With costs of materials, labor and fuel going up, it seems that a good look at what we charge might be a smart idea.

True exploration drilling is when a driller goes into an area that nobody has drilled before. I have been involved with some true exploration projects over the years, and thought I’d share some of my experiences.

I usually write about rigs and well-related topics, but this month I’m going to break from the norm a little and tell a story about my friends and I from a few years ago in North Dakota.

Between conventional mud drilling and straight air drilling, there is another method that is well adapted to many parts of the country: reverse circulation drilling.

I got into a discussion the other night about derrick design, the different rigs and the reasons for the designs, so I thought I’d share a little of what I’ve learned over the years.

A while back, I wrote about gravel packs and well development, but I have had several calls and emails about wells that wouldn’t clear during development.

As usual, winter — or the slow season — is the time most drillers take the time to maintain their equipment in order to get ready for the peak season. One of the main parts that usually needs attention is the mud pump.

PVC casing is inexpensive, reliable, never rusts and, used within limits, will make a lifetime well. However, PVC has one major drawback: It is not as strong as steel pipe.

Last month, I talked about cold weather gear to keep everyone warm, safe and productive. This usually works pretty well, but sometimes the weather, or your preparation, doesn’t cooperate.

This month, I’d like to write about preparing ourselves for winter weather. After all, the rig won’t run itself.