If you have read this column many times, you have probably figured out that I am what might be called a “convention freak.” I think this is a true statement since I went to my first well driller’s convention in 1952. I don’t think I have ever been to a convention, what we now call a conference or a dealer day at a supply house that I did not enjoy. I haven’t added up the total recently, but I think I am approaching 150 of these types of events in my lifetime. I am of the opinion that if you really go to one of these things, you can’t fail to meet someone new who it will be in your best interest to know, see a new product that you might want to use or learn a new process, especially in drilling, that can be valuable to you.
If you are a regular reader of this column, you know that sometimes I get on a subject — be it drilling, pumps, repairing or my experience at a convention —and stay on it like a bulldog that has grabbed your pant leg. In this column, I’m going to cover a number of subjects that I hope will be informational and which contain a bit of opinion. Not incidentally, my wife informs me that this is the 120th column I have written for National Driller. It seems like the day before yesterday that I started, but I’m not at the end of the line yet. I do appreciate the comments I get from you readers about my writing.