University of Zakho

College of Engineering
Petroleum Engineering Department

Drilling Rig
Prepared: Ahmed Amir

Supervisor: Mr. Ali

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Contents

1. Introduction 3

2. Power System 4

3. Hoisting System 5

4. Circulating System 6-7

5. Rotary System 8-9

6. Well Control System 10

7. Well Monitoring System 11

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1. Introduction

There are many individual pieces of equipment on a rotary drilling rig (Figure 1).
These individual pieces of equipment can however be grouped together into six sub-
systems. These systems are: the power system; the hoisting system; the circulating
system; the rotary system; the well control system, and the well monitoring system.
Although the pieces of equipment associated with these systems will vary in design,
these systems will be found on all drilling rigs. The equipment discussed below will
be found on both land-based, and offshore drilling rigs. The specialized equipment
which is required to drill from an offshore drilling rig will be discussed in a
subsequent chapter.

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 Figure 1 - Rotary drilling rig

2. Power System

Most drilling rigs are required to operate in remote locations where a power supply is
not available. They must therefore have a method of generating the electrical power
which is used to operate the systems previously mentioned. The electrical power
generators are generally driven by diesel-powered internal combustion engines
(prime movers). Electricity is then supplied to electric motors connected to the draw-
works, rotary table and mud-pumps (Figure 2). The rig may have, depending on its
size and capacity, up to 4 prime movers, delivering more than 3000 horsepower.
Horsepower (hp) is an old, but still widely used, unit of power in the drilling industry.

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 Figure 2 - Power system

Older rigs used steam power and mechanical transmission systems, but modern
drilling rigs use electric transmission since it enables the driller to apply power more
smoothly, thereby avoiding shock and vibration. The draw-works and the mud-pumps
are the major users of power on the rig, although they are not generally working at
the same time.

3. Hoisting System

The hoisting system is a large pulley system which is used to lower and raise
equipment into and out of the well. In particular, the hoisting system is used to raise
and lower the drill-string and casing into and out of the well. The component parts of
the hoisting system are shown in Figure 3. The draw-works consists of a large
revolving drum, around which a wire rope (drilling line) is spooled. The drum of the
draw-works is connected to an electric motor, and gearing system. The driller
controls the draw-works with a clutch and gearing system when lifting equipment out
of the well, and a brake (friction) when running equipment into the well. The drilling
line is threaded (reeved) over a set of sheaves in the top of the derrick, known as the
crown block, and down to another set of sheaves known as the traveling block. A
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large hook with a snap-shut locking device is suspended from the traveling block.
This hook is used to suspend the drill-string. A set of clamps, known as the elevators,
used when running, or pulling, the drill-string or casing into or out of the hole, are
also connected to the traveling block.

Figure 3 - Hoisting system

4. Circulating System

The circulating system is used to circulate drilling fluid down through the drill-string
and up the annulus, carrying the drilled cuttings from the face of the bit to surface.
The main components of the circulating system are shown in Figure 6.

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 Figure 6 - Circulating system

The main functions of the drilling fluid , the two main functions of the drilling fluid
are:
 To clean and clear the hole of cuttings made by the bit.
 To exert a hydrostatic pressure sufficient to prevent formation fluids entering
the borehole.
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Drilling fluid (mud) is usually a mixture of water, clay, weighting material (such as
Barite), and chemicals. The mud is mixed and conditioned in the mud pits, and then
circulated downhole by large pumps (slush pumps). The mud is pumped through the
standpipe, Kelly hose, swivel, Kelly and down the drill-string. At the bottom of the
hole the mud passes through the bit and then up the annulus, carrying cuttings up to
surface. At surface the mud is directed from the annulus, through the flow-line (or
mud return line) and before it re-enters the mud-pits the drilled cuttings are removed
from the drilling mud by the solids removal equipment. Once the drilled cuttings
have been removed from the mud it is re-circulated down the hole. The mud is
therefore in a continuous circulating system. The properties of the mud are checked
continuously to ensure that the desired properties of the mud are maintained. If the
properties of the mud change then chemicals will be added to the mud to bring the
properties back to those that are required to fulfil the functions of the fluid. These
chemicals will be added whilst circulating through the mud pits, or mud with the
required properties will be mixed in separate mud pits, and slowly mixed in with the
circulating mud.

When the mud-pumps are switched off, the mud will stop flowing through the system
and the level of the mud inside the drill-string will equal the level in the annulus. The
level in the annulus will be equal to the height of the mud return flow-line. If the mud
continues to flow from the annulus when the mud-pumps are switched off then an
influx from the formation is occurring and the well should be closed in at the BOP. If
the level of fluid in the well falls below the flow-line when the mud-pumps are shut
down, losses are occurring (the mud is flowing into the formations downhole).

The mud pits are usually a series of large steel tanks, all interconnected and fitted
with agitators to maintain the solids, used to maintain the density of the drilling fluid,
in suspension. Some pits are used for circulating (e.g. suction pit), and others for
mixing and storing fresh mud. Most modern rigs have equipment for storing and
mixing bulk additives (e.g. Barite) as well as chemicals (both granular and liquid).
The mixing pumps are generally high volume, low pressure centrifugal pumps.

5. Rotary System

The rotary system is used to rotate the drill-string, and therefore turn the drill-bit, on
the bottom of the borehole. The rotary system includes all the equipment used to
achieve bit rotation (Figure 9).
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The swivel is positioned at the top of the drill-string. It has 3 functions:
 Supports the weight of the drill-string.
 Permits the string to rotate.
 Allows mud to be pumped while the string is rotating.
The hook of the traveling block is latched into the bail of the swivel, and the Kelly
hose is attached to the gooseneck of the swivel.

The Kelly is the first section of pipe below the swivel. It is normally about 40 ft long,
and has an outer hexagonal cross-section. It must have this hexagonal (or sometimes
square) shape to transmit rotation from the rotary table to the drill-string. The Kelly
has a right hand thread connection on its lower [pin] end, and a left hand thread
connection on its upper [box] end. A short, inexpensive piece of pipe called a Kelly
saver sub is used between the Kelly and the first joint of drill-pipe. The Kelly saver
sub prevents excessive wear of the threads of the connection on the Kelly, due to
continuous make up and breakout of the Kelly whilst drilling. Kelly ‘cocks’ are
valves installed at either end of the Kelly to isolate high pressures, and prevent
backflow from the well if an influx occurs at the bottom of the well.The rotary table
is located on the drill floor and can be turned in both clockwise and anti-clockwise
directions. It is controlled from the drillers ‘console’. This rotating table has a square
recess and four post holes. A large cylindrical sleeve, called a master bushing, is used
to protect the rotary table.

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 Figure 9 - Rotary system Slips are used to suspend
pipe in the rotary table when making or breaking a
connection. Slips are made up of three tapered,
hinged segments, which are wrapped around the top
of the drill pipe, so that it can be suspended from the
rotary table when the top connection of the drill-pipe
is being screwed or unscrewed. The inside of the
slips have a serrated surface, which grips the pipe
(Figure 9).

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6. Well Control System

The function of the well control system is to prevent the uncontrolled flow of
formation fluids from the well-bore. When the drill-bit enters a permeable formation
the pressure in the pore space of the formation may be greater than the hydrostatic
pressure exerted by the mud column. If this is so, formation fluids will enter the well-
bore and start displacing mud from the hole. Any influx of formation fluids (oil, gas
or water) in the borehole is known as a kick.

The well control system is designed to:

 Detect a kick.
 Close-in the well at surface.
 Remove the formation fluid which has flowed into the well.
 Make the well safe.

Failure to do this results in the uncontrolled flow of fluids, known as a blow-out,

which may cause loss of lives and equipment, damage to the environment and the
loss of oil or gas reserves. Primary well control is achieved by ensuring that the
hydrostatic mud pressure is sufficient to overcome formation pressure. Hydrostatic
pressure is calculated from:

Phy = 0.052 x MW x TVD

where;

Phy = Hydrostatic pressure(psi)

MW = Mud weight(ppg)
TVD =Vertical height of mud column( ft)

Primary control will only be maintained by ensuring that the mud weight is kept at
the prescribed value, and keeping the hole filled with mud. Secondary well control is
achieved by using valves on the BOP to prevent the flow of fluid from the well, until
such time as the well can be made safe.

7. Well Monitoring System

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Safety requires constant monitoring of the drilling process. If drilling problems are
detected early remedial action can be taken quickly, thereby avoiding major
problems. The driller must be aware of how drilling parameters are changing (e.g.
WOB, RPM, pump rate, pump pressure, gas content of mud etc.). For this reason
there are various gauges installed on the driller’s console where he can read them
easily.

Another useful aid in monitoring the well is mud-logging. The mud-logger carefully
inspects rock cuttings taken from the shale shaker at regular intervals. By calculating
‘lag’ times the cuttings descriptions can be matched with the depth, and a log of the
formations being drilled can be produced. This log is useful to the geologist in
comparing this well with others in the vicinity. Mud-loggers also monitor the gas
present in the mud by using gas chromatography.

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