OPERATOR AND SUPERVISOR TRAINING COURSES

Drilling Project Services provides training to operators and supervisory staff in both product usage and the optimization of the drilling process.   Our training courses are in the form of a lecture course with the extensive use of visual aids, and these courses are followed up by on the job training during normal working operations.   Our training modules are as follows;

Module 1  -  Optimization of Tricone Drillbit Performance

- How does a tricone drillbit work

- The manufacture of tricone drillbits

- Factors affecting drillbit performance

- Drilling in different formations

- Problem identification

- The use of deckbushes, stabilisers and shocksubs   

Module 2  -  Drillbit Failure Analysis

- A systematic approach to analyzing a run out drillbit

- Analysis of drillbit wear patterns

- Determination of the primary cause of failure

- What should a run out drillbit look like at our mine?  (Compared to other mines).

Module 3  -  Drillbit Management Systems

- Drillbit record keeping systems

- Storage of run out drillbits

- What statistics do we need?   

Module 4  -  Management of Drillrods and other Accessories

- Technical aspects relating to drilling accessories

- Management aspects relating to drilling accessories  

Module 5  -  Drill Machine Management

- The total cost of drilling

- Rates of penetration in different formations

- Operational problems that influence drilling performance

- Total drilling cost per metre versus rate of penetration  

Module 6  -  Aspects of Machine Operation

- Planning of drill pattern

- Get the hole depth right

- Hole must be drilled vertically

- Loosening the threaded connections

- Drillrod handling procedures

- Collaring the hole

- Drillrod racking procedures

- Drilling in different formations

- Rates of penetration in different formations

Module 7  -  Optimisation of DTH Drilling Performance

- Introduction

- How does percussion drilling work?

- The difference between percussion drilling and rotary drilling

- Critical factors that affect DTH drilling

- Factors that affect hammer life and performance

- Factors that affect drillbit life

- Drilling in different formations

- Problem identification

- There are several points to remember

 Module 8  -  Common Drillbit Failure Modes for DTH Drillbits

- Shanking on bit splines

- Shank on guide diameters

- Galling on guide diameters

- Shank on splines

- Large diameter bits

- Heavy bit spline wear

- Shank in lower guide diameters

- Corrosion pitting induces fatigue cracks

- Broken foot valve

- Foot valve erosion

- Solve foot valve problem

- Bit striking face failure

- Lost buttons

- Bit body metal failure

- Cracked bit face

- Carbide breakage

- Thermal shocked carbides (gauge row)

- Snakeskin cracking (gauge row)

- Cusp-type carbide failure

- Carbide broken flush with body

- Broken carbide below the top of the carbide hole