Chapter 6 Test Borehole

CHAPTER 6 TEST BOREHOLE

6.1 Drilling Program

6.1.1 Outline of the Program

The test borehole drilling program has been planned based on the results of the 1st Field
Survey (1999). An outline of drilling program, including location, depth planned and
drilled, is listed below.

Location Borehole No. Aquifer Borehole Depth

No. Farm Name JICA WW Target Actual Planned Drilled

No. No. (m) (m)

J-1N
J-1 Christiana 39839 Nossob Auob 240 256.00
(J-1A)

J-2A 39840 Auob Auob 85 130.51

J-2 Olifant water west
J-2N 39841 Nossob Nossob 155 209.00

J-3K 39842 Kalahari Kalahari 20 102.00

J-3 Steynsrus J-3A 39843 Auob Auob 55 253.00
J-3N 39844 Nossob Nossob 155 409.00

J-4K 39845 Kalahari Kalahari 100 53.20

Okanyama
J-4 J-4A 39846 Auob Auob 285 204.00
(Aminuis)
J-4N 39847 Nossob Nossob 395 356.00

J-5 Maritzville J-5N 39848 Nossob Nossob 260 187.00

J-6K 39849 Kalahari Kalahari 180 168.50

J-6 Cobra J-6A 39850 Auob Auob 250 273.00
J-6N 39851 Nossob Nossob 320 385.00

J-7K 39852 Kalahari Kalahari 50 55.00

J-7 Jackalsdraai
J-7N 39853 Nossob Nossob 245 250.00

J-8K 39854 Kalahari Kalahari 110 129.00

J-8 Tweerivier J-8A 39855 Auob Auob 225 250.00
J-8N 39856 Nossob Nossob 325 346.00

J-9N
J-9 Klein swart modder 39857 Nossob Auob 145 141.50
(J-9A)

Total depth : 3,600 4,157.71

The drilling works started on 10 April 2000 and was completed at the end of November
2000. Such works also include pumping test, borehole head construction and
installation of water level recorder. The location of these boreholes and existing
boreholes which water level recorders were installed are shown in Fig. 6.1-1(s.p.6-31).

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A total depth of 4,157m was drilled. In most location, except locations of J-4, J-5 and
J-9, the drilled depths are deeper than planned depth. The actual depths to the bottom
of targeted aquifer are deeper than estimated, at most of location.

No Nossob Member was found at the locations of J-1 and J-9. These boreholes,
therefore, were modified as Auob type boreholes.

6.1.2 Structure and Specification

1) Design Policy Based Upon the Results of the 1st Field Survey (1999).

One of the main purposes of test borehole is to gain hydrogeological information.

Since there are three aquifers in the basin, structural designs have been made for the
each aquifer independently. The other important purpose is to construct monitoring
boreholes, for the further management of the groundwater basin. The test boreholes
constructed under the project have been designed based on the following policies.

i) The borehole shall be drilled independently to each aquifer. The own structure,
therefore, is needed for each type of borehole.
ii) The common materials on the each type of boreholes, however, shall be selected as
much as possible, in order to avoid a wasteful procurement.
iii) In order to examine the hydrogeological character of each aquifer, the correct data
such as water level, quality and yield shall be obtained from the borehole.
Therefore, “full hole cementing method” had been applied to seal the non-target
completely.
iv) Considering the limited availability of such test boreholes in the study area, the
newly drilled boreholes by this program must be multipurpose. A sufficient
diameter of the casing and screen pipe is needed, to be able to both of pumping and
water level measurement.
v) The great majority of the existing boreholes in the study area were constructed
without screen pipe installation. The main reasons of such structure are presumed
as the sufficient hardness of the formation (Auob and Nossob), and economic
viability. Considering the long-term use as monitoring borehole, however, any risk
of the collapse of the hole wall must be avoided. The screen pipe, therefore, shall
be installed for the any type of borehole.

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vi) A good quality material shall be adopted for the major parts of the structure, in order
to utilize the borehole for long term monitoring.
vii) The local material and standard must be chosen in preference, to make easy
maintenance of the borehole. SABS (South African Bureau of Standard) standard
shall be applied as a major part of the specification of the boreholes.

2) Structure and Specification Adopted

Based on the aforesaid design policy, the structure and specification of the test
boreholes were determined. The structure and specification described hereunder are
the standard for the construction of each type of test borehole. The diameter, depth of
drilling hole and size of casing and/or screen pipe, however, were altered in order to
accept variety of drilling method and equipment, also depend on geological formation.
The followings are the adopted structure and specification for the boreholes drilled.

(1) Test Borehole for Kalahari Aquifer (See, Fig.6.1-2)

The formation of Kalahari Aquifer is composed of unconsolidated to

semi-consolidated sand, gravel and calcrete. The formation is an uppermost layer of
the basin. Considering the expected depth and condition of the layer, single string
structure was applied. The borehole shall be drilled up to the Rietmond Member.
The major specifications determined are as follows.

Item Specification
Structure : Single string, straight type borehole.
Setting of Pipes : Cement grout in casing pipe, gravel (1 to 3mm) packing in screen
pipe
Hole Size : φ12-1/4” (311.2mm)
Casing Pipe : φ6”, SABS719, Grade B, Zinc galvanized steel
Screen Pipe : φ6” (168mm), SUS304 Stainless steel, Johnson type screen

(2) Test Borehole for Auob Aquifer (See, Fig.6.1-3)

The formation of Auob Aquifer is composed of fine to coarse grain size sandstone
with minor intercalation of thin shale layer in local. The formation is,
unconformable underlying the Kalahari Beds. Thus, sealing of the Kalahari Aquifer
shall be required. Considering the necessity of the sealing of an overlying aquifer,

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(4) Borehole Head Facilities

Water level recorders were installed on the each borehole. The instruments were
supplied by JICA. In order to protect top ends of conductor and casing pipe, a
borehole head block was constructed. The standard design of the borehole head
block is shown in Fig. 6.1-5.

The water level recorders were installed on the borehole after the construction of the
borehole head facilities. In the artesian boreholes of J-3N, J-6N and J-5N, however,
an another design for the head facilities was applied. A pressure probe type of
recorder was installed in upper chamber of the head facility.

A security fence was constructed around each individual test borehole. Figure 6.1-6
shows the design of the fence constructed.

6.1.3 Drilling Procedure

The test boreholes were drilled using the rotary drilling method using a direct mud
circulation system. By such method, and to conform to the aforesaid structure, the
following procedure and specification were applied for each type of borehole.

1) Test Boreholes for the Kalahari Aquifer (See, Fig.6.1-2)

Step Work Description Items and Specification applied

No.
1 Drill a conductor hole on the surface Hole size: 17-1/2" (444.5 mm)
to the required depth.
2 Install a conductor pipe to the drilled Pipe size: 14" (355.6 mm OD)
depth.
3 Seal the annular space between the
wall of a drilled bore and the
conductor pipe by cementing.
4 Resume drilling of the borehole to Bit size: 12-1/4" (311.2 mm)
the required depth.
5 Perform borehole geophysical Resistivity, SP, Temperature,
logging through the drilled borehole. Natural Gamma, Caliper and
Neutron log.
6 Determine the position(s) of screen
pipe through the instruction of the
Engineer.
7 Install casing pipe and screen pipe as Casing size : 6" (168 mm OD)
determined. Screen size : 6" (168 mm OD)

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8 Make gravel packing for the annular 2mm to 4mm grain size
space between the hole wall and
screen pipe.
9 Perform the development of a use air-lifting (surging or bailing
borehole. from time to time may be
necessary)
10 Make clay pack and cement grout Up to the ground level
packing for the annular space
between the hole wall and casing
pipe.
11 Perform the development of a By air-lifting (surging or bailing
borehole from time to time may be
necessary)
12 Carry out the pumping test by Step drawdown, constant discharge
submersible pump. and time recovery test.
13 Construct the borehole head
facilities and install the water level
recorder.

2) Test Borehole for Auob Aquifer (See, Fig.6.1-3)

Step Work Description Specific Requirements

No.
1 Drill a conductor hole on the surface Hole size: 17-1/2" (444.5 mm)
to the required depth
2 Install a conductor pipe to the drilled Pipe size: 12" (318.5 mm OD)
depth.
3 Seal the annular space between the
wall of a drilled bore and the
conductor pipe by cementing.
4 Resume drilling of the borehole to Bit size: Bit size : 9-7/8" (250.8
the required depth. mm)
5 Perform borehole geophysical Resistivity, SP, Temperature,
logging through the drilled borehole. Natural Gamma, Caliper and
Neutron log.
6 Install casing pipe to the drilled Casing size : 8" (216.3 mm OD)
depth
7 Make full hole cementing for the Inner-string method using float
annular space between the hole wall shoe
and casing pipe
8 Resume drilling of the borehole to Bit size: 7-7/8" (193.7 mm)
the required depth (up to top of the
Mukorob Member)
9 Perform borehole geophysical Resistivity, SP, Temperature,
logging through the drilled borehole Natural Gamma, Caliper and
Neutron log.

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10 Determine the position(s) of screen

pipe through the instruction of the
Engineer.
11 Install casing and screens pipe as Casing size : 6" (168 mm OD)
determined. Screen size : 6" (168 mm OD)
12 Perform the development of a By air-lifting (surging or bailing
borehole from time to time may be
necessary)
13 Carry out the pumping test by Step drawdown, constant discharge
submersible pump. and time recovery test.
14 Construct the borehole head
facilities and install the water level
recorder.

3) Test Borehole for Nossob Aquifer (See, Fig. 6.1-4)

Step Work Description Specific Requirements

No.
1 Drill a conductor hole on the surface Hole size: 20" (508 mm)
to the required depth
2 Install a conductor pipe to the drilled Pipe size: 16" (406.4 mm OD)
depth.
3 Seal the annular space between the
wall of a drilled bore and the
conductor pipe by cementing.
4 Resume drilling of the borehole to Bit size: Bit size : 12-1/4" (311.2
the required depth. (up to top of mm)
the Rietmond Member)
5 Perform borehole geophysical Resistivity, SP, Temperature,
logging through the drilled borehole. Natural Gamma, Caliper and
Neutron log.
6 Install casing pipe to the drilled Casing size : 10" (273 mm OD)
depth
7 Make full hole cementing for the Inner-string method using float
annular space between the hole wall shoe
and casing pipe
8 Resume drilling of the borehole to Bit size : 9-7/8" (250.8 mm)
the required depth. (up to top of
the Mukorob Member)
9 Perform borehole geophysical Resistivity, SP, Temperature,
logging through the drilled borehole. Natural Gamma, Caliper and
Neutron log.
10 Install casing pipe to the drilled Casing size : 8" (216.3 mm OD)
depth
11 Make full hole cementing for the Inner-string method using float
annular space between the hole wall shoe
and casing pipe

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12 Resume drilling of the borehole to Bit size: 7-7/8" (193.7 mm)

the required depth (up to top of the
Dwyka Group)
13 Perform borehole geophysical Resistivity, SP, Temperature,
logging through the drilled borehole Natural Gamma, Caliper and
Neutron log.
14 Determine the position(s) of screen Will be informed by the Engineer
pipe through the instruction of the
Engineer.
15 Install casing and screens pipe as Casing size : 6" (168 mm OD)
determined. Screen size : 6" (168 mm OD)
16 Perform the development of a By air-lifting (surging or bailing
borehole from time to time may be
necessary)
17 Carry out the pumping test by Step draw down test, constant
submersible pump. discharge test and time recovery
test.
18 Construct the borehole head
facilities and install the water level
recorder.

6.1.4 Materials Used

All materials required for drilling and construction of the boreholes was selected to
conform to the determined borehole structure and specifications. The followings are
the major materials used for the borehole drilling and construction.

1) Conductor Pipe

The conductor pipes installed are high-grade carbon steel, black, conforming to the
requirements of SABS1431. Pipes were supplied in standard lengths of 6 m. Grade
B steel was supplied, so that the nominal wall thickness of the casing was more than 6
mm. Bevelled ends were specified for the both ends of each pipe.

2) Casing Pipe

The casing pipes installed are high-grade Zinc Galvanized (SABS763) steel, conforming
to the requirements of SABS1431. The pipes were supplied in standard lengths of 6 m.
Grade B steel was specified, so that, the nominal wall thickness of all casing is more
than 6 mm. Bevelled ends were specified for the both ends of each pipe.

Following three kinds of casing pipe were provided.

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Outside Diameter Wall Thickness Used for

a) 6" (165mm) 6.0 mm Screen Pipe House
b) 8" (219mm) 6.0 mm Pump House
c) 10" (273mm) 6.0 mm Pump House

3) Screen Pipe

The screen pipe selected for the boreholes are wedge wire (Johnson) type, conforming
to the Zinc Galvanized carbon steel material with bevelled ends. The detailed
specification for screen pipe shall be as follows:

Nominal size (inch) : 6"

Screen diameter (mm) : 168mm
Overall unit length (mm) : 6,000
Slot size (mm) : 1.0
Materials : SUS304, stainless steel
Opening ratio (%) : more than 20%
Joint : bevelled ends

4) Cement Grouting (for Full Hole Cementing)

Sulphur resistant cement of CEM II ENV 197 was applied as cement grouting. The
cement slurry had a specific gravity within the range 1.74 to 1.8, and was made up with
water that has a total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration of less than 1,200 mg/l and a
sulphate concentration of less than 200 mg/l.

5) Concrete (for Head Works)

A mixture of Sulfur Resistant cement and aggregates was used for the head works
concrete. This concrete mixing was made up of not less than five sacks of 50 kg each
per cubic meter of finished concrete. The mix did not contain large amounts of fine
materials. Fresh, potable water was used as mixing water. The aggregates used were
durable and well graded in sizes ranging from sands to rock of less than 25mm.

6) Drilling Mud and Chemicals

Following drilling mud and chemicals were used, based on the geological formation and
drilling conditions.

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CAP 21 : CAP 21 is a partially hydrolysed tri-polymer emulsion, and was

used to the stabilize reactive clay and the shale formation. The
specific gravity of CAP 21 is 1.05 g/cm3.
EZEEMIX : EZEEMIX is partially hydrolysed polyacrylamide and
polyacrylate copolymer emulsion, was used to stabilize reactive
clay and shale formation. The specific gravity of CAP 21 is 1.05
g/cm3.
PAC-R : PAC-R is a high molecular weight polyanionic cellulose. It was
used for filtration control and supplementary viscosity in most
water based drilling fluids.
Extra-GEL/ : Extra-GEL/Bentonite viscosifier is a high yielding bentonite,
Bentonite specially processed to promote ease of mixing and superior mud
mixing in fresh water.
Specific gravity of Extra-GEL/Bentonite is 2.5 to 2.6 g/cm3.

7) Development Chemical

Following development chemicals were used based on the geological formation and
drilling conditions.

STPP : STPP is sodium polyphosphate, and was used as a disperse to

clean aquifers during borehole development.
ROTAFORM : ROTAFORM CONCENTRATE is a highly concentrated
CONCENTR biodegradable blend of anionic surfactants and stabilizing agents.
ATE

8) Centralizers

Steep hinged type centralizers which can be clamped onto the casing pipes, was used
only for the Kalahari boreholes.

9) Casing Cementing Shoes

The cement float shoe, with aluminum non-return valve were selected for the cementing
shoe of full hole cementing operation.

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10) Gravel Pack

Only fresh quartz gravel was used as the gravel pack material of Kalahari boreholes.
No crushed stone was used. The grain size of the gravel was 1.4 mm to 3.0 mm.

6.1.5 Drilling method

1) Drilling

The rotary drilling method with a direct mud circulation system was applied as principal
method for the drilling. Drilling have been made basically in the diameters indicated
in aforesaid section of Construction Procedure above.

2) Drilling Fluid

The drilling fluid had the following properties; 1) a maximum specific gravity of 1.20,
2) a maximum of 40 sec. (500cc/500cc) of marsh funnel viscosity and 3) a maximum of
2 mm in 30 minutes of mud cake have been used for the normal drilling operation.
The sand content was kept within a maximum of 3% after filtering by 200-mesh sieve.
The chemicals, used during drilling, was non-toxic and fully biodegradable.

3) Gravel Packing and Cement Grout (Kalahari Borehole)

For the Kalahari boreholes, the gravel pack was made, in the annular space between the
hole wall and the screen pipe. The grain size of the gravel was 1.4mm – 3.0mm. The
annular space between the casing pipes and the drilled hole wall was sealed with clay
(max. 3 m thickness) and with cement from above the clay packing to ground level. .

4) Full Hole Cementing (Auob and Nossob Boreholes)

On the boreholes for the Auob and Nossob Aquifers, the overlaying formation was
sealed off to examine the proper hydrogeological character of the targeted aquifer.
Therefore, full hole cementing was made in the annular space between the hole wall and
casing pipes, and/or the annular space between the two casing pipes, at the pump house
section of the drilled borehole. The methods of the full hole cementing shall be
basically applied either “Inner-string Method”

5) Borehole logging

The measurement must be conducted by a mechanically lowered electrode, sensor and

probe. The cable speed, therefore, was set properly and regulated to obtain proper

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records. The all measurements were made only in uncased borehole filled with drilling
fluid. Borehole logging have been performed for six parameters of 1) Natural Gamma,
2) Spontaneous Potential, 3) Neutron, 4) Resistivity, 5) Temperature and 6) Caliper in
the whole depth of borehole immediately after the completion of the each stage of
drilling. Before the commencement of logging, the viscosity, the electrical
conductivity, apparent resistivity and the temperature of the filtered drilling fluid and
the water used in the drilling fluid was measured.

6) Installation of Casings and Screens

After interpretation of borehole logging results, data regarding lost circulation zones and
the drilling log, the lengths and positioning of screens and blank sections of casings (6")
were determined. Casing was lowered down the borehole by their own weight and no
force was allowed to push the casing down. All the casing pipes, from the bottom of
the hole up to 15 m below ground level had to be centralized using carbon steel
centralizers spaced at a minimum of 10 m intervals.

The bottom of the casing (6") was completely closed by a bottom-plug of the same
material as used for the casing. Where the cement grout or full hole cementing was to
be installed, the string of connected casings had to be suspended from the surface
without resting the column on the bottom of the hole until after the cementation have
been completed.

All welding joints for casing and/or screens had to comply with the standard for welding
as described in SABS 044. The welding joints outside of the casing and screens were
painted with epoxy tar.

7) Development

After the casing and screen pipes have been installed, the development work was
conducted by air lifting, or by bailing or surging in case of very low yielding boreholes.
The water level in the borehole prior to the commencement of air-lift operations was
measured and recorded.

After installing a test pump, surging of the borehole was achieved by starting and
stopping the pump, or by changing the discharge rate in order to induce reversal of
water flow through the screen openings. The development was carried out until the
borehole was adequately developed.

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