2004 McEllhiney Distinguished Lecture Series in water well Technology by Hank Baski. "Hank's guide to wellness" Builds on 40 years of experience in water well business. Baski: "question everything & everyone - including yourself - and be willing to change"
2004 McEllhiney Distinguished Lecture Series in water well Technology by Hank Baski. "Hank's guide to wellness" Builds on 40 years of experience in water well business. Baski: "question everything & everyone - including yourself - and be willing to change"
2004 McEllhiney Distinguished Lecture Series in water well Technology by Hank Baski. "Hank's guide to wellness" Builds on 40 years of experience in water well business. Baski: "question everything & everyone - including yourself - and be willing to change"
National Ground Water Association presents the sponsored by the National Groundwater Educational Foundation with a grant from the National Ground Water Association by Hank Baski 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 1 Hanks Guide to Wellness Builds on 40 Years Of: Drilling Started in water well business while in high school Helped to build a cable tool drilling rig for the family drilling business in Northern Minnesota Moved business to Pueblo, Colorado Consulting in Ground Water Hydrology Based in Denver, Colorado Projects nationwide Manufacturing Recognized need for ground water tools Decided to develop products: pitless units, inflatable packers, and downhole flow control valves (currently seven patents on these) Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Experience My Motto (I m not an easy boss): question everything & everyone - including yourself - and be willing to change 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 2 Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Commonly believed fallacies hinder optimal development of water wells: The use of clear water as drilling fluid results in the best well Artificial gravel pack is needed for sand-free, high-efficiency wells Step pumping aquifer tests can determine well efficiency Air-lifting cannot be trusted for reliable aquifer pumping tests and can air-bind a well New technologies and innovations will impact the water well industry over the next decade: Horizontal wells will play a greater role in water recovery and injection Pricing for larger sedimentary wells will be based on well efficiency instead of footage Unique, new methods for well development will arrive Energy savings will drive widespread adoption of aquifer thermal energy storage Case Study: Development of the Denver Basin Aquifers Question & answer session Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Overview 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 3 Fallacy 1: The Use of Clear Water as a Drilling Fluid Results in the Best Well At first sight, drilling with clear water appears natural and pure In reality, it facilitates the invasion of fines up to 5 feet into aquifer Better: use of bentonite and other drilling muds forms mud cake, retaining fines and enabling subsequent development of naturally developed, efficient wells Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Clear Water As Drilling Fluid m u d / s e d i m e n t
c a k e m u d / s e d i m e n t
c a k e m u d
c a k e Aquifer protected Aquifer invaded by fines m u d
c a k e Aquifer protected Aquifer invaded by fines Drill hole with clear water Drill hole with bentonite 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 4 Fallacy 2: Artificial Gravel Pack is Needed for Sand-Free High-Efficiency Wells Traditional dogmatic belief: gravel pack is needed in most unconsolidated and semi-consolidated formations (on left) Best solution (top right): natural gravel pack development using drilling mud, jetting and high-performance wellscreen Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Artificial Gravel Pack Mandatory Natural Gravel Pack Artificial Gravel Pack Aquifer protected Aquifer invaded by fines Aquifer protected Aquifer invaded by fines void void n a r r o w
s l o t
s c r e e n l a r g e
s l o t
s c r e e n n a r r o w
s l o t
s c r e e n l a r g e
s l o t
s c r e e n mud/sediment cake mud cake clear water bentonite 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 5 How Well Screen Types Affect Jetting Development Continuous Slot Screen Bridge Slot Screen Slotted Pipe Louvered Screen Source: Groundwater and Wells by Fletcher G. Driscoll / J ohnson Screen (Weatherford), Second Edition Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Artificial Gravel Pack Mandatory 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 6 Naturally Developed Well (No Gravel Pack) Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Artificial Gravel Pack Mandatory Source: Advertisement by J ohnson Screen (Weatherford) 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 7 Fallacy 3: Step Pumping Aquifer Tests Can Determine Well Efficiency Related fallacy: constant rate pumping is best for aquifer tests First, a refresher on concepts, terms, and definitions: What kinds of pumping aquifer tests are there ? Transmissivity, coefficient of storage, and other aquifer & well characteristics What is well efficiency ? Then, a pragmatic perspective on what pumping aquifer tests are most economical and easiest to perform Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Step Pumping & Well Efficiency 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 8 Groundwater and Wells is an Invaluable Bible Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Step Pumping & Well Efficiency 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 9 The Bible Compares Two Kinds Of Pumping Tests Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Step Pumping & Well Efficiency Pumping Tests Principle Constant Rate Install one or more observation wells at appropriate distance from the pumping well Pump at constant rate for 24 or 72 hours, depending on type of aquifer Take periodic drawdown measurements from the pumping and observation wells Step Drawdown Pumping rate is increased in steps at regular intervals Example: 100 gpm for 2 hours 200 gpm for next 2 hours 300 gpm for next 2 hours and so on Take data in both pumped and observation wells Source: Groundwater and Wells by Fletcher G. Driscoll / J ohnson Screen (Weatherford), Second Edition Typical Analysis Time-drawdown graph in semi- logarithmic plot Distance-drawdown graph in semi-logarithmic plot Time-drawdown graph in semi- logarithmic plot Distance-drawdown graph in semi-logarithmic plot 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 10 Early Time Data is Almost Worthless in Most Cases The initial S-shaped component is due to casing storage In most cases, specific capacity is more reliable than slopes (semi-log) or matchpoints (log-log) of aquifer test data for calculating transmissivity 10% Rule: It is not necessary to have an uninterrupted aquifer test. I have found that a shut-down equal to about 10% or less of previous pumping time is OK. Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Step Pumping & Well Efficiency log time [min] Casing Storage Effect Drawdown 1,000 10 100 0 B A C Specific Capacity [gpm/ft] = Pumping Rate [gpm] Drawdown [feet] 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 11 Comparing Theoretical and Actual Drawdown . . . Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Step Pumping & Well Efficiency Source: Groundwater and Wells by Fletcher G. Driscoll / J ohnson Screen (Weatherford), Second Edition 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 12 . . . Leads to the Concept of Well Efficiency Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Step Pumping & Well Efficiency Ground Level Static Water Level 10 100 1000 1 Distance from center of well Well Efficiency [%] = Theoretical Drawdown [feet] Actual Drawdown [feet] Theoretical (Extrapolated) Drawdown Pumping Water Level Actual Drawdown Distance - Drawdown Graph in Semi-log Plot 10 m in 100 m in [casing radii] assuming well efficiency remains the same over time 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 13 Turbulent and Laminar Flow Components in Step Drawdown Tests Do Not Measure Well Efficiency Many investigators and practicing engineers have (erroneously) equated turbulent flow with well inefficiency They falsely assume that the laminar head loss is the ordinary aquifer loss and that the turbulent head loss component is strictly the inefficiency drawdown component due to aquifer damage and head loss through the well screen However, we have seen efficient wells which exhibit some turbulent flow - and also have seen inefficient wells where the excess head loss due to formation damage and flow through the screening device is essentially laminar ! Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Step Pumping & Well Efficiency 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 14 Not Mentioned Even in the Bible : There Are More Than Two Kinds of Pumping Aquifer Tests 1. Constant Rate, with step drawdown considered a variant 2. Constant Drawdown, where one records the pumping rate required to maintain a given drawdown 3. Variable Discharge & Drawdown (e.g. using air-lift pumping) Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Step Pumping & Well Efficiency Air-lift pumping proves the cheapest & most effective aquifer test Vertical Axis Variables: 1. s (drawdown) 2. 1/Q (gpm) 3. s/Q log time [min] Casing Storage Effect 1,000 10 100 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 15 Fallacy 4: Air-lifting Cannot Be Trusted for Reliable Aquifer Pumping Tests and Can Air-bind a Well Who here has experienced air-binding first-hand? Reasons why people have opposed use of air-lifting Unwarranted fear of air-binding Air-lift pumping tests force you to think of formation pressures rather than water levels. But this results in better data collection, analysis, and understanding of the aquifer regimes. Lack of easily-accessible, broad-based analysis methods Well development with air proves advantageous Surge block development can be improved by simultaneously using air. While surging, air can be used to pump out water and fines. For stubborn wells, high-pressure air-jetting loosens up and removes drilling mud and fines Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Air-lifting Cannot Be Trusted 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 16 Air-lifting: Principles, Definitions & Example Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Air-lifting Cannot Be Trusted Principles of Operation: 1. Aerated column is lighter than submergence (think of a lake and then progress to a well) 2. Aerated column during pumping +friction loss =submergence 3. Empirical relationships are state-of-the-art. Probably, its impossible to derive and/or calculate accurate formulas describing requirements and performance of all air-lift operations. Key Definitions: Pumping Submergence PS % =(APD - PWL) / APD APD =Air Pipe Depth PWL =Pumping Water Level Static Submergence SS psi =APD - SWL APD =Air Pipe Depth SWL =Static Water Level Example Specifications: 8 inch borehole or well pipe I.D. 2 inch air pipe I.D. 40% pumping submergence 1900 cfm air compressor delivery 450 gpm air-lift pumping capacity Sources: Why Air-lift Pumping Tests by Hank Baski (Feb79), Baski Inc. Catalog #6 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 17 Approximate Air-lift Pumping Capacities Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Air-lifting Cannot Be Trusted Air Compressor Requirements Pressure rating [psi] must be 20% greater than the Static Submergence [psi]. Volume rating [cfm or cubic feet per minute] must approximate values from this table for hydrology testing: If the water production surges, i.e. varies in gpm rate, then a GREATER cfm is needed. On the other hand, well development by air-lift pumping is enhanced by surging; therefore, a LOWER cfm is desired for part of the development period. Do not significantly exceed the listed air delivery rate [cfm] as this will dramatically increase the friction loss in the annular area, causing the water production to decrease to the point where if too much air is introduced, no water will be produced. NOTE: 1 foot of water =0.433 psi 1 psi =2.31 feet of water Borehole or well Air Pipe Pumping Submergence % Air Compressor Delivery Pipe Tube Nominal Actual Size OD 10% 20% 40% 60% 80% (inch) (inch) (gpm) (gpm) (gpm) (gpm) (gpm) (cfm) 3/8 1/8 0.08 0.3 0.5 0.7 7.4 1/2 3/16 0.17 0.6 1 1.4 12 3/4 1/4 0.4 1.4 2.4 3.4 20 1 3/8 1 3 5 7 31 1-1/2 1/2 3 8 13 18 77 Pipe Pipe Nominal Nominal Size Size 2 1/2 0.5 5 15 25 35 120 3 3/4 2.5 15 40 65 90 270 4 1 5 28 75 125 175 470 5 1-1/4 7.5 50 140 230 320 740 6 1-1/2 12 80 225 370 520 1100 8 2 25 150 450 720 1000 1900 10 2-1/2 50 300 800 1300 1800 3000 12 4 75 450 1200 1950 2700 4000 14 4 90 600 1700 2900 4000 5100 16 5 100 800 2400 3900 5500 6600 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 18 Air-lifting: Evolution, Design, and Advantages Air-lift pumping was used before centrifugals At least 80% of the aquifer tests that I have conducted used air-lift pumping Advantages include: Readily available equipment (difficult to obtain conventional pumps for well diameters <4 inch or for productions >2,000 gpm) Dependability (no moving parts so high sand pumping rates are no problem, no expensive components to lose) Lower cost, normally. . . Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Air-lifting Cannot Be Trusted There are some disadvantages: Limited by minimum submergence requirements Not well understood Air compressor availability may be limited 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 19 Air-lifting Advantages (cont.) Versatile: anticipated well production does not need to be known - but it does need to be known for conventional pumping tests Suitable for both small diameter (1/2 or less) and large wells No practical depth limitation Very easy to obtain pumping and non-pumping water level measurements Can produce approximately twice as much water from a given well diameter Practically eliminates casing storage effects Well suited for conducting in-hole flow meter surveys during pumping. The results are a testing necessity for in-situ leaching or mining, and most valuable & powerful in describing aquifers. Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Air-lifting Cannot Be Trusted 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 20 Why Fallacies Live On ( Psychology Behind Fallacies) Websters defines: Fallacy: a false idea Myth: an ill-founded belief held uncritically, especially by an interested group Overcoming human resistance to change is very difficult as one must admit that he/she has been making mistakes in past Its not so much the not knowing that contributes to the sum of human ignorance as it is the knowing so much that aint so. Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Fallacies - Summary 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 21 Novel Solutions for Unmet Needs Drive Forecasts Sense for unmet needs got me into business Know more novel solutions than have resources Breakthroughs from all sources give rise to new trends for markets & technology of ground water industry: my forecasts Why should you care? Unmet needs, novel solutions, and/or resulting improvements may well impact your business, too! Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Forecasts 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 22 Forecast 1: Horizontal Wells Will Play a Greater Role in Water Recovery and Injection Unmet need: ever increasing demand for water of all kinds (potable, irrigation, industrial) in a time of dropping water levels Solution: There is plenty of water down there Horizontal well completion enables more effective aquifer draining Case study: Denver basin Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Forecasts - Horizontal Wells in Recovery & Injection 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 23 Two Pumping Structures (Wells) in a Single Aquifer Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Forecasts - Horizontal Wells in Recovery & Injection 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 24 The System Can Be Extended to Three, Seven, or More Pumping Structures Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Forecasts - Horizontal Wells in Recovery & Injection 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 25 Forecast 2: Pricing for Larger Sedimentary Wells Will Be Based on Well Efficiency Instead of Footage Recall definition of well efficiency as actual/theoretical drawdown (related fallacy: 100% well efficiency is as good as it gets) Unmet need: today the contractor with lowest $/foot bid gets job, and customers end up with too many, inefficient wells Solution: Customer pays for well efficiency based on formula, e.g. only 70% of bid rate if well only 70% efficient Specification consultant decides casing size & material, screen size & material, collapse strength of tubulars, depth, grouting intervals, straightness, plumbness, and suspended solids limits after development. Also decides calculated well efficiency with review provisions. Contractor decides all technical aspects of drilling and development: drill hole diameter, drilling fluid, screen, etc. with input from consultants and suppliers. In larger projects, lowest bidder may be awarded 1/2 of all wells, second gets 1/3rd, and remaining 1/6th goes to third-ranked bidder. Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Forecasts - Well Efficiency, Footage & Pricing 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 26 Adoption Will Proceed Gradually, Where Project Conditions Are Favorable Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Forecasts - Well Efficiency, Footage & Pricing Customers Contractors Consultants Become more knowledgeable Unit cost for water is reduced High quality wells for customers Raises standards in industry Skilled contractors paid more Unskilled fade away Factors that influence adoption of new model: Hydrogeology Ratio of drawdown to pumping depth Production rate Level of fixed and variable (energy) costs More cooperation: less us vs. them negativism between contractors & consultants There will be new roles for consultants: Specification responsibility Advising to contractors Arbitrators of well efficiency calculation 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 27 Forecast 3: Unique, New Methods for Well Development Will Arrive Unmet needs: Inadequate development of new wells In Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR): ways to deal with suspended solids, bacterial growth, precipitation, and entrained gas Solutions include: Underbalanced drilling Chemicals Simultaneous high-pressure jetting & pumping, air jetting at 1,000+psi Imported methods, e.g. ultrasonics Patented methods from oilfield: pulsing technology Airlifting with variations Combinations, e.g. pumping +sonic, airlifting +surge blocks, jetting +surge block +pumping +sonic +chemicals Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Forecasts - New Methods in Well Development 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 28 From Australia: Combined Jetting and Air-lift Tool Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Forecasts - New Methods in Well Development 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 29 From Australia (cont.): The Valve Screen Plunger and Development of Long Screens with Air Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Forecasts - New Methods in Well Development 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 30 Forecast 4: Energy Savings Will Drive Widespread Adoption of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Unmet need: effective method for using aquifers as economically (and environmentally) attractive heating & cooling reservoirs, especially valuable in temperate zones Solution: successful Dutch projects, also attempted in Canada ASR well technology applies directly to ATES Total energy balance on a yearly basis requires full cooperation between heating & cooling engineers and ground water hydrologists Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Four Forecasts - Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage Cold Water Warm/Hot Water heat exchanger summer summer winter winter 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 31 A Practical Illustration - Denver Basin Development Since 1968, some of you may have seen me present issues surrounding nontributary ground water, aquifer storage & recovery (ASR), and the Denver basin: The Complex, Yet Simple, Issue of Non-Tributary Ground Water (1981) The Complex, Yet Simple, Issue of Denver Basin Nontributary Ground Water at the Colorado Water Congress, Workshop on Nontributary Ground Water in Denver, Colorado (October 29, 1986) Design and Material Considerations for ASR Systems at AWPCA in Prescott, Arizona (J uly 20-21, 2000) The Denver Basin and ASR at the American Groundwater Trust in Lakewood, Colorado (J une 13, 2003) Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Case Study: Introduction 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 32 From Pleasantville to Panicsville: Media Propagates Crises, Poor Information, and Bad Solutions WATER BILL: $3 BILLION (Rocky Mountain News 11/26/03) RUNNING DRY (four-part series in RMN 11/22-26/03) BIG STRAW FEASIBLE, COSTLY (Denver Post 11/18/03) WATER DIET FOR CALIFORNIA (RMN 10/16/03) Questionable claims attributed to some experts include: Parts of Denver could begin running out of usable underground water from their main source within 10 to 20 years Water in some areas could become too expensive to pump Colorado needs $15-billion, 27-year Big Straw project to transport millions of gallons of Western Slope water daily across mountains Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Case Study: Introduction 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 33 Experience Shows Projects (Good, Bad & Ugly) Are Entangled in a Web Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Dogmatic Beliefs (2000) Technical (1950s & 60s) Timing (1970s) Political (1990s) Legal (1970s) Environmental (1980s) Economic (1970s) Case Study: Introduction 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 34 Technical Issues: Technical Issues Used to Get Primary Consideration Vertical/Horizontal Well Completions Casing & Pump Column Material Considerations Well Development Methods ASR Considerations Gotchas & Future Thoughts Dogmatic Beliefs (2000s) Technical (1950s & 60s) Timing (1970s) Political (1990s) Legal (1970s) Environmental (1980s) Economic (1970s) Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Case Study: Denver Basin Development 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 35 The Denver Basin Comprises Four Main Aquifers Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Case Study: Denver Basin Development DENVER BASIN CROSS SECTION Elevation (feet) 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 36 Background on the Denver Basin Reservoir Location: the reservoir is ideally situated along the Rocky Mountain Front Range where the high water demand is present Reservoir capacity: 250 to 500 million acre feet (AF) in storage Pumping and artificial recharge capacities are estimated to be at least 1/2 to 1 million AF per year, approximately 450 to 900 MGD Life: The basin will be utilized as a reservoir for the foreseeable future Existing water in storage will be pumped for the next 500 years Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR) started in 1992 at Highlands Ranch (Centennial Water & Sanitation District). As the reservoir is drawn down, ASR is expected to expand throughout the basin ASR in this reservoir will allow for a more economical and efficient water supply, especially in those areas of higher demand and during times of long term drought Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Case Study: Denver Basin Development 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 37 Water Levels Will Stop Falling at 30 Feet/Year Once They Reach the Top of an Aquifer Artesian Coefficient of Storage 1. Bulk modulus of water 2. Reduction of aquifer thickness Water Table Specific Yield: Porosity =Specific Retention plus Specific Yield Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Case Study: Denver Basin Development Example: Typical value =0.0001 - 0.00001 Normally =0.10 - 0.30 500 feet of water level change correspond to <0.05 feet of water recovered correspond to 50 - 100 feet ! Media Fallacy: When Conventional Wells Run Dry, the Aquifer is Doomed 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 38 Ground Water Diversions (in the Denver Basin) Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Case Study: Denver Basin Development Vertical to horizontal well minimum depth 1,500 to 2,000 feet Medium yield/low to medium cost Good for initial and intermediate aquifer development (Presently not used) Conventional, vertical well no size or depth limitation Low yield/low cost Good for initial aquifer development High cost/high yield Good for recharge and later aquifer development (Presently not used) Shaft and Tunnels Collector Wells Source: Hank Baski (1985) 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 39 Cost to Produce Denver Basin Ground Water Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Case Study: Denver Basin Development Source: Hank Baski (1985) 30% 40% 60% 70% 80% 90% 10% 20% 50% Percent Water in Storage $8 $7 $9 $2 $3 $5 $4 $6 0 $1 C o s t
p e r
1 , 0 0 0
G a l l o n s Includes wells, pumps, pumphouses, collector pipelines, operation & maintenance, and pumping energy (based upon conventional vertical water wells) Does not include treatment or distribution HIGH COST Laramie-Fox Hills Wells 3,000 ft. deep T =1,000 gpd/ft LOW COST Dawson Wells 500 ft. deep T =6,000 gpd/ft 48 Wells =100 gpm (1 Well =2.1 gpm) 7 1/2 Acres 38 Wells =150 gpm (1 Well =3.9 gpm) 9 1/2 Acres Denver & Arapahoe 3 Wells 120 Acres 1 Well 360 Acres 5 Wells 72 Acres 12 Wells 30 Acres 6 Wells 60 Acres 1 Well 360 Acres 1 Well 360 Acres 2 Wells 180 Acres 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 40 Development of the Denver Basin Aquifers Illustrates Some Fallacies Roots & Forecasts for the Industry,... Commonly believed fallacies hinder optimal development of water wells: The use of clear water as drilling fluid results in the best well Artificial gravel pack is needed for sand-free, high-efficiency wells Step pumping aquifer tests can determine well efficiency Air-lifting cannot be trusted for reliable aquifer pumping tests and can air-bind a well New technologies and innovations will impact the water well industry over the next decade: Horizontal wells will play a greater role in water recovery and injection Pricing for larger sedimentary wells will be based on well efficiency instead of footage Unique, new methods for well development will arrive Energy savings will drive widespread adoption of aquifer thermal energy storage Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Summary - Recap 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 41 What Fallacies Have You Encountered ? Water Witching (works - doesnt work) Cable tool drilling is slow and old-fashioned Geology determines regional groundwater flow Porosity is important Doubling well diameter =2x well production Well development unnecessary for domestic wells Air drilled wells do not need to be developed Water producing zones are always easily identified when drilling with air Air lines are not reliable or accurate for measuring water levels Pumping clear water means a well is fully developed Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Summary - Q&A Setup 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 42 Further Trends Impacting Our Industry - Which We May Address in the Q&A Session Groundwater currently considered brackish will become more important as treatment technologies improve & become more economical Technology to maximize use of low production aquifers will increase and become more important Stainless steel and other non-corrosive materials Point of use treatment Additional safeguards Automation Higher pricing for delivered water Application of a vacuum to the casing and dewatered aquifers Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Summary - Q&A Setup 2004 McEllhiney Lecture Rev. 3 43 Please Feel Free to Call for Further Discussion: Hank Baski Baski, Inc. phone: +1 (303) 789-1200 email: info@baski.com Ground Water: Fallacies & Forecasts Q&A - Contact Information
Hydrological Processes Volume 13 Issue 3 1999 (Doi 10.1002/ (Sici) 1099-1085 (19990228) 13:3-255::aid-Hyp737-3.0.Co 2-Y) D. A. Sear P. D. Armitage F. H. Dawson - Groundwater Dominated Rivers
Committee On USGS Water Resources Research, Water Science and Technology Board, National Research Co Investigating Groundwater Systems On Regional and National Scales 2000