search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • WATER
  • ENERGY
    • Geothermal
    • Mining
    • Petroleum
  • CONSTRUCTION
    • Horizontal Directional Driling
    • Infrastructure
  • SAFETY
  • DRILLER STUDIOS
    • The Driller Newscast
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
      • The Newscast
      • The DRILLERcast
  • VOICES
  • PRODUCTS
    • Featured Products
    • Sponsored Insights
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • SOURCEBOOK
  • EVENTS
    • Ground2Grid
    • Conferences & Demo Days
  • ABOUT
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Drilling Industry Voices

'What’s the Beef?': Strengthening Relationships Across the Drilling Field

‘Unearthing’ harmony between drillers and consultants

By Jeff Garby
What's the Beef.jpeg
May 2, 2024

In the world of drilling and consulting, there's a tale as old as time – the clash between drillers and consultants/site engineers. It's like a never-ending sitcom where drillers see consultants as highbrow types allergic to dirt, while consultants view drillers as the rough-and-tumble crew with a penchant for judging anyone with clean boots and a fresh hard hat. But why does this conflict persist? 

It's a mystery worthy of its own comedy special. Yet, it's crystal clear that cooperation between these groups isn't just a convenience; it's vital for successful projects. Both roles are interdependent, and their collaboration is crucial for the industry's progress.

The Driller's Perspective

Picture this: a group of drillers hanging out by the rig, minding their own business, when suddenly, consultants swoop in with their plans and directives. It's like a scene from a high-stakes drama complete with eye-rolling and muttered complaints. And let's not forget the drillers' secret belief that they're amateur geologists – move over, Indiana Jones!

The Consultant's Perspective

On the flip side, consultants may see drillers as the cast of a reality TV show gone wrong. Cue the antics: relieving themselves on the rig, expecting help with manual tasks, and negotiating schedules like it's a game of 20 Questions. It's a comedy of errors, with consultants playing the straight person to drillers' wild antics.

Bridging the Gap

But wait, there's hope for a happy ending! Here are some tips for better collaboration, brought to you by the drillers and consultants comedy hour:

1. Respect: Let's keep it civil, folks. Think of it as a buddy comedy where mutual respect is the punchline. From Abbot and Costello to Harold and Kumar, it only works if there’s a foundation of respect and appreciation under the surface that the audience can easily pick up on from the get-go.

2. Shared Goals: We're all in this together, like a dysfunctional family on a road trip. When both parties focus on the end game – a successful project – it's a comedy of errors with a heartwarming twist.

3. Empathy: Walk a mile in each other's muddy boots, preferably without tripping over your own shoelaces. It's like a slapstick routine with a lesson in understanding.

4. Focus on the Outcome: Keep your eye on the prize – a top-notch well. It's the grand finale, where everyone gets their happy ending, complete with applause and confetti.

Moving Forward

So, fellow drillers and consultants, let's raise our hard hats to a future filled with professionalism, teamwork, and maybe a few laughs along the way. 

With a bit of effort and a whole lot of comedy, we can turn this age-old conflict into a sitcom worth watching. After all, who says drilling can't be both professional and hilarious? Cue the laugh track!

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Td jeff garby mug 072023

Jeff Garby is vice president of global operations and managing partner at Alucast Inc., which manufactures well protection for clients in geotech, groundwater and other drilling sectors. Find out more at alucastworld.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Brock Yordy speaks with a group of Geothermal Drillers

    The Road to 2050

    The geothermal exchange industry is an expanding,...
    Construction Drilling
    By: Brock Yordy
  • A drilling rig hitched to a pickup truck

    Stories From the Site: Some of the Wildest Things Hit While Drilling

    There are many zany things drillers encounter everyday...
    Infrastructure
    By: John Truesdale
  • Western Kansas

    EPA Turns Attention to Rural Water Challenges in Western Kansas

    Rural water systems rarely make national headlines, but...
    Water
    By: John Oldani
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the The Driller audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of The Driller or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • ClimateMaster installation in on-base housing
    Sponsored byClimateMaster

    A Driller and HVAC Professional Have a Cup of Coffee

  • 2 men with a piece of machinery
    Sponsored byGeoprobe

    One Rig Service Partner. All Brands. Less Downtime.

  • skid-packaged booster stations
    Sponsored byBaker Water Systems

    Built to Spec: Custom Booster Stations for Real-World Water Systems

Popular Stories

ClimateMaster installation in on-base housing

A Driller and HVAC Professional Have a Cup of Coffee

An artist's rendition of the finished data center

EPA Opens Door to More Off-Grid Power for Data Centers, but Questions Remain

Can We Refill Our Aquifers? MAR & The Groundwater Crisis

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR)

The DRILLER logo CLASSIFIEDS

COMPRESSORS

EAST WEST MACHINERY & DRILLING IS BUYING AND SELLING AIR COMPRESSORS, AIR BOOSTERS, AIR ENDS & PARTS
Company: East West Machinery

DRILL RIGS

LOOKING FOR LATE MODEL TOPHEADS & DRILLTECH D25'S
Company: Spikes’s Rig Sales

DRILL RIG PARTS

MEETING DRILLERS NEEDS AROUND THE WORLD
Company: East West Machinery

ELEVATORS

SEMCO INC. PIPE ELEVATORS
Company: Semco Inc.

GROUTERS

GROUTING EQUIPMENT - GROUT PUMPS & GROUT HOSE REELS
Company: Geo-Loop Inc.

PUMP HOISTS

SEMCO INC. - BASIC PUMP HOISTS
Company: Semco Inc.

WELL PACKERS

LANSAS PRODUCTS - INFLATABLE WELL PACKERS
Company: Vanderlans Lansas Products

WELL SCREENS

WELL SCREENS & SLOTTED PIPE
Company: Alloy Screen Works

Events

June 15, 2027

Ground2Grid Thermal Energy Summit

Ground2Grid logoGround2Grid is a new, national event hosted by The Driller where the full lifecycle of Thermal Energy Resources comes together. From the subsurface to the final system connection, this summit brings builders, policymakers, engineers, and investors into one collaborative space to accelerate the future of carbon-neutral heating and cooling.
View All Submit An Event

Products

Water Quality Engineering: Physical / Chemical Treatment Processes

By carefully explaining both the underlying theory and the underlying mathematics, this text enables readers to fully grasp the fundamentals of physical and chemical treatment processes for water and wastewater.

See More Products

The Driller EGO award - Tell Us Who's Making An Impact in the Field

Related Articles

  • Dale Carnegie listening drilling industry.jpeg

    Two Ears, One Mouth: Listening in the Drilling Field

    See More
  • drilling rig rental

    What’s All the Hype About Drilling Rig Rentals?

    See More
  • Ask Brock video series

    What’s the Best Way to Resolve Employee Conflicts on the Drilling Jobsite?

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • In Too Deep: BP and the Drilling Race That Took it Down

  • drilling engineering.jpg

    Drilling Engineering Problems and Solutions: A Field Guide for Engineers and Students

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • October 14, 2016

    Virginia Water Well Association's Fall Field Day 2016

    This year, we are looking forward to stepping back in time and seeing first-hand what it took to construct wells, tools and maintain them.
  • October 5, 2027

    The Utility Expo

    Held every two years, The Utility Expo returns to Louisville’s Kentucky Exposition Center on October 5 - 7, 2027. As an exhibitor at The Utility Expo, your return on investment is our main priority. Through hands‑on demos and in‑person conversations, you’ll generate higher‑quality leads, accelerate buying decisions, and drive measurable ROI.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Dig deeper into the drilling and water supply industry!

Build your knowledge with The Driller, covering the people, equipment and technologies across drilling markets.

SIGN UP NOW
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Classifieds
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing