WorldWide Drilling Resource

What Makes a Good Water Well? Adapted from Information Provided by Cotey Chemical Corporation Three main ingredients go into making a good water well: drilling, pumping, and de- veloping. The first two ingredients are indispensable since an opening has to be made in the water-bearing formation and a means must be supplied to lift water to the surface. The third ingredient, development of the well, is often overlooked. In many instances, wells are drilled, pumps are installed, and the obtained flow is accepted, though it may not be the desired flow. A conclusion is made this is all the water available from the formation. Cotey Chemical reminds us this conclusion is probably not true and the flow might be in- creased with proper development. Mechanical methods for developing water wells include: bailing, pumping, backwash- ing or backlashing with the pump, surging with a surge block or compressed air, using ex- plosives, jetting, or fracturing. Each of these mechanical efforts attempts to open perforations with force by applying pressure from the well bore out into the formation. During development, pressure is applied in the same direction as it was during drilling operations, which can plug some water pathways in the process. Once a well is drilled, all the mud cake must be removed if the well is to be developed to its maximum capac- ity. The combination of properly used chemical treatments and mechanical agitation methods are quickly gather- ing acceptance as highly effective ways for removing mud and opening perforations and water-bearing for- mations. For a chemical treatment to work, the chemistry must match the prob- lem. Some chemicals must be effective in dissolving, disintegrating, and dispersing com- mercial drilling muds, clays, and shales so they can be easily bailed or pumped to waste. Others should be capable of dissolving limestone and water-deposited scales, corrosion products, and organic growths. If it’s going be used in a water well, any chemical should meet certain requirements: it should be relatively nontoxic and should not contaminate water; it should be safe to use on mechanical equipment in the well; it should also be safe and easy to handle. From a contractor standpoint, chemical treatments should be services which can be performed without additional equipment. Certain chemicals have been developed specifically for use in water wells, making it possible for a contractor or well service company to include chemical treatment along with other services, adding extra profit to a job while also making a better well for the customer. Flow loss in many wells is simply due to a lowering water table; in which case, nothing can be done except drill another well or use less water. However, for the majority of water wells, flow loss is due to biological and/or mineral deposits plug- ging the natural flow of water. At this point, the problem is not how or why the water flow is obstructed, but how best to remove the obstruction so maximum flow can be achieved. As you go about the work of drilling wells, do not overlook the crucial step of well development. Effective chemicals for removing practically any type of water- pathway obstruction are available. In ad- dition to mechanical agitation methods, a properly designed chemical treatment can make it possible to complete a job better in less time. The one-two punch of chemical and mechanical methods for treating a well provide a combined effect hard to match in today’s industry. ~ The Centerline 7 1/2” x 10” hydraulic drive duplex mud pump ~ Fits in the place of a common 5” x 6” duplex ~ weighs 1000 lbs less ~ pumps twice the rated flow~at over twice the rated pressure ~ Centerline Manufacturing Co. 903-725-6978 ~ www.centerlinemanufacturing.com ~ Mud pumps for the 21st century ~ Monopumps models rated: 180 gpm Duplex models rated: 300 gpm Triplex models rated: 450 gpm 500 or 800 psi models available in aluminum or iron. U.S. Pat. #6,769,884 and others pending ~ Centerline mud pumps are getting the job done from Canada to Australia, China to Peru ~ Centerline Manufacturing is proud to be your complete stocking source for American Manufacturing mud pump parts!! 18 FEBRUARY 2016 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®