CEBO Shares Practical Expertise During Utility Drilling Training in South Africa

Effective knowledge transfer only works when theory and practice truly come together.

With that philosophy in mind, CEBO Sales Engineer Marcel Bijleveld recently delivered an intensive utility drilling training at Vermeer South Africa in Johannesburg, in collaboration with Conrad van Es (Vermeer EMEA) and Bjorn Weghe (DCI).

The training brought together fifty participants from drilling contractors and engineering consultancies and was delivered in two groups of approximately twenty-five people, spread across two courses of two and a half days each. The programme covered all key aspects of utility drilling, ranging from correct machine setup and field installation to accurate bore guidance using measurement systems and a solid understanding of drilling fluid behaviour and performance. By addressing these elements as an integrated process, participants gained insight not only into how things are done, but more importantly why.

The group consisted of both entry-level drillers and highly experienced professionals. For that reason, the training was deliberately practice-oriented and focused on utility drilling, avoiding the complex and highly mathematical approach often associated with pipeline drilling courses.

To bring the theory to life, Marcel Bijleveld set up a compact on-site mud lab in the classroom. Using his own test kit, participants worked through pH testing, sand content measurements, and funnel viscosity tests. This hands-on approach — fittingly dubbed “Cooking with Marcel” — clearly demonstrated what does and does not work in real-world drilling conditions.

The training provided participants with practical tools to better control drilling processes and make more informed decisions in the field. Through this type of hands-on knowledge sharing, CEBO reinforces its role as a trusted knowledge partner in utility drilling, with a strong focus on applicability and results.