Well Pump Stuck - collapsed well casing ?!

My friend Monte owns Gourley Well Pump Service in Osceola Wisconsin. I tagged along on this job to determine if this well pump could be pulled up, or if the well needs to be de-commissioned. We we unable to pull out the pump, as we determined that the well casing had collapsed, likely due to corrosion and deterioration of the steel well casing. Note- I am not a well specialist, I was just on the job to assist and thought it would make an interesting video.

[@maxgustafson5664]

I appreciate Monty did everything he could to find the most economical solution for the homeowner!

[@WolfofWisco]

We tried our best - his first stuck pump but that casing was rusted and shot!

[@jasonharper2601]

as someone who has worked around cables and rigging. seems dangerous to be standing that close to the cable and rig. the cable snaps he is going to be hurt or killed

[@jordanmartell8750]

This was really interesting. Thanks for sharing guys!

[@WolfofWisco]

Glad you enjoyed buddy!

[@drob5664]

Once you see all those holes in the casing, it is over. No sense in wasting more money.

[@PetroPowerLtd]

I only see about 20 safety rules broken. These guys are lucky to be alive.

[@45speedbump]

I would never go down a hole with a taper tap without a set of jars above it.

[@WolfofWisco]

We added the jaws - but I agree! Also note we pounded for an hour with a sledgehammer - directly on the well pipe and it didn’t budge- but yea I understand your comment, IF the pump was rusted and broke free in the casing it could have dropped. Thanks much for the comment!

[@stevelalondejr2183]

Being a well driller and thin wall casing I'd plugged it and he'd drilled a new one and yes chances are the pump could have been removed by not worth the expense or effort ! Haven't drilled a steel well since 1978, in my area we used 4'' heavy wall casing R&D galv. still going today know of wells 60+ yrs old. OH law now say's 5'' or bigger, we use PVC well casing and most wells have screens and under 300' deep average 120+ give 50gpm+ some even flow above ground ! NW Corner of OH here near IN/MI we have water Michindo aquifer they claim. Good effort and try all state laws are different as are areas and types of drilling wells for water!

[@WolfofWisco]

Steve, thanks for your reply! I’m just helping my friend- after we dug down about 7 ft we saw that rusted casing and knew it was going to be capped off. We did our best. Take care.

[@arlynsmith9196]

An old joke about monkeys and a football comes to mind.

[@dannyharvey5623]

Next time pull bind on tubing and get water pump and run 1/2” pipe between casing tubing and jet down to pump. Worked for me when had some sand on pump. No good if caved in but could work as lubricant if we’ll been setting for a while.

[@WolfofWisco]

That’s good to know and thanks for the comment and tip!

[@kencarlton9939]

That's definitely a good way to break your hoist. I like to use a 30 ton cylinder/ram. Looks like a shop press but, operation is reverse. Homemade of course but, sometimes you need to be a little innovative. Hopefully the casing doesn't break off. Most of the time just best to drill another......have fun 😅

[@ronniesalley6955]

Soooo, what did that cost?

[@bikerktmktm21x]

The moment there were holes in the casing got a hole in it that close to the surface with that sandy soil, it was pointless to try and pull the pump. Everything it rains on the lawn was watered, sand was flowing on the top of the pump

[@jedschleisner8960]

Hey wolf, pretty interesting. I have a old 4” well, I sure hope it holds up and I don’t have to go through that.

[@WolfofWisco]

Hi Jed! I also have an old well in my 110 year old farmhouse. Hoping it doesn’t rust away like this one did.

[@larrytheplumber9851]

Nah u really messed this one up 😂

[@Jeff_Crittendon]

Enjoyed the video! But safety is first priority! The men should have hard hats and gloves on, an accident is going to happen

[@WolfofWisco]

Yes- agree it was sketchy and hard hats and gloves, glasses needed. We have never had a stuck pump and that added to the ranger when pulling hard on the extraction .

[@capebee4839]

Pump water down at high pressure and wash out the sand The same as you remove the cuttings from the hole while you are drilling the hole

[@thomassullivan2674]

You see that we’ll casing?? Any high pressure will disintegrate the well casing

[@WolfofWisco]

Once we saw the rusted casing, we knew it was junk. If we could have pulled the pump, and IF the casing wasn’t collapsed, we maybe could have lined it with PVC pipe. My friend is new to well service and that stuck pump was his first .

[@kingtut5923]

call Henley to drill a new well

[@ryanbeard1119]

Falling water cavitation

[@fuzzybutkus8970]

Nice of the home owner to quick cooking meth to give well driller a hand. Gotta be tough cooking with no water. Those guys are known to be a little cranky let’s say.lol.

[@neilmays6744]

Get a real rig and strip the casing and all clean the hole and replace with new casing Also get a set of elevators that are safe

[@Maxsell96]

сила есть ума не надо.