WWJ Closeup, January 2026

SIMON MASSÉ
President
Nordic Drill
Quebec, Canada

WHAT ARE YOUR GUIDELINES TO ENSURE CASING IS LINED UP STRAIGHT BEFORE ROTATING IT IN?
We level the casing using a level. In dual rotary drilling, the casing is always supported at three points: the ground, the lower drive, and the top drive via the discharge swivel. Since the ground is the least stable point, drilling always begins with the Nordic Drive in its lowest position.

IF A WELL SCREEN IS NEEDING TO BE INSTALLED, WHAT ARE TIPS FOR PULLING BACK THE CASING TO EXPOSE IT?
Before setting a well screen, clear communication and accurate sampling are key. A good discharge system is essential. Once a favorable zone is identified, take careful notes and precise depth measurements.

AIR HAMMER VS. TRICONE BIT WHEN DR DRILLING?
Definitely the tricone bit in overburden. For rock in our region, we switch to DTH. Each formation requires its own tool—PDC, DTH, or tricone. In variable overburden, the tricone is ideal: runs at lower air pressure with a constant flow, drilling smoothly, preserving formation integrity, and providing a clear reading of the subsurface.

STICK OR WIRE-FEED WELDING CASING AND WHY?
Definitely stick welding for daily 6-inch well operations. We believe wire-feed is good practice for larger diameters. However, anything too sophisticated eventually becomes a reason not to drill. Stick welding always works. KIS—Keep It Simple— remains our approach because simple, proven methods outperform complicated setups in real-world drilling.

HOW DID THE IDEA OF YOUR LEFT-HAND REUSABLE THREADED CASING FOR SURFACE SEALS ORIGINATE?
The idea came from traveling and asking questions. In other applications where the casing must be removed—such as anchors or micropiles—this system is standard. Across Europe, it’s widely used. The technology already exists.

WITH 50-PLUS NORDIC DRILL DUAL ROTARY CONVERSIONS IN THE MARKET THUS FAR, HOW IS 2026 LOOKING?
The question isn’t whether drillers will have a dual rotary but when. When one or two drillers in a region own one, they take such a lead that it forces competitors to follow. Each driller chooses his place in the race; otherwise competitors will choose.