Epic Rotary Drilling Matchup: Mud or Air?

[@Charles53412]

I've done both and do prefer air over mud, due to it being faster and generally cleaner. Water usually is never an issue, cause you can always go to what we called misting and start adding soaps/foams etc.. And unloading a hole was always fun to watch ! I've had the opportunity to work on one of if not the largest gas well in West Central Texas. Hammer bits were hardly used unless the formation called for one. I remember the days of Diamond bits to drill wells of the late 70's early 80's.

[@jlydon29]

Can a mud setup still do the job of an air setup, if you really needed it to? I’m looking at a Chinese rig (FYX180) and it can either be accompanied by a $23,500 22 bar 24 cubic meter per minute compressor, or a $3500 mud pump. This won’t be for a business, but a personal well in the White Mountains, Arizona. Our stone is majority lava rock, if you hit any at all. Water is about 150’ down, and I plan to hit 200.

[@Charles53412]

@@jlydon29 It really depends on the water tables in the drilling areas, like how large. We went to a mist some times when water was to much, but not enough for mud. And mud can be used.

[@blueonblackpowerstroke513]

@@Charles53412I’ve drilled holes with a Foremost/Barber Dr-24 in places fellas refuse to take air or mud rigs.. Dual Rotary Air w/ water&foam injection reigns supreme in Northwest Ga!