Rotary Drilling Rigs

updated July 5, 2004

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 A rotary drilling rig is a set of equipments, devices, tools ena bling the
Oil Company to drill a well in the Lithosphere, at the specific location
indicated by the Exploration (Geophysics Dept.).
This well will be on-land if located on the ground and off-shore if
located in the sea and obviously, the equipments (rigs) used will be
different.

This presentation will help you to understand :

n what are the various types of drilling rigs

n what are the main standard components of a drilling rig
n what is the people working usually on a drilling rig

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Various types of Rigs

Drill ship Semisubmersible Jackup Submersible Land

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Various types of Rigs

ON LAND RIGS

OFF SHORE RIGS :

• Bottom supported units :

Jackup – Submersibles
Surface BOP

• Floating units :
Drill ships – Semi-submersibles
Sub sea BOP

Sub sea BOP

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Submersible

This is a particular type of floating vessel, usually used as a mobile

offshore drilling unit (MODU), that is supported primarily on large pontoon
-like structures submerged below the sea surface.
The operating decks are elevated 100 or more feet (30 m) above t he
pontoons on large steel columns.
Once on the desired location, this type of structure is slowly flooded until it
rests on the seafloor.
After the well is completed, the water is pumped out of the buoyancy tanks,
the vessel re-floats and can be towed to the next location.
Submersibles operate in shallow water, since they must rest on t he
seafloor (maximum 90m).

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Jack-Up
A self-contained combination of drilling
rig and floating barge, fitted with three
long support legs that can be raised or
lowered independently of each other.

The jack-up is towed onto location with

its legs up and the barge section
floating on the water.
Upon arrival at the drilling location, the
legs are jacked down onto the seafloor
and the entire barge and drilling
structure are slowly raised above the
water to a predetermined height above
the water, so that waves, tide and
currents, act only on the legs and not
the bulky barge and drilling package.
Jack-up operate in shallow water like
submersibles.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Jack-Up

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Jack-Up

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Semi-Submersible
This is a floating vessel supported by
large pontoon-like structures
submerged below the sea surface.
The operating decks are elevated 100
or more feet above the pontoons on
large steel columns.
This design has the advantage of
submerging most of the area of
components in contact with the sea,
minimizing the loading from waves
and wind.
Semi-submersibles can operate in a
wide range of water depths, including
deep ultra deep and stormy waters.
They are usually anchored with six to
twelve anchors, computer-controlled
to maintain the exact position of the
semi-submersible.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Semi-Submersible

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Semi-Submersible

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Semi-Submersible

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Semi-Submersible

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Drill Ship

Is a special ship built to host a

standard drilling rig.
Drill ships are the most mobile of all
the mobile drilling units and are used
in remote waters.
They can operate in very deep water
but they are very susceptible to wave
motion and are not suitable to
operate in heavy seas.
They are not anchored to the sea bed
but dynamically positioned with a
series of lateral propellers activated
by computers reading the position
through three satellites.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Drill Ship

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Standard Components

• POWER SYSTEM

• HOISTING SYSTEM

• ROTATING SYSTEM

• CIRCULATING SYSTEM

• SAFETY SYSTEM

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Power System

The power system of a rig is usually a series of big diesel-electric

engines.
These engines drive generators to produce electric power.
Cables transmit electric power to the various motors to drive all
the rig components.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Hoisting System

It consists of the:

DERRICK

CABLE

CROWN BLOCK

TRAVELLING BLOCK

HOOK

DRAW--WORKS (OR HOIST)

DRAW

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Derrick or Mast

The structure used to support the crown

block and the travelling block.

Derricks are usually pyramidal in shape,

and offer a good strength-to-weight ratio.
The derrick must be tall enough to allow
crew members to manipulate stands of
drill pipes measuring 28.5 m.
A standard derrick has four legs standing
at the corners of the rig substructure.

A big derrick has to be mounted piece by

piece.
Small derricks are raised with the draw-
works and cable.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Cable

Is a wire rope used to support all

the drilling equipment which has
to be run inside the hole.
The cable is rolled on the draw-
works located on the rig floor
and passes through the sheaves
(or pulleys) of the crown block at
the top of the derrick and runs
downward to another set of
sheaves fixed in the travelling
block.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Crown Block

The fixed set of pulleys also

called sheaves, located at the
top of the derrick, over which
the cable is threaded.
The cable passes several times
(8, 10 or 12) between the crown
block and the travelling block.
In this way is possible to use a
single cable to support heavy
loads.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Travelling Block

The set of sheaves that move up and

down in the derrick.
The wire rope threaded through them is
threaded (or "reeved") back to the
stationary crown block.
On the base of the travelling block is
attached the hook.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Hook

The hook is used to handle all

the equipment which will be run
inside the hole.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Draw-Works

The machine (winch-like) on the rig

floor, consisting of a large-diameter
steel spool, brakes, a power source
and assorted auxiliary devices.
The cable is run downward from the
crown block and wrapped around
the draw-works spool.
The primary function of the draw-
works is to reel out and reel in the
cable, causing the vertical (up &
down) movement of the travelling
block, hanged to the crown block.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Rotating System

It consists of the:

TOP DRIVE

ROTARY TABLE AND KELLY SYSTEM

DOWN HOLE MOTORS OR TURBINES

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Top Drive

This device consists of one or more

motors (electric or hydraulic) that
rotates a drive shaft.
The drive shaft is attached to the
top of the drill-string which will
rotate as well.
The topdrive is suspended from the
hook, so the rotary mechanism
is free to travel up and down the
derrick.
It enables the drilling to be done
with three pipes (one stand) instead
of a single pipe.
It also enables the driller to quickly
engage the pumps or the rotary
while tripping pipe.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Top Drive

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Top Drive

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Rotary Table & Kelly

The kelly is a long square or

hexagonal steel pipe with a hole
drilled through the middle and is
used to transmit rotary motion from
the rotary table and kelly bushing to
the entire drill-string and bit.
It allows also the drill-string to
be lowered or raised while rotating.
The kelly goes through the kelly
bushing, which is driven by
the rotary table. The kelly bushing
has an inside profile matching the
kelly's outside profile (either square
or hexagonal), but with slightly
larger dimensions so that the kelly
can freely move up and down
inside.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Rotary Table & Kelly

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Down Hole Motors & Turbines

A downhole motor / turbine is a

strong pipe containing a special
device that uses the hydraulic
impact of the mud to rotate the
shaft or the blades.
The motor is attached to the
bottom of the drill string and the
bit is screwed to the bottom of
the motor. In this way it is
possible to drill, rotating only
the bit, without rotating the
entire drill string (sliding).

They are used specially in

directional drilling.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Circulating System

It consists of the :

MUD PITS

MUD PUMPS

FLOW LINE (MUD RETURN LINE)

SHALE SHAKERS

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Mud Pits

Large rectangular tanks that contain drilling fluid (mud) on the rig. They are
connected each other and to the mud pumps, making the active mud
system.
Depending on their main purpose they can be called:

SETTLING PIT: permits to separate the fine sediments (specially sand) from
the mud per decantation
MIXING PIT: where is possible to prepare the new mud
SLUG PIT: where is stored mud with different characteristics (density)
RESERVE PIT: where the mud is stored to be used in emergency situations
SUCTION PIT: connected directly to the pumps
TRIP TANK: small cylindrical tank used during a trip (pulling out of the hole
the drill string)

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Mud Pits

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Mud Pits

Trip tank

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Mud Pumps

Large pumps used to circulate the mud on a drilling rig.

A typical mud pump is a piston pump whose pistons travel in replaceable
liners. In base of the diameter of these liners changes the volume pumped
for each pump stroke.

They pick up the mud from the suction pit and force the mud into and down
the drill string and to the bit.
At the bit the mud jets out from the bit nozzles to move cuttings away from
the bit and also to cool the bit.
The mud then moves back up into the annulus to the surface and r eaches
again the suction pit.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Mud Pumps

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Mud Return Line – Flow Line

Since the mud picks up cutting produced by the bit, it carries t hem as it
returns to the surface. The mud and the cuttings return to the surface in the
space between the outside of the drill string and the inside of the hole. This
space is the ANNULUS.
At the surface, the mud and cuttings leave the well through a side outlet
with a pipe on it: this pipe is the FLOW LINE.
At the end of the flow line, mud and cutting fall onto vibrating screens (or
sieves) called the SHALE SHAKERS.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Mud Return Line – Flow Line

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Shale Shakers

While drilling, it indispensable to

remove the cuttings from the mud.
For this purpose, the mud coming
out the Flow line falls on the Shale
shakers acting as vibrating
screens.
The liquid phase of the mud and the
solids smaller than the wire mesh
pass through the screen (and go
back to the pits) while larger solids
are retained on the screen, fall out
of the screen and are discarded.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Shale Shakers

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Safety System

It consists of the:

BOP stack (Blow out preventers)

Choke manifold

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Blow Out Preventers - BOPs

It consists of a series of large valves at

the top of the well that can be closed in
case of emergency : Blow Out which
means the well is in eruption and
cannot be controlled in another way
than to be shut-in.
Those valves are usually operated
remotely via hydraulic actuators.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Blow Out Preventers - BOPs

BOPs come in a variety of styles, sizes

and pressure ratings. Some can
effectively close over an open well bore,
some are designed to seal around
tubular components in the well (drill
pipe, casing or tubing) and others are
fitted with hardened steel shearing
surfaces that can actually cut off the
drill pipe.
Since BOPs are critically important to
the safety of the people and of the
entire drilling operation, they are
inspected, tested and refurbished at
regular intervals determined by a
combination of risk assessment, local
practice, well type and legal
requirements.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Annular Preventer

This huge valve is designed to

form a seal in the annular space
between the pipes and the casing
and if no pipe is present, on the
casing itself.
They rate from 3,000 to 15,000 psi.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Rams Stack

Below the annular BOP, are additional

rams :

Shear ram : will cut off the drill pipes

and close the well in case of eruption
through the drill pipes.

Pipe rams : will seal around the drill

pipes.

Blind rams : will seal the well without

drill pipes.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Rams Stack

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Choke Manifold

This is an arrangement of piping and valves designed to control,

distribute and monitor the fluid flow when the well is shut-in (BOP are
closed).
In this case the annular mud will flow through a variable diameter choke
in order to hamper the uncontrolled eruption. In this way it will be
possible to weight up the mud and to neutralize the influx of fluid from
the formation.
Like the BOP, the choke manifold has a fundamental importance for the
safety.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 Choke Manifold

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 People working on the rig

Company man (drilling engineer) :

The representative of the Oil Company or Operator on a drilling location.
For land operations, the company man is responsible for operational
issues on the location, including the safety and efficiency of the project.
Even administrative managers are expected to respond to the direction
of the company man when they are on the rig site.
Offshore, depending on the regulatory requirements, there might be an
offshore installation manager, who supervises the company man on
safety and vessel integrity issues, but not on operational issues.

Well site Geologist :

He belongs to the Oil Company and is responsible of all geological
issues and decide circulating for bottom-up, coring, logging and testing.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 People working on the rig

Tool pusher :
He is the responsible of the drilling rig belonging to the drilling contractor.
The tool pusher is usually a senior, experienced individual who has worked
his way up through the ranks of the drilling crew positions.
His job is largely administrative, including ensuring that the rig has
sufficient materials, spare parts and skilled personnel to ensure efficient
operations.
The tool pusher also serves as a trusted advisor to many personnel on the rig
site, including the operator's representative, the company man.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 People working on the rig

from TOTAL

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 People working on the rig

The Mud Engineer is responsible of the drilling fluid (mud). He tests it

continuously and prescribes necessary treatments to ensure the
recommended properties.
He also works closely with the rig's derrick man, who is in charge of the
treatment.

The Directional Engineer is responsible of the correct trajectory of the well in

case of directional well (inclination and azimuth).
He will consider parameters as rotary speed, weight on bit, down hole motors
and will monitor the trajectory according to the deviation surveys.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 People working on the rig

MWD – LWD Operators :

He is in charge to collect and analyze data coming from MWD or LWD tools.
MWD (Measurement While Drilling) is a special tool that allows t o measure
different parameters (mainly deviation) while drilling. Those me asurements
are made down hole, stored in solid-state memory for some time and later
transmitted to the surface.
Data transmission methods vary from company to company, but usually
involve digitally encoding data and transmitting to the surface as pressure
pulses in the mud system.
LWD (Logging While Drilling) measures formation parameters like resistivity,
porosity, sonic velocity, gamma ray.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 People working on the rig

Driller :
He is the supervisor of the rig crew. The
driller is responsible for the efficient
operation as well as the safety of the
crew and normally has many years of
experience.
The driller drives the rig : he operates
the pumps, draw works and rotary table
via the driller console, a control room of
gauges, control levers, rheostats, and
other pneumatic, hydraulic and
electronic instrumentation.
The driller also operates the draw works
brake using a long-handled lever.

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 People working on the rig

Drilling Crew :
Personnel who operates the drilling rig
and reports to the driller.
The crew consists of motor man,
roustabouts, roughnecks, floor hands,
lead tong operators, derrick men, and
assistant drillers.
Since drilling rigs operate 24 hours a
day, there are at least two crews (twelve
hour work shifts called tours, more
common when operating offshore), or
three crews (eight hour tours, more
common onshore).

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 People working on the rig

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs

 The End...

Geolog Training Department 2004 à Rotary Drilling Rigs