300gpm muddy well (video) Please help..

[Craigpump]

Because the outside diameter of 5" couplings would need to be machined down to drift through a nominal 6" well. A 5" coupling will fall right a 7" well with no problem, so you can ream the hole to 7". You're not going to be able to drive the pipe through all that debris, so you either drill it out and hope it stays open, or have a casing head machined up and blow through the 5" and hope to push that material back into the cave...

 

[Caleb211]

So should I ask that be drill it again because it caved in? Or is this normal and should I just move on with a 85 foot well? Seems shallow

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Craigpump]

Cleaning that well out could be tough and expensive, but if you really need all that water you might try pumping it to see what happens.

What's your well for? Domestic? Irrigation? Hotel? How much water do need per minute?

 

[Valveman]

Voids and cave ins are some of the biggest problems a driller can face. The drill cuttings will not come to the surface, and he could easily lose any drill pipe he puts down the well. But sometimes wells with voids or caverns can make a lot of water. I would try to see if you can make the well work like it is with some pumping and developing. I would want to move a good distance from that well if you want to drill another well. And you have no guarantee what Mother Nature has put down there. Many times a bird in the hand really is worth two in the bush.

edit;
Sorry Craigpump we posted at the same time, but it looks like we are on the same page

 

[Craigpump]

NP Cary, I drilled in Ky and know that caves are a pain to deal with, drilling blind, staged cement jobs above n below the cave...... But you're right, they can give up a lot of water.

 

[Caleb211]

Would a well liner help?

 

[Valveman]

You might get a 6" liner in an 8" casing, but I don't see that as helping much since you won't be able to gravel pack.

 

[Craigpump]

Not of you can't get liner to the bottom.

 

[Caleb211]

So if I had him re drill it and then do a 6" liner would that work?

Can someone please explain to me what the right way is? All I have right now is a whole in the ground with 20 feet of casing...

What is a gravel pack etc?

 

[Valveman]

Like Craigpump said, if you can get the 6" liner to 85' it would at least hold the hole open, but it won't make much difference in the mud unless you could gravel pack, and I don't think you can. I don't think re-drilling is an option with the cave in.

 

[Craigpump]

Anything is possible, but look at the economics.

If this is a domestic well, I'd put a 20 gpm pump in at 40' and see what happens over the course of a week or so. If it cleans up you're golden. In the meantime you can plan your next move.