NGWA General Study Guide -WITH 100%
ACCURATE ANSWERS
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 string.
Drill bit
Drill stem
Rope socket
Jars
Swivel
Fishing tools (when needed)
List all the parts on a rotary drill string.
Drill bit
Drill pipe
Drill collar
Kelly (for traditional rotary rigs)
Stabilizers
Crossover subs
Tool joints
Float valve (optional)
Name and describe 4 methods of developing a well.
Airlifting
Surging
Jetting
Bailing
,List 3 types of bailers for cable tool drilling and the purpose for each.
Sand, valve, junk.
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 on rotary bits?
Inspection
Cleaning
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 tools and explain how they are used.
Overshot
Spear
Fishing Magnet
Junk Basket
Impression Block
How is the screen sized in sand and gravel wells?
, Grain Size Analysis
Slot Size Selection
Screen Length
Name the four cables on a cable tool rig and tell what they do.
Drilling Line (Mainline): This is the primary cable 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 serve in cable tool work and in auger drilling?
Cable Tool Drilling: In cable tool drilling, the cathead is a rotating drum or spool on the 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 from a bailer wire rope?
ACCURATE ANSWERS
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 string.
Drill bit
Drill stem
Rope socket
Jars
Swivel
Fishing tools (when needed)
List all the parts on a rotary drill string.
Drill bit
Drill pipe
Drill collar
Kelly (for traditional rotary rigs)
Stabilizers
Crossover subs
Tool joints
Float valve (optional)
Name and describe 4 methods of developing a well.
Airlifting
Surging
Jetting
Bailing
,List 3 types of bailers for cable tool drilling and the purpose for each.
Sand, valve, junk.
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 on rotary bits?
Inspection
Cleaning
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 tools and explain how they are used.
Overshot
Spear
Fishing Magnet
Junk Basket
Impression Block
How is the screen sized in sand and gravel wells?
, Grain Size Analysis
Slot Size Selection
Screen Length
Name the four cables on a cable tool rig and tell what they do.
Drilling Line (Mainline): This is the primary cable 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 serve in cable tool work and in auger drilling?
Cable Tool Drilling: In cable tool drilling, the cathead is a rotating drum or spool on the 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 from a bailer wire rope?
