WorldWide Drilling Resource

How Far Will Your Camera See? Part 3 by Ray Roerick International Sales Manager, Well-Vu, Inc. This is the last in a series about the use of CLEARTREAT ® , a flocking agent for use in wells with poor video visibility. As we conclude, we should have some discussion on the common mistakes people make when using flocculants in well applications - and how to avoid them. By far, the biggest problem encountered by water well contractors when working with CLEARTREAT ® is they overtreat. More is definitely not better when it comes to flocculants. Quite simply, for every 50 gallons of standing water in the well, you will need one pound of CLEARTREAT ® . So how do you avoid making that mistake? Doing a pilot test at the site is by far the best way to determine the amount of floc needed. Pull a small sample, say one pint, and do a shake test - paying attention to the application rate. This will then give you the application rate, and you will have a timetable for settlement in the well. In most cases, you will find that by the time you finish with the agitation and clear the well of the equipment, as you are going in for your video inspection, the solids will be settled out and you will have a clear video. Some of the factors that play into the time frame for a flocked well to clear enough to use video are the amount and type of suspended solids in the well. Was there a heavy buildup of iron bacteria or manganese on the drop pipe and/or pump? You might need further water analysis if the TDS (total dissolved solids) is very high and the floc does not work. Agitation energy of the water in the wellbore, in this case a good and thorough mixing by agitation, is very beneficial. Also, the water temperature could factor in, such as some of the higher temperature geothermal wells with water temperature over 100ºF (38ºC). Lastly, some troubleshooting tips. If flocculants didn’t work as expected, be sure proper and adequate agitation was used. Look at the ph and dissolved solids which may be interfering with the function of the polymer. You may have to move to a dif- ferent charge on the polymer. With flocking or any well video inspection problems, you are always welcome to contact me. I might not have the answers, but I can refer you to one of the experts who does. Ray Ray Roerick may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com Blaster Recognized for Service to the Industry Adapted from Information by the International Society of Explosives Engineers PDK Drilling and Blasting, Inc. is a Maine-based, family-owned business which was started by Don McNeil in 1974. The company provides drilling, blasting, and consulting serv- ices, and serves as a distributor of explosives products and materials. The International Society of Explosives Engineers recently presented Don McNeil with the Blaster’s Leadership Award. This award is given to those who represent the blaster in the field, and give their time and talents to help fellow blasters. Don’s scope of work includes commercial and residential projects, including many involving working in close proximity to other buildings, quarrying, utility trenching, underwater blasting, and deslagging of boilers. Always seeking out specialized blasting projects, he was one of the first to use a sequential timer and has gained first-rate knowledge of the how’s and why’s of seismic reporting. Retaining his blasting licenses in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont as well as BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) licenses, he has worked with gas and utility companies as an onsite inspec- tor. He allows state and local police to use his facility for training bomb-sniffing dogs by hiding explosives agents underground, in wood piles, in and around off-road machinery and highway vehicles, provid- ing a more realistic environment for both animal and trainer to learn. He has been a member of the ISEE since 1985, and has been on the board of ISEE’s New England Chapter since 1985, serving in several capacities. He is also a member of both the Maine Better Transportation Group and the Maine Motor Transport Association. 43 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® APRIL 2019 ENV Don used the first letter of the names of his three children to name his com- pany, PDK Drilling and Blasting, Inc. EXB