Enid, Okla., June 3, 2002 -- Unique equipment created and manufactured by an Oklahoma company is helping bring vital supplies of water to one of the world's most remote and arid areas. Enid based George E. Failing Co. (GEFCO) announced that it has shipped seven of its SpeedStar Model 40K-DH water well drilling rigs to the Turkish government.
The units, which were designed for use in remote areas, are unique in that they allow a proprietary gearbox to utilize the engine that operates a transport truck to also operate the drill. No other power source is needed.
Wesley Weed, international sales vice president for GEFCO, said the company was contracted to supply the drilling rigs and assist with operator training and support activities. He placed the value of the contract at approximately $5 million.
The irony of a company located in what was once described as the "dust bowl" being a world leader in the design and manufacture of water well drilling equipment hasn't been lost on Weed. "If anybody appreciates the importance of water, we do," he said. "That's why we take such care in designing and building our equipment and why we have been able to build such a successful global marketing organization."
SpeedStar units typically last for 25-30 years, he said. Each of the seven units sent to Turkey are mounted on a 525-horsepower Peterbilt truck. Operating equipment includes hydraulic leveling jacks, a 1,000 cubic foot per minute air compressor, a 5" x 8" reciprocating mud pump, pipe spinner and pipe wrench. A six-pod carousel holds 20-foot lengths of 5" drill pipe. The hoisting capacity is rated at 50,000 pounds.
Weed said GEFCO has sold a total of 125 drilling rigs to the Turkish government over the past 40 years. The most recent order was placed by Koy Hizmetleri Genel Mudurluga, a government entity responsible for water, electricity and roads in rural communities of the country.
The company currently supplies equipment and technical services to customers in 100 countries. It has 250 employees in Enid and last year reported sales in excess of $30 Million. GEFCO, a division of Blue Tee Corp., is the world leader in the design and manufacture of portable drilling rigs and related equipment for the water well, environmental groundwater monitoring, rig construction, mining and shallow oil exploration and production industries. For domestic and international distribution, GEFCO manufactures Failing rotary table drilling rigs, SpeedStar top drive drilling rigs, Star cable tool drilling rigs, StrataStar environmental rigs and King Oil Tools. For more information on GEFCO or any of its affiliated companies, visit its Web site at www.gefco.com.
