I wrote: > The drilling technology is also 19th century. Although a rotary drill is > faster (though still 19th century technology) a cable drill is something > that anyone able to keep any sort of machinery running could maintain: > it's just a heavy weight on a cable, lifted up and dropped over and over.
Roberto writes: > I see. Minimal moving parts, right? Right. Does need a hardened steel bit, of course. Google knows all about it, as well as other approaches such as jet drilling. I wrote: > I suspect that a more serious barrier is the cost of the steel casing. Roberto writes: > True. However, PVC casings are also used. They are probably not as > good, but a foot of 6" PVC is way cheaper than a foot of 6" steel casing. Plastic wouldn't stand up to the forces exerted by a cable drill. I think you could use plastic with a rotary drill, though. In the long run plastic would be better as it would never rust out. Steel always does, eventually. Might there also be regulatory barriers and/or water-rights problems? I can imagine that a guy with an expensive drill rig might not be willing to drill an "illegal" well, whereas a bunch of guys with shovels... -- John Hasler -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
