona were all places where miners flocked in the late 1800s. Populations exploded, and businesses sprang up to supply a new demand for raw materials. As workers regularly tore through their pants in harsh conditions, the market for rugged work clothing remained untapped. Given the short supply of new garments, many miners had their old pants repaired out of necessity. This created a tailoring boom, and a savvy businessman embraced an opportunity. In 1853, Levi Strauss founded his company Levi Strauss & Co. as a wholesaler of dry goods including fabric. When mining started to boom out West, Strauss began to import heavy denim and duck canvas. He sold these materials to local tailors who made products from scratch. Jacob W. Davis was a tailor in Nevada with a small but bustling shop where he made pants for miners who blew through them nearly as fast as he could make them. According to legend, one of his customers ripped his pockets so many times carrying rocks back and forth, his wife became fed up with the price of repairs. Davis was inspired to reinforce the “points of strain” with copper rivets like the ones used on saddles. His garments performed so well he became inundated with orders. To safeguard his brilliant idea from being stolen, Davis contacted his fabric supplier, Levi Strauss, for help securing a patent. On May 20, 1873, Davis received patent number 139,121 for an “improvement in fastening pocket openings.” This enhancement consisted of “the employment of a metal rivet or eyelet at each edge of the pocket opening to prevent the ripping of the seam at those joints.” The new, long-lasting product was so well-received, Davis and his partner Strauss charged a premium price, and it still flew off the shelves. Fast forward 150 years later, and Levi’s are still perhaps the most recognizable name in denim wear. Today’s blue jeans are descendants of an invention created for panning gold in a river or maneuvering down into a mine shaft. They represent a culture of grit, reliability, and resourcefulness belonging to people who first made and wore them. Although denim is virtually everywhere in the modern world, jeans surviving from the 19th century are a rare find. Every now and then, these denim garments are discovered in mines where they were worn. A pair of Levi’s from 1893 set the record as the world’s most expensive pair of jeans when they sold for close to $100,000 in 2018. In 2022, a pair sold at auction for $87,400. As it turns out, precious metals and gems are not the only treasures found in mines today. Some are made of denim, dirty, and spotted with wax from candles held by miners long ago. MIN At an auction in 2022, this pair of Levi’s from the 1880s, discovered in an abandoned mine shaft, sold for $87,400. Photos courtesy of liveauctioneers.com Miners in the Mohawk Mine in Goldfield, Nevada, around 1900. Many are wearing denim trousers and holding lit candles.
21 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Dispelling Gas and Oil Myths Compiled by Bonnie Love, Editor, WorldWide Drilling Resource® The gas and oil industry is complex and often misunderstood. It is a high-tech, sophisticated industry driving innovation and affecting nearly every aspect of today’s advanced society. From your cell phone, contact lenses, and credit cards, to medical devices such as artificial limbs, hearing aids, and heart valves, even golf balls, footballs, fishing lures, and ice coolers are all produced with gas and oil products. Here are a few gas and oil myths explained: Myth 1: The world no longer needs gas and oil - Demand for gas and oil is rising as the world’s population and production of goods expands. Energy security depends on reliable and secure sources which should include renewables, as well as gas and oil. The International Energy Agency predicts oil demand will continue to rise until at least 2026. Myth 2: Companies don’t need permits to drill - Energy companies are required to obtain permits to drill on state, federal, or private land. Permits play a critical role in a company’s ability to produce. According to Mike Wirth, Chevron chairman and chief executive officer, an improved permitting process will facilitate not only gas and oil production, but can also encourage growth in the renewable industry to continue to grow supplies in this country. Myth 3: All U.S. oil comes from Texas - While it’s true Texas is considered the energy capital of the world, the Lone Star State is not the lone provider. Crude oil is produced in 32 U.S. states with Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, Alaska, and Colorado providing about 71% of total U.S. crude oil production. Myth 4: The industry only hires engineers - Petroleum engineers represent only a small portion of the industry’s diverse workforce. Geologists, accountants, welders, truck drivers, administrative assistants, pump operators, mechanics, sales representatives, office clerks, electricians, carpenters, and plumbers are part of a diverse spectrum of specialists who have found their calling in the energy industry. Overall, the gas and oil industry supports more than 10.3 million U.S. jobs. In addition to good benefits, the industry is known for its above average wages. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statics, the average annual pay in the natural gas and oil industry is nearly $50,000 higher than the U.S. average. Myth 5: Gas and oil comes from fossilized dinosaurs - Although gas and oil are often called fossil fuels, they don’t actually come from fossils at all. Fossils are mineralized remains of ancient plants and animals. Gas and oil are called fossil fuels because they are comprised of the remains of ancient animals and plants that lived millions of years ago in a marine environment - before dinosaurs even existed. While they may not be as exciting as dinosaurs, these tiny bacteria, plankton, and algae are the producers of gas and oil. Bacterial decomposition removed most of the oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur from them, leaving a sludge of mainly carbon and hydrogen. Over millions of years, the organisms became covered by layers of sand, silt, and rock. Heat and pressure from those layers turned the remains into different types of fossil fuels - depending on what combination of organic matter was present, how long it was buried, and what temperature and pressure conditions existed as time passed. Image courtesy of the U.S. Energy Information Administration. G&O
22 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® For more information, call 480-609-3993 info@mountainstatesgroundwater.com mountainstatesgroundwater.com Raffles Exhibits Seminars Third Annual ATV Raffle Networking Opportunities Educational Presentations Buck Lively Scholarship Auction Blasting by: Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions / Dyno Nobel Quarry Academy® November 14-16 ~ San Antonio, TX www.quarryacademy.com Construction by: Concrete Sawing and Drilling Assn 201 Sawing & Drilling/Operator Certification Class November 6-10 ~ Clearwater, FL phone: 727-577-5004 www.csda.org Engine / Machinery Maintenance by: Hydraulic Training Associates Hydraulic SchematicTroubleshooting November (TBD) ~ Portland, OR phone: 503-543-7791 www.htahydraulics.com Irrigation by: Rain Bird Academy Training November 13-17 ~ Miami, FL November 27-December 1 ~ Mesa, AZ phone: 800-498-1942 E-mail: training@rainbird.com Pipe by: McElroy University TracStar® iSeries Fusion Operator Qualification November 1-2 ~ Tulsa, OK Small Diameter Maintenance Hands-On Workshop November 6 ~ Tulsa, OK Legacy Equipment Electrical & Hydraulic System Troubleshooting Workshop November 7-10 ~ Tulsa, OK TracStar® iSeries Advanced Diagnostics & Troubleshooting Workshop November 14-18 ~ Tulsa, OK phone: 918-836-8611 www.mcelroy.com More education opportunities during events can be found by clicking here online at: worldwidedrillingresource.com Education Connection A H Y P P H L L A E W O N E
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24 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Vital Tunnel Open 50 Years Adapted from Information by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) The Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel (EJMT) is a vital connection to safely move people and goods from the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains to the western slope. Taking more than 50 years of discussion, planning, designing, and construction - with the Eisenhower Bore opening in 1973 and the Johnson Bore opening in 1979 - traffic has been flowing through the EJMT for 50 years. About 60 miles west of Denver, Colorado, on Interstate 70, EJMT traverses through the Continental Divide at an average elevation of 11,112 feet. “While motorists drive through the tunnel in a few minutes, they may not realize the monumental effort it took to plan and build such an infrastructure under the most challenging of circumstances,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “Over a five-year construction period, 6000 people and heavy machinery worked a total of 4.9 million hours to bore through granite under the Continental Divide in harsh weather conditions. When construction started in 1968, it was the largest single federal aid highway project in the nation’s history. For the last five decades, the Eisenhower Tunnel has served as the great connector, tying east and west Colorado together. It has provided a critical lifesaving link for moving goods and services and helped to mark Colorado as a world-class mountain destination.” At the height of construction activity, crews worked in three shifts, 24 hours a day, six days a week. The geology of the tunnel site presented the most critical engineering challenge where new engineering methods were needed to shore unstable rock so a hole 50 feet high and 45 feet wide could be supported. During construction, approximately one million cubic yards of material was cleared from each bore and 190,000 cubic yards of concrete was used for each tunnel lining. Once the EJMT was built, some called it the longest bathroom in the country because of the porcelain wall tiles. The length of the westbound/Eisenhower Bore is 1.693 miles, and the length of the eastbound/Johnson Bore is 1.697 miles. A dedicated crew of more than 30 full-time employees work at the tunnel facility with job duties ranging from around-the-clock television surveillance, emergency response, tunnel washing, ventilation maintenance, tunnel sweeping, snow removal, heavy equipment servicing and repair, and water treatment. All tunnel employees are trained firefighters, and the tunnel has its own fire truck and tow truck so crews can respond to emergencies and clear crashes in or near the tunnel. The EJMT is one of the crown jewels of the west, providing a safer and more efficient route through a mountain instead of over it. C&G CDOT marked the historic 50-year milestone in March, by pausing westbound traffic for 50 seconds, so the Colorado State Patrol's vintage 1970 Fury was the first vehicle to usher in the tunnel's next half-century. It was a state patrol vehicle which first entered the tunnel when it opened to traffic in 1973. Empire State Water Well Drillers Association 2024 Annual Meeting January 16 17, 2024 Turning Stone Casino Verona, NY Auction Seminars Cocktail Party Membership Meeting Exhibits and More! nywelldriller.org
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