Tips for Water Well Drill Rig Selection | -12-07
There are many factors that go into choosing the right water well drilling rig. Ahead of the National Ground Water Association's (NGWA's) Groundwater Week , we sat down with Cody Green, product manager of water well drills at Epiroc, to discuss drill selection tips, the latest rig innovations and the future of drilling technology.
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Q. What factors should drillers consider when selecting a water well drilling rig?
A. There are three main things to talk about with your manufacturer partner: location, well specifications and drilling method.
Location encompasses the local laws and regulations required for getting equipment to and from sites, and how the well must be legally constructed. Location also includes knowing the drilling conditions below and above ground. Drillers need to know the formations they must drill through to keep the borehole open for the well. This can often present unique challenges and require multiple variations of drilling to complete a single well. Above ground, drillers need to consider altitude and extreme hot or cold weather conditions that may affect rig performance.
Well specifications is the profile of the borehole, including diameter and the total depth (TD) required to complete the well. This will influence the compressor or mud pump decisions when selecting a drill rig to ensure there is adequate bailing velocity to remove the cuttings from the hole. The depth of the hole will also determine how heavy the string weight will be once TD has been reached. The rig selected must have sufficient pullback capacity to lift and retrieve the full string weight out of the drilled hole.
The drilling method selected will be determined based off what is known from the first two categories. That information will allow you to choose different options, such as whether to use air or mud, rotary drilling or down-the-hole hammer (DTH), cable tool drilling or hydraulic rotary. It also feeds into other drilling decisions, including how to make up the drill string and the type of bits used.
'Having a rig that is adaptable to handle a variety of work can help drillers expand business or pick up extra work if there is a slowdown in primary business activity.'
' Cody Green
Once drillers have an understanding of the vast requirements the rig will face in the application, they can select a rig that will allow for flexibility.
Q. What are some common oversights customers make when choosing a rig?
A. Drillers sometimes overlook the need to plan for future opportunities. Having a rig that is adaptable to handle a variety of work can help drillers expand business or pick up extra work if there is a slowdown in primary business activity. Additionally, drillers should remember to look at what type and level of support the manufacturer offers. Another key item to prioritize is the resale value of the rig.
Q. What are the industry's latest and most impactful rig design and technology innovations?
A. As we advance toward automated options and increased technology, we can now provide a safer environment and increased rig efficiencies. For example, the Epiroc Diamondback offers a hands-free auto rod handler for loading and unloading pipe. We also have an 'iron roughneck' option for hands-free breakout on pipe joints. This keeps the operator and helper from directly putting hands in harm's way, and allows them to work smarter and more efficiently. The Diamondback also has a large viewing screen on the console to provide live diagnostics and troubleshooting information, which can save valuable time and money for the end user.
Q. What is the potential business impact of owning a versatile drill that can perform multiple drilling methods?
A. A multipurpose rig can expand the markets a driller can participate in. It allows drillers to perform conventional drilling one day and do a flooded reverse or RC/coring job the next. It can also help reduce total cost of ownership by having one rig that can do the job of two. Instead of having one RC rig to start a hole and then have to tear it down to bring in a second coring rig to finish the hole, a driller can keep the multipurpose rig over the hole and complete the entire hole by switching between RC and coring modes.
Q. What are some new rig features and benefits that drillers should expect in the near future?
A. New technologies and safety-driven regulations are moving the market toward increased automation. Epiroc has already taken a leadership role in automation with our mining rigs. When the market developed a need for fully autonomous mining rigs, Epiroc became the first to offer unmanned blasthole rigs controllable from over 800 miles away. The driller can monitor multiple rigs at once while they run fully autonomously: drilling, setting up, and tramming from hole to hole using GPS and obstacle detection to navigate with no operator on board. Epiroc is ready to push and lead in water well rig automation as well.
Tips for selecting water well drills for strong ROI
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While many people consider the cheapest option to be the simplest answer, the upfront cost should never be the only factor when selecting a water well drill. A drill that achieves a high return on investment (ROI) will withstand challenging soil conditions time and time again and be backed by quality support from its manufacturer. Before making a purchase, consider environmental conditions, drill quality and manufacturer service.
Location
Start by determining the soil conditions the drill will encounter. Water well drillers face major expenses when drills cannot meet the challenges of a project's location. For example, pulling a poorly manufactured drill over rough terrain can damage the equipment, resulting in delays and costly repairs.
Beyond the drill quality, the drill type, whether mechanical or hydraulic, should be suited for the soil conditions it will most frequently work in.
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Lone Star Drills LS200 mechanical rig uses rugged M250 drill pipe to efficiently reach 200ft depths
Mechanical drills provide the necessary power and versatility for drilling in sand, clay and loamy soils. These machines typically drill to depths of 100 to 200ft, tackling the scope of most water well and geotechnical projects. Mechanical drills have few moving parts, making them easy for less-experienced drillers to operate while minimising the risk of accidental damage. Additionally, mechanical drills tend to be lightweight and portable, so one or two individuals can easily load and unload one from the back of a truck or utility vehicle, allowing the drill to access more challenging locations.
Mechanical drills, however, are not suited for every project. To drill deeper and power through hard rock, use a hydraulic drill. These machines achieve depths of 300 to 400ft and are generally the go-to for crews consistently drilling deeper than 150ft. To generate as much as 5,000lbs of push-down force in rugged rock formations, look for a drill rig with an anchoring option and a bypass flow switch. With these added capabilities, crews can more efficiently reach clean water.
For transportation purposes, consider whether the drill will benefit from being mounted on a trailer. Although trailer-mounted models generally cost a bit more than standard hydraulic units, they provide a simple and reliable transportation solution. Some trailer-mounted rigs also include space for hauling drill pipes and other equipment. Additionally, trailer-mounted drills are typically quicker to set up than their freestanding counterparts.
Construction
Drills from different manufacturers often appear quite similar, but a closer look will help determine if a unit is built to last. Some manufacturers entice customers with low prices but avoid discussing quality. When calculating ROI, keep in mind that low-quality drills typically have shorter service lives and little to no resale value compared to higher quality models.
Look for heavy-duty welded steel frames and thick drill pipes, for example, to ensure the drill can withstand challenging conditions. Some manufacturers cut corners by using thinner steel. This can cause the frame to bend or twist while driving or prematurely wear due to corrosion in hot, humid climates. In addition to the frame, look for manufacturers that use 2in diameter drill pipe and connections made of heat-treated alloy steel. Lower-quality drills often use 3/4 or 1in pipes intended for less intense applications.
Drills that incorporate features to simplify maintenance make it easy for crews to extend service life. For example, an easily accessible adjustment screw and locking nut minimises downtime when removing slack from the drive chain. Conveniently located greasing points also save a significant amount of time during routine greasing and maintenance checks. If maintained properly, a quality drill can last from five to 20 years.
Support
Trust takes years to build and only seconds to lose. A reputable manufacturer wants customers to succeed and has a track record to prove it. The last situation a drill crew needs is a project standstill with no one to back them up. Look for manufacturers that provide training manuals, videos and 24/7 technical support. Some manufacturers go so far as to offer training sessions at their facilities, which is a great way for inexperienced drillers to gain hands-on experience before beginning a project.
Additionally, remember that even quality drills will need replacement parts. To prevent downtime, choose a manufacturer that keeps replacement parts in stock and offers fast delivery.
Finally, take a close look at the manufacturer's warranty. One of the best ways to determine a manufacturer's confidence in its products, and its commitment to service and support, is by reviewing its warranty policies.
Once research is complete, start crunching the numbers. Given the work location and future plans for the drill, determine if saving a few dollars today will pay off in the long run. But remember, getting the most drill for the dollar goes beyond the initial price tag.
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