Page 1 of 33
NGWA Air Rotary EXAM COMPLETE NEWEST
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
QUESTION: What air compressor checks must be made daily? - ANSWER-Oil level
filters
belts
air pressure
leaks
QUESTION: What type of drill bit maintenance can be done in the field? - ANSWER-Cleaning
inspecting for wear
sharpening teeth
replacing damaged parts
QUESTION: Differential sticking of drill pipe can be prevented by what methods? - ANSWER-Use
higher mud flow
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reduce drill string contact
maintain proper mud weight.
QUESTION: What common fishing tool are used in rotary drilling? - ANSWER-Overshot
spear
fishing magnets
junk baskets
QUESTION: Regular maintenance of the rotary swivel consists of what? - ANSWER-Lubrication,
checking for leaks, inspecting bearings, and replacing worn seals.
QUESTION: What methods are used to clean the hole of cuttings in air rotary drilling in
unconsolidated formations? - ANSWER-Airflow, foam injection, and polymer use.
QUESTION: How does air pressure change as the hole deepens? - ANSWER-must increase as the
hole deepens to maintain effective cuttings removal.
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, Page 3 of 33
QUESTION: What are the advantages and disadvantages of high pressure air rotary drilling in
unconsolidated formations? - ANSWER-Advantages: Faster drilling, efficient cuttings removal.
Disadvantages: Risk of formation collapse, loss of circulation, potential for blowouts.
QUESTION: How does cost per foot air rotary compare with mud rotary in unconsolidated
formations? - ANSWER-air rotary is generally lower due to faster drilling, but mud rotary may
be more efficient in maintaining borehole stability in unconsolidated formations.
QUESTION: Uphole annular velocity for most air rotary drilling would be? - ANSWER-3,000 to
5,000 feet per minute.
QUESTION: What methods are used to set screens in air rotary drilling? - ANSWER-Gravity
placement, tremie pipe, and surge block.
QUESTION: How do you develop wells that are air rotary drilled? - ANSWER-Air surging,
backwashing, and pumping.
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What precautions must be used when sand seams are encountered in air rotary drilling in
unconsolidated formation? - ANSWER-1. Reduce Air Pressure
2. Use of Foam or Polymers
3. Monitor Cuttings
4. Casing Advancement
5. Slow Drilling Rate
QUESTION: How are samples obtained in air rotary drilling in unconsolidated formations? -
ANSWER-Continuous Sampling of Cuttings:
Split-Spoon Sampling
Drilling Fluids/Polymers
QUESTION: Hole cleaning and penetration rates will vary with air rotary. What factors affect
cleaning and penetration? - ANSWER-Air Pressure and Volume
Formation Type
Bit Type and Condition
4
NGWA Air Rotary EXAM COMPLETE NEWEST
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
QUESTION: What air compressor checks must be made daily? - ANSWER-Oil level
filters
belts
air pressure
leaks
QUESTION: What type of drill bit maintenance can be done in the field? - ANSWER-Cleaning
inspecting for wear
sharpening teeth
replacing damaged parts
QUESTION: Differential sticking of drill pipe can be prevented by what methods? - ANSWER-Use
higher mud flow
1
, Page 2 of 33
reduce drill string contact
maintain proper mud weight.
QUESTION: What common fishing tool are used in rotary drilling? - ANSWER-Overshot
spear
fishing magnets
junk baskets
QUESTION: Regular maintenance of the rotary swivel consists of what? - ANSWER-Lubrication,
checking for leaks, inspecting bearings, and replacing worn seals.
QUESTION: What methods are used to clean the hole of cuttings in air rotary drilling in
unconsolidated formations? - ANSWER-Airflow, foam injection, and polymer use.
QUESTION: How does air pressure change as the hole deepens? - ANSWER-must increase as the
hole deepens to maintain effective cuttings removal.
2
, Page 3 of 33
QUESTION: What are the advantages and disadvantages of high pressure air rotary drilling in
unconsolidated formations? - ANSWER-Advantages: Faster drilling, efficient cuttings removal.
Disadvantages: Risk of formation collapse, loss of circulation, potential for blowouts.
QUESTION: How does cost per foot air rotary compare with mud rotary in unconsolidated
formations? - ANSWER-air rotary is generally lower due to faster drilling, but mud rotary may
be more efficient in maintaining borehole stability in unconsolidated formations.
QUESTION: Uphole annular velocity for most air rotary drilling would be? - ANSWER-3,000 to
5,000 feet per minute.
QUESTION: What methods are used to set screens in air rotary drilling? - ANSWER-Gravity
placement, tremie pipe, and surge block.
QUESTION: How do you develop wells that are air rotary drilled? - ANSWER-Air surging,
backwashing, and pumping.
3
, Page 4 of 33
What precautions must be used when sand seams are encountered in air rotary drilling in
unconsolidated formation? - ANSWER-1. Reduce Air Pressure
2. Use of Foam or Polymers
3. Monitor Cuttings
4. Casing Advancement
5. Slow Drilling Rate
QUESTION: How are samples obtained in air rotary drilling in unconsolidated formations? -
ANSWER-Continuous Sampling of Cuttings:
Split-Spoon Sampling
Drilling Fluids/Polymers
QUESTION: Hole cleaning and penetration rates will vary with air rotary. What factors affect
cleaning and penetration? - ANSWER-Air Pressure and Volume
Formation Type
Bit Type and Condition
4
