NGWA / AIR ROTARY ACTUAL EXAM STUDY BANK 150 +
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS 2026 GRADED A +
1. What precautions must be used when sand seams are encountered in air rotary drilling in unconsolidated
formation? ✓✓ correct answer 1. Reduce Air Pressure
2. Use of Foam or Polymers
3. Monitor Cuttings
4. Casing Advancement
5. Slow Drilling Rate
2. How are samples obtained in air rotary drilling in unconsolidated forma- ions? ✓✓ correct answer Continuous
Sampling of Cuttings ✓✓ correct answer
Split-Spoon Sampling Drilling
Fluids/Polymers
3. Hole cleaning and penetration rates will vary with air rotary. What factors
affect cleaning and penetration? ✓✓ correct answer Air Pressure and Volume
Formation Type
Bit Type and Condition Drilling
Fluid/Injection Drill Pipe Size and
Depth Cutting Size and Volume
4. Why is information concerning the geology important in proper grouting of
unconsolidated formations? ✓✓ correct answer Permeability of the Formation Stability
of the Formation
Formation Pressure Groundwater
,Flow Formation Composition.
5. When would you gravel pack a well? ✓✓ correct answer When the formation is unconsolidated, to prevent sand or
fine material from entering the well, and to enhance water flow by stabilizing the borehole
6. What formations are best to use a soft tri-cone bit? ✓✓ correct answer clay, sand, or shale.
7. What functions must a drill pipe perform to drill unconsolidated formations? -
✓✓ correct answer Transmit
torque circulate drilling fluid/air
support drill string weight
maintain borehole integrity
, 8. When would you use heavy drill collars? ✓✓ correct answer to add weight on the bit, stabilize the drill string, and prevent buckling in deep or
hard formations.
9. Explain how chip catchers can aid in formation logging? ✓✓ correct answer help collect cuttings for accurate formation
logging by preventing loss of samples during drilling, ensuring representative data.
10. How does bit design vary with geology? ✓✓ correct answer varies by formation hardness, with softer formations needing wider teeth and
harder formations requiring tougher, more durable materials.
11. Heavy steel casing would best be used in what rotary process? ✓✓ correct answer best used in the air rotary process for
stabilizing unconsolidated or collapsing formations.
12. What air compressor checks must be made daily? ✓✓ correct answer Oil level filters
belts
air pressure leaks
13. What type of drill bit maintenance can be done in the field? ✓✓ correct answer cleaning
inspecting for wear sharpening teeth
replacing damaged parts
14. Differential sticking of drill pipe can be prevented by what methods? ✓✓ correct answer U s e higher
mud flow
reduce drill string contact maintain proper
mud weight.
15. What common fishing tool are used in rotary drilling? ✓✓ correct answer Overshot
spear
fishing magnets junk baskets
16. Regular maintenance of Regular maintenance of what? ✓✓ correct answer Regular maintenance leaks,
inspecting bearings, and replacing worn seals.
17. What methods are used to clean the hole of cuttings in air rotary drilling in unconsolidated formations? ✓✓ correct
answer Airflow, foam injection, and polymer use.
18. How does air pressure change as the hole deepens? ✓✓ correct answer Regular maintenance to maintain detective cuttings removal.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS 2026 GRADED A +
1. What precautions must be used when sand seams are encountered in air rotary drilling in unconsolidated
formation? ✓✓ correct answer 1. Reduce Air Pressure
2. Use of Foam or Polymers
3. Monitor Cuttings
4. Casing Advancement
5. Slow Drilling Rate
2. How are samples obtained in air rotary drilling in unconsolidated forma- ions? ✓✓ correct answer Continuous
Sampling of Cuttings ✓✓ correct answer
Split-Spoon Sampling Drilling
Fluids/Polymers
3. Hole cleaning and penetration rates will vary with air rotary. What factors
affect cleaning and penetration? ✓✓ correct answer Air Pressure and Volume
Formation Type
Bit Type and Condition Drilling
Fluid/Injection Drill Pipe Size and
Depth Cutting Size and Volume
4. Why is information concerning the geology important in proper grouting of
unconsolidated formations? ✓✓ correct answer Permeability of the Formation Stability
of the Formation
Formation Pressure Groundwater
,Flow Formation Composition.
5. When would you gravel pack a well? ✓✓ correct answer When the formation is unconsolidated, to prevent sand or
fine material from entering the well, and to enhance water flow by stabilizing the borehole
6. What formations are best to use a soft tri-cone bit? ✓✓ correct answer clay, sand, or shale.
7. What functions must a drill pipe perform to drill unconsolidated formations? -
✓✓ correct answer Transmit
torque circulate drilling fluid/air
support drill string weight
maintain borehole integrity
, 8. When would you use heavy drill collars? ✓✓ correct answer to add weight on the bit, stabilize the drill string, and prevent buckling in deep or
hard formations.
9. Explain how chip catchers can aid in formation logging? ✓✓ correct answer help collect cuttings for accurate formation
logging by preventing loss of samples during drilling, ensuring representative data.
10. How does bit design vary with geology? ✓✓ correct answer varies by formation hardness, with softer formations needing wider teeth and
harder formations requiring tougher, more durable materials.
11. Heavy steel casing would best be used in what rotary process? ✓✓ correct answer best used in the air rotary process for
stabilizing unconsolidated or collapsing formations.
12. What air compressor checks must be made daily? ✓✓ correct answer Oil level filters
belts
air pressure leaks
13. What type of drill bit maintenance can be done in the field? ✓✓ correct answer cleaning
inspecting for wear sharpening teeth
replacing damaged parts
14. Differential sticking of drill pipe can be prevented by what methods? ✓✓ correct answer U s e higher
mud flow
reduce drill string contact maintain proper
mud weight.
15. What common fishing tool are used in rotary drilling? ✓✓ correct answer Overshot
spear
fishing magnets junk baskets
16. Regular maintenance of Regular maintenance of what? ✓✓ correct answer Regular maintenance leaks,
inspecting bearings, and replacing worn seals.
17. What methods are used to clean the hole of cuttings in air rotary drilling in unconsolidated formations? ✓✓ correct
answer Airflow, foam injection, and polymer use.
18. How does air pressure change as the hole deepens? ✓✓ correct answer Regular maintenance to maintain detective cuttings removal.
