NGWA - Study Guide - General Exam
Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
Define a water well. An excavation or structure created in the
ground
by digging, driving, boring, or drilling to
access
groundwater.
List all the parts of a cable tool drill Drill bit
string. Drill stem
Rope socket
Jars
Swivel
Fishing tools (when needed)
List all the parts on a rotary drill Drill bit
string. Drill pipe
Drill collar
Kelly (for traditional rotary rigs)
Stabilizers
Crossover subs
Tool joints
Float valve (optional)
Name and describe 4 methods of Airlifting
developing a well. Surging
Jetting
Bailing
,List 3 types of bailers for cable tool Sand, valve, junk.
drilling and the purpose for each.
How do you dress a cable tool bit? Dressing a cable tool bit involves
reshaping and
sharpening the bit to ensure effective
drilling.
1. Inspection
2. Heating
3. Forging
4. Tempering
5. Final Sharpening
What type of maintenance is used Inspection
on Cleaning
rotary bits? Lubrication
Sharpening or Replacement
Monitoring Torque and Weight
What is a well screen? A well screen is a filtering device placed at
the
bottom of a well, usually in the
water-bearing
formation, to allow groundwater to enter
the well
while keeping out sediment, sand, and
other fine
materials.
List the common types of fishing Overshot
tools and explain how they are Spear
used. Fishing Magnet
Junk Basket
Impression Block
,How is the screen sized in sand Grain Size Analysis
and Slot Size Selection
gravel wells? Screen Length
Name the four cables on a cable Drilling Line (Mainline): This is the primary
tool cable
rig and tell what they do. used to raise and lower the drill string,
which
includes the drill bit, drill stem, and jars,
into and
out of the wellbore.
Sand Line: This cable is used to operate
the bailer
or sand pump to remove cuttings, debris,
and
water from the wellbore during and after
drilling
operations.
Bull Rope: This cable is used to hoist
heavy
components of the rig or drilling tools, such
as the
drive clamps or swivel, and assist in
rigging
operations.
Casing Line: This cable is used to raise,
lower, and
set casing in the well. It helps position and
secure
the casing strings as they are installed into
the
wellbore to prevent collapse or
contamination.
, What purpose does a cat-head Cable Tool Drilling: In cable tool drilling,
serve the
in cable tool work and in auger cathead is a rotating drum or spool on the
drilling? rig. It is
used to apply or release tension on the
various
cables (such as the drilling line or sand
line) by
wrapping the cable around the drum. By
controlling the friction, the operator can
raise,
lower, or hold heavy drilling tools in place.
Auger Drilling: In auger drilling, the
cathead is
similarly used to apply or release tension
on lines
or ropes that assist in handling the auger
or other
equipment. It allows for the controlled
raising and
lowering of the auger or drill string, making
it
easier to operate the equipment manually.
How does a drill wire rope differ The drill wire rope is heavier and stronger
from a bailer wire rope? to
support drilling operations, while the bailer
wire
rope is lighter and more flexible for debris
removal.
Questions and Answers with Verified
Solutions | Latest Updated 2026
Define a water well. An excavation or structure created in the
ground
by digging, driving, boring, or drilling to
access
groundwater.
List all the parts of a cable tool drill Drill bit
string. Drill stem
Rope socket
Jars
Swivel
Fishing tools (when needed)
List all the parts on a rotary drill Drill bit
string. Drill pipe
Drill collar
Kelly (for traditional rotary rigs)
Stabilizers
Crossover subs
Tool joints
Float valve (optional)
Name and describe 4 methods of Airlifting
developing a well. Surging
Jetting
Bailing
,List 3 types of bailers for cable tool Sand, valve, junk.
drilling and the purpose for each.
How do you dress a cable tool bit? Dressing a cable tool bit involves
reshaping and
sharpening the bit to ensure effective
drilling.
1. Inspection
2. Heating
3. Forging
4. Tempering
5. Final Sharpening
What type of maintenance is used Inspection
on Cleaning
rotary bits? Lubrication
Sharpening or Replacement
Monitoring Torque and Weight
What is a well screen? A well screen is a filtering device placed at
the
bottom of a well, usually in the
water-bearing
formation, to allow groundwater to enter
the well
while keeping out sediment, sand, and
other fine
materials.
List the common types of fishing Overshot
tools and explain how they are Spear
used. Fishing Magnet
Junk Basket
Impression Block
,How is the screen sized in sand Grain Size Analysis
and Slot Size Selection
gravel wells? Screen Length
Name the four cables on a cable Drilling Line (Mainline): This is the primary
tool cable
rig and tell what they do. used to raise and lower the drill string,
which
includes the drill bit, drill stem, and jars,
into and
out of the wellbore.
Sand Line: This cable is used to operate
the bailer
or sand pump to remove cuttings, debris,
and
water from the wellbore during and after
drilling
operations.
Bull Rope: This cable is used to hoist
heavy
components of the rig or drilling tools, such
as the
drive clamps or swivel, and assist in
rigging
operations.
Casing Line: This cable is used to raise,
lower, and
set casing in the well. It helps position and
secure
the casing strings as they are installed into
the
wellbore to prevent collapse or
contamination.
, What purpose does a cat-head Cable Tool Drilling: In cable tool drilling,
serve the
in cable tool work and in auger cathead is a rotating drum or spool on the
drilling? rig. It is
used to apply or release tension on the
various
cables (such as the drilling line or sand
line) by
wrapping the cable around the drum. By
controlling the friction, the operator can
raise,
lower, or hold heavy drilling tools in place.
Auger Drilling: In auger drilling, the
cathead is
similarly used to apply or release tension
on lines
or ropes that assist in handling the auger
or other
equipment. It allows for the controlled
raising and
lowering of the auger or drill string, making
it
easier to operate the equipment manually.
How does a drill wire rope differ The drill wire rope is heavier and stronger
from a bailer wire rope? to
support drilling operations, while the bailer
wire
rope is lighter and more flexible for debris
removal.
