News & Events

Author: Jim Hutmacher

Jim Hutmacher’s expertise has been recognized, and his article is now published in August 2023 issue of Water Well Journal! Check out Jim’s insightful piece on pages 20-22.

Read the full article

Stewart Krause has been selected as a recipient of the NGWA Manufacturer Special Recognition Award for 2022! Congratulations Stewart!

Read the full article

As I sit in front of my laptop preparing to write an article about Solids Control the first thought that pops into my head is the operation of solids control equipment and how to thoroughly and effectively describe how hydro cyclones, shakers and screens remove drill cuttings.

Read the full article

When writing our January 2019 cover story focusing on slurry handling and mud disposal a common theme came up that the general public does not know enough about the fluid used in HDD and microtunnelling applications.

Read the full article

For over 70 years Wyo-Ben, Inc. has been providing both bentonite-based products as well as polymer-based products to the various industries they support, including the trenchless industry.

Read the full article

We have been telling you for years now to use “the right stuff” when it comes to horizontal directional drilling (HDD) drilling fluids. Our industry has designed fluid additives specifically to address challenges in the HDD industry.

Read the full article

The inadvertent return of drilling fluid is common in horizontal directional drilling (HDD) projects, and though not harmful to the environment, inadvertent returns are undesirable for a number of reasons. The key to preventing inadvertent returns is to keep the downhole pressure as low as possible.

Read the full article

Drilling mud is a standard component of many horizontal directional drilling (HDD) construction projects. It plays a vital role in stabilizing the bore, removing the cuttings, as well as cooling and lubricating equipment.

The growth in HDD as a construction method has generated more drilling mud and raised the profile of disposal methods.

Drilling mud disposal can contribute a significant portion to the total cost of a project. In addition, misperceptions about drilling mud toxicity affect the public perception of trenchless construction and its impact on the environment.

Read the full article

Trenchless construction projects suffer from the same pressures as any construction project – those that make you fall behind schedule and increase cost. However, there is always a higher degree of uncertainty about factors affecting project execution when working underground and running a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) project. This uncertainty makes it even more critical to manage the variables within our control, like using the right materials and tools for the right job.

Read the full article

Drilling fluid (drilling mud) is an essential element of many trenchless construction projects. Over the years, the science of drilling fluid has developed extensively, allowing contractors to realize substantial benefits in the execution of a project.

Choosing the right fluid for the ground conditions as well as having effective fluid management and recycling systems are crucial elements of a successful project. The project will benefit from maximizing the uptime of the drilling rig, therefore reducing schedule and costs. At the same time, there will be minimal drilling fluid losses and thus, lower operating costs.

Read the full article

Well-used drilling fluid will be full of unwanted solid content from the borehole after a drilling operation. The drilling fluid picks up all the soil and rock cuttings generated during the drilling process and effectively removes them using the slurry system.

The problem is, what should be done with the solids-ridden drilling fluid? As most industry professionals know, disposing of used drilling fluid is a major challenge for the trenchless industry.

Read the full article