WorldWide Drilling Resource

Tales from the Field by Jeremy C. Wire Geoconsultants, Inc. Remember the Statue Some of the water well drilling projects we become in- volved in from time to time in our area are in wealthy districts, where owners of both large and small estates wish to have a small-diameter irrigation well for their landscaping to replace, or at least offset, the high charges for water supplied by a local utility. The limitations for finding a location and drilling a well on these properties are often quite onerous; and range from accommodating local jurisdictional requirements for setbacks from scenic easements and/or existing utilities, to on-site conditions like avoiding dam- aging “heritage” trees, or accessing the location without breaking down existing paving-stone driveways with the heavy drilling equipment, or not ruining existing landscaping. Quite often, these estates are being rebuilt with new structures, so a promising well location based on existing site conditions turns out to be under a planned new swimming pool or tennis court, the location of which “can’t be moved”. Once at work on a busy construction site, schedules of other contractors also work- ing at the site must be accommodated, often adding to delays in completing the well. One such project site involved most of the above conditions, and had sloping topography with the well on a very tight location close to the property line at the top of the slope. Some of the drilling equipment even encroached on the adjacent nar- row, winding street. In addition, this site which was being reconstructed, also had objects of very valuable art in the form of large life-size statues by the famous French sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) any one of which would fetch at auction an amount of money likely comparable to a “hefty” downpayment on a new drilling machine. Most of these statues had been moved out of harm’s way, stored in crates, or otherwise protected. For some reason, probably due to the hazard of the nearby slope, one particularly large statue re- mained very close to the drill site. The drilling and completion of the 400-foot deep well went relatively smoothly, without incident, considering the tight working conditions. Upon moving the rig and before leaving the site, it was noted, upon close inspection, there was a slight “nick” in the very smooth polished black surface near the base in the statue which hadn’t been there before. The crew was very careful . . . how could this have hap- pened? We will never know . . . possibly the end of a drill stem while being lifted into the mast may have lightly struck the statue. We will also never know if this new slight imperfection was ever dis- cussed with the owner. Many years later, this contractor still dr i l ls wel ls on estates wi thin these wealthy districts. When we learn of such activity, and he describes the related dif- ficulties, we will innocently ask, “Do you remember the Rodin statue?” His somewhat defensive reply is al- ways the same: “Now you just be quiet, that incident never happened. That’s just an urban legend!” However, we know the “nick” did occur somehow during the drilling operation. So, if one of you contractors out there gets involved in a similar drilling project with all its limitations, be sure your insurance policy is up-to-date, be careful, and remember this tale of the statue. Jeremy Jeremy Wire may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Deadlines for November issue: Space Reservation: September 25 th Display & Classified Ad Copy: October 1 st engagements f 90% of his busin tion, and motiva customer service sales, manageme in 25 countries o given over 4000 Speaking Profe Tim Connor, CS rom previous ess is repeat tional topics. communica- nt, leadership, n a variety of presentations ssional) has P (Certified TimSpeaks4 @ 704-875 new client “G Call him and a clients. gmail com -1230 uarantee”. sk about his TimConn u or.com . 20 SEPTEMBER 2017