I wrote last month in this space about the new www.thedriller.com. It’s quite a change, and one I think moves in the right direction for serving our readers. This month, I want to write more broadly about technology, because “quite a change” has grown into the norm for so many industries, including the array of sectors in which drilling contractors work.
The basics of drilling, like the basics of writing, don't change much. Drillers poke a hole in the ground, and useful things come out—water, energy or minerals. Likewise, writers put fingers to keyboard (or pen to paper) and, hopefully, useful things come out. Those basic mechanics remain relatively constant, and have since people have sunk wells in the ground or attempted to write the next great novel.
My awareness of water-related issues has gone up ten-fold since I joined The Driller in November. I think a lot about water, how we consume it, how we get it and how precarious it can be as a resource. So, I jumped at the chance to explore these issues in the field with the Institutes for Journalism & Natural Resources (IJNR).
You probably don’t give shoes a second thought. I know I usually don’t. I slip them on in the morning, walk around in them all day and shuffle them off by the door when I get home. I bet you do the same. Lace them up, stomp around the jobsite, kick off the dust and call it a day.
Spring has made its long-awaited debut, so I’m sure business for many of you (at least in the northern climates) will pick up soon. But, just because you’re busy out in the field, it doesn’t mean you can’t take The Driller with you.
My
recent trip to Las Vegas for the National Ground Water Association Expo-my
first big industry show-left me with a great first impression of the industry
and a lot to think about.