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Q'Max Has Chosen Baldor H2 Drives Technology For Water Recycle System

November 14, 2006

Q’Max has taken the lead in its latest technology of mud stripping (clear water drilling with a solids free system) in the Oil and Gas Industry. Q’Max is a leading supplier of mud stripping equipment used by the industry. Mud stripping is a mechanical and chemical process that removes solids from the drilling fluid (water) used in the drilling of oil and gas wells. Drillers need a clean supply of water, which acts as a lubricant for the cutting action of the drill bit and helps keep the well bore free of solids. During drilling, the water is pumped through the drill pipe and drill bit down the well bore and then the fluid and solids are returned to surface and may have up to 25% solids in the fluid return. These solids,(cuttings, shale’s, mud, rock, etc.) must be separated from the water before it is pumped back down the well bore. Without the solids removal and water recycling process, more and more water would need to be supplied.

With Q’Max’s patented design, their mud stripping system (clarification tanks, and pump systems) can reduce wasted water by more the 50%. Using the Baldor H2 drives, Q’Max is able to monitor the flow of water being returned to the drilling operation automatically and the drive adjusts the speed of the pumps in order maintain the proper flow rates.

According to Lorne Onstad, General Manager of Q’Max Environmental Solutions, “If we didn’t have these Baldor H2 drives, the operators November 14, 2006 would be opening and closing valves all day long as the flow rates change”. Depending on the type of rock being drilled through, the flow rates can change dramatically and the drives must be responsive enough to change speeds as required. Without it, the pumps could run dry or lag behind resulting in the overflow of tanks. Wayne Walker, Drive Specialist, Baldor Motors & Drives Alberta, Edmonton, AB, stated, “The connections were quick and easy. The operators required little training on the H2 drives. Simplicity was the key. Our H2 drives were just what they needed to provide an easy means of precise speed and flow rate control, with a display to allow the operators to monitor their process load changes.” Keeping it simple, with high performance is what made this combination a good fit.

Mr. Onstad went on to say: “The Baldor H2 drives are extremely valuable to us. Our positive displacement pumps work well with H2 drives. With Baldor's awesome customer service and product support Baldor and Q'Max make a perfect match!”