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The Hoisting System

3. 3. 0. Hoisting System Overview

The hoisting system provides the equipment and working areas for hoisting, lowering and
suspending the equipment used in the rotating system.

The hoisting system is divided into two main parts:

1. The supporting structure

2. The hoisting equipment

The supporting structure is sub-divided and consists of:

1. The substructure
2. The drilling tower
3. The rig floor

3. 3. 1. The Supporting Structure

3. 3. 1. 1. The Substructure:

The substructure is a large steel framework that is assembled directly over the drilling site. It
supports the assemblage of tools and equipment used in the rotary drilling process to actually lift,
lower and suspend the drill stem and provides a workspace for equipment and men on and below
the rig floor.

The substructure is capable of supporting tremendous weights, including the derrick or mast,
hoisting equipment, the rotary table, the drill stem and casing load. Its height is determined by rig
type and blowout preventer stack height.

3. 3. 1. 2. The Drilling Tower Derrick or Mast:

Derricks: have been used for wells on land but now are most commonly
used on offshore locations. The derrick is larger than a mast and is erected
and dismantled piece by piece.

The entire rig floor is enclosed under the derrick frame work, providing a
large working area.

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The Mast has all but replaced the derrick on most land rigs because of its
portability. It can be pre-assembled, erected and moved more efficiently
from one site to another than a derrick.

The mast is narrower, usually mounted toward the back and near the pipe
ramp enclosing only part of the rig floor.

The characteristics of drilling towers vary and height, load capacity and wind load rating are taken
into considerations.

Height: vary form 66 feet. It is an indicator of the ability to handle drill stem sections. The
sections called stands , are usually referred to as double containing 2 drill pipes or drill
collar are about 60 feet long; or triples containing 3 drill pipes or drill collars are about 90
feet long. Some of the new generation rigs have quadruples with stands up to 135 feet long.

Load capacity: derricks and masts are rated in terms of the vertical load they can suspend.
This rating, called the rigs capacities is the total weight it is designed to carry. Rigs are
referred to as light, heavy-duty, etc., based upon this capacity.

Wind load rating: Derricks and masts are rated in terms of how much wind they can stand
from the side while suspending a fully-loaded drill stem. This rating is called rig loading.
Most rigs can stand 100 to 130 mph winds.

3. 3. 1. 3. The Rig Floor:

The rig floor is placed over the substructure framework and provides a working platform for most
drilling operations and supports needed equipment and tools.

The major items found on the rig floor are:

The rotary table: rotates and can suspend the drill stem which turns the bit on bottom in the
well bore.

The draw works: hoisting mechanism

The rotary drive: transmits power from the draw works to the rotary table.

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The drillers console: Instrumentation center that provides the drillers with a comprehensive
view of what is happening in each of the major subsystems.

The make-up and break-up tong (suspended just above the floor): larges wrenches used to
torque or de -torque drill pipes, drill collars or casing.

The rat hole: cased hole in the rig floor where the Kelly is placed while making a trip.

The mouse hole: cased hole next to the rotary table in rig floor where a joint of drill pipe is
placed for connection to the Kelly and drill stem.

The dog house: small shed used as drillers office and to store small items.

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3. 3. 2. The Hoisting Equipment:

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3. 3. 2. 1. The Draw work

The draw works is a powerful hoisting assembly usually located on the rig floor. It consists of:

A large revolving drum (4)

Manual, electric or hydraulic brakes (3)
A series of shafts (6)
Chains and gear drives (5, 2)

The draw works is one of the more important components of the hoisting system. Its major
functions are to:

Perform lifting or lowering operations known as trip in or trip out

Transmit power to cathead for connecting (make-up) or disconnecting (break out) drill stem
sections

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3. 3. 2. 2. The overhead tools: They are the connecting links within the hoisting system.

They consist of the following components:

The crown block:

Crown block with 6 sheaves With Fast Line Sheave

An assembly of pulleys called sheaves which is located on a frame work at the top of the
mast or derrick. Drilling line is reeved over the sheaves of the crown block and under the sheaves
of the traveling block.

The traveling block

Top of the traveling block Traveling Block exploded view

An arrangement of sheaves through which drilling line is reeved. This allows the block to travel up
and down while suspended below the crown block and above the rig floor. The number of drilling
line sheaved is called string. For example, a 10-line string means that 5 sheaves on each block

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are alternatively threaded. The number of sheaves required on the crown block is one greater than
the number to be strung. This extra sheave is for the dead line, which is anchored to the
substructure base.

3. 3. 2. 3. The hook:

A large hook-shaped device located beneath the traveling block from which the swivel and drill
stem are suspended during drilling operations. It contains a spring inside, which helps absorb
shock. The elevator links or bails are latched to the hook for use during hoisting operations. Hooks
are rated by the maximum weight they can carry.

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3. 3. 2. 4. The elevator:

Bottle Neck or Drill Pipe Elevator Side door or Casing Elevator

Elevators are extremely rugged, heavy duty clamps that grip drill pipe and drill collars in sections so
that they can be lowered into or pulled out of the hole.

There are two basic type of elevators:

Bottle-neck which is used for most drill pipe
Square shoulder used for casing and some drill collar

3. 3. 3. The Drilling Line

The drilling line is a heavy -duty wire rope made out of six strands of improved plow steel. It is an
assembly of precision parts, each part can move independently, requires lubrication, is static until
an external force is applied and it transmits energy.

The drilling line connects all components in the hoisting system as it is reeved alternately over the
crown block pulleys and through the traveling block sheaves.. Then it is spooled onto the rotating
draw works drum.

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This wire rope generally ranges from 1 inch to 1 inches in diameter and is stored on large spools
in lengths of 1500 to 7500 feet.

The length needed is dependent on three basic variables: the derrick height, number of line strung
and well depth plus a reserve for use in the slip and cut program.

Drilling lines and wire lines are known as and are used interchangeably with the term Wire rope.
Wire Rope is an intricate network of close tolerance, precision made steel wire, much on the order
of a machine, where each part has a job to do.

Each part must work in a perfect relationship with the other part for the rope to properly function.
Proper care and handling is mandatory to receive the highest service at the highest level of safety.

3. 3. 3. 1. Wire Rope Nomenclature

Wire Rope is composed of three parts; the CORE, the STRAND and the WIRE

Each major strand contains many smaller strands over a main core.

Become familiar with each part; it is surprising how many times a wire is reported to be a
strand.

Basic Strand Constructions

Single Layer
The Single Layer Principle is the basis of this strand construction. The most common example is a
single wire center with six wires laid around it. It is called a 7-wire (1-6) strand.

Filler Wire
This construction has two layers of same size wires around a center wire, with the inner layer
having half the number of wires as the outer layer. Small filler wires, equal in number to the inner
layer, are laid in the valleys of the inner layer.

Wire rope is described and identified with numerals and abbreviations. It is important to
understand these terms and to relate them to the wire rope specified within our industry.

The following is an example description of a rotary drilling line; the identifying terms are translated
and explained individually:

1 x 5000 6 x 99 S PRF RRL IPS IWRC

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1 = Diameter of line
5000 = Length of line
1 = Number of Strands per Line
19 = Number of Wires per Strand
S = Seale Pattern
PRF = Preformed Strand
RRL = Right Regular Lay
IPS = Improved Plow Steel
IWRC Independent Wire Rope Core

This translates to a 1 diameter, 5000 foot length of 6-strand rope with 19 wires in each strand laid
in a Seale pattern (S). The strands are preformed (PRF) in a helical shape before being laid in a
Right Regular Lay (RRL) pattern. The grade of the rope is Improved Plow Steel (IPS) and it has an
Independent Wire Rope Core (IWRC).

Diameter

Diameter measurements are correct only when made across the Crowns of the rope strands so
that the true diameter is the widest diameter of the rope. Always measure the diameter of any rope
at its widest point by turning the caliper on the rope.

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Most ropes are manufactured larger than the nominal diameter. When first placed in operations
strands of new unused rope will scat in and pull down from its original diameter.

Therefore, measurements recorded for future reference and comparison should be taken after the
rope has been in service for a short period of time.

A question may develop as to whether or not the wire rope complies with the oversize tolerance. In
such eases, a tension of not less than 10 percent nor more than 20 percent of nominal strength is
applied to the rope and the rope again measured while under this tension.

Wire rope differs in the number of strands and the number and pattern of wires per strand. Most
common wire rope constructions are grouped into four standard classifications, based on the
number of strands and wires per strand.

The number of strands and the number of wires per strand determined the classification of a rope.
Within each classification there are specific rope constructions.

For example: in the 6 x 19 class some of the rope constructions are 6 x 19 S (scale), 6 x 25 FW
(filler wire) and 6 x 26 WS Warrington Scale).

Characteristics, such as fatigue resistance and resistance to abrasion, are directly affected by the
design of strands. As a general rule, a strand made up of a few large wires will be more abrasion
resistant and less fatigue resistant than a strand of the same size made up of many smaller wire.

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3. 3. 3. 2. Factors Affecting Service Life Of Wire Rope

To keep the wire line costs at a minimum the rig crews and all levels of operations management
should know how to obtain maximum safe life from the drilling line. The following is basic to that
objective.

a. Select the proper size and type line to meet the requirements.
b. Care for the line to prevent damage
c. Compute the service obtained from the line in Ton Miles
d. Choose a cut off program which best suits your conditions and follow it carefully.

This will greatly increase the service obtained from the line.

When a new line is received, the reel number, make and description of the line should be recorded
on the daily drilling report.

The ton mile service should be computed daily and a record kept so cut-offs can be made at a
proper interval of service.

Following are some of the factors that have a direct effect upon rotary drilling line service.
Although they are elemental, they are critical.

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1. Mast or Derrick Height

The mast or derrick height will vary from approximately 65 to 185 or more. Governs the total
amount of rotary line in the string up, and determines whether doubles, triples or quadruples
of drill pipe will be handled during trips.

2. Crown Blocks Sheaves

Sheave diameters should be large enough to minimize the bending fatigue which occurs on a rotary
line. Worn grooves will not property the rotary line and worn bearings set up undue wear on both
the sheaves and the line.

3. Traveling Block Sheaves

The same conditions concerning the sheaves apply here as with the Crown Block. In addition, the
traveling block must be of sufficient weight to give tight spooling on the drum as the block
assembly is being raised or lowered, when going into a coming out of the hole.

4. Draw Works Drum

The diameter and length of drum is important. A drum of small diameter and length requires more
drum wraps to raise the blocks. This leads to more layers of rope on the drum, and therefore, more
cross-over wear points.

A grooved drum increase wire line service by supporting the rotary line and giving a tighter wrap.
The condition of the drum clutch and brake greatly affects line life. If these are not properly
adjusted, the resulting jerking and shock loads must be borne by the rotary line.

5. Type of String-Up 6, 8, 10 or 12 lines

The type of String-Up will govern the load each part of line must carry, determines the total line in
the String-Up, and also determines the length of time wear points must remain in the system.

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6. Dead Line Anchor of Clamp

The size, type and condition of the anchor has a direct effect on the rotary line. If it is too small, or
otherwise distorts the line, it may form a dog-leg in the line which will set up a stress point. This
stress point will result in undue wear and early fatigue, necessitating a long cut to remove it from
the system.

7. Wire Line Stabilizer and Turn-Back Rollers

The Wire Line Stabilizer and Turn-Back Rollers help extend the life of the wire line. The wire line
stabilizer relieves vibration or whip on the fast line. The turn -back rollers help relieve shock at
the cross-over points on the drum and prevent line piling up at the drum flanges. Weight box type
stabilizers are considered far superior as far as drum spooling is concerned. Deadline stabilizers
reduce vibration in the deadline adjacent to the deadline to the deadline anchor and deadline
sheave.

8. Experience of Crew
The Experience of Crew will affect the wire line life in the manner in which they handle the rotary
line. For example, how do they unspool the reel, how do they reeve the string-up what steps are
taken to keep the line out of mud and dirt, what method is used to spool new line on the drum, and
how does the driller start and stop the drum when making a round trip.

NOTE: 6 inches of slack line jerked out on the load, will double the load on the line.

9. Depth of Well
The depth of Well will govern the total weight of drill pipe and drill collars, the number of
connections required, the number of bits required, and also the number of round trips needed.

10. Drilling Conditions

Certain types of earth strata cause bit chatter or vibration which is passed through the drill pipe
and traveling blocks to the rotary line. The intermittent shock loads must be absorbed by the drilling
line, and are a source of undue wear particularly at the dead line sheave. Also, certain strata cause

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crooked hole drilling, which results in considerable excess strain on the drilling line when going out
of the hole during a round trip.

11. Size of Drill Pipe

Determines the total load when figuring the ton mile service per round trip, and in making
connections.

12. Size and Number of Drill Collars

The size and number of Drill Collars is one off the variable factors in determining the total excess
weight when figuring ton-mile service per round trip.

13. Drill Stem Test

Drill Stem Tests mean extra round trips over and above those necessary to change bit.

14. Coring
Coring also means extra round trips and more line wear.

15. Stuck Pipe

Jarring and manipulation to unstick drill pipe causes extreme strain and wear on rotary line. No
ton-mile method of service wear can determine the damage here! Careful visual inspection should
be used, and damaged line removed from the system regardless of the length of cut required.

16. Twist Offs and Fishing Jobs

Twist Offs and Fishing Jobs often mean several extra round trips to completely remove the
fish or obstruction before normal drilling can be resumed.

17. Setting Casing

While the length and size of casing will vary, but it still means additional trips, connections, and
line wear.

18. Fleet Angle

The Fleet Angle is taken into consideration with the proper wire line stabilizer can be the basis for
solving many of the reasons for poor spooling on a rig. Therefore, the proper fleet angle should be
of paramount importance when determining the excess laps.

When we take these elemental factors into consideration it is then apparent why we must tailor
a rotary line service program to each individual rig.

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