A TECHNICAL REPORT

ON

STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME (SIWES)

UNDERTAKEN AT

TROPICAL DRILLING COMPANY LAFIA NASARAWA STATE

BY

EZE JOSHUA SOMTOCHUKWU

PTE/20/348

SUBMITTED TO

THE DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

MADONNA UNIVERSITY NIGERIA, AKPUGO CAMPUS

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

AWARD OF BACHELOR DEGREE IN ENGINEERING

OCTOBER, 2024
 DEDICATION

I dedicate this SIWES report to God Almighty who made it smooth and possible
for me to begin and complete this program successfully. And, also dedicate this to
my wonderful parents whose support I constantly depend on.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I remain grateful to God Almighty, the Most Merciful and Compassionate, who
guided me during the period of my industrial training. My deepest appreciation
goes to my beloved parents, siblings, and well- wishers, for the material and
mental Support. I sincerely appreciate the Head of Department of Petroleum
Engineering Mrs Ameafule C, my beloved Lecturers in Madonna University
Nigeria, Akpugo Campus for their immense supports and contributions to the
achievable end of this program. I sincerely acknowledged the management of
Tropical Drilling Company Lafia, Nasarawa State for giving me the opportunity to
learn from their organization, and most importantly my Company Supervisor Mr.
Hezekiah Alkali who impacted a lot in me and spent time to put me through
everything. I also wish to express my appreciation to my friends and fellow course
mates for their support during this SIWES period.
 ABSTRACT

The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a program initiated

by the Federal Government to ensure that all Science and Engineering Students in
their undergraduate level obtain relevant industry experience by undergoing 3
months or 6 months internships in industries relevant to their course of study. I
carried out my internship at Tropical Borehole Drilling Lafia, indigenous borehole
company and other geological services, with head office and operational base in
Lafia, Nasarawa State. The company utilizes a training plan which comprises of;
Research and Development, Technical Presentation Development, Field
Experience, Technical Report Writing and Contract Document & Bid Preparation.
The training plan ensured that I obtained first-hand experience in many of the key
areas peculiar to geological and soil test services with key focus on water borehole
drilling operations, mud hole drilling and pump work-over, Health Safety and
Environment. This Technical Report aims to explain in detail the relevant
experiences acquired during my internship at the Tropical Drilling Company Lafia
and how they are related to the field of Petroleum and Drilling Engineering. As
way of recommendation, it will be that the Student Industrial Work Experience
Scheme (SIWES) be carried out twice by Engineering Students in the Institution to
ensure that the students obtain the necessary ability and skills required to work as
professionals in their field.
 TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page

Dedication-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------i

Acknowledgement---------------------------------------------------------------------------ii

Abstract---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------iii

Table of content------------------------------------------------------------------------------iv

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1

Historical Development of Student’s Industrial Work Experience Scheme

(S.I.W.E.S) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1

Aims and Objective of the SIWES -------------------------------------------------------2

The Scope of the Scheme ------------------------------------------------------------------2

Contribution of the scheme ----------------------------------------------------------------3

Problems affecting the scheme ------------------------------------------------------------3

History background and detail description of the company------------------------3

Organization structure ----------------------------------------------------------------------5

CHAPTER TWO

Borehole drilling for water exploration--------------------------------------------------6

The drilling methods-------------------------------------------------------------------------6

The drilling tools-----------------------------------------------------------------------------7

Supervising water well drilling------------------------------------------------------------7

Aims, roles and responsibilities ----------------------------------------------------------7

Levels of supervision -----------------------------------------------------------------------9

The borehole structure ----------------------------------------------------------------------9

Drilling depth -------------------------------------------------------------------------------10

Borehole diameter--------------------------------------------------------------------------10

Casing pipes and pump installation----------------------------------------------------11

Gravel packing and grouting -------------------------------------------------------------11

Flushing -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12

Borehole pump testing --------------------------------------------------------------------12

Advantages of borehole -------------------------------------------------------------------12

Disadvantages of borehole ----------------------------------------------------------------12

CHAPTER THREE

Experience Gained -------------------------------------------------------------------------13

Problems Encountered During SIWES -------------------------------------------------13

CHAPTER FOUR

Summary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14

Conclusion ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------14

Recommendation---------------------------------------------------------------------------14

REFERENCES---------------------------------------------------------------------------15
 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a human capital
formation programme through industrial attachment for which students are
expected to have a practical experience on the basis of theories and principles
acquired in the teaching-learning process. However, the prevalence of the inability
of participants of SIWES to secure employment after the programme casts doubt
on the continuing relevance of SIWES to the contemporary industrial development
drive in Nigeria.

This technical report is a succinct documentation of my exposure and experience

achieved and picked up in the area of geophysical survey, water borehole drilling
supervision and installation during student’s industrial work experience scheme
(S.I.W.E.S) with a private firm called Tropical Drilling Company, Lafia, Nasarawa
state. The program last for six month which it commenced from April to
September and aimed to exposed students of higher institution to the practical
aspect of what they were taught in the class in order to bridge the gaps between
theoretical aspects and practical aspects, In partial fulfilment of the requirement for
the award of bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) Degree in Petroleum.

1.1 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENT’S INDUSTRIAL

WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME (S.I.W.E.S)

The student work experience scheme{SIWES} came into establishment of the

industrial training fund[ITF] under degree No 47 of 8th October, 1971, in a bid to
boost indigenous capacity for the nation’s industrial need, the fund in its policy
statement No. 1 published in 1973 inserted a clause dealing with the issue of
practical skills which states that “the seek will seek to work out cooperative
machinery with industry, where student in institution of higher learning may
acquire training in industry or mid-career attached by contributing to the allowance
payable to the student”. The fund identified a great gap between theory and
practice of engineering and technology of higher learning and has come to an
effort to eliminate this gap. The fund initiated work experience scheme {SIWES}
in 1973. SIWES therefore is a skill training program designed to expose and
prepared students of universities, polytechnics and college of education to real life
work situation including environmental, technical and business student in higher
institution of training in Nigeria.
1.1.1 AIMS AND OBJECTIVE OF THE SIWES

 To provide students with industrial skills and needed experience while the
course of study.
 To create conditions and circumstances, this can be very similar, to actual
workflows.
 To give students the ability to try and apply the given knowledge
 To teach students the techniques and equipment that may not be available
within the walls of an educational institution.
 To provide student with an opportunity to applied their theoretical knowledge
in real work situation thereby bridging the gap between theories and practical.
 To provide avenue for students for institutions in higher learning to acquire
industrial skills and experience in their course of study while in school.
 To expose students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and
machineries that may not be available in some educational institutions.
 To enhance and strengthened employers involvement in the education process
and preparing student for employment in the industries.
The objectives of SIWES programme are all about strengthening future
employees. Such program is successful attempt to help students to understand the
underlying principles of their future work. After passing the programs, the students
can concentrate on the really necessary factors of his or her work.

1.1.2 THE SCOPE OF THE SCHEME

The scope of the program may varies from one department to another and from
one institution to another. But students in department of geology, Federal
University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) observe this program in 200 level second
semester for the period of three (3) months and in 300 level second semester for
the period of three (3) months also. This is observed by all institution of higher
learning offering geology, science courses and related disciplines.

The scheme therefore is a pre-requisite to graduating student from institution of

higher learning most especially earth resources related courses like mining,
engineering geology, petroleum geology, applied geology, etc. its scope revolve
around practical experience on site.
1.1.3 CONTRIBUTION OF THE SCHEME

The scheme is contributing immensely to the vigorous and rigorous impact in the
economy and technological development of the country especially in the aspect of
human resources development. Some contributions of the scheme are as follows;

 It creates more relationship between institutions and industries.

 It has contributed to the improved quality of skilled man-power in Nigeria.
 It prepares the students so that they can fit into employments in the
industries.
 It offers the students an opportunity to associate themselves with workers at
various levels in the industries.
 It assures the institution that the qualities of student produced by them are to
standard after going through the SIWES program as it forms part of the
assessment of the award of certificate and degree.
1.1.4 PROBLEMS AFFECTING THE SCHEME

Overtimes, there are many problems facing SIWES developments in the country.
Some problems are as follows;

 Employers hardly have time to impact knowledge to the student.

 Supervision sometimes are not carried out as scheduled due to inadequate
funding which make student unserious and relax to work.
 There is inadequate funding system which reduces the student capability at
work since they are not well motivated.
 Some students did not conduct himself or herself with decorum, which lead
the company to reject them.
1.2 HISTORY BACKGROUND AND DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE
COMPANY

Tropical drilling company Lafia is one of the leading borehole drilling contractors
in Nigeria, established in 2017, the company uses modern state- of-art water and
mud rotary drilling Rigs and Elgi compressors using Down The Hole (DTH)
drilling method. This clearly puts us ahead of the competition in the drilling
industry. Our Drilling Rigs has a capacity of over 300 meters.

Tropical Drilling Company, Lafia has been performing drilling works in the
Nigerian region for approximately 7years. With this experience in mind, the
company have extensive knowledge in the field of borehole drilling and
understand requirements of specific customers as well as projects. The company
has been involved in number of projects involving evaluation, baseline studies,
feasibility studies, environmental impacts assessment, project design and proposal
development, community need assessment etc.

The company has a total of twenty two employees, who form part of drilling crew
in their respective units. For pump and recovery tests, the company has five pumps
for use on site, including the necessary equipment to lower and lift submersible
pumps.

The Tropical, have capacity and expertise needed to satisfy all your drilling
requirements. The company has established an exceptional reputation as a provider
of quality service with international recognition. All our works meet local and
international standards.

Tropical drilling company is an indigenous consultancy firm has registration

numberBN3266510 with the corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja. The company
is managed by Mr. Hezekiah Alkali (B.tech applied geology). The firm head office
is at Bukan Sidi, Lafia, Nasarawa state.

E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone: 07037753132, 09023131002

1.2.1 ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

Fig.1 Organization structure

 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 BOREHOLE DRILLING FOR WATER EXPLORATION

Borehole is an effective way of tapping into the water bearing aquifer below the
ground and pumping the water to the surface for various uses. Boreholes for
extracting water consist essentially of vertically drilled shaft, a strong lining
(casing) to prevent collapse of the walls, which includes a means of allowing clean
water to enter the borehole space (screen). Though before borehole drilling can be
done, a geophysical survey has to be carried out first in order to located a high
yield point for ground water exploration. There are many types of geophysical
survey but the suitable one for water exploration is electrical resistivity method
where array is preferable and full Schlumberger Configuration is adopted.

2.1 THE DRILLING METHODS

There are two major methods used for drilling boreholes in Tropical drilling Lafia.

• Mud rotary drilling method: In mud rotary drilling, fluid is pumped down the
hollow drill pipe called kelly, and forced out of jets in the drill bit, that fluid then
carries the cuttings or cut materials through hole and up to the surface and mud is
reused through a pit, and this drilling method is done on unconsolidated rocks.

Fig. 2: Mobile Mud Drilling Unit

• Air rotary drilling method: is a method used to drill deep boreholes in rock
formations (consolidated rock). Borehole advancement is achieved by rapid
rotation of a drill bit which is mounted at end of the drill pipe. The drill bit cut the
formation into pieces called cuttings. This method utilizes air as a circulating
medium to cool the drill bit, bring drill cuttings to the surface and maintain
borehole integrity.
2.2 THE DRILLING TOOLS

• Motorize drilling rig

• Drilling bit >clay cutter, diamond bit, hammer
• Drilling rods
• Water pump
• Compressor
• Water tank
• Spanner kit, hammer, pipe wrench
• Basket
• Extenber chemical or sugar chemical
2.3 SUPERVISING WATER WELL DRILLING

Good supervision of water well drill is essential for the provision of long-lasting
water wells. This will detail the responsibilities of the drilling supervisor at the
different stages of borehole construction. It explains the actions to be carried out at
each stage that will ensure that the driller deliver the borehole as specified in the
contract. The supervisor is expected to display great professionalism in carrying
out his or her duties. A good knowledge of geology, hydrogeology and borehole
construction is essential. Although the supervisor represents the client, he or she is
expected to act with impartiality and fairness in any dispute over the contract.

Tropical drilling company has professionally supervised the drilling of several

boreholes and ensured they are delivered in compliance with the Nigerian
Industrial Standard NCP 027:2010. Code of practice for water well construction,
as it is crucial that boreholes are delivered in a cost effective manner to function
through an estimated lifespan of 20 to 50 years, of which is unachievable without
good supervision.

2.3.1 AIMS, ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The aim of supervising borehole drilling is to ensure that boreholes are produced
as designed and all the data collected during the drilling are accurately recorded
and reported to the relevant agencies. Good supervision is essential for a high
quality borehole, even if a competent drilling contractor(Driller) is employed.
Without good supervision, the quality of work may be compromised. An
experienced driller can easily hoodwink an inexperienced supervisor. Supervisors
thus need to be trained and given the chance to acquire the knowledge that will
enable them carry out their duties.

2.3.2 LEVELS OF SUPERVISION

There are three levels of drilling supervision

1 Full time supervision: a supervisor stays with the drilling team throughout the
drilling process, from the inspection to demobilization.
2 Part-time milestone supervision: a supervisor only witness crucial stages
(milestones) of the drilling. The stages that must be carried out in the presence
of the supervisor need to be specified in the contract document and the
consequences of not abiding by them stated. However, the supervisor is
expected to be promptly on site and should not cause undue delays. The
milestones are:
 Mobilization
 Check siting/site selection
 Termination of drilling
 Lining of the borehole
 Borehole development
 Pumping test
 Demobilization
3. End of contract supervision: is not actually supervision but a site inspection
when the supervisor goes through the records and inspects the functionality of
the borehole on completion

2.4 THE BOREHOLE STUCTURE

The borehole structure can be described under the following major components

DRILLING DEPTH: The depth of boreholes may vary from area to area and
depends on both geological and hydro-geological conditions

BOREHOLE DIAMETER: Borehole will be drilled with 8 inches bit and concrete
grouting placed in the annular space between the casing and open borehole wall.
 Fig.3:
diameter of a borehole

CASING PIPES AND SUBMERSIBLE PUMP INSTALLATION

The borehole should be fully cased down to bottom of in order to avoid collapsing
of borehole. If pipe are to be joined together, a recommended cement solvent is
used, therefore the driller is advised to wait for recommended time for the joint to
set firmly before lowering into the borehole. A strong lining (casing) is installed to
prevent collapse of the walls, which includes a means of allowing clean water to
enter the borehole space (screen).

Fig. 4a: Mud pit for mud circulation Fig. 4b: Sumo Pump, 1.5Hp, 220-v, 50Hz
Fig.5a: Drilling Fluid Addictives Fig.5b: Driller install casing

GRAVEL PACKING AND GROUTING

The annular space between the casing and borehole wall is filled with filter
packing material in the screen interval and back filling material. Gravel packing
material will be stored in a way so as to avoid Contamination or rain washing fine
material. Purpose of gravel packing

• To fill the annular space between the casing and the borehole wall.
• To stabilise the formation.
 • To prevent fines from the surrounding formation falling into the borehole

Fig. 6: Driller
gravel packing the borehole

FLUSHING

On the completion of gravel packing, flushing is done to remove the mud fluid and
other particles out of the borehole, a compressor machine is used to compress air at
high pressure down the hole and continuously blows out the mud fluid and other
particles from the borehole.

Fig.7: Flushing done on a borehole.

BOREHOLE PUMP TESTING

Pumping tests are carried out soon after the drilling operations have been
completed, the process of pump testing involves continuous pumping of water
from the borehole over a certain period of time. Pumping test on a borehole is
carried out to determine specific yield, dynamic water level.

Fig.8: Water pump used for borehole water priming

2.5.1 ADVANTAGES OF BOREHOLE

• It is easy to use by all.

• It is a hygienic way of drawing water as it is sealed.
• It has less maintenance activities e.g. dewatering the pit is not necessary.
• Water pressure inside can be maintained, reducing the danger of caving in.
• Takes less time to construct than excavation by hand.
• It is not labour intensive.
• Not easily polluted.
• Deeper ground water can be accessed.
2.5.2 DISADVANTAGES OF BOREHOLE

• It is comparatively expensive to construct and rehabilitate.

• Spares are expensive and not easily available in rural areas.
• Scarcity of tools and skilled manpower at local level.
• It is difficult to deepen an existing borehole lined with PVC casings as
perturbation of the bit could result in smashed casings.
 CHAPTER THREE

3.0. EXPERIENCE GAINED AND PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED

3.1. EXPERIENCED GAINED

The period of my SIWES really exposed me to practical aspects of some of the

theories I learnt in school. My period of SIWES at Tropical drilling Limited, Lafia
helped me to gain a lot of experience in the following areas:

i) Borehole-Drilling and well development.

ii) Pumping test.

I can confidently carryout rotary-mud and rotary-air drillings. I have also acquired
skills on how to install and un-install a submersible pump into a borehole during
pumping test, measure SWL and DWL of a bore hole as well as its pumping and
recovery rates.

3.2. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED

Problems encountered include those in geophysical survey, drilling and pumping

test

3.2.1. PROBLEMS ENCONTERED DURING DRILLING PROCESS

During the process of drilling, some technical problems were encountered. Below
are the problems and how they were solved:

a) Residual Cuttings in the borehole.

Correction:

i) Up hole velocity of the drilling fluid was increased to force the cuttings out of
the hole.

ii) The viscosity of the drilling fluid was also increased by adding bentonite.

b) Stuck pipe.

Correction:

i) The drill string was suspended above the bottom of the hole.

ii) Circulation of the drilling fluid was ensured until the hole became relatively
free of all formation materials.

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

4.1. SUMMARY

My training period really equipped me with more knowledge and skills in the area
of groundwater exploration such as geophysical survey, drilling, pump installation,
borehole maintenance and pumping test. Also, the training has improved my
ability in interacting with other people such as peers and superiors. It was fun to
deal with these people, especially when they were willing to offer assistance and
guidance in challenging areas.

I judge my SIWES period spent at Tropical Drilling Limited Lafia, has being one
of the most interesting, productive, instructive and challenging experience in my
life.

4.2. CONCLUSION

Tropical Drilling Ltd. Lafia is a water borehole drilling company. My SIWES

period in this company was very interesting, instructive and challenging. The
training has helped me to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the aspect
of geophysics, hydrogeology, and engineering which are employed to hardness
ground water for the optimal utilization of man.

All of this valuable experience and knowledge that I have gained were not only
acquired through the direct involvement in task given but also through other
aspects of the training such as work observation, interaction with colleagues,
superiors and other people related to the field.

4.3. RECOMMENDATION

For a good borehole to be constructed in order to cater for the need of water supply
in any environment there is need to carry-out a detailed geophysical survey in
order to avoid the waste of resources and man power.

Industrial Training Fund should do well by the payment of a befitting student

allowance during the SIWES period and not after, to enable them cover
transportation and feeding expenses during the SIWES program.

REFERENCES

Guide to Technical Report Writing Retrieved from

https://www.sussex.ac.uk/ei/internal/forstudents/engineeringdesign/
studyguides/techreport writing.

History of SIWES (Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme) Retrieved from

https://nigerianfinder.com/history-of-siwes/

Mohammed, A. (2013): IT Report on Water Well Drilling, unpublished.

Philip, K. (2001): The New Penguine Dictionary of Geology, 2nd Edition. Pearson
Education Ltd.

Todd, D. K. (1980): Ground Water Hydrology. John Wiley and Sons Inc., New
York.Pp.336