Mastering the Lease: 8+1 Subtle Skills of World Class Pumping

1: Choose Appropriate Tires

The daily decision to wear steel-toed boots is crucial, offering foot protection, superior traction on slippery surfaces, and keeping feet dry. Equally significant is selecting appropriate tires for your truck, particularly when limited to two-wheel drive equipment. In such cases, opt for aggressive tires to handle challenging lease roads. Request at least 8 ply tires from your provider and consider upsizing them while operating at the lower end of the recommended pressure for especially rough lease roads.

2: Know Proper Teflon Technique

Frequent application of Teflon tape is common for pumpers, serving three purposes: lubricating threads for easier torqueing, sealing potential thread leaks, and facilitating easy backing out of fittings during repairs. To ensure successful Teflon application, use tape that covers all threads without hanging off or overlapping onto the orifice of the fitting. Hold the fitting with the threads pointing right, take the Teflon tape in your right hand with your horizontal finger through the vertically oriented roll with the loose end of the tape facing you from the bottom of the roll, and wrap it circularly away from you on top and toward you on the bottom. Avoid exceeding seven wraps for standard Teflon tape and leave the last thread bare, especially when dealing with instruments and regulators with small internal orifices. Pipe dope or never-seize can be used based on the application requirements.

3: Up Your Lock Game

Ensure you always have spare gate locks and lock-out-tag-out locks since frequently used gate locks tend to corrode, seize, break, or get damaged. However, be aware of local laws and safety guidelines before considering the next suggestion. In some cases, removing unauthorized or lost key locks might require forceful methods, risking valve damage and personal injury. To bypass this hazard, consider learning to use lock picks to unlatch unauthorized keyed locks, and how to decode or shim dialed padlocks. Remember to comply with local laws and regulations regarding the possession and use of lock picks.

4: Baby Powder Is Not Just For Babies

For new pumpers, reading gauge lines on overcast days or near condensate tanks can be challenging. Some use baby powder to make the levels more visible, while others discourage this practice. However, there is no shame in using baby powder to obtain accurate readings. To extend the life of your gauge powder, a simple trick involves using a knife and electrical tape. Cover the entire cap of a new baby powder bottle with a square of tape, leaving one hole for pouring. Some brands already include a perfectly round sticker anyway, which is perfect for this strategy. Remember to twist the cap to the closed position after each use as to not waste any.

5: Secure Your Tickets Until You Arrive

Here's a straightforward and easy method to keep your tickets safe and dry. With just a few materials and basic tools, you can construct a reliable mailbox yourself. Here's what you'll need: a plastic 5-gallon bucket, concrete bags, a 4-foot 4"x4" post, a standard domestic mailbox, screws, a small electric drill, and a shovel. Follow these steps:

1. Position the 4"x4" post straight and centered inside the plastic bucket.
2. Add the concrete powder to the bucket, ensuring it is evenly distributed.
3. Wet the concrete according to the instructions provided and allow it to set.
4. Once the concrete has hardened, securely attach the bottom of the mailbox to the top of the post using screws and a small electric drill.
5. Choose a suitable location for your mailbox and install it. It can be placed wherever it is most convenient for your needs.
6. Use a shovel to level or dig the spot down for secure placement.

I have personally used this mailbox design and found that it remains stable, even in strong winds, unless faced with extreme weather conditions like tornadoes. The durable plastic material of the bucket holds up well, unless excessive movement occurs. To prevent movement, consider burying the mailbox at a depth of just 6 inches. For optimal placement, consider situating the mailbox near the stairs leading up to your tanks or somewhere close enough to the battery that truck drivers will use it but accessible by pickup to grab them from your open window.

A valuable additional tip is to provide small plastic clipboards for drivers to secure their tickets. This prevents the use of rocks, which can leave residue and worsen water damage due to kalachi powder shedding from location rocks. Using clipboards discourages this practice, ensures ticket security, and keeps them clean and organized.

By implementing this DIY solution, you can safeguard your tickets from the elements, ensuring they remain protected and accessible when needed.

6: Keep Your Water Detection Paste Warm

During winter temperatures, water detection paste will lose its ability to stick to the gauge line or may entirely freeze solid in the tube if stored in an external toolbox, rendering it unusable in cold conditions. Warming it up with your hands or shoving it in your truck cabin vent will not heat it quickly enough; I have tried. To avoid this issue, always carry a tube of water detection paste in your cab to ensure its effectiveness even in typical winter temperatures.

7: Gauge Water Tanks First

The lifespan of a gauge line depends on how well it is cared for. By gauging water tanks first and oil tanks last, you can extend its durability. Saltwater exposure can accelerate metal deterioration, so rinsing off the gauge line with oil by measuring oil tanks last and wiping it down with a rag before reeling it in can help it last longer than just six months. When you eventually need to purchase a new gauge line, it is likely due to losing the swivel and brass plumb bob. When ordering a new one, remember that plumb bobs and wipers are separate components that are not included with the reel and tape, so make sure to mention them in your order ahead of time. Assemble it at the counter to ensure you've received everything.

8: Keep Your Truck Clean, Or At Least Organized

A pumper's commitment to the job is evident in a clean and well-organized truck, setting them apart from others. Keeping the truck looking new increases the likelihood of receiving a brand new truck while the current one is passed on to another pumper. Disorder and mud can cause anxiety and contribute to the truck's decay and rusting. Visiting engineers and production managers subconsciously use the truck's appearance as a reference to judge how well the route is cared for, which can significantly impact promotions or pay raises.

Efficiently organize your tools based on their use-frequency. Place commonly used tools in easily accessible spots, such as the front section of a toolbox or an open top, all-weather crate secured in the truck bed. Keep essentials like an adjustable wrench, flathead screwdriver, and light leather gloves in the door pocket. Use separate plastic tool containers for Barton charts, gauges and fittings, gauge line with water finding paste and powder, and wye strainer cleaning tools and sprays. For regularly encountered jobs requiring a mix of unique tools, use dedicated small boxes stored in the cab or a safe location in the truck bed or toolboxes.

Maximize your organization by employing an open-top hanging file folder to store past 12 months of Barton charts, paperwork, daily journal, wellbore diagrams, and receipts. Place it conveniently in the passenger seat and easily move it when a passenger accompanies you. The presence of such a file box, especially when your passenger is the production manager or engineer, will leave a strong impression of your professionalism and dedication to the job, positioning you as potential foreman material.

9: Subscribe to Wellhead Wisdom

Subscribing to Wellhead Wisdom reflects your commitment to advancing in the oilfield. Your support allows me to deliver content that matters to you, helping me tailor future editions. Thank you for reading, liking, and commenting! Wishing you a safe and productive day!