Foremost Industries recently hosted a gathering of drilling contractors near Banff, Alberta, for "Drilling in the Rockies," a dual rotary drilling demonstration and education event.

In late September, Foremost Industries hosted a gathering of drilling contractors near Banff, Alberta, for "Drilling in the Rockies," a dual rotary drilling demonstration and education event.

A total of 30 delegates from 12 drilling companies were represented at the weekend special event. Delegates were accommodated at a resort nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. The demonstration was held at a nearby gravel pit where a Foremost DR-12 operated by JR Drilling of Cranbrook, British Columbia, drilled a 6-inch steel-cased hole in unconsolidated gravel to 100 feet in an hour and 45 minutes. The casing was left in the ground overnight.

The next morning, in a demonstration of the DR's ability to pullback and extract casing, the hole was abandoned in just over an hour. JR Drilling president Richard Bombardier told the delegates, "I've drilled in similar conditions with other types of equipment that couldn't do this job nearly as quickly as a DR. This is tough drilling, but the DR makes it look easy."

In addition to the drilling demonstration, delegates toured the Foremost facility in Calgary, Alberta, participated in technical discussions, and were able to choose from a variety of outdoor activities like golf and horseback riding amidst the beautiful scenery of the Canadian Rockies. Foremost's marketing manager, Mike Henahan, explains, "We thought it was important to offer more than just a demo. We wanted to spend time getting to know the guests and we wanted them to be comfortable with us as a company."

Foremost already is looking at plans to stage a similar event next year. According to Henahan, "We've been getting excellent feedback from the 'Drilling in the Rockies' event. I think we succeeded in creating a very enjoyable and educational program, and we would like to continue to hold events like this, perhaps on an annual basis, as long as there is interest from the marketplace."

For information on future demonstrations, contact Foremost's Mike Henahan or Kathy Sullivan at 1-800-661-9190, or via e-mail at sales@foremost.ca.