1980s-vintage Municipal Well Restored to Better-Than-New Performance California’s multi-year drought has made headlines around the world. Rainfall in the Central Valley has been minimal, while summer temperatures soar. Demand for groundwater continues to grow – along with that for the energy required to pump it. With budgets tight, the balancing act for water systems managers seems to require the skills of a Wallenda. The City of Delano’s Well #22 was drilled in the late 1980s. Mild steel, total depth of 1,287’, ID 15.25”, vertical slot perforations from 897’-1,287’. The well was test pumped at 1,500 gpm, and delivered 1,250 gpm when put into production. As production and efficiency declined, a rehabilitation was attempted in June, 2014. Flow was restored to 1,250 gpm – but the success was short-lived; within a few months, production had fallen back down to 600 gpm. The pump was set at 500’ – and drawdown was sucking right down to the bowls. With a static … [Read more...]

Best Drilling & WellJet Collaborate to Rehabilitate and Redevelop a Production Well for the California Water Service Company California Water Service Company’s Well DOM 294-01 was drilled and constructed by Beylik Drilling in 1994, using the reverse circulation rotary drilling method. It features 16” diameter 5/16-inch wall thickness mild steel casing from ground surface to 740 bgs, and from 980 to 1,000 ft. bgs, with 0.070-inch horizontal louvered openings from 740 to 980 ft bgs – a total of 240 ft. of perforations. At the time of completion, static water level was 36’. The well was test-pumped to 1,500 gpm, with a drawdown of 56’. When first put into production, DOM 294-01 produced approximately 1,200 gpm with 45 feet of drawdown, for a specific capacity of 26.7. Over the next several years, the well was mostly idle for extended periods of time (due to water quality issues), punctuated with periodic pump-to-waste events. In 2012, the well was pumped … [Read more...]

Smith Valley, Nevada features widespread ranches and productive farmland adjacent to stunning vistas of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It was to this picturesque setting that WellJet mobilized in May of 2015, to rehabilitate an underperforming agricultural production well for Pope Valley Ranches. The mild steel well was drilled in 2012, to a total depth of 520', with a diameter of 18".  The static water level was 60', with mill slot perforations from 140-520 (380' of total perfs).  The well test-pumped 3,300 gpm - but horsepower limitations on the production pump pegged original online performance at approximately 1,800 gpm, with a drawdown of around 100'. Recently, production began to drop off - and drawdown increased.  Prior to rehabilitation, the well was down to about 1,100 gpm. Nevada-based drilling and pump contractor Hydro Resources invited WellJet to assist in rehabilitating the well.  Hydro and WellJet had previously teamed up on successful rehab … [Read more...]

CJ Logan Pump & Electric teamed up with WellJet to aid development in a new agricultural production well drilled by Superior Well Drilling in the Bakersfield, CA area. The well was drilled in 2015, to a total depth of 700', with an ID of 15.5".  SWL was 200'.  A total of 450' of perforations, alternating Johnson Well Screen with vertical slots, extended from 250' to 700'.  The pump was set at 500'. Normal well development methods produced unsatisfactory results:  the pump was breaking suction at less than 250 gpm, with a drawdown of 300', for a Specific Capacity of 0.83.  Such performance would be woefully inadequate for the well's intended purpose of irrigating thousands of newly and soon-to-be-planted nut trees. Colby Logan, of CJ Logan Pump & Electric, suggested bringing in WellJet to break up the residual drill mud that had created a barrier of mud cake between the formation and the filter zone, had cemented the gravel pack, and clogged the … [Read more...]

WellJet & Rottman Drilling Team Up on a Ventura County Ag Well Rehab The Cole family knows avocados.  In addition to serving Calavo Growers as Chairman and CEO, Lee Cole has been avocado ranching in Santa Paula, California for decades.  Lee's son, Guy, manages the family ranch. Despite the crippling drought that clutches all of California in its grim talons, the Cole Ranch is blessed with abundant groundwater supplies.  The "Big Well," drilled in 2000, is 365' deep, with a diameter of 13.25".  It produced in excess of 1,000 gpm when new, with 100' of drawdown. Recently, production and efficiency began to decline.  The bowls were lowered twice - from 140' to 180', and then again to 260'.  But even so, production dropped to less than 700 fpm - with drawdown exceeding 250', so that the pump was breaking suction. Early 2015 downhole video by Pacific Surveys showed a static water level of 64', with vertical slot perforations from 86' to the bottom of … [Read more...]

WellJet Mourns 2015 promises to be a busy year for WellJet, but all of us go forward in sadness at the loss of two of our leaders and friends - General Manager Paul Phelps, and company patriarch Harry Glass. We will miss Paul's ebullience, positive energy and multi-faceted practical skills.  More than just our GM, Paul was a friend who made every day better for those with whom he worked.  And we will miss Harry's wisdom, inspiration and no-nonsense style.  Harry was not only WellJet inventor Jeff Glass's father and principal supporter.  He was Jeff's best friend, mentor and guide.  Paul and Harry were always there for us.  Now we must be there for them.  Rest in Peace, Dear Ones.  You will always be in our hearts. … [Read more...]