WorldWide Drilling Resource

40 SEPTEMBER 2013 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Driving Down Bit Costs and Increasing Penetration Rates Adapted from Information by Palmer Bit Company Palmer Bit Company has been around since 1957, when Robert Palmer first developed the Red Devil drag bit for the water well and seismic industry. Robert passed away in 1978, and his son Richard took over the company. In 2005, longtime employee Kevin Christensen became a partner and when Richard retired in 2012, Kevin became the new owner of the company. The company has evolved a great deal over the past 55 years. They began manufacturing PDC bits, and once they noticed an increased demand from the emerging geothermal industry, they were quick to respond. Drilling professionals installing mas- sive geothermal loop fields for Ball State and Ohio State Universities soon discov- ered they would need a bit capable of drilling through some challenging for- mations faster than traditional bits. Once drilling began for the Ball State University project, they were faced with 40-50 feet of overburden and more than 350 feet of limestone. With a bore field of more than 4000 bores drilled to 400 feet, finding a bit strong enough to chew the tough Indiana limestone was a chal- lenge for the drilling contractors. Bit manufacturers from around the world, including Palmer Bit Company, went to the jobsite to tackle the chal- lenging conditions. Through the tireless efforts of the Pa lme r B i t Team, t he Diamond Devil™ PDC bit was designed and proved to be the best bit for the job. Made in the USA with U.S. steel, this bit is capable of chewing through tough for- mations with faster penetration rates, longer bit life, and at a lower price. The company recently added a six- wing Diamond Devil PDC bit to lower bit costs even more. Geothermal drilling contractors around the world are ex- tremely pleased with the fuel savings, as well as the great impact the Diamond Devil PDC bit has on their bottom line. Palmer Bit has always focused on helping drilling professionals lower bit costs and increase penetration rates. The company shares its extensive knowledge about which bits work best in each for- mation with drill operators through the numerous seminars and classes they provide. The Palmer Bit Team realizes drill sites are in operation long after 5 p.m., so they are available 24 hours a day to assist customers. Palmer Bit also offers re-tip service for both rock and drag bits in addition to restoring button bits in-house. The com- pany always has the drilling professional in mind, which is why they also carry drilling tools from other manufacturers to provide a complete line of tools. They repair not only their own PDC bits, but all PDC bits with a customary one day turn around. The company strives to match the correct drilling bit to each uninque drilling situation. A lot of companies may talk about customer service, but Palmer Bit Company delivers! They provide expedited production and shipping for U.S. and international customers. They also carry a large inventory to meet quick turnaround times. This is one company that understands time spent waiting for a bit is lost rev- enue for the drill operator. The company continues to research and develop new bits for the industry. Currently they are developing a four-wing PDC bit for softer formations such as shales and soft sandstone. You will find Palmer bits at jobsites around the world including Africa, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Poland, and the USA. A sign of true quality, this Diamond Devil™ PDC bit was sent to Palmer Bit for repair after drilling 72,000 feet. As you can see, the diamond cutters are mostly intact. Ball State Gets Green Light for Phase 2 Adapted from Information by Ball State University The Ball State University Board of Trustees has approved completion of Phase 2 of the university’s geothermal project. The approval comes in the wake of the General Assembly’s authorization of a $30 million appropriation. This authorization provides the fund- ing needed to complete the innovative, energy-saving geothermal project. The trustees’ approval allows the university to proceed with bidding on the remaining work, said Randy Howard, vice president for business affairs and treasurer. The system has been widely praised as a potential model for other large-scale geothermal applications. Phase 1 of the project, which affects about half of the campus, is complete, and work has start- ed on Phase 2. They have already in- stalled about 780 boreholes in the south borehole field and laid distribution piping to more buildings. "We have written the book on large- scale geothermal installations, and we already are seeing the cost savings from the project," Howard said. The appropriation will fund the addi- tion of more than 1000 boreholes to the south field, modifications to the South District Energy Stations, hot and chilled water distribution looping, as well as modification of the remaining buildings to accept the geothermal connections. Work on the final phase is scheduled for completion in 2015. The system will be the largest ground source, closed-loop district geothermal heating and cooling system in the nation.