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Lessons on Fluid Drilling
By Gary Shawver, MGWC
I needed to get CEUs to maintain my state and national certifications, so I attended the Iowa
Water Well Association 87th Annual Convention & Tradeshow, January 28-29 in Coralville, Iowa.
I also facilitated a class titled “Troubleshooting Drilling Problems.” I have done this for four years
now. Some of the topics are interesting every year. I give two hours to two separate classes, and
this year people in both classes wanted to discuss fluid drilling. With that, I thought I would write
on some of the topics we discussed.
Fluid drilling is the least profitable method of rotary drilling. This was documented in a pair of
studies done by NGWA in the early 1990s when NGWA asked for financial statements from
drilling firms across the United States to be submitted anonymously along with an overview of the
percentage of work done in the various fields of drilling: cable tool, air rotary, mud rotary, and a
few others.
The data clearly showed fluid drilling is less profitable than air rotary. That being said, if one has a
drilling business in an area of heavy overburden or sands and gravels, then one needs to acquire
more knowledge and skill sets to deal with the trials of fluid drilling.
When I first got into the business, my father, who had been in the business 40 years, had just
purchased his first rotary two years prior after doing cable tool drilling the previous 38 years.
He and the crews had no knowledge of fluid drilling. So they drilled all their wells with air rotary
the same way they had done cable tool—to drill and drive casing through overburden.
So for two years I did this. There were days that were a nightmare and some days I questioned
why I had come into the business. But that second year my father sent me to a mud school
hosted by one of the bentonite suppliers.
I was overwhelmed by the school to say the least, but at least I had a starting point to get to the
next level. I went back 10 years later after I had fumbled my way through mud drilling. While we
got the holes done, no one ever looked forward to doing a “mud hole” and we all hoped dad
would give us an “air hole.”
At the second school, everything began to fall into place. I learned a huge amount at that second
school, especially since I had been in the field and learned from the school of hard knocks.
Here’s some of the things I learned at that school (some of which is dated, but still applies today).
You need the right tools for fluid drilling to include, but not be limited, to the following:
1. Having the right mud pump for the job is key. Today most of what we run on holes up to
400 feet are centrifugal pumps. Some of these we have modified impellers in and these
have been a huge improvement. Duplex piston pumps are used when we go into deep-hole
drilling. Flow and pressure are two things one needs to understand when sizing a mud
pump.
2. You need the right type of stabilizers. At the second school I went to 10 years later, we had
an excellent class on stabilizers. The long and the short of it is this: A good, well-built, stiff
winged stabilizer with the wings built all the way down to the top of the bit is key. These
help keep the hole not only straight but help with mud rings in clay and help build wall cake
when drilling through sands and gravels.
3. The right bit is vitally important as well. For years now we have used long carbide button rerun bits when drilling through overburden. The long carbides cut large pieces of clay to help
facilitate drilling speed. They also are a godsend when drilling through boulders (as are the
winged stabilizers when boulders are encountered). Steel tooth bits work well for the most
part as well, but again bit design is key. Get the right bit for the right formation. PDC bits are
coming on strong in the drilling field and I would encourage all to talk to your bit supplier
about which PDC bit may be right for your applications.
4. The right mud pit or the right mud cleaning system is important. The design and flow
through a pit is critical in cleaning your fluid. Having the right pit volume for the hole size
and depth you are drilling is also important. However, if one is going to do a lot of fluid
drilling today on a regular basis, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of a good mud
cleaning system. They will not cost you money; they will make you money! They are
some of the last pieces of equipment that I bought and I can’t imagine drilling a fluid hole
today without them.
5. Last, but not least in all this, is your fluid. Building correct fluid for the formation you are
drilling through is not only vital—it is extremely important. In addition, there are an
unbelievable amount of additives you can use today to get your fluid exactly as you need it
for the formation you are drilling through. Learning these additives can be a big chore, but if
you learn to use the right additives for the right application they will make you money, not
cost you money! This is where going to a mud supplier’s school is invaluable. But don’t
go to just one, go to one about every four or five years to keep current and get refreshed on
what you may have forgotten.
While mud drilling can be overwhelming at times, taking the time to learn the ins and outs of fluid
drilling can be rewarding as well as challenging and exciting. Just remember: Learning is an
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ongoing lifetime challenge and so it is with drilling with fluids.
Gary Shawver, MGWC, is president of Shawver Well Co. Inc., an employee stock ownership
plan company in Fredericksburg, Iowa. He has been in the water well industry for 40 years and is
a Master Groundwater Contractor. He has served as president of the Iowa Water Well
Association, the Iowa Groundwater Association, and most recently served on the NGWA Board of
Directors. Shawver is semi-retired, having recently sold his business to his employees. He can be
reached at grs@shawverwell.com.
Six Steps for Disaster Recovery
By Gary Ganson, CIH, CSP
Certain activities are critical when preparing a disaster plan in advance. But what steps should be
taken afterwards to lessen the effects from a disaster?
Regardless what type of disaster, a disaster response plan will help guide and establish priorities
after a catastrophic event occurs. Here are six steps that should be taken to lessen the effect from
the disaster.
Step 1: Care and Concern for Employees
Our employees are critical to any operation and making sure their immediate needs are met will
help determine their availability to help in the recovery effort.
First aid and emergency aid must be rendered to address immediate needs of employees if hurt
during the disaster.
The next item that will occupy employees, especially if they are away from home and their families
and homes are involved in the disaster, will be their desire to know their families and homes are
safe. Staffing might be challenged, as the number of employees available may be limited.
Step 2: Evaluation of the Damage
Once the event has passed, assessing the amount, type, and extent of damage will help
determine the steps to be taken to return to normal operations. It must also be determined how
badly damaged equipment is, and how long it will take to replace or repair vehicles, rigs,
buildings, and lost equipment.
Having a good inventory as part of the disaster plan will help itemize the equipment that will
require some amount of repair.
Step 3: Insurance Coverage
If necessary, contact the insurance carrier that covers employees, which might include both the
worker’s compensation carrier and private medical coverage. For the company, the insurance
broker or agent will need to be involved in assessing the damage to equipment and property.
Step 4: Health and Safety Hazard Management
In your disaster plan, the need for addressing the recovery work will cover the necessary
protection measures to provide for employees.
This includes immediate safety concerns for unstable equipment, buildings, destroyed roads,
electrical lines, gas lines, looting, mold growth, raw sewage, petrochemical spills, wild
animals/rodents, and insects such as mosquitoes.
Using assessment strategies that can evaluate the risks of damaged buildings and equipment,
and then providing the means to stabilize them prior to entry, will prevent additional catastrophe.
Having the correct personal protective equipment and repellants will also help expedite the
recovery and prevent unnecessary employee injuries.
If the utilities are involved, make sure the recovery isn’t hampered by attempting to move or work
around live electrical lines and damaged gas lines.
Step 5: Disposal of Debris
Typically, the state or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will intervene to help limit regulatory
burdens after these events and will help locate landfills or other disposal locations for the proper
disposition of materials. If the debris can be burned, such as downed trees and even structures,
typically a burn site will be established and this debris can be routed to the site. If hazardous
materials such as fuels or other chemicals are involved, these spill locations should be isolated for
proper collection and disposal.
Step 6: Return to Operations
Despite the unfortunate impact of a disaster that strikes without warning or within a few hours or
days, pre-planning and doing some simple preparation will help during the recovery period—and
can mean the difference between ending operations and quickly getting back to business as
usual.
______________________________________________________________________________
While many drilling operations might be small when it comes to the number of employees,
equipment, or work volume, we are all vulnerable to losses after the disaster strikes.
Plan for the event by establishing a written plan, have reserves that will alleviate cash-flow
problems, and understand the need to manage risk from insurance needs to operational needs. If
you need assistance with pre-planning, you have assistance available from consultants, insurance
companies, state agencies, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Gary Ganson, a certified industrial hygienist and certified safety professional, is national practice
leader/director of industrial hygiene services for Nova Consulting Group Inc. in Kansas City,
Missouri.
Keeping You in the Know
Last Obama Budget Pushes Energy and Environmental Priorities
President Barack Obama released on February 9 what is described as an “ aspirational” $4.1
trillion budget, pressing his case on environmental and energy initiatives.
Though the budget is considered dead on arrival, it is being rolled out in a series of events over
the coming weeks and includes controversial provisions like a $10 per barrel tax on oil and cutting
funds for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and U.S. Department of Agriculture grants for
rural communities seeking water infrastructure assistance. Given persistent drought in the West,
the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART program will also receive a 12% boost.
Republicans widely condemned the budget for its spending on climate change, while Democrats
were disappointed at cuts made to certain infrastructure programs. Because of the two-year
budget agreement negotiated in 2015, Republican leaders are breaking with precedent and will
not hold a hearing on the President’s budget
More details on the budget can be found in the upcoming February 22 Washington Update.
Funding Is Available for Demonstrations of Environmental and
Installation Energy and Water Technologies
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), through the Environmental Security Technology
Certification Program (ESTCP), supports the demonstration of technologies that address priority
DoD environmental and installation energy and water requirements. The goal of ESTCP is to
promote the transfer of innovative technologies through demonstrations that collect the data
needed for regulatory and DoD end-user acceptance. Projects conduct formal demonstrations at
DoD facilities and sites in operational settings to document and validate improved performance
and cost savings.
In two separate solicitations, ESTCP is seeking proposals for demonstrations of innovative
Environmental and Installation Energy and Water technologies as candidates for funding
beginning in fiscal year 2017. The solicitations request pre-proposals via calls for proposals to
federal organizations and via a broad agency announcement (BAA) for private sector
organizations. Pre-proposals are due by 2 p.m. ET on April 5.
Detailed instructions are on the ESTCP website under Funding Opportunities.
DoD organizations (service and defense agencies) may submit pre-proposals for demonstrations
of innovative technologies in the following topic areas:
Environmental restoration
Munitions response in underwater environments
Resource conservation
Weapons systems and platforms
Energy efficiency for military buildings
Improved water use for military industrial operations
The broad agency announcement (BAA) and call for proposals (CFP) for federal organizations
outside DoD are seeking pre-proposals for technologies in the following topic areas:
In situ management of contaminated aquatic sediments
Reduce source loading of munitions constituents
Detection, classification, and remediation of military munitions in underwater environments
Fugitive dust technologies, methodologies, and tools for department of defense installations
Ecosystem process model intercomparison
Energy efficiency for military buildings
Improved water use for military industrial operations
ESTCP Director Dr. Anne Andrews and Deputy Director Dr. Andrea Leeson will conduct an
online seminar “ESTCP Funding Opportunities” from 1-2 p.m. ET on February 19. This
briefing will offer valuable information for those interested in new ESTCP funding
opportunities. Pre-registration for this webinar is required.
Geothermal Industry Mourns Passing of Tom Huntington
The geothermal heat pump industry lost one of its key leaders with
the passing of Tom Huntington. He died on February 10 after a
long battle with cancer.
Huntington, who was a member of the National Ground Water Association, led a distinguished
career in the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning business. He served in many different roles
over his career, including division marketing general manager at Carrier Corp., director of sales
and marketing at KeepRite, vice president of corporate marketing at Climatic Corp., vice president
and general manager of Evcon Industries Inc., vice president of global marketing and sales at
Bristol Compressors, and president of Unitary Products Group of York International/Johnson
Controls. He concluded his career as the president and CEO of geothermal heat pump
manufacturer WaterFurnace International in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Following Huntington’s hiring at WaterFurnace International in May 2009, NGWA’s Water Well
Journal interviewed him in its December 2009 issue. Then-U.S. Department of Energy Secretary
Steven Chu toured the company’s headquarters on June 2 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and engaged
company representatives in a roundtable discussion.
Huntington served as chairman of the Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) and Gas
Appliance Manufacturers Association. Additionally, he also served on the board of directors for
North American Technician Excellence and the planning board for the Air-Conditioning, Heating,
and Refrigeration Institute.
“Our industry has lost a good friend and leader with the passing of Tom Huntington,” said GEO
Chairman Steve Smith. “Tom was a great advocate for the geothermal industry, and a great
supporter of GEO. His positive attitude, wealth of ideas, and friendly encouragement will be sorely
missed.”
Report Shows Nebraska Groundwater Levels on Rise
The 2015 Nebraska Statewide Groundwater-Level Monitoring Report reveals much of the state is
beginning to recover from the 2012-2013 drought.
From spring 2014 to spring 2015, water levels began to rise after significant declines resulting
from an extended period of drought from early 2012 through summer 2013. Above-normal
precipitation for much of Nebraska and better water-use practices accounted for the rises. The
average change from spring 2014 to spring 2015 was a rise of 0.53 feet.
Although these one-year rises are good, many parts of the state remain below 2012 levels,
according to the report. Eastern Nebraska saw some of the largest rises—with some wells
recording rises of 10 to 15 feet. Rises in these areas are the result of above-average precipitation
and reduced need for irrigation pumping. Other notable areas of rises of 1 foot to more than 10
feet occurred in Nebraska’s central panhandle and Perkins, Custer, and Dawson counties.
The maps referred to in the link below represent conditions as of late March and early April 2015
and do not take into account some of the record-setting precipitation events in eastern Nebraska
in spring and summer 2015.
It is expected in spring 2016 water levels will continue to rise throughout much of the state as was
seen in spring 2015, particularly in eastern Nebraska where flooding was common.
Click here for more information.
Construction Employment in January Hits Highest Level Since 2008
Construction firms added 18,000 workers in January, as the industry’s unemployment rate
declined to a 17-year low of 8.5%, according to an analysis of new government data by the
Associated General Contractors of America.
Association officials noted the number of construction jobs added in January was down compared
to the last three months of 2015 and could reflect either a slowdown in nonresidential construction
activity or an inability of contractors to find qualified workers.
Construction employment totaled 6.6 million in January, the most since December 2008, and is up
by 264,000 jobs compared to a year ago—a 4.2% increase. Residential construction increased by
20,100 in January and by 149,500—or 6.2% compared to a year ago. Nonresidential construction
employment declined by 2300 jobs for the month but was up 115,000 jobs compared to last
January—a 2.9% increase.
The number of unemployed jobseekers in January who last worked in construction totaled
729,000. The unemployment rate for such workers was 8.5%. Both the number and the rate were
the lowest January figures since the series was introduced in 2000.
Meanwhile, Census Bureau data released on February 1 showed construction spending
experienced only slight growth between November and December 2015, and has been limited to
residential building. Nonresidential construction spending by both the private and public sectors
has been flat or declining since July 2015.
Among nonresidential construction employment categories, only the nonresidential building
segment added jobs in January, expanding by 5300. But those gains were offset by a decline of
2400 jobs in the nonresidential specialty trade contractors segment and a loss of 5200 jobs in the
heavy and civil engineering construction segment.
Association officials said they were encouraged by the fact the industry continues to expand at a
brisk annual clip. They noted the 4.2% increase in construction employment in the past 12 months
was more than double the 1.9% growth in total non-farm payroll employment. But they added the
drop in nonresidential construction employment for the month was cause for concern.
After several months of robust construction employment growth, they cautioned January’s market
sell-offs and broader economic uncertainty may sap demand for construction.
Past McEllhiney Lecturer Begins Writing for Water Well Journal
“Water Wells and Common Cent$” is a new bimonthly Water Well
Journal column by Ronald B. Peterson that is scheduled to debut in the
March issue.
Peterson, of Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, has been involved in the drilling industry for more
than 36 years and worked in various positions relating to the industrial drilling fluids market.
He was the 2015 National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation’s
McEllhiney Lecturer, presenting a talk titled “Drilling Fluids: A Common Sense Approach” to
thousands of people. His column will focus on drilling fluids and other issues at the drill site. His
McEllhiney Lecture will be broken into multiple individual topics and expanded into individual
columns providing more detail.
Peterson earned NGWA’s highest honor, the Ross L. Oliver Award, in 2013. He was hired in
1977 by Baroid Industrial Drilling Products as a field service representative and has worked in
various positions for the company, including as an account rep and manager.
US Water Prize Invites Award Nominations
There are inspiring examples across the country of sustainable and integrated water resource
management.
To shine a light on water management leadership, the US Water Alliance annually awards the US
Water Prize. The Water Prize is a first of its kind program and recognizes outstanding
achievement in the advancement of sustainable solutions to our nation’s water challenges.
Nominations are open now. The deadline for nominations is March 1.
The 2016 US Water Prize Awards Ceremony will be held during the One Water Summit on June
8 in Atlanta, Georgia. Any U.S.–based organization is eligible to win. Government agencies,
utilities, private companies, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, coalitions, and others
that have a demonstrated track record of moving “one water” solutions forward may be
nominated.
Past winners of the US Water Prize have included a wide range of public, private, and nonprofit
water leaders, each making unique and transformative contributions to one water management.
Click here for the nomination form.
Franklin Institute Seeks Nominations for Award for Achievement in
Science
The Franklin Institute seeks nominations for the 2017 Bower Award & Prize for Achievement in
Science of individuals who have made significant contributions to understanding and quantifying
perturbations of natural systems within the biosphere, atmosphere, or hydrosphere in the Age of
the Anthropocene.
Perturbation is a change in the normal state or regular movement of something. A natural system
is one that exists in nature, independent of any human involvement. The natural system consists
of all the physical and biological materials and their intertwined processes.
Anthropocene is a proposed epoch that begins when human activities began to have a significant
global impact on the Earth’s ecosystems.
The prize is $250,000. The notice of intent to nominate is due April 30. The complete nomination
deadline is May 31.
For more information, visit www.fi.edu/call-for-nominations.
Tools from NGWA
NGWA Provides Ways to Promote National Groundwater Awareness
Week
Access National Groundwater Awareness Week
promotional tools by clicking here. Groundwater
Awareness Week is March 6-12.
Groundwater is essential to the health and well-being of humanity and the environment.
Whether you’re on a public water system or a private well, whether you are a health care official,
policymaker, regulator, an environmentalist or a groundwater professional, you can get
involved in protecting this vital resource.
For those who already are making plans to promote Groundwater Awareness Week, let NGWA
know so your company can be listed on the Groundwater Awareness Week webpage as a
promotional partner. Contact NGWA Public Awareness Director Cliff Treyens at
ctreyens@ngwa.org or call (800) 551-7379, ext. 554.
Online Education Calendar
Learn at Your Desk with These Education Opportunities
As an NGWA member, you can attend a wide variety of online educational sessions. These
complimentary offerings usually home in on two to three key points and run 30 to 60 minutes in
length to fit into your busy schedule. Currently on the lineup is:
March 22, 12-12:30 p.m. ET
Analyzing Groundwater Quality Data and Contamination Plumes with GWSDAT
presented by Matthijs Bonte, Ph.D., and Wayne R. Jones, Ph.D.
Be sure to check the schedule regularly for updates, as new offerings are added on an ongoing
basis. Please also remember that although free to members, connections for these online
sessions are limited and preregistration is required.
Professional Jobs Board
Driller assistant (with Class A CDL), MESA, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Click here to learn
more about this opportunity.
Regional irrigation manager, Gothic Grounds Management, Semi Valley, California. Click here
to learn more about this opportunity.
Regional solid waste hydrogeologist, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey,
Washington. Click here to learn more about this opportunity.
Water resources manager, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Reno, Nevada. Click here to
learn more about this opportunity.
Soils/earthwork inspector, Moore Twining Associates Inc., Corona, California. Click here to learn
more about this opportunity.
Need a job? Need a candidate? Click here to access the NGWA Career Center, where you can
view job openings, view resumes of qualified professionals, or anonymously post your resume.
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