The Driller

08/06/2025

📢 New EPA CFO Confirmed — What It Means for Drillers

Paige Hallen Hanson is now in charge of the EPA’s $100B+ budget. She’s got Capitol Hill chops, private sector CFO creds, and a history with the agency.

Why it matters? Her decisions could shape how quickly funds flow for:
💧 Groundwater protection
♨️ Geothermal permitting (UIC)
⚠️ PFAS cleanup grants

Eyes on the budget. Boots in the field.
Full story ➡️ https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93538-paige-hallen-hanson-confirmed-as-epa-chief-financial-officer

“Paige did a great job as Associate CFO in the first administration,” said former EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “She has the experience and knowledge the agency needs.”

08/06/2025

After 45 years split between sites, Robertson Geo just opened its new UK HQ — and it’s not your average industrial facility.

📍 Conwy, Wales
📏 20,500 sq ft
🧪 Features: Custom manufacturing, world-class calibration, training hub, bonsai trees (yes, really)

They’re calling it a leap forward. We’re calling it proof that geophysics can have a Kaizen wall and still be hardcore.

🔧 Serving 160+ countries.
📈 Plans to double staff and revenue.

Launch guests included politicians, partners, and the CEO of Japan-based OYO Corp. The vibe? Global reach, local roots, and serious ambition.

Full story here ➡️ http://www.thedriller.com/articles/93535-robertson-geo-opens-landmark-uk-headquarters-in-conwy

Borehole geophysics specialist Robertson Geo has officially opened its new UK headquarters

08/05/2025

🚨 PFAS Rollback? The Advisory Panel Says Not So Fast

EPA wants to scale back the 2024 drinking water standards for — and the National Drinking Water Advisory Council is pushing back hard.

🧪 What’s on the chopping block? Limits for PFNA, GenX, and others...

Why? Alleged concerns and compliance timelines. What the panel says: “Backsliding,” “illegal,” “unjustified” — and bad news for public health

From tribes to utilities to , the message is clear: Clean protections aren’t optional.

Full story ➡️

“Due to the anti backsliding provision in the Safe Drinking Water Act, it is illegal for EPA to arbitrarily decide to repeal or weaken existing drinking water standards.”

08/05/2025

📢 New CFO at Franklin Electric
Big shoes. Global chops. Hometown roots.

Jennifer Wolfenbarger just stepped in as Chief Financial Officer — bringing a résumé packed with heavy-hitter experience from Owens Corning, Caterpillar, and Stryker.

🌍 Worked in the UK, Brazil, and now… back in Indiana.
🤝 She’s not just corporate — she mentors students, leads DEI initiatives, and serves on nonprofit boards.

CEO Joe Ruzynski says her value-driven mindset will help fuel Franklin’s next phase of global growth — and we believe it.

Full story ➡️ https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93534-jennifer-wolfenbarger-named-cfo-of-franklin-electric

Her global career has spanned roles in the U.K., Brazil, and across the U.S.—and now brings her back home to Indiana.

08/03/2025

Drilling is the heart of petroleum production, and Drilling Engineering Problems and Solutions, is your guide to doing it smarter, safer, and more sustainably.
Students. New hires. Industry pros. This comprehensive book on drilling engineering is designed for you. Learn the basics, explore new technologies, and understand the real-world challenges of modern drilling operations—all in one authoritative resource.

Buy now and claim your 10% discount with code BOOK10: https://www.thedriller.com/products/category/2166-books/product/586-drilling-engineering-problems-and-solutions-a-field-guide-for-engineers-and-students

08/01/2025

🎥 Feature: In July, the announced the closure of its main research division and proposed rolling back key climate regulations, including the #2009 Endangerment Finding.

These changes impact how the U.S. studies and responds to environmental risks like air quality, safety, and climate trends.

Fewer , fewer safeguards, and big ahead.

Read the full story here:

The Office of Research and Development, once central to the EPA’s science-based policies, is being dismantled as part of a sweeping federal downsizing effort.

08/01/2025

Did you know? On August 1st, 1901, the Spindletop gusher erupted in Texas—marking the birth of the modern drilling and oil industry!

It blew over 100 feet in the air and produced 100,000 barrels a day, kickstarting a petroleum boom that changed energy history forever...

Speaking of August first, new tariffs went into effect today. Read the update below and see how this impacts our industry:

In drilling operations, copper isn’t a headline material—but it's critical nonetheless.

08/01/2025

Here were the Driller's top 3 stories from July 2025:

07/31/2025

🚨 : The EPA just declared war on… terrible gas cans.

After years of glug-glug frustration and nozzle gymnastics, the feds are telling manufacturers: Put the vents back! Yes, we might finally get gas cans that don’t make us rage-pour.

Lee : “Americans should have gas cans that are compliant, but most importantly, effective and consumer friendly.” cans are back, baby

Yes, this is a real story the EPA is focusing on. Read about it here: https://www.thedriller.com/articles/93530-make-gas-cans-great-again

07/26/2025

💧 “What’s your greatest concern for the drilling industry?”

In the latest Ask Brock (reboot), we dig into why public perception, professional pride, and passing the torch matter more than ever. This isn’t just drilling—it’s defending the future of water.

🛠 Read the full story →

Drillers are not just machine operators. They’re the ones trusted to slice into the earth, find the aquifer, and deliver water to families and communities.

07/25/2025

🚨 Big warning from the Dept. of Energy: If we keep shutting down reliable power plants without replacing them, the U.S. could see 100x more blackouts by 2030 ⚡

The reason? Exploding energy demand from AI + data centers, but not enough firm power to keep up. Wind and solar alone won’t cut it when the grid needs 24/7 juice.

Read the full story here:

Retiring traditional power sources like coal and natural gas without putting firm replacements in place, just as new demands—especially from AI data centers—are skyrocketing, sets us up for trouble.

07/25/2025

COME JOIN US! You can still register on-site for the South Atlantic Jubilee. Willie Robertson is speaking on July 28! Come celebrate JUBILEE’S 70th Anniversary!

Register at: www.jubileewatershow.com