New Equipment for Youth Key to Company Growth

Running 1970 and 1984 model Kelly rigs, Weninger Drilling Inc in Kansas was positioned to grow but knew equipment would be key to their success.

“We were seeing the future and what we have for helpers. It’s harder to get people with CDLs, and the younger generation likes the newer stuff,” Travis Cutler, driller, said. “We wanted the business to grow and knew the only way is with newer, more dependable equipment.”

He first saw the DRILLMAX^® by Geoprobe^® DM250 at a National Ground Water Association show four years ago.

“Initially I thought there was no way it would work in our market,” Cutler said.

Then he began watching YouTube videos and ultimately came for a factory visit. His wishes he wouldn't have delayed visiting the factory.

“You can see a rig at a trade show, but to see it perform and see where it’s built from scratch and see the different stages — between that and watching the performance of the DM250, it was basically a done deal in my mind when I left the factory visit,” Cutler said. “No one will be disappointed coming out for a site visit after you see the production side, how clean the facilities are, how on-point the technicians are. I’ve been to other manufacturers — not drilling — but others are not as clean and efficient and organized as Geoprobe®.”

While he’s disappointed in himself for waiting six months to visit the factory a mere 87 miles from his Kansas home, he’s not disappointed in his decision to buy a DM250.

“In the first week, we drilled nine wells in four days. We’ll easily drill 13 wells in a week,” Cutler said. “My goal was to drill 20 wells per week with two rigs, and we passed that in just the first four days.”

He describes the rig speed as phenomenal.

“The top head drive in shale formation is much more efficient than our table drive rig,” Cutler said. “It’s a pretty sweet little rig.”

They’ve already squeezed the DM250 onto a job, leaving no trace there’d ever been a rig in the yard.

“We had to maneuver through a 10-foot gate to get into a backyard with full grown trees in a nicer urban neighborhood,” Cutler said. “We couldn’t have done that with any of our other rigs, and the customer was pleased we could put the well where they wanted it.”

One of Cutler’s helpers, an 18-year-old who graduated from high school in December 2023, has become the lead driller on the DM250, which doesn't require a class A/B CDL.

“He picked it up right away. It’s definitely a machine for the youth,” Cutler said. “We spent two days each drilling two wells. Then I let him loose. I have two driller’s helpers with him now, and every truck on that fleet doesn’t require a CDL, so it’ll be easier to find help and easier to take on more work.”

The simple operation and controls combined with easy rod handling with the carousel and additional safety features throughout the rig put his mind at ease.

“I’m not as worried as I am when they’re swinging drill pipe on our older Kelly rig,” Cutler said. “It’s a much safer piece of equipment. The simplicity and safety will bring peace of mind for any owner.”