Galvanizing Next Well Water Drilling Generation

Working in the chemical industry since his 2000 college graduation, Ron Goolsby missed the well water drilling business, having worked alongside his dad while growing up. So he started a side business with a pulling unit doing well service work.

“I started Brazoria Water Well in 2010 focused on service,” Ron said. “I’d get requests to drill and either contract it to family, or not do it.”

When both his sons showed interest in getting into drilling, he decided to end a 20-year hiatus from well water drilling and expand his Texas well service business.

“While in high school I was doing service work, but wanted to see the other side of what I was working on,” Ron’s son, Toby Goolsby, said. “I got the opportunity to get on the back of a drill rig, and I really liked it. There’s always something new to figure out.”

Initially, Ron considered launching well water drilling services with a used rig. However, they found used rigs were one of two things.

“They’re either top notch, well cared for — and expensive — or a rust bucket,” Ron said. “I call them ‘frankenrigs’: older rigs that have had multiple owners with pieces from multiple manufacturers patched on. I didn’t want that hassle.”

They expanded their search to include new rigs and took a trip during 2021 to the Geoprobe^® well drilling rig manufacturers Open House field event.

“I’d never heard of any rig manufacturer having an event where rigs were running, and until that time I’d never seen a top head rig operate,” Ron said. “It was a unique opportunity to see equipment run up close and personal.”

Their experience at the 2021 Open House led them toward the DM250.

“It was neat to see all the Geoprobe^® stuff and see the full line of DM equipment operate. I even got up on the platform to operate the rig and get a feel for how smooth it was,” Ron said. “You get to meet the person running the drill and find out he’s the engineer. It gives you the sense the guys who are doing the engineering are capable of operating a rig. So not only are they going to build it, they’re aware of how it runs.”

Toby paid particular attention to the speed and safety of the DM250 and how the operator controls greatly simplify operation.

“The engineers pay attention to the grievances of the drillers, so there’s more attention to ease of maintenance, durability, and ease of operation,” Toby said.

Not only did Ron and Toby watch engineers running the well water drilling rigs they designed during the Geoprobe^® Open House, they also got to tour the entire well drilling rig manufacturers production facility.

“We saw the factory and the level of professionalism and engineering in the product. They have a big, modern factory,” Ron said. “I’ve been to other rig manufacturers, and they are chaotic places. Geoprobe^® is very organized, everything is well thought out, there’s a lot of effort put into having a professional factory.”

For Ron and Toby, the Geoprobe^® Open House event created confidence in their decision to choose a new well water drilling rig and ultimately to opt for a DM250.

Favorite features include the hydraulic controls and the holdback lever for precise movements (see video link on page 8).

“It’s inherently safe,” Ron said. “If you let go of a lever, nothing comes crashing down or have to worry about applying a brake.”

Ron also appreciates how the 4-wheel drive truck makes for fast mobilization and easy access to smaller job sites.

“Not requiring a CDL means you can get in and operate it like any other vehicle, and its size means we can store it in the shop when the weather is bad,” Ron said. “My wife can drive it to the job, and I’ll drive the support truck. My 16-year-old son, Jack, is learning to operate the rig as well and helped me drill a well last weekend. It’s a really good way for new drillers to learn.”

In fact, the first well Toby ever completed was 105 feet using the DM250.

“I had seen Kyle’s [Neuendorff, Texas Southern Drilling] DM250 run, and I’d been on the back of Cuatro Strack’s [J4 Water Works] DM250 to know what to look for,” he said. “But when we got our DM250, I got on the back and drilled a well. I drilled from start to finish that day, learning how to operate it in about three hours.”

These days, fourth-generation driller Toby steps up to the controls when he travels back from college for special projects. He continues to admire the DM250’s power with loads of top head pullback and winch pull.

“It’s easy to learn and I’m impressed with the power of the DM250. Our area can get difficult, but the DM250 doesn’t falter. Even in sticky, swelling clay, it has pushed through. You’re also able to drill on the way up,” Toby said. “Form factor compared to power, it’s outstanding. The DM250 is great for our growing company.”

Adding well water drilling services boosted Brazoria’s business in unexpected ways.

“We’ve been doing service for 13 years. I’m not sure what it is, but when you add drilling, more people take you seriously,” Ron said. “Being a full-service company has boosted our business through more service requests.”

While they’ve found the DM250 durable and easy to use, they’re grateful for support they’ve received from the entire Geoprobe^® well drilling rig manufacturers team.

“You can get someone on the phone, whether it’s general questions or you’re having an issue. It’s easy to get what you need,” Ron said. “They have the info on your rig, and you’re not having to search for parts. Before and after the sale, Donnie Wood always answers calls. He’ll get you the answer or get someone who can.”