WorldWide Drilling Resource

The “Idiots” Corner by “Billy Bob Smith” Stupid Decisions - Ever Made One? Every day, thousands of business owners and executives make millions of stupid decisions and act like idiots. Fortunately, most of them don’t destroy their reputation or their future. They just cause short-term issues with employees, customers, suppliers, or the marketplace. Often though, they can put them- selves out of business; oh maybe not today, but sooner or later due to what I call the “Decision Ripple Effect”. Let me ask you - ever made a stupid decision? If your answer is no, it’s because you have what I refer to as decision dysfunction - you just wait for them to get made on their own due to circumstances, timing, or situations beyond your control. Ever made a stupid business decision? Come on - it’s okay to admit you aren’t perfect. Well, how about some really stupid ones over the past 50 years? Here are just a few, and I mean a few, of the biggies which have been made over the years and cost them big-time. AOL and Time Warner - After a bad merger, it didn’t take long for this to go south. Not surprising since both organizations had ego-driven leaders. Decca Records refused to sign the Beatles. Go figure. Blind? Stupid? Excite could have purchased Google for less than a million dollars. Duh! Western Union is being eaten alive by PayPal, Zelle ® , Square, etc. Blockbuster refused to partner with Netflix. Borders let Amazon beat them to the Internet. Who made all these dumb decisions? Well, I’m not sure, but I’m sure of one thing - they were all idiots. Know anyone who’s next? I do, but I’ll save them for another time. PLEASE, if you are going to make stupid decisions, at least listen to someone you trust before you pull the trigger. Billy Bob michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com 31 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® AUGUST 2018 Atlantis Vault • Self-Contained • Simple installation • Trouble-free operation For more information call: (270) 786-3010 or visit us online: www.geothermalsupply.com High-Temperature Communication Tool will Aid Geothermal Expansion Adapted from Information by E-Spectrum Technologies, Inc. Geothermal reservoirs are a sustainable and efficient energy source. The fact they produce minimal emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is enticing for energy producers. However, one reason geothermal energy has yet to reach its full potential is the economic risk involved with drilling wells deep underground to reach the reservoirs. Innovation and new technologies are needed to lower these risks and bring the full potential of geothermal energy to the surface. E-Spectrum Technologies, Inc. has been competitively selected for the next phase of a Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored research grant. The company will continue development of a near real-time electromagnetic data link for geother- mal downhole instruments. While Phase I of the grant concentrated on feasibility studies and market analysis, Phase II will use the grant funds to develop a fully com- mercialized product which will reduce hazards and lower costs associated with drilling geothermal wells. The new tool will provide near real-time information from sensors located close to the bit of the drill string. This will allow for surface monitoring of key variables, such as bit vibration for extending the bit life and penetration rates of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) and roller bits, as well as verifying the operation of hammer bits; drill pipe and annular pressure for quickly detecting and locating lost circulation and high-pressure zones; and downhole temperatures to better match drilling fluid and cement properties to field conditions. All of these factors play critical roles in enhancing wellbore integrity under high-temperature, high-pressure conditions. To achieve the new wireless tool, E-Spectrum will modify their Drill Dog™ electromagnetic measurement while drilling (EM MWD) system to operate in the high-temperature environments associated with geothermal well applications. Silicon-on- insulator (SOI) and silicon-carbide (SiC) semiconductors will be incorporated into the design of the downhole electronics, with a goal to operate for extended periods of time at a maximum temperature of 482ºF (250°C). All E-Spectrum designs are field proven and incorporate years of design experience. GEO