NGWA Study Guide - Air Rotary WITH 100%
ACCURATE ANSWERS
What precautions must be used when sand seams are encountered in air rotary drilling in
unconsolidated formation? - ✔✔1. Reduce Air Pressure
2. Use of Foam or Polymers
3. Monitor Cuttings
4. Casing Advancement
5. Slow Drilling Rate
How are samples obtained in air rotary drilling in unconsolidated formations? -
✔✔Continuous Sampling of Cuttings:
Split-Spoon Sampling
Drilling Fluids/Polymers
Hole cleaning and penetration rates will vary with air rotary. What factors affect cleaning and
penetration? - ✔✔Air Pressure and Volume
Formation Type
Bit Type and Condition
Drilling Fluid/Injection
Drill Pipe Size and Depth
Cutting Size and Volume
Why is information concerning the geology important in proper grouting of unconsolidated
formations? - ✔✔Permeability of the Formation
Stability of the Formation
Formation Pressure
Groundwater Flow
,Formation Composition.
When would you gravel pack a well? - ✔✔When the formation is unconsolidated, to prevent
sand or fine material from entering the well, and to enhance water flow by stabilizing the
borehole
What formations are best to use a soft tri-cone bit? - ✔✔clay, sand, or shale.
What functions must a drill pipe perform to drill unconsolidated formations? - ✔✔Transmit
torque
circulate drilling fluid/air
support drill string weight
maintain borehole integrity
When would you use heavy drill collars? - ✔✔to add weight on the bit, stabilize the drill
string, and prevent buckling in deep or hard formations.
Explain how chip catchers can aid in formation logging? - ✔✔help collect cuttings for
accurate formation logging by preventing loss of samples during drilling, ensuring
representative data.
How does bit design vary with geology? - ✔✔varies by formation hardness, with softer
formations needing wider teeth and harder formations requiring tougher, more durable
materials.
Heavy steel casing would best be used in what rotary process? - ✔✔best used in the air
rotary process for stabilizing unconsolidated or collapsing formations.
What air compressor checks must be made daily? - ✔✔Oil level
filters
, belts
air pressure
leaks
What type of drill bit maintenance can be done in the field? - ✔✔Cleaning
inspecting for wear
sharpening teeth
replacing damaged parts
Differential sticking of drill pipe can be prevented by what methods? - ✔✔Use higher mud
flow
reduce drill string contact
maintain proper mud weight.
What common fishing tool are used in rotary drilling? - ✔✔Overshot
spear
fishing magnets
junk baskets
Regular maintenance of the rotary swivel consists of what? - ✔✔Lubrication, checking for
leaks, inspecting bearings, and replacing worn seals.
What methods are used to clean the hole of cuttings in air rotary drilling in unconsolidated
formations? - ✔✔Airflow, foam injection, and polymer use.
How does air pressure change as the hole deepens? - ✔✔must increase as the hole deepens
to maintain effective cuttings removal.
ACCURATE ANSWERS
What precautions must be used when sand seams are encountered in air rotary drilling in
unconsolidated formation? - ✔✔1. Reduce Air Pressure
2. Use of Foam or Polymers
3. Monitor Cuttings
4. Casing Advancement
5. Slow Drilling Rate
How are samples obtained in air rotary drilling in unconsolidated formations? -
✔✔Continuous Sampling of Cuttings:
Split-Spoon Sampling
Drilling Fluids/Polymers
Hole cleaning and penetration rates will vary with air rotary. What factors affect cleaning and
penetration? - ✔✔Air Pressure and Volume
Formation Type
Bit Type and Condition
Drilling Fluid/Injection
Drill Pipe Size and Depth
Cutting Size and Volume
Why is information concerning the geology important in proper grouting of unconsolidated
formations? - ✔✔Permeability of the Formation
Stability of the Formation
Formation Pressure
Groundwater Flow
,Formation Composition.
When would you gravel pack a well? - ✔✔When the formation is unconsolidated, to prevent
sand or fine material from entering the well, and to enhance water flow by stabilizing the
borehole
What formations are best to use a soft tri-cone bit? - ✔✔clay, sand, or shale.
What functions must a drill pipe perform to drill unconsolidated formations? - ✔✔Transmit
torque
circulate drilling fluid/air
support drill string weight
maintain borehole integrity
When would you use heavy drill collars? - ✔✔to add weight on the bit, stabilize the drill
string, and prevent buckling in deep or hard formations.
Explain how chip catchers can aid in formation logging? - ✔✔help collect cuttings for
accurate formation logging by preventing loss of samples during drilling, ensuring
representative data.
How does bit design vary with geology? - ✔✔varies by formation hardness, with softer
formations needing wider teeth and harder formations requiring tougher, more durable
materials.
Heavy steel casing would best be used in what rotary process? - ✔✔best used in the air
rotary process for stabilizing unconsolidated or collapsing formations.
What air compressor checks must be made daily? - ✔✔Oil level
filters
, belts
air pressure
leaks
What type of drill bit maintenance can be done in the field? - ✔✔Cleaning
inspecting for wear
sharpening teeth
replacing damaged parts
Differential sticking of drill pipe can be prevented by what methods? - ✔✔Use higher mud
flow
reduce drill string contact
maintain proper mud weight.
What common fishing tool are used in rotary drilling? - ✔✔Overshot
spear
fishing magnets
junk baskets
Regular maintenance of the rotary swivel consists of what? - ✔✔Lubrication, checking for
leaks, inspecting bearings, and replacing worn seals.
What methods are used to clean the hole of cuttings in air rotary drilling in unconsolidated
formations? - ✔✔Airflow, foam injection, and polymer use.
How does air pressure change as the hole deepens? - ✔✔must increase as the hole deepens
to maintain effective cuttings removal.
