LA - 7-136 HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING | FULL PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 | QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS | PASS
GUARANTEED
LOUISIANA (LA) 7-136 HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING PRACTICE EXAM
1. What is the primary purpose of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)?
A. Excavating foundations
B. Installing underground utilities with minimal surface disturbance
C. Building retaining walls
D. Removing contaminated soil
ANSWER : B
Explanation: HDD is a trenchless construction method used to install
underground utilities such as water, sewer, gas, electric, and communication
lines while minimizing disruption to the surface.
2. Which component provides the power to rotate and push the drill string?
A. Mud motor
B. Drill rig
C. Reamer
D. Locator
ANSWER : B
Explanation: The drill rig supplies rotational torque and thrust needed to
advance the drill string through the ground.
,3. Before drilling begins, underground utilities should be:
A. Ignored if plans are available
B. Located and marked
C. Covered with soil
D. Removed
ANSWER : B
Explanation: Existing utilities must always be located and marked before
drilling to prevent accidental strikes and service interruptions.
4. Bentonite drilling fluid primarily serves to:
A. Increase drill pipe weight
B. Lubricate, stabilize the bore, and transport cuttings
C. Harden the soil
D. Reduce drill rig speed
ANSWER : B
Explanation: Bentonite improves bore stability, cools tooling, carries cuttings
to the surface, and reduces friction.
5. Which tool enlarges the pilot hole before pullback?
A. Locator
B. Swivel
C. Reamer
D. Sonde
ANSWER : C
Explanation: A reamer enlarges the pilot bore to the required diameter before
installing the product pipe.
6. What is the purpose of a swivel during pullback?
,A. Measure drilling depth
B. Prevent pipe rotation
C. Mix drilling fluid
D. Increase drill speed
ANSWER : B
Explanation: The swivel allows pulling force to transfer while preventing
rotational forces from twisting the product pipe.
7. Which soil generally offers the easiest drilling conditions?
A. Solid rock
B. Dense clay
C. Uniform sand with proper drilling fluid
D. Reinforced concrete
ANSWER : C
Explanation: Uniform sand can be drilled effectively when appropriate drilling
fluid supports the bore.
8. Excessive pullback force may result in:
A. Improved installation
B. Pipe damage or failure
C. Faster drilling fluid flow
D. Better bore alignment
ANSWER : B
Explanation: Excessive pulling force can stretch, deform, or break the installed
pipe.
9. Which PPE should always be worn around an operating HDD rig?
A. Sandals
B. Safety glasses, hard hat, high-visibility vest, and safety boots
C. Shorts
D. Loose clothing
, ANSWER : B
Explanation: Proper PPE protects workers from impact, flying debris, and other
jobsite hazards.
10. What is a "pilot bore"?
A. Final excavation
B. Initial guided bore following the planned path
C. Concrete trench
D. Utility inspection tunnel
ANSWER : B
Explanation: The pilot bore establishes the alignment for subsequent reaming
and pipe installation.
11. Which instrument tracks the drill head underground?
A. Transit mixer
B. Sonde transmitter
C. Torque wrench
D. Pipe wrench
ANSWER : B
Explanation: A sonde transmits location, pitch, and orientation information to
the surface locator.
12. A drilling fluid recycling system helps:
A. Waste drilling fluid
B. Reduce fluid consumption and disposal costs
C. Increase fuel use
D. Eliminate drilling fluid
ANSWER : B
Explanation: Recycling systems clean and reuse drilling fluid, reducing
operating costs and environmental impact.
2026/2027 | QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS | PASS
GUARANTEED
LOUISIANA (LA) 7-136 HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING PRACTICE EXAM
1. What is the primary purpose of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)?
A. Excavating foundations
B. Installing underground utilities with minimal surface disturbance
C. Building retaining walls
D. Removing contaminated soil
ANSWER : B
Explanation: HDD is a trenchless construction method used to install
underground utilities such as water, sewer, gas, electric, and communication
lines while minimizing disruption to the surface.
2. Which component provides the power to rotate and push the drill string?
A. Mud motor
B. Drill rig
C. Reamer
D. Locator
ANSWER : B
Explanation: The drill rig supplies rotational torque and thrust needed to
advance the drill string through the ground.
,3. Before drilling begins, underground utilities should be:
A. Ignored if plans are available
B. Located and marked
C. Covered with soil
D. Removed
ANSWER : B
Explanation: Existing utilities must always be located and marked before
drilling to prevent accidental strikes and service interruptions.
4. Bentonite drilling fluid primarily serves to:
A. Increase drill pipe weight
B. Lubricate, stabilize the bore, and transport cuttings
C. Harden the soil
D. Reduce drill rig speed
ANSWER : B
Explanation: Bentonite improves bore stability, cools tooling, carries cuttings
to the surface, and reduces friction.
5. Which tool enlarges the pilot hole before pullback?
A. Locator
B. Swivel
C. Reamer
D. Sonde
ANSWER : C
Explanation: A reamer enlarges the pilot bore to the required diameter before
installing the product pipe.
6. What is the purpose of a swivel during pullback?
,A. Measure drilling depth
B. Prevent pipe rotation
C. Mix drilling fluid
D. Increase drill speed
ANSWER : B
Explanation: The swivel allows pulling force to transfer while preventing
rotational forces from twisting the product pipe.
7. Which soil generally offers the easiest drilling conditions?
A. Solid rock
B. Dense clay
C. Uniform sand with proper drilling fluid
D. Reinforced concrete
ANSWER : C
Explanation: Uniform sand can be drilled effectively when appropriate drilling
fluid supports the bore.
8. Excessive pullback force may result in:
A. Improved installation
B. Pipe damage or failure
C. Faster drilling fluid flow
D. Better bore alignment
ANSWER : B
Explanation: Excessive pulling force can stretch, deform, or break the installed
pipe.
9. Which PPE should always be worn around an operating HDD rig?
A. Sandals
B. Safety glasses, hard hat, high-visibility vest, and safety boots
C. Shorts
D. Loose clothing
, ANSWER : B
Explanation: Proper PPE protects workers from impact, flying debris, and other
jobsite hazards.
10. What is a "pilot bore"?
A. Final excavation
B. Initial guided bore following the planned path
C. Concrete trench
D. Utility inspection tunnel
ANSWER : B
Explanation: The pilot bore establishes the alignment for subsequent reaming
and pipe installation.
11. Which instrument tracks the drill head underground?
A. Transit mixer
B. Sonde transmitter
C. Torque wrench
D. Pipe wrench
ANSWER : B
Explanation: A sonde transmits location, pitch, and orientation information to
the surface locator.
12. A drilling fluid recycling system helps:
A. Waste drilling fluid
B. Reduce fluid consumption and disposal costs
C. Increase fuel use
D. Eliminate drilling fluid
ANSWER : B
Explanation: Recycling systems clean and reuse drilling fluid, reducing
operating costs and environmental impact.
