WorldWide Drilling Resource

12 JULY 2013 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Shallow Exploration Drillers Clinic ~ BIG HIT! by: Veronica I. “Ronnie” Jones Managing Publisher This year’s Shallow Exploration Drillers Clinic (SEDC) was held in Springfield, Missouri. Ever heard of BASS PRO Shops? You bet it was close! But that is NOT what held the attention of those in attendance. SEDC is a very unique conference - one in which education IS the MAIN focus . If you are not familiar with it, this is a “traveling” conference. What? you ask. I said “traveling” conference. In that I mean, each year it moves to another of the nine states it covers. For instance: 2012 Cheyenne, Wyoming 2011 Lincoln, Nebraska 2010 Topeka, Kansas Yes, there are exhibitors as well, but this “trade” show holds its event with the education right next to the show, allowing the attendees ease in doing both! Oh yes the breaks are held in the trade show area too. Now down to this year’s events. Dale Glenn started us off with a cordial we l c ome , thank you to the sup- pliers and v e n d o r s , and some light house- k e e p i n g . Like those pesky cel l p h o n e s MUST be turned off. Makes one think of the airlines, huh? But it is just courteous to turn it off. Then he went into a special tribute for three avid supporters of the SEDC who passed on during the past year: John L’Espoir, Jerry Streck, and John Flint. He noted these three individuals believed wholeheartedly in the efforts of the SEDC. Pres i dent of SEDC Bob H e n t h o r n e added these fine gentleman will be sorelymissed. Th e f i r s t speake r was introduced as Dr. Ronald Luna, M i s s o u r i Department of Natural Resources. The lineup of great speakers continued throughout the day with conven- ient breaks to enable the attendees and ex- hibitors to spend qual- ity time over a coffee or soda. M a n y items were discussed, and of unique i n t e r e s t was when Doug with Geoprobe ® , after being introduced by Kevin McLain, geo- tech director, went into his discussion of the CPT PRO software, which deter- mines the type of soil you are drilling into. Sco t t Cosby, WWDR contributing wr i ter, was very impressive with his presentation on safe- ty. There was much discussion about Design and Bu i l d projects and the q u i c k n e s s enabled by this method to com- plete the jobs. Chuck Valenta, Terracon’s pres- entation involved the Hurricane Deck Bridge Project. (The fact these presen- ters actually bring photographs to these presentations and explain what happened - what went wrong - and what went right, is a unique experience in and of itself.) During his dis- cussion, he told us all about the “Christmas Tree Stand 1753” which was made on the spot - self-made. It enabled them to work more efficiently. George Long with Acker Drill pre- sented a soil sampler application and was fol lowed by Derek Leffert with 811 One- Call. DO NOT even think it is safe to put in a fence post in the middle of a field without dialing 811 for a locater. Trust me, they are quick and efficient and they will tell you what’s in your way BEFOREyou blow up from an unknown gas line or worse. A quote from Rob Caho, of Diedrich Drill I need to share with you is, “I never want to be the guy who calls to tell your mother, wife, or child you won’t be coming home. I am always looking out for safety.” Everyone thoroughly enjoyed this year’s SEDC and were very intent on the educational opportunities it provid- ed. Now if you are planning on attend- ing ONE GOOD EVENT in 2014, con- sider next year’s SEDC. Check out our Facebook page for its listing under “Events”. As soon as we know when it is, it will be posted.