WorldWide Drilling Resource

72 MAY 2013 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® These pumps are known for their high efficiency and rugged durability in demanding water applications. The im- pellers for Wolf pumps are available in red brass or 304-grade stainless steel. Wolf also offers turbine models with a semi-open impeller design for water containing high abrasive material. This model is available in a wide variety of shaft and bearing materials and can be customized to specific pump applications. According to F&W President Scott Lechner, “The Wolf Pump acquisition en- hances F&W’s position as a complete single line supplier of American-made pumps for our wholesale customers. Wolf is a highly successful company manufac- turing products that complement and strengthen our current offering. With our established engineering and sales expert- ise, we feel we can further expand and grow on Wolf’s current success, including incorporating a component build program both in Kendallville, and with many of our key wholesale customers.” products.” Founded in 1947, Varel International is the world’s largest independent sup- plier in the global oil and gas drill bit market. Technology Center Opens Adapted from a Release by Varel International Varel International recently opened a state-of-the-art technology center and laboratory in Houston, Texas. The center is dedicated to the test- ing, characterization, and development of advanced materials for PDC and roller cone drill bits and utilizes the com- pany’s patents-pending acoustic emis- sions toughness testing technology for PDC. It also includes a fully instrumented vertical turret lathe for abrasion testing against large rock samples, an advanced scanning electron microscope, and dia- mond sample preparation equipment. Mike Thigpen, Varel’s director of PDC engineering explained the importance of such a facility, “First and foremost, we strive to give the most value to our cus- tomers. Through our thorough testing and characterization of materials, we can best choose the product for their appli- cations. While we have a strong focus on PDC cutting elements, we also test a variety of other components for our Flint and Walling Acquires Wolf Pumps Adapted from a Press Release by Flint and Walling Flint & Walling (F&W) was excited to announce the acquisition of Wolf Pumps, a family-owned and -operated submersible and turbine pump company. Based in Kendallville, Indiana, F&W is a privately-owned division of Zoeller Corporation and has been a manufactur- er in the worldwide water industry since 1866. Founded in 1952, Wolf Pumps man- ufactures submersible turbine pumps in Abernathy, Texas. With over 50 years of experience, Wolf currently produces 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-inch pumps with capac- ities ranging from 35-1000 gallons per minute. Pumps are available with glass- lined cast iron, or ductile iron bowls.