Volume 23 September 2026 Happy Labor Day!
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3 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource®
Are you Planning to go?.......................................................15 Breaking News......................................................................13 Classifieds with WorldWide............................................37-48 Education Connection............................................................8 Fun Page................................................................................27 Hot Off the Press.....................................................................9 Obituary: Berg, Doyle Alfred................................................22 Obituary: Kern, Rita Marguarite Wethington......................22 Obituary: Russell, Travis Lynn............................................34 Obituary: Sanford, Thomas “Denny”..................................34 Product Spotlight..................................................................34 Who’s in the News................................................................13 WorldWide Association Memberships....................................32 WorldWide ..............6 Allegheny Instruments........................................................22 Atlantic Screen & Manufacturing, Inc. (ASI)........................30 Baker Water Systems.........................................................17 Better Water Industries Inc..................................................12 Bit Brokers International (BBI)..............................................3 Bitco, Inc.............................................................................18 Derex....................................................................................4 Drilling Equipment Sales, Inc. (DES)....................................2 Drilling Supply & Mfg (DSM)...............................................26 Eastern Driller Manufacturing (EDM)..................................35 GeoPro, Inc.........................................................................14 Geoprobe Systems®..............................................................1 Geothermal Supply Company, Inc. (GSC)..........................27 Heisey Machine Co.............................................................21 Heron Instruments, Inc.........................................................9 Hole Products.....................................................................31 Infinity Tool Manufacturing..................................................27 Infinity Tool Manufacturing..................................................47 Kovai Drilling Applications...................................................21 KS Bit, Inc...........................................................................36 Louisiana Ground Water Association (LGWA) ...................33 Merrill Manufacturing..........................................................15 Mills Machine Company, Inc...............................................29 Mountain States Ground Water Expo.................................28 N&N Drilling Supply.............................................................13 National Drilling Association (NDA) Convention……..….....16 Palmer Bit Company...........................................................20 SEMCO, Inc........................................................................48 Star Iron Works, Inc. - Construction....................................25 Star Iron Works, Inc. - Water Well.......................................24 T&T Carbide Inc..................................................................23 Vanair®...............................................................................11 Well-Vu, Inc.........................................................................19 Advertisers Featured Editorial C&G - Construction/Geotechnical ENV - Environmental EXB - Exploration/Blasthole G&O - Shallow Gas and Oil GEO - Geothermal HDD - Horizontal Directional Drilling MIN - Mining WTR - Water September 2026 - History C&G ENV EXB G&O GEO HDD MIN WTR Aardvark Packers Atlantic Screen & Mfg., Inc. Baker Water Systems Bit Brokers International Centerline Mfg. ChemGrout® Drill King International Drill Pipe, Inc. Eastern Driller Mfg. (EDM) Get Association Help™ Groundwater Week Heisey Machine Co. Hole Products Kovai Drilling Applications Louisiana Ground Water Assn. Merrill Manufacturing Mt. States Ground Water Expo National Drilling Assn. It All Started In 1935..................................................19 An Idea Turned Into Reality.......................................25 Storkson, Britt: Say It. Don’t Spray It.......................12 28 Years of Environmental Drilling.............................20 Connor, Tim: Seven Things to Consider...................11 E-News Readers’ Choice - The Right Bit for Fast........15 Wilson, Jr., Robert Evans: The Un-Comfort Zone II...28,30 Battersby, Mark E.: Drilling Into Money Not Boring...17 Vast Knowledge of Geothermal Technology..............27 Parton, Kenneth W.: Getting Back to the Basics......7 Through the Years of HDD........................................14 A Shared Vision.........................................................31 Smith, Billy Bob: The “Idiots” Corner.......................18 A Journey to Innovation.............................................21 Bartholomew, Gary: Water for Life............................8 The Evolution of Well Drilling.....................................24 75 Years of Innovation, Integrity, and Industry Leadership...33 O-K Bit Service, Inc. PennDrill Mfg. Star Iron Works, Inc. T&T Carbide, Inc. Twist Force Manufacturing LLC Victory Steel Products Corp. 5 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource®
Wondering – Why? How? When? Here’s a short history of WorldWide Drilling Resource, Inc. It began as a dream of founder Veronica I. "Ronnie" Jones. She spent several years working working in the industry representing prominent magazines and earned a reputation as a fair-minded, as a fair-minded, trustworthy individual with the drilling industry's best interest at heart. Her roles in magazines such as the former National Drillers Buyers Guide; National Ground Water's Drilling Marketplace; and her own company, International Drillers' Choice (as USA representative for Australasian Drilling and GeoDrilling International) were varied and gave her a broad grasp of the entire drilling industry, making friends WorldWide. Feeling a desire to help each area of drilling with a special magazine focusing on the drilling professionals and their needs, she and Doc went forward with the help of several professionals and their needs, she and Doc went forward with the help of several investors to begin WorldWide Drilling Resource, Inc. on September 3rd, 2003, and incorporated it November 22, 2005 it November 22, 2005. The company began with only three employees (Mary Ann Pelletier, Kathy Heinrich, Marie Cunningham), plus of course Doc Faison and Veronica I. “Ronnie” Jones. There was no database of subscribers, no advertiser base, but many contacts from her years working with the wonderful people in the drilling industry. This was the gateway to the now thousands of subscribers who welcome WorldWide Drilling Resource® into their living rooms, offices, and rigs each month. The website, www.worldwidedrillingresource.com www.worldwidedrillingresource.com, has become a top search with google , has become a top search with google as well as other forums which brings many new subscribers from parts of the globe other forums which brings many new subscribers from parts of the globe never thought of before! The number of trade events covered by The number of trade events covered by WorldWide Drilling Resource® has fluctuated from 8 - 46 throughout the years. At the majority of those events, out the years. At the majority of those events, the WWDR Team (with the symbolic red jackets - indicating power and strength) is - indicating power and strength) is readily identified. The staff has fluctuated with many hurdles such as economy ups and as economy ups and downs and the Pandemic. Ninety percent of the workload is handled right here by the WWDR Team, from article research, ad sales, website building, database, and basically whatever it takes to get the job done ~ except for our wonderful printer Walton Press, who has stood by us now for 23 years. Many ask, "How can so few people do so much?" It’s through the dedication of each and every one of us to provide the best service possible. Keeping up with new developments, the WWDR Team is continually updating and adding to its magazine to better serve the drilling industry. Safety became a major focus in 2009, prompting the WWDR Team to donate a special section of the magazine just to Safety, but in November 2013, it was decided, Safety is a major factor in all drilling, so it was merged into all sections. On this September 3, 2026, we celebrate 23 years for the company and we are also celebrating 20 years for two of our very best employees, Michele Stevens our Office Administrator and Bonnie Love our Editor. According to Ronnie, the future remains brighter than ever for this growing company. With the continued support of its terrific advertisers, avid readers, camaraderie with the local, state, national, and international associations, knowledgeable and experienced writers, and wonderful, hard-working staff, there is no telling what the continuing impact this dream will have on our industry and the drilling professionals who make this their life's work. With Pen - Computer in hand . . . Veronica I. “Ronnie” Jones 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, exploration-blasthole, shallow gas & oil, geothermal, mining, water well, irrigation, wastewater; from bits, to pumps, to rigs, to tanks, through wire, and much, much, more. Whatever it takes to get the drilling job done! it takes to get the drilling job done! Managing Publisher/CEO/President: Veronica I. Jones Vice President: Troy Cunningham Office Administrator: Michele Stevens Editor: Bonnie Love Senior Editorial Assistant: Sophia Henline Representative / Special Assignments: Marie Cunningham Special Guest Representative: Ed Moranski Editorial Contributors for this month: Gary Bartholomew Mark Battersby Tim Connor Ken W. Parton “Billy Bob Smith” Britt Storkson Robert Evans Wilson, Jr. 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 2026 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. Consultant: Mary Ann Pelletier We’ll see you On the Trail . . . NEXT UP ~ Groundwater Week! We Recycle Celebrating 23 Years 9/03/2003 ~ 9/03/2026 6 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource®
7 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Getting Back to the Basics by Ken W. Parton, Southeast Regional Sales Manager, N&N Drilling Supply Mfr. Great organizations are built by people - not technology. After more than four decades of leadership in the military, engineering, drilling, operations, sales, and business development, I’ve reached a conclusion which has become more convincing with every passing year: Organizations are not transformed by technology alone, they are transformed by people. Today’s leaders have access to artificial intelligence (“AI”), ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems, dashboards, predictive analytics, and more performance data than any generation before them. These tools are extraordinary, and essential. They provide visibility, speed, and insight, but they remain exactly what they are - tools. They cannot replace judgment, integrity, accountability, courage, or leadership. Modern technology provides data that previous generations could only dream about. Dashboards reveal trends; KPIs (key performance indicators) measure performance; ERP systems connect organizations in real time; “AI” identifies patterns and opportunities. Every organization should embrace these capabilities. What technology cannot do is decide whether leaders will tell the truth. It cannot determine whether teams trust one another. It cannot create ownership or accountability. Technology amplifies the culture which already exists. A healthy culture uses technology to become exceptional. An unhealthy culture simply measures failure with greater precision. Throughout my career, I’ve worked for large, multinational organizations equipped with world-class technology and reporting systems. I’ve also worked with smaller organizations that didn’t have every latest platform or unlimited budget. Some of those smaller organizations consistently outperformed competitors many times their size. Why? Because leadership was visible, communication was direct, people trusted one another, and decisions were made quickly. Individuals accepted responsibility instead of waiting for someone else to solve the problem. Those experiences convinced me that, while technology provides information, people create results. Some of the most important leadership lessons I learned came while serving in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm with the 20th Engineer Brigade under Brigadier General Robert T. Flowers. Our brigade served as part of the coalition commanded by General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. Although most Soldiers never met General Schwarzkopf personally, his leadership philosophy flowed through every level of the chain of command and became part of the culture. Two of his best-known leadership principles have stayed with me throughout my career. Rule 13: “When placed in command, take charge.” Rule 14: “Do what’s right.” Those rules were never about authority alone. They were about ownership, responsibility, integrity, and courage. Taking charge meant accepting responsibility before assigning it. Doing what’s right meant choosing the mission and the people over convenience or ego. After every mission, we conducted an After Action Review. Looking back, it remains one of the most effective organizational learning processes I’ve ever experienced. The questions were simple: • What was the mission? • What actually happened? • What went well? • What didn't go well? • What will we do differently next time? Everyone had a voice. Rank did not excuse poor decisions, and rank did not prevent junior Soldiers from contributing observations. The purpose was not blame, the purpose was improvement. Imagine if every organization reviewed projects that way. Imagine replacing finger-pointing with learning, and politics with ownership. Another lesson which has influenced my leadership philosophy comes from studying the mindset of elite organizations such as the U.S. Navy SEALs. They are not trained to avoid stress, they are trained to think clearly inside it. Rather than becoming consumed by everything outside their control, they ask one question: “What can I control right now?” This simple question changes the conversation. Instead of panic, there is purpose. Instead of blame, there is action. Instead of paralysis, there is progress. The same mindset belongs in business. Every challenge should end with the next right action. One lesson has proven itself over and over again in both life and leadership: If you're always comfortable, you're probably not growing. Think back to your own life to the first day of school; the first day on the job; walking onto a college campus; your first date; leading your first team; speaking before an audience; starting a business - none of those experiences felt comfortable. They stretched you, challenged you, and forced you to develop new capabilities. Organizations grow exactly the same way. Innovation is uncomfortable. Honest feedback is uncomfortable. Accountability is uncomfortable. Change is uncomfortable. Discomfort is not the enemy, though, it is often the price of growth. Comfort builds routine. Discomfort builds capability. There is an important difference between constructive accountability and destructive criticism. Great leaders correct behaviors without attacking identity. They ask, “What can we learn?” rather than “Who should we blame?” This distinction builds confidence while raising standards. It creates organizations where people tell the truth early instead of hiding mistakes until they become crises. The future belongs to organizations that combine outstanding technology with outstanding people. Invest in “AI”, dashboards, ERP systems, and analytics, but invest even more in leadership. Build cultures where honesty is expected, accountability is normal, learning never stops, and every challenge becomes an opportunity to improve. After four decades of leadership, I remain convinced the greatest competitive advantage any organization can possess is not its technology. It is its people. Great organizations are built one conversation, one lesson, one act of integrity, and one decision at a time. Technology accelerates culture. Leadership creates it. Ken Ken W. Parton may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com The WWDR offices will be closed Monday, September 7th; e-mail will be monitored. We wish you all a blessed and safe holiday.
8 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource® by Rod Bartholomew, submitted by Gary Bartholomew The dry season had come earlier than usual to northern Guatemala and settled over the land in a way that left people feeling hopeless. Week after week, the heat pressed down on the land around La Compuerta, a small community near the Belize border. It's difficult to describe the pain and suffering this community experienced, existing year after year without access to clean water. We had come to Guatemala with the team from Water for Life, the organization based in Spokane, Washington, committed to bringing clean water and the gospel to remote Guatemalan villages. On this particular trip, my role was to help with evangelism and hold dental clinics in the villages and communities where wells were being drilled. The situation in La Compuerta was among the worst I'd ever observed. The village had no clean water source. What they had instead was a low-lying basin nestled between rolling hills. Every rainfall in the region drained into it. There was no outlet, no stream, no river, no drainage. Only evaporation and seepage into the ground slowly reduced it. So it became a catch basin for everything the hills produced. Animals lived and died on those slopes. Waste washed down. Organic matter decayed. Over time, the water turned into thick, stagnant, foul-smelling muck. It was the kind of water no one would ever consider drinking, and yet it was all they had. Families knew it was unsafe. They had no illusions about it. They also had no alternative. Many of the children suffered frequent illnesses. Some families, fearful of the contaminated water, tried to buy bottled soft drinks or fruit juices instead - anything they thought might be safer - but even that was beyond the reach of the poorest households. So the suffering continued quietly, year after year. One of the most devastating realities we learned was children - especially infants and toddlers - were dying in the village with heartbreaking regularity. It had become, in a sense, normalized grief. We left early on a Monday morning in a small four-wheel-drive Mitsubishi pickup loaded with dental supplies and clinic equipment. The roads deteriorated quickly once we left the main routes. In places, it felt less like driving on a road and more like navigating a dry riverbed carved by past floods. At one point, the inevitable happened. A tire gave out under the strain of the terrain. Changing it was its own ordeal. The lug nuts had clearly not been loosened in years. Rust had seized them. We worked in the heat, sweating through shirts, using every bit of leverage we had. What should have taken minutes stretched into nearly two hours before we were finally able to continue. By the time we reached La Compuerta, we were behind schedule and already exhausted, but there was no time to rest. Word had spread quickly. People began gathering immediately. Within a short time, we had nearly 75 patients waiting for dental care. We set up three portable dental chairs under a makeshift cover and began working as efficiently as possible. The needs were overwhelming. Pain, infection, and neglected dental disease - conditions which would have been manageable elsewhere had become severe simply because of lack of access to care. It was in the middle of this that I had a life-impacting experience I will tell about next month. If you would like to help, contact Gary Bartholomew at 509-939-1941. Gary Gary Bartholomew may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com WTR Drilling Fundamentals by: Concrete Sawing and Drilling Assoc. Sawing & Drilling 101 October 12-14 ~ Elyria, OH Sawing & Drilling 201 - Operator Certification October 14-16 ~ Elyria, OH phone: 217-528-3275 www.csda.org/events Foundations by: Pile Dynamics, Inc. and GRL Engineers, Inc. Seminar: State of Practice: Benefits, Methods, Risks and Education Connection Implementation of Deep Foundation Quality Assurance Methods October 12 ~ Houston, TX October 14 ~ Mobile, AL October 16 ~ St. Louis, MO phone: 216-831-6131 www.pile.com/events/ Groundwater / Water Well by: Princeton Groundwater, Inc. The Remediation Course October 26-30 and November 2-6 LIVE ONLINE phone: 813-964-0800 www.princetongroundwater.com/ courses/remediation-course Irrigation by: Rain Bird Academy Training October 5-9 ~ Mobile, AL October 5-9 ~ Stockton, CA October 12-16 ~ Campbell, CA October 12-16 ~ Gainesville, FL October 19-23 ~ Bakersfield, CA October 19-23 ~ Sarasota, FL October 26-30 ~ Riverside, CA October 26-30 ~ Panama City Beach, FL phone: 800-498-1942 E-mail: training@rainbird.com Pipe by: McElroy University Large Diameter TracStar® iSeries Fusion Operator Qualification October 1-2 ~ Broken Arrow, OK phone: 918-836-8611 www.mcelroy.com More education opportunities during events can be found by clicking here online at: worldwidedrillingresource.com
9 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Teaming Up to Plug Orphan Wells The Well Done Foundation (WDF) and Zefiro Methane Corp. announced a formal teaming agreement to accelerate the plugging of orphan gas and oil wells across the U.S., beginning with the Deep Fork project in Oklahoma. Zefiro’s subsidiary Plants & Goodwin Inc. (P&G) will perform the plugging operations. The partnership pairs WDF’s expertise in civil engineering, regulatory navigation, and marine operations, including the ability to access wells beside and beneath waterways, with P&G’s turnkey drilling and plug-and-abandonment strategies. Beyond Oklahoma, P&G holds a three-year contract with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; has plugged more than 75 state-funded orphan wells across Ohio and Pennsylvania in 2025; and completed methane monitoring work for the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. “For more than 50 years, our family has built this company on a simple belief: your reputation matters, and so does ours,” said Luke Plants, CEO of P&G. “We deliver on time, on budget, and to the highest standard because that’s what the work demands. The Well Done Foundation operates with the same integrity and commitment to doing things right, and we’re proud to formalize this partnership as we tackle orphan well plugging together on a national scale.” “Zefiro and Plants & Goodwin have proven time and again that they do the job right, start to finish, no shortcuts,” said Curtis Shuck, Chairman of the Well Done Foundation. “Their turnkey model and ability to handle every aspect of a project makes them the ideal partner as we expand beyond the 18 states we currently operate in . . . This agreement positions us to meet the growing demand for responsible orphan well plugging nationwide.” For a link, click on this box in our online issue. No online issue? Register at worldwidedrillingresource.com
85 sales@aardva “Quality Packers Y Mechanical Inflatable Environmental Geotechnica Packer Parts 55-546-6488 arkpackers com You Can Count On” Wireline Straddle al Mining Grout Packers Custom Design s aardvarkpackers.com sales@aardvarkpackers.com Association Need Help? 850-547-0102 - Ronnie 10 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource®
11 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Seven Things to Consider by Tim Connor I am not a physician, but have been studying aging and its causes and consequences my entire life. In fact, in my last book “My Age is None of My Business,” I shared a lot of what I have learned over these many years. Want to live longer and healthier? Consider the following seven items that can/will make a positive, long-term difference in your life and future. In no special order: 1. Manage life’s stressors better. The single biggest contributor to death in life is stress; the single biggest contributor to stress is impatience; and the single biggest contributor to impatience is the need for control. So, if you are a control freak, you are slowly killing yourself. 2. Live each moment with gratitude. A wide variety of medical studies have all come to the same conclusion over the years. People who live with a spirit of gratitude get sick less and live longer - Period. 3. Show appreciation to others more often. Showing appreciation keeps your brain functioning from the youngest part of the human brain, the neocortex. This, in turn, keeps your consciousness focused on the positives in life and not the ones driven by fear. 4. Laugh and have fun every day. Laughing and smiling more during the day keeps you focused on life’s positives rather than negatives. Since the body is more than 70% water, if you stay focused on negatives, it causes your body to produce more acids than alkaline, therefore keeping all the organs of the body surrounded in negatives of acids rather the positives of alkaline. The outcome? Laughter can be a wonderful healer of not only emotional challenges but other life issues as well. 5. Give more time, self, effort, support, guidance, etc. to others. When you give of yourself, you remove yourself from a self-oriented approach to life to an outer-oriented approach. It can keep your mental focus on the positives of life rather than the negative ones you are dealing with. 6. Say thank-you more. This one is simple. If people keep doing stuff for you and over time you fail to say thank-you, it is only a matter of time before they will stop. I don’t care if it’s time, a present, or letting someone out into traffic so they don’t have to keep waiting forever. 7. Let go of stuff that doesn’t matter anymore - the past, future, regret, hurts, disappointment, lack of forgiveness, and so much more. Most negative and pessimistic people tend to stay focused on the past and the future and their past or potential negatives, like - lack of forgiveness, pains, regrets, etc. The past is dead, folks - you can’t fix it now and trust me, I know because for many wasted years I spent too much time and energy trying to fix or change the past. Let it go. That’s it. As a by-product, consider relationships also grounded in the above are going to last longer and be healthier. How do you think you are doing with the above seven? In His service, Tim Tim Connor may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.” ~Mark Twain
12 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Say It. Don’t Spray It. by Britt Storkson Owner, P2FlowLLC During my growing up years, I recall the phrase “Say it. Don’t spray it.” as an admonition to young children not to talk while their mouths are full. One might understand parts of the statement, but one won’t get all of the information. I had what could be viewed as a similar experience recently with a sprinkler timer. I won’t mention the brand of timer, but it is a good standard product and basically no different than any other conventional sprinkler timer on the market, and we’ve been using it for several years. I had set this timer up to run four valves on one station to service our garden drip system. Since the ½-inch drip tubing could not carry the entire water flow without considerable pressure loss, I arranged the piping so the water source would feed the drip tubing from several different locations off of a much larger (3-inch) PVC pipe minimizing flow losses. I’ve installed and used many sprinkler timers over the years and most of them will allow you to run up to four electric solenoid (sprinkler) valves per station. Since each electric valve solenoid requires 200-250 milliamps (¼-amp) at 24 volts AC (alternating current) meaning the sprinkler timer transformer, switching components, etc. must be able to deliver about 1 amp continuously. I didn’t notice any spec about the number of valves in the instructions for this timer, so I assumed this industry standard would apply here. After considerable wasted time, I finally figured out the timer would not support four valves. That part wasn’t a problem. The problem was how this timer handled a current (amperage) overload. Most timers, when overloaded like this, will immediately shut off everything and put a statement saying “overload” or something like that on the display so you know to check the valve output current load. Or a fuse will blow and you immediately know something is overloaded. That’s not how this timer did things. When it shut down, it put the phrase “NO AC” on the display. Since this timer has a small battery to maintain the display and clock functions, I figured the 120-volt AC line had something wrong with it. This unit had an extension cord because the original cord couldn’t reach to the AC receptacle. So I disassembled the cord ends to check for a problem. No problem found. I replaced the cord with another one. It didn’t change anything either. I did notice when I restored the AC power to it (plugged it in), the timer would run for a few minutes, cycle on and off three or four times, then quit with the “NO AC” indicator on the display. Please note, this did not happen immediately. It took several minutes to perform the shutdown. So when I restored the AC power, turned on the sprinklers, and immediately left, meant I didn’t see this happening - resulting in several false starts, to use a football term. When I did finally stay around after I started the sprinklers, then and only then, did I notice this strange routine. Now that I understood what the problem was, the fix was easy. I used a 24-volt AC relay coil, which is a much smaller current load than the valve, and switched the valve from a separate 24-volt AC power source. A mechanical relay, by the way, is an electrically controlled switch. One routes the output of the sprinkler timer station/zone to the relay coil and, when energized, the magnetic coil pulls in the relay contacts and routes the extra current to the valve solenoid I took off to lighten the load. Using the relay, the loads are effectively isolated, meaning there is no direct electrical connection between the sprinkler timer and the fourth valve. When the sprinkler station turns on it, turns on the extra valve and all works well. This should not have been so difficult to troubleshoot. None of this was mentioned in the timer instructions, so I had no idea what to do to make it work right. It was just the process of elimination which, of course, wasted a lot of time. My message to the manufacturers of these products is a message I’ve preached for some time. Make the product simple, reliable, and easy to troubleshoot. One can’t go too far wrong with that approach. Britt Britt Storkson may be contacted via e-mail to michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com
13 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Deep Foundations Institute Names 2026 Outstanding Project Award The Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) announced the Irishtown Bend Slope Stabilization Project by Richard Geottle, Inc. is the 2026 Outstanding Project Award winner. The site along the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio, experienced decades of movement before the large-scale foundation system was implemented. Construction was performed from land and water on the active landslide site within a live commercial shipping channel. The work required continuous geotechnical monitoring along with real time operational adjustments. The company, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, will be recognized at the DFI 51st Annual Conference on Deep Foundations Awards Dinner later this year. 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 Sims Crane & Equipment along with Epiroc can be found in our online issue at: worldwidedrillingresource.com Utility Expo 2027 Show Chair The Utility Expo announced Kevin Thomas, Executive Vice President of Alamo Group’s Industrial Equipment Division, as show chair for its 2027 event. “Kevin’s deep industry expertise and collaborative leadership style make him an ideal choice to serve as show chair as we look ahead to the 2027 show,” said The Utility Expo Show Director Brianne Somers.
14 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Through the Years of HDD Adapted from Information by Melfred Borzall, Inc. Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) took many years, and incremental developments in directional technologies, to get to where it’s at today. Fred Melsheimer, a machinist and welder, started Melfred Welding & Manufacturing in 1946. Melsheimer designed and invented many tools and techniques forming the basis for HDD, like the slurry, or wet, boring process. Following in their father’s footsteps, Fred's sons Ted and Dick started working at the company in 1955, becoming full-time in 1961. Together, they created the DynaMole which was a self-propelled hydraulic boring machine enabling longer bores. In 1969, Dick and Ted obtained a patent on the DynaMole, which included a method of pulling utilities behind a back reamer during horizontal drilling. Another figure emerged who would be crucial to the HDD industry. Martin Cherrington had watched a gas line installed using a handheld air drill, and got an idea for guided drilling. Eventually, this led to Cherrington custom building an early version of a directional drill rig in 1964, to complete road-boring jobs. A huge breakthrough happened while Cherrington was installing gas lines for the Pacific Gas & Electric Company when they had to cross the Pajaro River in central California. Using a newly developed rig and some unconventional methods, Cherrington successfully drilled underwater. This showcased the potential of HDD as an effective technique for underground drilling, minimizing disruption to the environment. In the late 1970s, Dick worked with Goldac Co. to launch the first electric drill bit locator. This locator served as a direct ancestor to modern-day walkover transmitter location systems, a core component of horizontal directional drilling equipment. The advancements of the 1970s set the stage for significant technological progress in the 1980s. Dick established Borzall Equipment, focusing on producing durable reamers, bits, and other HDD tools. Later, he would join back up with Melfred Welding to form Melfred Borzall. Dick, along with the Melfred team, began developing the first HDD rig called the Sure Shot Directional Drilling system. The system was launched in 1990, revolutionizing the HDD market, making advanced technology available to contractors and drill operators everywhere. It featured innovations such as an electric strike alarm and hydraulic control valves for better safety, visibility, and control. Digital Control introduced the DigiTrak system, designed from the ground up to locate boring tools. It quickly became a crucial piece of HDD equipment, giving drill operators roll, pitch, and more accurate location and depth readings, as well as a remote display for real-time monitoring. For eight decades, Melfred Borzall has focused on one thing: building HDD tooling that makes directional drilling more productive, more predictable, and more profitable. What began as a commitment to solving tough drilling challenges has grown into a legacy of innovation that continues to shape how the industry bores. Today, the legacy continues with a strong focus on engineering, manufacturing excellence, and practical innovation supporting the modern HDD contractor. While technology has evolved, the mission remains the same - design and build reliable tooling helps drill operators work smarter and more efficiently. With four generations involved, the commitment runs deeper than ever: stay close to the customer, keep improving the product, and continue earning the trust of crews across the industry. HDD
15 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource® The Right Bit for Fast Turnaround Drilling Projects Adapted from Information by O-K Bit Service, Inc. In today’s drilling industry, achieving speed and efficiency is important. Contractors who work in gas and oil, geothermal, mining, horizontal directional drilling, or water well drilling industries face constant pressure to finish their projects quickly while upholding safety and performance standards. Selecting the wrong drill bit can slow drilling operations, increase maintenance costs, and lead to unforeseen delays impacting the entire project timeline. These interruptions not only push back project schedules, they also increase labor expenses, fuel usage, equipment wear, and overall drilling cost. One critical factor in selecting a drill bit is understanding the geological formation being drilled. Different geological conditions place different demands on the bit, and utilizing the wrong bit design can significantly reduce efficiency. For example, soft formations like clay, sand, and loose sediment typically requires bits engineered for rapid cutting and penetration. Hard formations, such as granite or other dense rock necessitate more durable cutting structures capable of enduring significant wear and impact. In these situations, operators often need versatile drill bits that adapt to changing conditions without sacrificing performance. Inventory availability is another crucial factor in fast turnaround drilling projects. Delays caused by unavailable tools can quickly disrupt schedules and increase downtime. Having dependable access to replacement bits and backup inventory allows teams to quickly adapt to unexpected changes in drilling conditions. Working with a knowledgeable drill bit supplier helps contractors select the right equipment quickly and confidently. Reliable support from suppliers becomes beneficial when unexpected drilling conditions arise during a project. An experienced supplier can assist with: j Formation analysis j Bit recommendations j Performance optimization j Inventory planning j Wear pattern evaluation j Cost-saving opportunities From analyzing formations and hydraulic performance to ensuring durability and rig compatibility, every aspect impacts how effectively a drill bit performs under challenging conditions. Selecting the right bit contributes to: j Improved penetration rates j Reduced downtime j Extended equipment life j Maintain consistent productivity Selecting the proper bit before drilling starts can keep projects on schedule and operations running smoothly. Editor’s Note: In between our print issues, the WWDR Team prepares an electronic newsletter called E-News Flash by WorldWide Drilling Resource by WorldWide Drilling Resource®. This newsletter is filled with articles not included in our print issue. Based on readership, this was the most popular article of the month. Get in on the action and subscribe today at: worldwidedrillingresource.com/e-news-sign-up.html EXB Looking for Events? Click on this box in our online issue worldwidedrillingresource.com
For more information, call 216-210-3827 E-mail Info@nda4u.net Visit www.nda4u.net Official Hotel Reservation Block: https://book.passkey.com/go/NationalDrillingAssocSep26 Drill Expo Registration: https://cvent.me/b23Mkb Special Keynote Speaker ~ Rob Jones Retired U.S. Marine, Combat Veteran, and Paralympic Medalist. Join us for Exhibits, Educational Opportunities, and FUN! Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center Nashville, Tennessee
17 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Drilling Into Money Not Boring by Mark E. Battersby Successful Succession Planning What is going to happen to the drilling business built up and nurtured over the years when the owner retires? Who’s going to lead the business in the years ahead? Will ties with the business be severed or will it be used as a source of retirement income for the departing owner? A succession plan for the business can help ensure a closely held or family drilling business, however big or small, will continue to operate successfully when the owner or owners exit, retire, pass away, or are suddenly incapacitated. There are a number of transition strategies which should be addressed in a good succession plan, including: c Founder transition: How long does the owner plan to stay involved in the drilling business; what are his or her retirement plans, if any? c Family Transition: If the plan is to leave the business to family members, how will roles and power relationships change? How will family harmony be maintained through the transition? Succession planning for drilling professionals - or any business owner or partner - is an ongoing process of identifying and developing internal talent to fill safety-critical, technical, and leadership roles. It prevents costly operational disruptions, preserves decades of specialized field expertise, and ensures workforce stability across your crews. Traditional succession planning usually involves a very narrow list of so-called "safe picks." The basic plan coaches potential candidates with targeted leadership training that focuses on safety culture, communication, and team building. Because the drilling industry is rapidly changing, the search for potential future leadership must be agile. Will management consist of family, nonfamily, or both? Among the mistakes in succession planning is passing over nonfamily candidates or focusing on replacements rather than roles, and ignoring future potential. The most common mistake, however, is procrastinating or entirely failing to plan. A well-thought-out, effective succession plan will provide a smooth transition in management and ownership - with a minimum tax bite. Fortunately, planning can minimize the tax burden by leveraging lifetime exemptions, annual gifting, and structured sales. Utilizing the federal estate tax exemption (up to $15 million for individuals or $30 million for married couples) and gifting portions of the business under the annual exclusion (e.g., $19,000 per recipient) can be effective. Remember, succession planning is a contingency plan - not a one-time event. Given the number and complexity of succession options available, truly effective succession planning requires time, and the assistance of outside advisers. Mark Mark E. Battersby may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com
18 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource® The “Idiots” Corner by “Billy Bob Smith” Personality Styles and Idiots Are there idiots in all personality types? I’m sure if you have been in business for more than a year, you are familiar with or have heard of the personality profile process by Myers-Briggs®. For a quick review, the organizations which teach this process have categorized four basic personality types: 0 The Driver who is fast paced, doesn’t like a lot of detail, wants to be in control, is focused on the end result, and has a tendency to put relationships at the bottom of their list. 0 The Analytical needs lots of details, is process oriented, is numbers driven, their relationships are not a priority, they keep lots of records or written/computerdriven stuff. 0 The Expressive is relationship focused and likes to have fun, and tends to not be too serious when it comes to work or performance. They get the importance of keeping track of relationship needs and desires of others and they are not detail-oriented. They like to play and be spontaneous. 0 The Amiable is also relationship focused and doesn’t like conflict. They are detail-oriented and hate change, stress, pressure, and time restraints. They are focused on the process - not the results or desired outcomes. Which type do you think you are? Are there idiots in all four types? You betcha. Drivers hate details and tend to act like idiots when they can’t control something, need to take more time to get something done, or make decisions. They don’t mind conflict as long as they can have their way. They hate planning, and I guarantee many of them will deplore artificial intelligence. Drivers can be in all work or life areas as teachers, CEOs, politicians, etc., but they also tend to be in positions of control. If they don’t have it, they yearn for it. Drivers who have a task that takes too long and has too much detail will lose it; if they can’t predict an outcome, they can act like loonies. Analyticals get upset if you don’t give them the details they want and need. They will go out of their way to give others the requirement of detail. Imagine being lost without GPS - they will go nuts. All of their decisions are grounded in detail, statistics, and analysis. They are very time-focused and results-oriented. They will start a pity party if things don’t go their way. Analyticals who are given an overview of a task and no details or rules will go into stress mode. Expressives can be found at the gym, in a coffee shop, or a playground. They love to laugh and make others laugh. They love to party and take vacations. Deadlines and details make them crazy. They are fun to be around, and they don’t carry grudges, regrets, or negative emotions about others. They can be productive as long as they can do things their way. When upset, they are louder and disruptive with their complaints or behavior. Expressives will withdraw or get angry depending on the issue and the degree it affects them. Amiables will lose it mentally if you give them a short deadline. They will isolate themselves, whine, or point fingers at the source of their problem or challenge. Tell them to meet you at a certain time and they will never be late, but won’t handle your lateness well. They hate it when they don’t get the details they want and need, whether about actions and stuff on a vacation or rules or expectations in their job. They are peoplepeople and are relationship-focused. They will do whatever they can to avoid pressure, stress, and conflict. Amiables who work alone or at home will come to hate their job. They can go into crisis no matter what happens without their ability to have control of the process, details, timing, etc. Which type do you think? j Can get crazy the fastest? The Driver j Can lose their temper the loudest? The Expressive j Can be the most unhappy? The Amiable j Can hate mistakes? The Analytical Keep your eyes open this month and see if you can quickly identify or predict a response to an issue or environment and manage or handle it correctly. Also, doing personality profiles of employees has a major benefit of improving their performance, communication, and organization effectiveness. Billy Bob Contact him via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com Groundwater Week Pinpointer Map Have you secured a spot on this year’s Groundwater Week Pinpointer Map? This map is in WWDR’s November issue and also handed out to attendees at the show pinpointing them to your booth. Don’t miss this opportunity to get your company on the map! Deadline: October 1st Email: bonnie@ worldwidedrillingresource.com
19 SEPTEMBER 2026 WorldWide Drilling Resource® It All Started In 1935 Adapted from Information by the Anderson Equipment Company Anderson Equipment Company was founded in 1935 by H.W. Anderson and his partner C.K. Burson, a premier distributor of earth-moving and mobile equipment to the construction and mining industries. In the late 1930s, the firm's inventory comprised largely of used and rebuilt construction equipment with new construction and mining equipment lines steadily being added over time. Since its inception, the company has continuously expanded its sales and service territories throughout Western Pennsylvania. In 1979, Anderson extended into West Virginia and has become the market leader in rotary drills. By offering outstanding equipment and superior product support, Anderson became key supplier to the largest mining operations in the state. In 1996, Rupp Rental and Sales in upstate New York, was acquired by Anderson. This brought the capabilities of two familyowned companies together, offering increased products and services. With the experience of the rental company, it allowed Anderson to become more aggressive in the rental market in Pennsylvania and West Virginia while expanding its sales expertise north into New York. In November 2009, Anderson’s third generation of family ownership demonstrated their commitment to growing the company with the acquisition of R.C. Hazelton of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Then in December 2012 came the acquisition of The Oliver Stores of Maine and New Hampshire. The Hazelton and Oliver Stores brought unmatched forestry expertise to the company’s existing portfolio of construction, mining, and roadbuilding knowledge. The company continues to refine its product lines and services having established a reputation for developing innovative solutions to specialized jobsite applications. j New and used equipment sales j Rental equipment j Rent to buy j Equipment leasing j Authorized Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) j OEM Parts Although Anderson Equipment Company has changed dramatically over the years - with 19 full service locations across Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, their infrastructure affords them the ability to seamlessly fulfill customers' needs from Kentucky to Canada. One characteristic has remained the same - its reputation for quality: people, products, and services. C&G
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