WorldWide Drilling Resource

GEFCO Training Class 2013 Through the Eyes of a Student...Part III by Veronica I. “Ronnie” Jones Managing Publisher No matter where you are, be sure you heed the signs! In Enid, Oklahoma, you must not only worry about regular safety haz- zards, but keep a wary eye and ear out for those pesky TORNADOES ! We left just before those devastating storms hit this area. As we begin the continuation of these exciting drilling class- es, I ask you yet anoth- er question: What is the annular space? It’s the space between the drill rod and the wall of the hole. This space allows cuttings to come out of the borehole and is grouted to seal it to protect the aquifer. Now, did you know there are still a great many cable tool rigs in operation in Canada today? The reason is the geology. Different drilling methods are used in different areas based on the geology of the earth. So you may not see too many of one brand of drilling equipment in a certain area because those manufacturers may focus mainly on a certain drill rig for a certain type of drilling. As the hole diameter increases, the volume increases, and with more depth, more pressure is required. Look for the Hard Hat and GEFCO Training Manual each month Another noteworthy item is GEFCO probably makes the only table drive in the world today. Interesting facts, huh? Many would think sitting in a class- room is dull and boring - contrary to that belief, the GEFCO Training Classes are full of excitement and many breaks with coffee, soda, water, cookies, etc., t o g i ve us time to visit with each other - a great net- w o r k i n g oppor tuni ty. And there just might be a challenge or two in the wings! Like this opportunity to win a great re- source book. After our break, we went into rotary crush drilling with tri cone and bi cone bits; percussion using chisel or button; rotary cutting, the drag; 2-3 & 4 wing; rotary abra- sive using diamond; and rotary percussion using the button bit. But, to find out which drilling system is asso- ciated with each of these, you will have to attend the class! This is just an introduction to all that you can learn! After this great feast, we learned that the down-the-hole hammer’s action is up and down, the energy is still on top of the bit. This method allows you to drill deeper and is used a lot in blast- hole drilling. We also dove right on into drilling fluids and what their purpose is. The two most commonly used are fluid-based media (water-based) and air-based media. Augers use the dry or mechan- ical (no media). The purpose for all of these is to remove the cuttings from the hole. There is also a bailer method which uses water as a mixing media and is used in cable tool drilling. Heading outside was a real treat - to feel the Enid fresh air and head over to the shops for our first-hand look at what maintenance drilling equipment needs. Spl i t t ing us up into two groups worked really well. We had a team leader, and each group also had their separate pro- fessor to coach us along! As you can see , on t he agenda was mud pumps - how to take them apar t and put them back together - without any spare parts left over! Whew! That was a challenge! We then left for our photo op! ( GEFCO Class Photo will be coming up - stay tuned!) *The GEFCO brand name is now an Astec Industries Company. CHOW TIME! YUM! Step Bit. 63 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® NOVEMBER 2013 &% ! "" * "(%$ ))) (" $( ' & $ %# # " (" $( $ ( " !" !! ! &% ! % ! (" $( & $ $ $ " ! $ $ ! ! $ ! $ # $ $ $