13 OCTOBER 2025 WorldWide Drilling Resource® A Screen Helping Cut Pumping and Maintenance Costs Adapted from Information by Johnson Screens Irrigators are grappling with significant challenges. The expenses related to energy and the maintenance or replacement of pumps are on the rise. Additionally, declining water levels in numerous regions have made enhancing well efficiency an urgent priority. Often, the root of these issues lies deep within the well itself. While pumps, motors, and other visible components receive meticulous attention, critical downhole elements, such as screens, are frequently neglected. As a result, many wells operate with lower efficiency and incur higher costs than necessary. Screens play an essential role in a well’s design, positioned through each water-bearing layer to allow water flow while preventing gravel or formation materials from entering. While this may seem straightforward, the complexity of groundwater movement and well hydraulics requires a meticulously engineered screen to address various factors at play. The Johnson Screens Agri-screen is an exemplary model, featuring several key design benefits. The open inlet of a screen significantly influences the volume of water a well can produce. It’s evident the well cannot deliver more water at the pump outlet than can be drawn in through the screen. A high open area is crucial for effective development or clean-up after drilling. During drilling, the aquifer can sustain damage as the permeability around the borehole is compromised by the intrusion of silt and clay, as well as the disturbance of formation particles caused by the drill bit. Without addressing this damage, the well cannot operate at peak efficiency. Development processes, such as surging, water jetting, or other mechanical methods, are employed to remove fine particles from around the screen. The success of these techniques is closely tied to the screen’s open area, as development tools need unobstructed access to both the formation and the gravel pack. Wells equipped with Agri-screens can be developed more effectively and thoroughly due to their larger open areas. A properly designed, constructed, and thoroughly developed well will operate efficiently. Water will flow in more easily at lower velocities, resulting in reduced issues with corrosion and encrustation that are often associated with high-velocity water passing through screens. As the pump operates less strenuously, savings on energy costs can be considerable and ongoing. WTR Metso Expands in Chile Metso has expanded its service center in Antofagasta, Chile, adding nearly 13,000 square feet of operational capacity. The expansion includes new infrastructure and state-ofthe-art technology to service large-scale equipment with greater speed, safety, and reliability. Strategically located in the La Negra industrial district, at the heart of northern Chile’s mining area, the service center has tripled its technical-commercial agreements in recent years, becoming a key strategic partner for major mining companies in the country. “Our service center in Antofagasta, which has been operational since 2013, has become a benchmark in technical support for large-scale mining in northern Chile.The expansion enables us to work on multiple critical pieces of equipment, reduce lead times, and improve availability for our customers,” said Leonardo Osorio, Vice President, Services Project Delivery, South America, Metso. For a link, click on this box in our online issue. No online issue? Register at worldwidedrillingresource.com WHO’S IN THE NEWS Additional announcements from Johnson Screens and SME (Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration) can be found in our online issue at worldwidedrillingresource.com Central Mine Equipment Company Missouri-based Central Mine Equipment Company announced Dave Thomas has been promoted to Sales Manager. Congratulations Dave!
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