WorldWide Drilling Resource

10 JUNE 2015 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® The Water Truck by Scott Cosby In this month’s article, I’ll discuss our agency’s use of portable water trucks; specifically, their use in the field and the maintenance involved in keeping them in great working order. Some rigs have their own water tank, but often a water truck is needed for efficient wash/mud rotary operations in the field. The water truck has two purposes in the field. It’s the water supply for the rig’s mud pump (see WWDR November 2012 About the Mud Pump and May 2015 Pumps: Another Look articles), and a sup- port vehicle for the field crew. We usually store the mud pit on top of the vehicle along with the required hoses and other necessary supplies such as drilling mud, bentonite chips, coring samplers and bits, and other items. These vehicles vary in tank size. Ours can hold 1300-1500 gal- lons of water for wash or mud rotary oper- ations, as well as cleanup afterward. In some jobs involving working on or near a road, a water truck is a safety de- vice. Along with safety cones which should be placed near the centerline curving around both vehicles, the water truck can buffer the rig and crew from traffic. Proper traffic control setup and crew is vital. In terms of maintenance, the truck en- gine, as well as other parts, require reg- ularly scheduled maintenance according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Reg- ular motor maintenance makes all the dif- ference in performance. The same should be considered for all parts of the tank sys- tem. This includes close inspection and replacement (if necessary) of all piping and valves at the rear of the truck and the pump for the movement of the water, which includes using a grease gun on the visible grease zerk fittings. The last item concerning mainten- ance of the water truck is the tank itself. Keep a watch on any possible leakage, which may require a certified welder to repair. Lubricate and inspect the main top hatch on a regular basis. The interior of the tank is usually painted. Maintain a close inspection of the tank interior; once this paint starts to chip or peel away, it should be cleaned out and eventually a new paint coating should be applied. In winter or long nonoperation periods, drain the tank and check the pump before starting drilling work again. Freezing temperatures will cause havoc with the tank and pump. There are numerous online sources on this topic available through the current search engines. Some rig manufacturers build water trucks, and they are available through other sources. Document your needs and ask many questions before making a final decision concerning the purchase of a suitable water truck for rotary drilling needs. Scott Scott Cosby may be contacted via e-mail at michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com ! " # !