NGWA - Study Questions - General
Drilling Exam
1. Artesian Pressure is generally...
o CORRECT ANSWER: ...a result of gravity and confining beds.
2. What is true about the origin of rocks?
o CORRECT ANSWER:
1. Sandstones were once sand deposits and could have been river
sand, beach sands, or dune sands.
2. Some limestones contain fossils because they were once the mucky
bottoms of shallow seas.
3. Shales were once clay beds.
3. (T/F) Ground water, like surface water, has a tendency to flow downhill.
o CORRECT ANSWER: True.
4. The three main types of rock are...
o CORRECT ANSWER: ...igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
5. Water would be least likely found in what geological formation?
o CORRECT ANSWER: Granite.
6. (T/F) More than 90% of our nation's fresh water is underground?
o CORRECT ANSWER: True.
7. Prior to setting the rig, you should...
o CORRECT ANSWER:
1. Make sure there are no overhead power lines within at least 20' of
the mast.
2. Locate all buried materials.
3. Verify you are on the right property and meet the correct setback
requirements.
8. Confined space entry rules require...
, o CORRECT ANSWER:
1. Shoring of trench walls over 4' deep.
2. Establishment of buddy system.
3. Have driller's assistant check jacks as operator levels rig.
9. In setting up and leveling the rig, the right procedure is to...
o CORRECT ANSWER:
1. Use suitable jack pads for stabilization.
2. Position rig for minimum leveling.
3. Have driller's assistant check jacks as operator levels rig.
10. (T/F) A well may be used as sewage disposal site only if it is cased to the
bottom of the borehole.
o CORRECT ANSWER: False.
11. When considering the well site, the more important thing to consider is
the...
o CORRECT ANSWER: ...place where it is least likely to be contaminated.
12. Air forced down the drill pipe...
o CORRECT ANSWER: ...clears drill cuttings.
13. The best method to drill a domestic water supply well in cavernous hard
rock would be...
o CORRECT ANSWER: ...cable tool.
14. The advantage(s) of reverse circulation drilling include(s)...
o CORRECT ANSWER: ...porosity and permeability are relatively
undisturbed.
15. The following drill rig is the least acceptable to drill through a consolidated
shale in sandstone formation...
o CORRECT ANSWER: ...a bucket rig.
16. (T/F) Cable tool rigs are advantageous for the following reasons:
1. Straightness of well.
Drilling Exam
1. Artesian Pressure is generally...
o CORRECT ANSWER: ...a result of gravity and confining beds.
2. What is true about the origin of rocks?
o CORRECT ANSWER:
1. Sandstones were once sand deposits and could have been river
sand, beach sands, or dune sands.
2. Some limestones contain fossils because they were once the mucky
bottoms of shallow seas.
3. Shales were once clay beds.
3. (T/F) Ground water, like surface water, has a tendency to flow downhill.
o CORRECT ANSWER: True.
4. The three main types of rock are...
o CORRECT ANSWER: ...igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
5. Water would be least likely found in what geological formation?
o CORRECT ANSWER: Granite.
6. (T/F) More than 90% of our nation's fresh water is underground?
o CORRECT ANSWER: True.
7. Prior to setting the rig, you should...
o CORRECT ANSWER:
1. Make sure there are no overhead power lines within at least 20' of
the mast.
2. Locate all buried materials.
3. Verify you are on the right property and meet the correct setback
requirements.
8. Confined space entry rules require...
, o CORRECT ANSWER:
1. Shoring of trench walls over 4' deep.
2. Establishment of buddy system.
3. Have driller's assistant check jacks as operator levels rig.
9. In setting up and leveling the rig, the right procedure is to...
o CORRECT ANSWER:
1. Use suitable jack pads for stabilization.
2. Position rig for minimum leveling.
3. Have driller's assistant check jacks as operator levels rig.
10. (T/F) A well may be used as sewage disposal site only if it is cased to the
bottom of the borehole.
o CORRECT ANSWER: False.
11. When considering the well site, the more important thing to consider is
the...
o CORRECT ANSWER: ...place where it is least likely to be contaminated.
12. Air forced down the drill pipe...
o CORRECT ANSWER: ...clears drill cuttings.
13. The best method to drill a domestic water supply well in cavernous hard
rock would be...
o CORRECT ANSWER: ...cable tool.
14. The advantage(s) of reverse circulation drilling include(s)...
o CORRECT ANSWER: ...porosity and permeability are relatively
undisturbed.
15. The following drill rig is the least acceptable to drill through a consolidated
shale in sandstone formation...
o CORRECT ANSWER: ...a bucket rig.
16. (T/F) Cable tool rigs are advantageous for the following reasons:
1. Straightness of well.
