Dave all wells are spud. It simply means starting the hole. This is so no matter what type of rig is used. The small rigs (like water well rig sized)are often used to spud the well. That may be why they were called "Fort Worth Spudders". First the cellar is dug and then a small rig (often) is used to drill the initial hole and conductor pipe is set. Then another hole is made to the side and a piece of pipe is set and it is called the rat hole. Then the big drilling rig is brought to the location.

What Theo described is called "cable-tool drilling" and has been around a long time.

Last edited by ewest; 02/18/09 05:30 PM.