Industrial News

Developed in Australia in response to the need for a flexible, corrosion-resistant, economical centralizer, kwik-ZIP® casing centralizers have become the centralizer of choice for both the domestic and the commercial water well drilling industry and are also used extensively on environmental monitoring wells.

Kwik-ZIP® centralizers are made of a corrosion-resistant polymer material (injection-molded plastic) and are available in two sizes. The 155-series is ideal for nominal casing diameters of 2 to 7 inches, and the 380-series are ideal for nominal casing diameters of 6 inches and larger. A minimum of two kwik-ZIP® segments is needed to form a centralizer, with more segments added to accommodate larger diameters. A low-temperature and high-temperature version (up to 176°F) are available in the 155-series, while the 380-series is supplied only in the high-temperature version. Both series are available in two bow heights: a bow height of 1.2 inches, which adds 2.4 inches to the outside diameter of the casing and a bow height of 2 inches which adds 4 inches to the to the outside diameter of the casing.

The kwik-ZIP® segments with the larger bow height were added to the product mix in order to meet state well construction guidelines. A specialized fastening tool for each series that assists with the tightening of the centralizer is required for best results.

Along with the cost savings kwik-ZIP® centralizers offer over traditional steel or custom made centralizers, there are many other benefits. The kwik-ZIP® segments easily snap together to create a centralizer for any pipe diameter size of 2 inches and larger. This “one-size-fits-all” system means that different sized centralizers do not need to be purchased for different diameter casing. Kwik-ZIP® centralizers are also easy and economical to transport and store in stackable flat segments, eliminating transportation and storage issues that often occur with traditional steel centralizers. No pins or bolts are required for fastening, and once fastened, the kwik-ZIP® centralizers do not come loose.

“Kwik-ZIP USA is committed to providing quality products at fair prices,” says Joel Adams, President of kwik-ZIP USA. “Our initial introduction into the North American market has been very successful as more and more drillers realize how convenient and cost-effective these centralizers are.”

Many drillers have found that kwik-ZIP centralizers offer a great alternative over other centralizers that are currently available.

Don Huckfeldt of Huckfeldt Well Drilling in Napa, California explains, “In the past I tried a variety of different centralizers. I used stainless steel ones that were just too flexible. I made my own plastic centralizers by bending PVC pipe, which ended up being a lot of work. I tried everything I could find, but I still wasn’t satisfied. Finally, I found the kwik-ZIP® centralizer system, which is what I now use. I especially like how the centralizers are stacked together and packaged, eliminating huge boxes and damaged centralizers which were the norm for the prefabricated centralizers I used to use. The tightening tool also works great. I know the centralizers aren’t going to collapse. Huckfeldt Well Drilling takes pride in its positive reputation and the fact that we use state-of-the-art equipment to do the best possible job. In well construction uniformity is key. The centralizer is not a place you want to skimp on. You are missing a key component if you don’t use a good, rigid centralizer like the kwik-ZIP® centralizer.”

Kwik-ZIP USA is in the process of establishing distributors throughout the United Sates and Canada. For information about prices and ordering, please contact their North American headquarters in Montana. Kwik-ZIP USA will also be exhibiting at the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) annual conference and tradeshow in Cobb Country Georgia, on December 13-16, 2005.

For more information, call kwik-ZIP USA toll-free at 866-629-7020 or direct at 406-446-2602, or visit www.kwikzip.com.

Note: High-resolution jpeg images of kwik-ZIP® centralizers in use and a diagram of how the product works are available upon request.