Greg Plutko

Drilling for Soil Chemistry in Geotech Reports, Part 2

What Can Drillers Get out of All Those Data Tables?

Greg Plutko

July 19, 2023

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We delve deeper into geotechnical reports with a look at how data tables offer tips for keyword searches.

Drilling for Soil Chemistry in Geotech Reports, Part 1

Geotechnical Reports for Drillers 101 plus Reading Bore Logs

Greg Plutko

June 23, 2023

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Need to read and understand geotechnical reports? In this column, we cover getting started and bore log basics.

Fann Rheometer Advantages and Marsh Funnel Testing Tips

Viscosity Tests in High-Solids Drilling Fluids Helped by Shear

Greg Plutko

May 18, 2022

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Don’t expect these common tools for testing fluids to have same results for high-solids, gelling mixes.

Marsh Funnel Limitations in Field Testing Drilling Fluids

Common Tool Struggles with High Solids, Gelling

Greg Plutko

April 13, 2022

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Common tool for drillers works well with a range of fluids, but falters for those with high solids or gelling.

Tips to Evaluate a Mixed-Metal Fluid System on Drilling Jobs

Greg Plutko

March 13, 2020

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This column goes over a few more ways to evaluate mixed-metal hydroxide (MMH) fluids, and touches on troubleshooting when contractors don't get the results they want.

The Basics of a Mixed-Metal Fluid System for Drilling Jobs

Greg Plutko

February 17, 2020

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Back in early 2000, when I first started working with mixed-metal hydroxide, very few drillers had ever heard this type of fluid and even fewer had ever seen it used.

Basics of Getting Through Clay on Drilling Jobs

Reactive Ground Conditions and Anti-Clay Addititives

Greg Plutko

February 1, 2017

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Aqueous drilling through clay has always been a potentially difficult situation and, over the years, sundry solutions have been presented to combat this sticky enemy.

Tips for Materials Safety on Drilling Jobs

Michael Kleespies

Greg Plutko

November 1, 2016

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Everyone can agree that safety has become an integral part of any construction site. We all have the same goal — to come home safely at the end of every day.