Rig Introduction PDF

Section 4
Rig Induction Page 1 of 2

Rev 0.0 April 2004
Contents
3. 0 RIG SYSTEMS OVERVIEW
3. 1. THE POWER SYSTEM

3.1.0 Power System Overview
3.1.1. Primary Power source
3.1.2. Power Transmission
3.1.2.1. Mechanical Transmission
3.1.2.2. Electrical Transmission
3. 2. THE ROTATING SYSTEM

3.2.0. Rotating System Overview
3.2.1 The Rotary Table System
3.2.2. The Top Drive System (TDS)
3.2.3. The Drill Stem
3.2.3.1. Drill Pipe
3.2.3.2. Heavy Walled Drill Pipe
3.2.3.3. Drill Collars
3.2.3.4. Drill Bit
3.2.4. The Auxiliaries
3.2.4.1. Lifting Subs and Lifting Heads
3.2.4.2. Bit Sub
3.2.4.3. Cross Over Subs
3.2.4.4. Stabilizers
3.2.4.5. Roller Reamers
3.2.4.6. Jars
3.2.4.7. Accelerators
3.2.4.8 Shock Subs
3.2.4.9 Hole Openers and Under Reamers
3.2.5. Rotary Shouldered Connections
3.2.5.1 Connection Type
3.2.5.2. Torsional Yield Strengths and Make Up Torque
3.2.5.3. Stress Concentration
3.2.5.4. Stress Relief Grooves
3. 3. THE HOISTING SYSTEM

3.3.0. Hoisting Systems Overview
3.3.1. The Supporting Structure
3.3.1.1 The Substructure
3.3.1.2. The Drilling Tower – Derrick of Mast
3.3.1.3. The Rigfloor
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3.3.2. The Hoisting Equipment

3.3.2.1. The Drawworks
3.3.2.2. The Overhead tools
3.3.2.3. The Hook
3.3.2.4. The Elevator
3.3.3. The Drilling Line
3.3.3.1. Wire Rope Nomenclature
3.3.3.2. Factors Affecting Service Life of Wire Rope
3. 4. THE CIRCULATING SYSTEM

3.4.0. Overview of the Circulating System
3.4.1. Drilling Fluid
3.4.1.1. Drilling Fluid Major Functions
3.4.2. The Preparation Area
3.4.2.1. The Preparation Routine
3.4.2.2. Treatment and testing
3.4.2.3. Mud Monitoring Instruments
3.4.3. The Circulating Equipment
3.4.4. The Conditioning Equipment
3.4.4.1. The Shale Shaker
3.4.4.2. The Desander
3.4.4.3 The Desilter
3.4.4.4. The Vacuum Degasser
3.4.4.5. The Mud-Gas Separator (POOR BOY)
3. 5. THE BLOWOUT PREVENTION SYSTEM

3.5.0. Kicks and Blowouts
3.5.1. The Blowout Prevention System Overview
3.5.2. The BOP stack
3.5.2.1. The Annular Preventer
3.5.2.2. The Ram Preventer
3.5.2.3. Drilling Spools
3.5.2.4. Casing Head
3.5.3. The Choke Manifold
3.5.4. The Kill Line
3.5.5. The Accumulator
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
SECTION 2: QHSE
SECTION 3: RIG SYSTEMS
SECTION 4: DRILLING OPERATIONS
SECTION 5: GLOSSARY
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SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
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Section 1
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1. O THE BEGINNINGS
1. 1. BASIC RIG TYPES

1.1.1. Land Rig
1.1.2. Submersible / Barge
1.1.3. Jack-up
1.1.4 Platform / Tender
1.1.5. Semi-submersible
1.1.6. Drillship
1.1.7. Generation of Rigs
1. 2. BASIC RIG COMPONENTS
1. 3. BASIC RIG CREWS

1.3.1 Company Man
1.3.2 Rig Superintendent / Tool Pusher
1.3.3. O I M
1.3.4. Drilling Crew
1.3.4. 1 Driller
1.3.4.2. Assistant Driller
1.3.4.3. Derrickhand
1.3.4.4. Floorhand
1.3.4.5. Crane Operator
1.3.4.6. Roustabout
1.3.5 Maintenance Crew
1.3.5.1. Maintenance Supervisor
1.3.5.2. Chief Electrician
1.3.5.3. Chief Mechanic
1.3.5.4. Motor Operator
1.3.5.5. Welder
1.3.6. Marine Crew
1.3.6.1. Barge Supervisor
1.3.6.2. Ballast Control Operator
1.3.6.3. Dynamic Positioning Operator
1.3.6.4. Subsea Supervisor
1.3.7. Support Crew
1.3.7.1. Materials Coordinator
1.3.7.2. Medic
1.3.7.3. Radio Operator
1.3.7.4. Rig Safety Training Coordinator
1.3.8. Service Companies
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1. 4. LIFE ON A RIG
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Section 1.0
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Introduction
1. 0. The Beginnings
Petroleum has been known and used by man for thousands of years. It has been used for road
construction, fuel, and medicinal and even cosmetic purposes. Today, crude oil is refined and has
many more uses.
It was during the period of the “Industrial revolution” that major changes took place. Industries that
had evolved over the centuries made developments that required more and more energy.
As society began to turn to petroleum as a major energy source, drilling technology developed
rapidly. In less than 100 years, a simple foot powered spring pole-drilling device was transformed
into a sophisticated rotary drilling rig.
During the development of the modern petroleum industry, there were two main methods used for
drilling. Cable tool drilling was the primary method used and was an improvement on the spring
pole technique. A cable above the well bore dropped a cutting tool to the well bottom. The tool
was raised and then dropped with heavy weights and it was this impact that drilled the well.
An early cable tool percussion-drilling rig was used to drill the first well exclusively for oil at
Titusville, Pennsylvania in 1859. Known as “Drake’s Well”, this well, drilled to a depth of 61 ½ feet,
proved that oil could be recovered in sufficient quantities to meet the expanding demand.
The other main method of drilling was hydraulic rotary drilling where the drill bit was attached to a
tubular shaft that was rotated by a turntable at the surface.
Although hydraulic rotary drilling was developed in the 1850’s, cable tool drilling dominated the
drilling industry from the 1860’s until the 1930’s. Rotary drilling did not gain acceptance until after
1900 when a well at Spindletop, Texas was drilled to a depth of 1100 feet.
The hydraulic rotary method was an advantage in drilling softer formations. Despite the
development of rotary rock type bits in 1909 that could drill in hard formations, it took 20 years for
this rotary method of drilling to dominate the industry as it does today.
Locating and extracting oil on land was difficult enough but the search continued offshore and the
first oil well drilled intentionally over water was in 1897 from a 250 ft long staging in Summerland
Beach, California, U.S.A.
Later the same year, a jetty was built perpendicular to the shore and the offshore oil industry was
born. In 1898 there were two jetties with 18 wells and by 1902 there were 221 wells on 16 jetties.
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Drilling also took place over inland water. The first well drilled was on Caddo Lake, Texas in 1911.
One of the largest inland water drilling areas, Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, did not have its first
well drilled until April 1924.
A drilling barge named the “McBride” unintentionally became the world’s first submersible
offshore vessel in 1932. The Barge was supposed to drill a well in Garden Island Bay, Louisiana,
while floating. It was loaded with so much drilling equipment and materials that it rested on the
lake’s bottom when the well was drilled. The barge was operated exclusively in this manner from
then on.
A patent had already been filed in 1928 by Louis Giliasso to build the first intentional submersible
barge, the “Giliasso”. On November 17, 1933, the “Giliasso” settled in approximately 10ft of water
in Lake Pelto, Louisiana, and drilled its first well to 5700ft.
During the 1950’s, many ex-naval craft and barges were converted into drillships and the first full
scale floating drilling vessel emerged in 1956. A succession of submersible vessels of various
designs from different companies continued until tests were carried out and semisubmersible
vessels were designed in the early 1960’s.
There have been many static and self-propelled drilling vessels of rectangular, pentagonal and
triangular design. Today there are many types of drilling rig working in many regions of the world.
The modern rotary drilling rig is utilized in land drilling operations and in offshore, deep water
drilling in up to 10,000 ft of water.
Although the petroleum industry is involved with the production of natural gas from the wells that
are drilled, many valuable products are processed form crude oil.
Gasoline and fuel for motor vehicles and aircraft is the most common product produced from crude
oil. The second major product is fuel oil that is used for household heating and operating industrial
power plants.
Lubricants such as oil and grease are produced in great quantities for all types of machinery,
primarily for use on motor vehicles.
There are many, many more products produced from crude oil including plastics, paints synthetic
rubber and cosmetics.
The search for new sources of petroleum is becoming increasingly difficult and the industry is
continuously developing ways to improve the drilling and production process.
Today, petroleum is easily transported, refined and stored and remains as one of the world’s most
vital sources of energy
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Introduction
1. 1. Basic Rig Types
There are a number of considerations that are fundamental to the design of any well program.
Selection of the type of rig and its drilling equipment is one of the main considerations.
Some of the items to consider in rig selection include:
§ Territory in which to operate

§ Ranges of well depths and hole sizes to be drilled
§ Casing loads expected
§ Range of rotary speeds required
§ Drill Strings – Drills Collar weights and sizes
§ Limits on package sizes
§ Mud system, tanks and manifolding
§ Auxiliary services and power required
§ Substructure height – clearances
§ Blowout prevention equipment
§ Controls
§ Miscellaneous (racks, tools, instrumentation, etc…)
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Introduction
1. 1. 1. Land Rig
In Drilling Mode In Moving Mode
A land rig is any drilling rig located at onshore locations. They typically come in light, medium and
heavy configurations and can be moved using heavy lift cranes and trucks.
1. 1. 2. Submersible / Barge
When stationed on the drilling site, submersible rigs can be anchored in the floating mode or
submerged to rest on the bottom in water depths up to 175ft. A barge rig, or swamp barge, is a
floating drilling structure that is submerged when operating. They are used in shallow water areas
such as rivers, swamps and inland bays. “Swamp” barges are typically used to drill wells in
shallow water depths of up to 20ft.
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1. 1. 3. Jack-up
A jack-up is a mobile offshore drilling structure with tubular or derrick legs that support the deck
and hull. When positioned over the drilling site, the bottoms of the legs rest on the seafloor. Once
the legs are firmly positioned on the bottom, the deck and hull height are adjusted and leveled.
Jack-ups can drill in water depths up to 400ft.
1. 1. 4. Platform / Tender
Platform in un assisted mode Platform in assisted mode
A platform is a self-contained rigid, immobile structure from which development wells are drilled
and produced. Tenders are barge shaped vessels that perform drilling operations over a platform or
existing wellhead. They are typically used in calm relatively shallow offshore locations.
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1. 1. 5. Semi-submersible
A semi-submersible is a floating structure that has its hulls submerged in the water. Pontoons and
columns are flooded which cause the unit to submerge to a predetermined depth. They are either
self propelled or towed to the drilling site and can be anchored or dynamically positioned over the
drilling site or both.
1. 1. 6. Drillship
A drillship is a self-propelled floating drilling unit. While not as stable as a semi-submersible, they
are capable of drilling wells in deeper waters. They can be anchored or dynamically positioned over
the drilling site or both.
The term “MODU” or “Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit” applies to rigs used to drill offshore
exploration and development wells. This classification is divided into two basic types:
1. Bottom-supported drilling rigs such as jack-ups and swamp barges.
2. Floating drilling rigs such as semi-submersibles and drillships.
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1. 1. 7. Generation of rigs
The term “Generation” is traditionally applied to floating rigs and is based on age or year of
construction. Rigs are built to satisfy demand and construction dates coincide with peaks in oil
price and increased demand.
Generation is also based on the technology of equipment installed on the rig. When rigs are built
they generally reflect the technology available at the time. As technology develops more complex
work can be carried out and over the past thirty years semi-submersibles have moved into deeper
water to drill deeper more complex wells. However, if a rig’s equipment is upgraded to a more
modern level of technology then it would effectively be a newer generation rig.
Generation Year of Construction Examples of Development of Technology
1st 1962 to 1969 800 ft water depth, 2 X 1250 hp mud pumps, Kelly,
1,450 ton variable deck load (VDL), manual derrick
2nd 1970 to 1981 1,500 ft water depth, 2 X 1600 hp mud pumps, Kelly,
3,000 ton VLD, manual derrick
3rd 1982 to 1986 2,500 ft water depth, 2 X 1600 hp mud pumps, Kelly,
3,800 ton VLD, automatic pipe handling
4th 1987 to 1998 3,500 ft water depth, 3 X 1600 hp mud pumps, TDS3
topdrive, 4,300 ton VDL, automatic pipe handling
5th 1999 onwards (?) 8,000 ft water depth, 5 X 2200 hp mud pumps, TDS 8
topdrive, 5,000 ton VDL, dual activity
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1. 2. Basic Rig Components
Crown Block
Drilling Line
Monkey Board
Traveling Block
Mud Tanks Derrick/Mast

Mud Pumps
Kelly
Drawworks
Drill Floor
Subbase V Door
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1. 3. Basic Rig Crews
The oil company, also known as the “operating company” or more simply the “operator” or “client”,
will plan on drilling a well for oil or gas. Once they have acquired the lease for the proposed drilling
site then various contracts are awarded to the third party companies necessary.
One of the main contracts issued is a drilling contract with a “drilling contractor”. A drilling
contractor provides the drilling rig, equipment and crew to actually drill the well.
1. 3. 1. Company Man
At the rig site, the operating company and its interests are represented by a company
representative. Known as the “Company man”, he will liaise with the drilling contractor to ensure
safe and efficient operations take place in line with the drilling contract. During drilling operations
it will be necessary for the company man to make on site company decisions but he will generally
consult with senior staff on these and other issues.
The drilling rig will have a rig manager who is the primary contact between the operator and the
drilling contractor for main contractual issues. On site, the drilling contractor and its interests are
represented by a “rig superintendent”, more commonly called a “toolpusher”.
1. 3. 2. Rig Superintendent / Tool Pusher
A toolpusher is an experienced drilling person who will have worked up through the ranks of the
drilling crew. He will supervise the drilling operations and associated activities, ensuring they are
in accordance with the well program.
He is in direct charge of the drilling operations and the related matters, such as crew coordination
and will ensure they are carried out in a safe, efficient and productive manner.
1. 3. 3. OIM (Offshore installation Manager)
On offshore drilling units the toolpusher remains in direct charge of the drilling activity but will
generally report to an “offshore installation manager”. Commonly called the “OIM”, he provides
certain amount of marine support. He will exercise authority and discretion to take whatever action
is required for the safety of the crew, vessel and protection of the environment.
Other functions of the OIM are to manage the manpower and resources of the rig to achieve
optimum performance so as to ensure the well program is carried out in a safe, efficient and
productive manner and to promote and ensure that all of the drilling contractor policies and
procedures are communicated and understood by personnel on the rig.
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The rig superintendent or OIM will then have various “department heads” that report to them.
There will be someone from the mechanical department, electrical department and so on. Each
department head will then have a certain amount of personnel under their supervision.
The amount of personnel required to make up a rig crew will depend mainly on the type of rig. A
small land rig can operate with few personnel when you compare it to a large floating drilling unit.
There are some common positions between all rigs and some positions that are required only on
offshore floating rigs.
1. 3. 4. Drilling Crew
Every rig will have drilling crews made up of between 5 to 8 personnel who perform the actual
drilling operations. Other personnel are assigned to “support” the drilling operations.
The main drilling crew may consist of the following personnel:
1. 3. 4. 1. Driller – is in overall charge of the drilling crew.
The driller will operate drilling and mud-circulating equipment as instructed in the well program
and in accordance to the drilling contractors policies and procedures.
He will monitor the well condition at all times (i.e. depth, mud weight on bit, possible deviation
from course et cetera) and interpret and respond to down hole conditions.
A main function will be to secure the well during an emergency or well control situation and assist
in the well killing operations.
1. 3. 4. 2. Assistant Driller – will assist the driller in the operation drilling and mud-circulating
equipment as instructed in the well program and in accordance to the drilling contractors policies
and procedures.
Known as the “AD” they will perform the drilling department’s daily checklist, i.e. QHSE checks,
mast inspection, choke and kill manifold set up, et cetera.
They will normally be required to maintain an organized drilling equipment store, and tubular and
subs inventory and to maintain accurate records of tubular and tool dimensions (i.e. internal and
external diameter, fish neck, and serial numbers).
1. 3. 4. 3. Derrick hand – the primary function is to handle tubular goods while working in the
derrick during tripping operations (i.e. pulling out of hole and running in hole).
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A secondary function is to assist in operating and maintaining drilling fluid pumping and mixing
systems and maintaining daily logs of drilling fluid properties, and chemicals and mid materials.
1. 3. 4. 4. Floor hand – will assist the Driller in all operations on the rig floor.
Also known as “Roughneck”. Handles drilling tolls and tubulars on the rig floor for the purpose of
making up/breaking down drill sting, riser and other drilling systems.
Drilling operations are conducted around the clock, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. For this
reason, crews will work various shift patterns to cover 24 hours.
Other members of a rig crew may include:
1. 3. 4. 5. Crane Operator – operate the rig’s crane in a safe and efficient manner in accordance
to the company’s policies and procedures and perform regular preventive maintenance on the
cranes and components.
1. 3. 4. 6. Roustabout – carry out cargo handling duties, general cleaning, maintenance, and other
manual labor as assigned/directed.
1. 3. 5. Maintenanace Crew
1. 3. 5. 1. Maintenance Supervisor – supervise and control the maintenance and repair of

mechanical, electrical, electronics, subsea, and information technology equipment on the rig.
1. 3. 5. 2. Chief Electrician – responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of all
electrical equipment onboard the rig.
1. 3. 5. 3. Chief Mechanic – maintain and repair mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic equipment
onboard the rig.
1. 3. 5. 4. Motor Operator – monitor performance, lubricate, and maintain the engines and other
mechanical equipment
1.3. 5. 5. Welder – carry out welding, cutting, burning and associated activities as directed
1. 3. 6. Marine Crew
1. 3. 6. 1. Barge Supervisor – ensure that all marine aspects of the rig’s operations are carried
out in accordance to statutory and regulatory controls and guidelines and supervise the operation
of the marine department to ensure the safe and efficient running of the rig.
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1. 3. 6. 2. Ballast Control Operator – operate the ballast control system so as to maintain the
rig’s position, draft and trim with respect to well location.
1. 3. 6. 3. Dynamic Positioning Operator – operate the automated and fixed station keeping
system of the rig.
1. 3. 6. 4. Subsea Supervisor – maintain and repair all subsea systems and associated surface
equipment, riser tensioning system, and drill string compensation systems onboard the rig.
1. 3. 7. Support Crew
1. 3. 7. 1. Materials Coordinator – coordinate the rig’s materials requisitions, organize and

control the warehouse, and maintain the warehouse inventory levels within established guidelines.
1. 3. 7. 2. Medic – provide medical care and primary first aid care in emergency cases, to all
personnel onboard the rig and provide clerical/administrative support as required.
1. 3. 7. 3. Radio Operator – operate rig communication equipment and answers phones and
perform carry out cargo handling duties, general cleaning, maintenance, and other manual labor as
assigned/directed clerical duties such as filing and typing as directed.
1. 3. 7. 4. Rig Safety Training Coordinator – coordinates and administers the company’s

management systems on board. Assists, recommends and advises the OIM, Department
Supervisor’s and Crews on HS & E and Training matters.
1. 3. 8. Service Companies
Directional Drilling Company – provides special down hole equipment and well planning to
perform directional drilling.
Well Logging Company – conducts well monitoring procedures
Mud Company – specializes in the supply and maintenance of the drilling fluid.
Cementing Company – specializes in the cementing operations, primarily casing cementing.
Casing Company – specializes in running of casing.
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1. 4. Life on a Rig
Crews on drilling rigs work on a rotation basis. They work for so many weeks “on” the rig and have
so many weeks “off” for recuperation. Each time on the rig is generally known as a “trip”.
There are many rotation schedules including:
1 Weeks on – 2 weeks off
3 4 weeks on – 4 weeks – off also known as “month and month”
Some areas even work 2 weeks on – 4 weeks off
During their time on the rig, the drilling crews work “shift” patterns or “tours” to cover the 24-hour
period. The majority of crews will work a 12-hour shift “on” or at work followed by 12 hours “off”
to rest. There are normally 2 crews working on the rig although some land operations use 3 crews
who work an 8-hour shift.
The most common shift for drilling crews is from 12 o’clock to 12 o’clock. They will split their trip
between a day shift and night shift. So, a crew working 2 weeks on and e weeks off would
normally work the first week on days from midday to midnight and the second week on nights from
midnight to midday.
The shift schedule will depend on carious issues but includes the logistics of getting to and coming
off of the rig. For that reason, it may be necessary to work at nights on arrival to the rig followed by
a period working days.
Crews will normally perform a short shift on their arrival to the rig, a short shift on their last day
and a short shift or “short change” in the middle. This allows change over of crews to take place.
For example, a crew coming on to the rig may start work at 4 pm until midnight. They then work a
12-hour shift fo r 1 week. On the change over day they would finish work at midnight and resume
work at 8 am. They would until 4 pm when the new crew coming on the rig starts their first shift.
The crew that finishes at 4 pm then resume work again at midnight to spend a period working the
night shift.
Other members of the rig crew generally work a fixed shift schedule of either days or nights. These
may be 12 o’clock to 12 o’clock or more commonly 6 o’clock. Some crew positions work flexible
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hours to suit the operation. Therefore, they are “on call” 24 hours per day but company policies will
ensure that they do not work unnecessarily long hours and always have sufficient rest time.
Meal breaks also play a part in how a rig crew work their shift patterns. Crews are divided so that
there are not too many starting or finishing work at the same time.
Meal break periods are generally as follows:
Breakfast 5 am to 7 am
Lunch 11 am to 1 pm
Dinner 5 pm to 7 pm
Evening 11 pm to 1 am
Crewmembers are normally allowed 30 minutes for their meal break during the 12-hour shift. They
all have to eat between 5 pm and 7 pm during the dinner period and some personnel have to be
relieved by someone else to take their break.
Because the rig is working 24 hours per day and some crews are starting work at midnight the
meals do not always follow the normal expectations. Not everyone enjoys having steak and chips
or roast chicken for breakfast so a variety of food is available to cover all meal periods.
During working hours there are generally 2 additional rest periods or “coffee breaks”. Normally this
is limited to a 15-minute break in the first half of the shift and a 15-minute break in the second half
of the shift. Supervisors may grant additional quick breaks depending on the operations taking
place.
As half of a person’s time on the rig is spent not working then there are facilities for relaxation.
Each person is assigned a bed space in one of the cabins. This may have to be shared with other
personnel but there is commonly only one person off duty at any one time.
Toilets and shower facilities are provided which may be “ensuite” next to the cabin or may be
“communal”. The rig supplies soap and towels for personnel to wash but any additional personal
items such as tooth paste or deodorant have to be supplied by the individual.
Some rigs have an onboard shop or “bond” which sells items such as cigarettes and they may also
provide some toiletry items such as shampoo.
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In addition to the sleeping areas there are additional recreation facilities available. The facilities
available will depend on the age and type of rig. Every rig will have at least one room dedicated as
a “recreation room” with a television and video / DVD player for watching films or satellite TV.
Some of the newer rigs are better equipped and may have a dedicated cinema, reading room or
gymnasium. Some rigs even have saunas and sunbeds.
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SECTION 2
Q. H. S. E.
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2. 0 Q H S E OVERVIEW
2. 1. THE MAIN ASPECTS

2.1.1. Policy (The What)
2.1.2. Scope (The Who)
2.1.3. Purpose (The Why)
2.1.4 Procedure (The How)
2.1.5. Documentation (The Verification)
2. 2. RIG QHSE ORIENTATION AND INDUCTION
2. 3. RESPONSIBILITY OF SUPERVISORS
2. 4. MEETINGS
2.4.1. Weekly QHSE Meetings
2.4.2. General QHSE Meetings
2.4.3. Pre-Tour Meetings
2.4.4. Pre-Task Meetings
2.4.5. Daily Operation Meeting
2.4.6. Loss Prevention Team (LPT) Meeting
2. 5. PERMIT TO WORK (PTW)

2.5.1. Jobs that require PTW
2.5.1.1. Hot Work
2.5.1.2. Confined Space Entry
2.5.1.3. Work above Open Water or at Heights
2.5.1.4. Work with Explosives
2.5.1.5. Work with Radioactive Materials
2.5.1.6. Diving
2.5.1.7. Energy Sources
2.5.1.8. Maintenance of Critical Equipment
2.5.1.9. Asbestos Work
2.5.1.10. Special Straps (Webbing Slings)
2.5.1.11. Other
2.5.2. Responsibilities
2.5.2.1. Person in Charge of the Work
2.5.2.2. Supervisor
2.5.2.3. OIM/Toolpusher/Rig Superintendent
2.5.2.4. System Administrator
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2.5.3. Administration of the PTW

2.5.3.1. Display of the Permit
2.5.3.2. Suspension of the Permit
2.5.3.3. Reactivation of the Permit
2.5.3.4. Handover Process
2. 6. GENERAL SAFE WORKING PRACTICES

2.6.1. Safe Working Limits
2.6.2. Dropped Objects
2.6.3. Hand Tools
2.6.4. Portable Ladders and Steps
2.6.5. Safe Tripping of Tubulars
2.6.6. Housekeeping
2.6.7. Safe Behavior
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Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE)
2. 0. QHSE Overview
The Quality Health Safety & Environment (QHSE) Management System is a series of tools and
techniques to make further improvement in QHSE performance while attempting to capture the
hard-learned lessons a company has experienced in the past.
The policies and procedures do not and will never be able to cover all possible hazards associated
with operations. The intent of the system is to assist and encourage individuals and teams to carry
out a suitable and sufficient analysis for each task performed and then maintain control to prevent
incidents from occurring during implementations.
Formal training, while being very important, cannot capture all the aspects to enable personnel to
realize their full potential. Mentoring at all levels within an organization is important to ensure that
the wealth of knowledge within the more experienced personnel is shared to help less experienced
people achieve their full potential.
Empowering people with the responsibility and authority to manage their part of the operation and
ensuring they understand they will be recognized and held accountable for their actions is the step
change in QHSE management that will take a company further along the road toward an incident
free work place.
Large numbers of rules will not achieve the incident free work place we all strive for. This can only
be done by people proactively taking responsibility for their own and their co-workers’ well being.
Large numbers of rules will not achieve the incident free wok place we all strive for. This can only
be done by people proactively taking responsibility for their own and their co-worker’s well being.
To achieve this it is important that all personnel realized it is their responsibility to interrupt the
operation if they observe an act or situation that is likely to cause an incident. They have the
further responsibility to take action to make the situation safe.
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2. 1. The Main Aspects
The main aspect of most QHSE Management System are a planning process, a monitoring process
and an improvement process.
Proper planning is the key to implementing an incident free, efficient operation. The planning
process is to remind personnel to think about everything they do prior to actually doing it.
Monitoring the operation and reinforcing safe behavior while correcting any unsafe acts or
conditions through the monitoring process is vital to ensure that the necessary controls remain in
place during implementation.
Following through to closure on any identified improvement opportunities using the improvement
process will enable personnel to proactively improve their performance.
Every company will have a QHSE manual that describes all of its policies and procedures for
operations. Some of these are industry standard and some are specific to that company.
The policy and procedure sections of the QHSE manual are generally formatted as follows:
2. 1. 1. Policy (The What)

These statements are minimum standards for worldwide operations and are to be complied with at
all times, unless an exemption has been applied for, approved and an alternative method of
compliance.
2. 1. 2. Scope (The Who)

The persons, groups, installations, facilities and equipment that the policy was intended to cover.
2. 1. 3. Purpose (The Why)

This explains the reason for which the policy was instated.
2. 1. 4. Procedure (The How)

The procedure lists steps of how the policy is to me complied with. These procedures are basic and
may need additional steps for specific installations or facilities to comply with the related policy.
These additional District, Region, installation or facility specific procedures must be added into the
manual by that particular District, Region, installation or facility to communicate them to all
persons affected.
2. 1. 5. Documentation (The Verification)

The documentation included in the manual may be forms, checklists, graphics, etc. and are either
required by the policy or given as examples. The documentation serves multiple purposes, e.g.
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allows verification of compliance, serves as a communication tool, becomes a form of record

keeping, etc. Some policies have text instructions for filling out documentation.
2. 2. Rig QHSE Orientation and Induction
All personnel arriving on an installation for the first time or any person who has not been on the
installation within 6 months will attend some form of QHSE Orientation and Induction and normally
sign a form to verify their understanding.
With some company’s, all personnel on board an installation will undergo on Orientation and
Induction annually.
Installations will have a system in place to ensure all first time arrivals are met by the OIM or
designee. Individuals will be introduced top their Supervisor and are responsible to familiarize
themselves with their work area, emergency equipment layout and emergency exits.
Key personnel with specific QHSE duties, e.g. medic, emergency response teams, etc, will receive
additional specific instruction on their duties.
With most company’s QHSE Orientation and Inductions, personnel will receive information on the
following:
- Introduced to the OIM
- Provided with a written installation specific “Welcome Onboard Card”
- Job specific Orientation and Induction.
- Current operations.
- Emergency signals and muster stations, station bills including roles and responsibilities
- Emergency preparedness, which must include reference to donning instructions for life jackets,
personnel escape equipment, smoke hoods, and PPE.
- QHSE meetings – weekly, pre-tour, pre-task.
- Explanation of how and where to receive QHSE information. (Bulletin Boards, Training Material)
- Reporting of Incidents – all injuries and incidents to be reported, who to report them to, etc.
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- Requirement to report any known allergies or current medication
- Possession of any mobile phones to be reported
- General QHSE information including designated smoking areas, high noise areas, housekeeping
- Rig specific safety procedures and hazards (i.e. remote controlled equipment such as winches,
doors and hatches)
- Drugs, Alcohol and Weapons not allowed
- Personal Impairment
- Environmental awareness
- Safety representative (if applicable) and QHSE Steering Committee
- Lifting gear color code (if applicable)
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2. 3. Responsibility of Supervisors
Crew Supervisors have the responsibility of ensuring that effective QHSE meetings are conducted.
The purpose of holding effective QHSE meetings is to:
1 Recognize proactive QHSE performance.
2 Provide an opportunity for crews to discuss, understand and apply the company QHSE
processes and procedures for conducting tasks and identifying hazards and potential risk.
3 Increase awareness and motivate crewmembers by reviewing and learning form incidents and
QHSE information.
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2. 4. Meetings
Effective QHSE meetings will be conducted in a positive manner to motivate proactive QHSE
performance among crewmembers.
Effective QHSE Meetings include a prepared agenda, helping attendees to understand the issues
discussed, encouraging active participation by attendees and be of sufficient duration.
All QHSE Meetings will be documented and attendance sheets signed by all personnel attending.
The OIM and Rig Manager will review and sign each meeting report and ensure appropriate action
identified in the meeting is addressed using the improving process.
The documented meeting report will be available for review by all personnel and a copy kept on
file.
2. 4. 1. Weekly QHSE Meetings
Department heads are responsible to ensure that effective weekly QHSE Meetings are conducted
and that all personnel within their department attend at least one QHSE meeting per week.
These meetings can be conducted with another department but it is the department heads’
responsibility to ensure that the joint meeting is effective for all attending personnel. Company
subcontractors will attend participate in relevant QHSE Meetings.
Client and all client subcontractor personnel will be strongly encouraged to participate in relevant
QHSE Meetings.
The primary purpose of these meetings will be to discuss the various planning, monitoring and
improving processes used throughout the company and how they apply or will be used.
Additional topics will include reviewing and discussing how other QHSE Information, internal or
external, could apply to the department.
The list below suggests topics that should be discussed during meetings:
. Welcoming new crew members
. Individual QHSE performance recognition
. Teaching planning, monitoring and improving processes and the complete QHSE system in an
organized manner
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. Review of safety drills, safety observations and the status of improvement opportunities
. QHSE Alerts and Advisories
. Practical demonstration of the correct use of tools and equipment
. Hazards identified
. Discuss recent near hits and incidents
. Review Monthly incident Rate Chart
. Review Quarterly Injury/Illness Analysis
2. 4. 2. General QHSE Meetings
The OIM / Toolpusher will give full consideration to conducting a general QHSE meeting on a
periodic basis.
General QHSE meetings will be used for issues that apply to all personnel such as: QHSE
performance recognition, incident status – Company/Region/Installation/Facility, significant
change to normal routines.
2. 4. 3. Pre-Tour Meetings
Pre-Tour meetings will be part of the hand over process to ensure that all personnel starting work
are aware of the current operation and their particular responsibilities.
This meeting can be part of the daily planning.
2. 4. 4. Pre-Task Meetings
Specific meetings will be held prior to certain tasks being conducted. The formality and content of
the meeting will be dependent on the exact nature of the task to be conducted.
The person who has direct operational responsibility for the proposed operation will be responsible
for ensuring an effective pre-task meeting is conducted.
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For all day-to-day operations the planning process will be used.
For more complex or non-routine operations a suitable meeting format will be adopted, e.g. pre-
spud, pre-rig move, well test.
2. 4. 5. Daily Operation Meeting
All department heads or their designee will attend a joint daily operation meeting together with the
OIM / Toolpusher to discuss each department’s plans for the next 24 hours.
Specific attention will be paid to the potential effects of one department’s actions on another with
the intent of reducing any risk involved.
Additional topics may include previous 24 hours safety observations and action plans for corrective
actions, any incidents in the previous 24 hours and an operational look ahead.
2. 4. 6. Loss Prevention Team (LPT)Meeting
LPT is a collection of the cross-section of the rig crew including supervisors, non-supervisors,
technical and non-technical crew -members. They are chosen in the team for a period of 6 months
to 1 year. They meet every month to make sure that the policies and procedures are being followed
and to suggest ways to make the rig working environment safer.
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2. 5. Permit to Work (PTW)
All drilling rigs installations and company facilities will have a Permit to Work system in place for
hazardous operations.
The permit to Work System ensures that authorized personnel, knowledgeable of the hazardous
operation to be performed, have planned the work, inspected the work site, identified the
hazards and communicated the suitable control measures to be taken to prevent the occurrence
of an incident.
Objectives and functions of the Permit to Work system include:
• Ensure that proper authorization is given to carry out specific work at a certain time and place.
• Ensure that personnel carrying out the work clearly understand the nature of the job, the
hazards involved and the limitations on the work and time.
• Specify the precautions to be taken before starting the work, during the work and after
completion of the work.
• Ensure the OIM / Toolpusher or designee is fully aware of and approves the work to be done.
• Provide a record showing the type of work and that a responsible person is assigned.
• Provide a procedure for times when work must be suspended.
• Provide procedures for other activities that may interact.
• Provide a formal hand-over procedure if work overlaps a shift change
• Provide a formal hand-back procedure to ensure that any part of the installation affected by the
work is in a safe condition and ready for reinstatement.
• Provide a central display of open or suspended permits.
Maximum validity of any Permit to Work is normally 24 hours. If the work is not complete within 24
hours, the existing Permit to Work must be closed out and a new one initiated following all steps
listed in this procedure.
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2. 5. 1. Jobs that require PTW
Hazardous operations that require a permit include but are not limited to the following:
2. 5. 1. 1. Hot Work
Hot Work includes welding and oxygen/acetylene cutting, electrical work, grinding (Fixed or
portable), needle gunning and all other types of ignition sources.
With regards to hot work, hazardous operations that require a permit are:
Welding and oxygen/acetylene cutting anywhere on the installation except in the approved
designated safe welding area.
All hot work in any designated hazardous area, or areas in which an explosive gas mixture is likely
to occur in normal operations.
If for any particular reason electrical apparatus cannot be made dead and is considered hazardous
to life, the work will be covered by a Permit to work.
2. 5. 1. 2. Confined Space Entry
Confined spaces are defined as a tank, mud pit, tunnel or similar where there is a danger of
explosion, lack of oxygen or toxic gases.
All spaces that are not normally lit, not normally ventilated and not normally manned are also
considered confined spaces.
2. 5. 1. 3. Work Above Open Water or at Heights
All work carried out over open water, outside the handrails and anywhere there is a danger of
falling into the sea.
2. 5. 1. 4. Work with Explosives
Anytime explosives are removed form their certified shipping containers.
2. 5. 1. 5. Work with Radioactive Materials
Anytime radioactive materials are removed form their certified shipping containers.
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2. 5. 1. 6. Diving
All diving operations carried out from the installation or where there is an interface between diving
operations and the installation.
2. 5. 1. 7. Energy Sources
The OIM / Toolpusher or designee will determine if a Permit to Work is an additional requirement
when an isolation certificate is issued for maintenance or repair of a system or component
containing energy.
In some cases the work is only hazardous because of the energy. When effective isolation is
achieved the work may no longer be hazardous because the energy source, such as electrically
energy, hydraulic pressure or air pressure, has been removed.
2. 5. 1. 8. Maintenance of critical safety systems
Work which affects the state of readiness of the installation’s safety systems such as the isolation
of a gas alarm system or work on fire fighting systems, halon, CO2, alarm signals and other
lifesaving equipment.
2. 5. 1. 9. Asbestos work
Work involving the cutting, drilling or other disturbance of material that contains asbestos.
2. 5. 1. 10. Special Straps (Webbing Slings)
Work involving the use of slings made of synthetic fiber may be used in special cases, for example
lifting of chromium pipes, special drill pipe, engine cylinder heads, etc.
2. 5. 1. 11. Other
Other work not covered by the above where the OIM, any supervisor or any risk assessment
identifies the requirement of a Permit to Work to control risks.
2. 5. 2. Responsibilities
There will always be at least TWO different signatures on the Permit to Work. The same person
will not sign as both the Responsible Person and the Person in Charge of the Work. This does not
exclude the OIM / Toolpusher or designee form acting as the Responsible Person.
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The following terminology is defined for use within this Permit to Work procedure:
2. 5. 2. 1. Person in Charge of the Work (Work Detailed on Permit to Work)
The Person in Charge of the Work is responsible to:
Request the Permit
Ensure that specified precautions are complied with throughout the Permit to Work operation
Direct onsite supervision or carries out the work personally
Complete all relevant sections of the Permit to Work form
Route completed form to those in the approval chain of responsibility
2. 5. 2. 2. Supervisor (or Designee):
Responsible persons have designated areas of the installation and relevant equipment in their
sphere of responsibilities. They are responsible for ensuring all precautions and procedures are in
place, prior to signing the Permit to Work.
Example:
The driller may be designated as the responsible person for any permit to Work on the drill floor.
In certain circumstances the responsible person may designate their duties to a competent person.
When the duties are designated to another person the responsibility for the safety of the task
remains with the responsible person.
The Responsible Person (or Designee) is responsible to:
Ensure hazards associated with the proposed work have been identified.
Identify the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the site or installation.
Examine the work site with the person in charge of the work, the person in charge of the work is
made aware of the precautions to be taken, particular equipment to be used, and procedures to be
followed during the Permit to Work period.
Ensure the precautions and controls are implemented before work commenced and they will remain
effective while the Permit to Work is in Force.
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Ensure permits for work activities that may interact or affect one another are clearly cross-
referenced.
Ensure the permit to work specifies actions to be taken if the work has to be suspended.
Ensure the work site is re-examined before work is restarted, after having been suspended.
Examine the work site when the work is completed to ensure that the area is in safe condition.
Ensure the hand -over procedures are properly followed if the work lasts more than one shift.
Authorize work and isolations in their area or system of authority.
2. 5. 2. 3. OIM / Toolpusher (or Designee)
The OIM / Toolpusher (or Designee) is responsible to:
Ensure all reasonable precautions have been or will be carried out before signing the Permit to
Work Form.
Display a copy of the permit at the administration site until removed upon completion of the work.
Monitor the effectiveness of this procedure by selected auditing, inspection and testing of in force
work of permits.
2. 5. 2. 4. System Administrator
A permit administrator will be assigned by the OIM / Toolpusher and will be made known to the
work force.
The System Administrator is responsible to:
Ensure all copies of active permits are returned to the administration site, at any time permits are
suspended.
The original copy of all permits will retained on the installation for normally at least 12 months.
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2. 5. 3. Adminstration of the PTW
2. 5. 3. 1. Display of Permit
A copy of the Permit to Work form will be displayed at the work site.
2. 5. 3. 2. Suspension of Permits
A permit will be suspended for any of the following reasons:
Activation of the general alarm or instructions on the PA system. All copies of suspended permits
will be returned to the permit administrator and kept until reactivation is allowed.
At any time when any person feels that the circumstances have or may change such that the
precautions in place are not adequate or other activities going on could cause additional hazards.
If it is found that the precautions in place are not adequate.
2. 5. 3. 3. Reactivation of Permits
Reactivations of the work will only take place after confirmation by the responsible person that all
the control measure are in place.
2. 5. 3. 4. Handover Process
When a permit is to be carried over to another shift, both the responsible person and the person in
charge of the work will ensure that the work is understood and the control measures are in place.
If the responsible person or the person in charge of the work charge, both will sign the permit
confirming that the work is understood and the controls are in place.
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2. 6. General Safe Working Practices
All personnel have the obligation to be responsible for their own safety and be accountable for
their own behavior.
Personnel also have the responsibility to maintain control of the operation by interrupting if
someone\s safety is jeopardized or if damage to the environment or property is likely.
The items detailed below to not capture all basic safe work practices but is meant to give examples
to encourage personnel to THINK about basic safe work practices when planning or carrying out a
task.
Historically many injuries occur when basic safe practices are not followed and injuries are caused
by slips, trips, falls and pinch points.
Proactively using the QHSE processes incorporating basic safe practices will prevent these injuries
from occurring.
2. 6. 1. Safe Working Limits
The manufacturer’s stated safe working limit for any piece of equipment or system will not be
exceeded. Safe guards or procedures will be present to prevent exceeding these limits.
The equipment will be maintained in such a manner to allow operation up to the safe working limit.
When in exceptional circumstances equipment cannot be maintained in such a manner to allow
operation up to the safe working limit, temporary controls will be put in place, such as removing
from service or reducing limits levels.
When continuous operation of equipment approaching the stated safe working limit is required,
consideration will be given to additional safety measures to be taken in case of equipment failure.
This could include guards, barriers or restrictions to personnel to be put in place or simply ensuring
everyone is aware of the increased hazard of equipment approaching its operational limit.
2. 6. 2 Dropped objects
Derricks, masts, and any area where there is a potential of dropped objects will be inspected at
regular intervals to ensure that objects are adequately secured with safety lines or a secondary
method of securing is in place to prevent any objects falling. Surplus or redundant equipment will
be removed.
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2. 6. 3. Hand Tools
Crewmembers will be made aware of safe working practices associated with hand tools including
but not limited to the following:
• Correctly using the proper tool for the job

• Inspection of tools prior to use
• Properly securing tools when working at heights
• Tracking tools taken up the mast/derrick
• Not modifying the design of a tool
• Cleaning and storage of tools on completion of the task
2. 6. 4. Portable Ladders and Steps
Prior to using portable ladders or steps, personnel will be trained in their correct use and th e
procedures to be followed in order to identify and control the hazards associated with their use.
Portable ladders and steps may be used for work at a height only under circumstances in which the
use other, safer access equipment is not justified in vi ew of the short duration of use and low level
of risk.
All portable ladders and steps will be inspected before use. A minimum of three-point contact will
be maintained at all times. Never overreach when working from a ladder or steps.
Portable ladders and steps will be positioned to ensure their stability during use. It is essential that
they rest on a stable, strong, immobile and horizontal footing.
Before the use of portable ladders they will be secured to prevent slipping. Ladders with several
sections will be correctly used and secured to ensure that the sections are prevented from moving
relative to each other.
Portable ladders and steps should be stored undercover and where there is good ventilation. They
should be kept away from excessive heat or dampness and not be left exposed to the weather.
A ladder register and inspection routine will be included in the planned maintenance system.
2. 6. 5. Safe Tripping of Tubulars
The derrick racking board and the rotary table will be visible to the driller either by direct line of
sight or remote camera.
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All installations will be equipped with hands free communication systems between the driller’s
station and derrick racking board as well as between driller’s station and BOP working area.
The derrick racking board will be equipped with mechanical means for assisting to move tubulars.
Tubulars will be secured at the derrick racking board level immediately after being raked.
An effective procedure for drifting tubulars in the mast/derrick will be used drifting operations are
conducted safely.
Personnel will stay clear of tong lines and chains while tension is being applied for make up or
break out of tubulars.
BHA components will not be allowed to fall over after being removed from the drill string.
Formation accumulation and safety clamps will be removed from tool joints or BHA components
prior to being hoisted into the mast/derrick.
Do not place hands or feet below the core barrel opening while recovering cores.
2. 6. 6. Housekeeping
Good housekeeping is a sign of a well run installation or facility.
All Company installations and facilities are to be maintained with the highest regard for good
housekeeping practices in the areas of cleanliness and appearance.
A system for designating areas of responsibility for housekeeping will be put in place for each
installation and facility.
All work areas on the installation or at the facility will be maintained in a way that provides a safe
and organized working environment.
No dirty work clothing, boots or gloves will be allowed in the living quarters.
Floors, steps, stairs and walkways will be kept clean and free from slippery substances, tripping
hazards or other obstructions to the best extent possible.
Non-slip surfaces will be maintained in good condition and free of oil and mud to the best extent
possible.
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Adequate measures to prevent spills and leaks from becoming hazards will be put in place, as
tripping tubulars and casing operations.
Slips, protectors, tools, etc. should be properly stored and not allowed to accumulate around the
work area.
Soiled cleaning materials, scrap and waste will be placed in designated containers for proper
disposal.
Cargo handling material such as slings, shackles, etc. will be stored in designated areas.
Escape route will be clearly identified and will not be restricted in any way unless alternative plans
are in place.
Access to safety equipment will be clearly identified and will not be restricted in any way unless
alternative plans are in place
2. 6. 7. Safe Behavior
Horseplay is not permitted at any installation or facility at any time.
Recreational swimming and diving from installations is prohibited.
Some basic safe stepping and handling practices are as follows:
• Walking not running

• Avoid stepping over coiled ropes, wire or lines that could come under tension suddenly
• Use hand rails correctly when ascending and descending stairs
• Avoid walking across tubulars where possible
• Use marked non-slip access walkways when available
• Slips will not be set by kicking them into the rotary
• Use proper manual lifting techniques
Some examples of how to avoid pinch points are as follows:
• Grasping elevators by the horns or handles only

• Not placing hands on elevator links near the eyes
• Setting slips using the handles with palms facing up
• Pushing against the outer face of the pipe when setting it back
• Keeping hands, fingers or feet out from under safety clamps during installation or removal
• Keeping hands clear of the bit breaker when setting bit into it
• Using appropriate handling tools for moving bushings and insert bowls
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• Entering and exiting doors carefully

• Identifying and eliminating valve handle pinch points
• Taking care when attacking lifting gear and guiding loads
• Using tag lines on loads
• Keeping hands clear of lifting gear or rigging as slack is taken up
Some examples of how to avoid struck by hazards are as follows:
• Do not stand or walk below hoisted loads.

• Prior to lifting ensure the load is clear of all obstructions and any fastening have been
removed.
• Avoid climbing on containers and stacked material and never stand between loads and
walls/bulkheads etc.
• Avoid walking on the catwalk while the V-doors is in use
• Respect QHSE signs and barriers
Example of when eye protection should be worn:
• Using goggles or face shield when changing tong dies

• Using a hammer and chisel\using a high pressure wash down gun
• Using grinders
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SECTION 3
RIG SYSTEMS
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Contents
3. 0 RIG SYSTEMS OVERVIEW
3. 1. THE POWER SYSTEM

3.1.0 Power System Overview
3.1.1. Primary Power source
3.1.2. Power Transmission
3.1.2.1. Mechanical Transmission
3.1.2.2. Electrical Transmission
3. 2. THE ROTATING SYSTEM

3.2.0. Rotating System Overview
3.2.1 The Rotary Table System
3.2.2. The Top Drive System (TDS)
3.2.3. The Drill Stem
3.2.3.1. Drill Pipe
3.2.3.2. Heavy Walled Drill Pipe
3.2.3.3. Drill Collars
3.2.3.4. Drill Bit
3.2.4. The Auxiliaries
3.2.4.1. Lifting Subs and Lifting Heads
3.2.4.2. Bit Sub
3.2.4.3. Cross Over Subs
3.2.4.4. Stabilizers
3.2.4.5. Roller Reamers
3.2.4.6. Jars
3.2.4.7. Accelerators
3.2.4.8 Shock Subs
3.2.4.9 Hole Openers and Under Reamers
3.2.5. Rotary Shouldered Connections
3.2.5.1 Connection Type
3.2.5.2. Torsional Yield Strengths and Make Up Torque
3.2.5.3. Stress Concentration
3.2.5.4. Stress Relief Grooves
3. 3. THE HOISTING SYSTEM

3.3.0. Hoisting Systems Overview
3.3.1. The Supporting Structure
3.3.1.1 The Substructure
3.3.1.2. The Drilling Tower – Derrick of Mast
3.3.1.3. The Rigfloor
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Contents
3.3.2. The Hoisting Equipment

3.3.2.1. The Drawworks
3.3.2.2. The Overhead tools
3.3.2.3. The Hook
3.3.2.4. The Elevator
3.3.3. The Drilling Line
3.3.3.1. Wire Rope Nomenclature
3.3.3.2. Factors Affecting Service Life of Wire Rope
3. 4. THE CIRCULATING SYSTEM

3.4.0. Overview of the Circulating System
3.4.1. Drilling Fluid
3.4.1.1. Drilling Fluid Major Functions
3.4.2. The Preparation Area
3.4.2.1. The Preparation Routine
3.4.2.2. Treatment and testing
3.4.2.3. Mud Monitoring Instruments
3.4.3. The Circulating Equipment
3.4.4. The Conditioning Equipment
3.4.4.1. The Shale Shaker
3.4.4.2. The Desander
3.4.4.3 The Desilter
3.4.4.4. The Vacuum Degasser
3.4.4.5. The Mud-Gas Separator (POOR BOY)
3. 5. THE BLOWOUT PREVENTION SYSTEM

3.5.0. Kicks and Blowouts
3.5.1. The Blowout Prevention System Overview
3.5.2. The BOP stack
3.5.2.1. The Annular Preventer
3.5.2.2. The Ram Preventer
3.5.2.3. Drilling Spools
3.5.2.4. Casing Head
3.5.3. The Choke Manifold
3.5.4. The Kill Line
3.5.5. The Accumulator
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Rig Systems Overview
There are 5 main equipment systems on a rotary drilling rig:
1. The Power System

Generates and distributes the primary power required to operate almost all other component
systems and their sub -components in a modern rotary drilling complex.
2. The Rotating System

Rotates the drill stem and makes the bit drill a subsurface hole, called a “well bore” until it
penetrates a potentially productive formation below.
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Rig Systems Overview
3. The Hoisting System

Supports the rotating system in “drilling the well” by providing the appropriate equipment and
working areas needed for lifting, lowering and suspending the tremendous weights required by the
rotating system.
4. The Circulating System

Supports the rotating system by proving the equipment, material and working areas to prepare,
maintain and revise the drilling fluid (mud).
5. The Blowout Prevention System (BOP)

Helps to control one of the major problems that may be encountered when drilling a well – a “kick”
which may develop into a blowout.
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Power System
3. 1. 0. Power System Overview
A drilling rig cannot operate without power. The primary function of the power system is to support
all of the other systems by providing a source for the energy required to perform their operations.
IPM
Section 3. 1
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Power System
3. 1. 1. Primary Power Source
The most common source of power comes from internal-combustion engines. Theses engines, or
prime movers, are normally fuelled by diesel and can provide more torque than a gasoline-powered
engine.
The number of prime movers required will depend on the rig size and its drilling capability. Modern
rigs may have up to eight or more engines. The power provided from these engines is transferred to
the rigs equipment through either mechanical or electrical transmission.
3. 1. 2. Power Transmission
There are two main methods for distributing the power from the prime movers.
1. Mechanical Transmission
2. Electrical Transmission
The method used will depend on the type of engines and will effect the physical arrangement of
the rig itself.
The majority of the power supplied is used by the main drilling systems and their equipment; such
as draw works, rotary and mud pumps. The remaining power is distributed for use by the auxiliary
equipment; such as lighting, mud preparation and conditioning equipment, rig instrumentation and
air conditioning equipment.
IPM
Section 3. 1
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Power System
3. 1. 2. 1 Mechanical Transmission (The Compound)
A mechanical rig uses a combination of belts, chains, pulleys, sprockets and gears to transfer the
power to the rigs equipment. This type of system is called a compound power system.
IPM
Section 3. 1
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Power System
3. 1. 2. 2. Electrical Transmission
Electric rigs do not use a chain and sprocket system but uses an electric generator connected
directly to each prime mover.
Diagram of Engine + Generator Photograph of Engine + Generator
The generators produce electricity that is transferred to the rig equipment through a system of
cables to individual electric motors.
Most modern rigs have electric power transmission due to the advantage of greater flexibility in
positioning the units and are generally more compact.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
3. 2. 0. Rotating System Overview
The rotating system is one of the most important components in the rig. Its primary function is to
rotate the drill stem and bit.
The rotating system has three major sub-components:
1. The rotary and / or top drive assembly

2. The drill stem
3. The bit
3. 2. 1.The Rotary Table System:
The rotary table is located in the rig floor over the hole.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
The rotary table, master bushing and kelly bushing are used together to rotate the drill stem. From
the hook the swivel and the kelly are threaded to the drill pipe.
The rotary table assembly cannot turn the kelly directed. Instead, the master bushing and the kelly
bushing transfer the rotary’s table motion to the kelly.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
The rotary table, master bushing and rotary slips are used to suspend the drill stem in the hole
while adding and removing sections of drill pipe with the assistance of the make-up and break-up
tongs. Tapered insert bowls can changed to accommodate different sizes of pipe.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
3. 2. 2. The Top Drive System:
The top drive system, or TDS, replaces the rotary table, the kelly and the swivel. It hangs from the
hook on the traveling block. A heavy-duty motor located on the TDS provides power.
The uppermost stand of drill pipe threads into a drive shaft on the top drive. The top drive rotates
the entire drill stem and bit directly. This action eliminates the need for a turning rotary table
assembly and a kelly. Because of its design, the top drive can speed up the rotary drilling process.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
3. 2. 3. The drill stem
The drill stem includes:

• The kelly: square or
hexagonal suspended
beneath the swivel and
pass through the kelly
bushing and the rotary. It
will transmit the torque to
the drill stem.
• The saver sub: connected
to the bottom of the kelly
to save wear and tear on
the lower kelly connection
threads.
• Drill string
• Bit
The drill stem is suspended

beneath the hook and traveling
block by the swivel bail and
swivel located above the drill
stem to rotate.
The drill string is a column, or

string, of drill pipe with
attached tool joints.
The drill string is normally used
for two basic purposes:
1. To serve as a conduit or
conductor for the drilling fluid
2. To transmit the rotation of
the rotary table or top drive to
the bit on bottom
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
3. 2. 3. 1. Drill Pipe
Most drill pipe is steel that is forged into a solid bar and then pierced
to produce a seamless tube. The too joint is a separate piece of metal
welded onto the drill pipe and provides threaded ends so that the pipe
can be screwed together.
The main factors involved in the design of a pipe string are:
• Collapse and burst resistance

• Tensile strength (Tension)
• Torque (Torsion)
• Resistance against crushing by action of the slips
• Presence of aggressive fluids (e.g. H2S and CO2) / resistance to
corrosion.
The forces acting on the tubulars of the drill string include:
• Tension, the combined weight of drill collars and drill pipe plus
any over pull. An over pull safety margin should be available to
pull on a stock string.
• Torsion, high toque values can be obtained in tight hole
conditions. The recommended toll joint make-up torque should be
used and not exceed
• Fatigue associated with mechanical notches
• Cyclic Stress Fatigue, while rotating through crooked holes. Dog
leg severity of more than 3deg/30m (3deg/100ft) should be
avoided if possible
• Abrasive Friction
• Vibration, at critical rotary speeds
Different grades of steel are available to meet different hole

requirements, the most common are G105 and S135. G105 is most
commonly used in shallow or H2S environments. S135 is considered a
standard for offshore operations. U150 is a relatively new grade that
is being used for deepwater operations.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
Hardfacing (also called hard banding) of tool joints is performed to limit the degree of
circumferential wear produced on the tool joint. Hardfacing is proven to be efficient but it also can
provide considerable casing wear, leading to a reduction in casing performance properties.
If new hard banded pipe or pipe that has been recently re-hard banded is being used, every effort
should be made to run this pipe in the open hole section. This will result in a degree of roughness
being taken off the new surface finish and will minimize any adverse impact on casing wear.
The drill pipes are not ordinarily used to put weight on the bit and they are smaller and lighter than
the drill collar. In addition, in straight holes drilling, the drill string is suspended in the hole under
tension, not compression. It is kept in tension by two opposing forces: the weight of the collar
pulling on it from below and the hoist and block pulling from the surface. Keeping the drills string in
tension prevents it from bending and buckling and prolongs its life.
The wall of the tool point is about 2” thick and about a foot long.
Each tool joint pin and box includes:
• The tong area: it refers to the part of the tool joint to which drilling crews attach the tong that
make up or break out the tool joints.
• The elevator shoulder: manufacturers produce tool joints with tapered elevator shoulders so
that the pipe can more easily past doglegs and curve in the well bore. Normally the shoulder
has an 18º taper.
Manufacturers produce some tool joints with hard facing on the joint’s exterior. Hard facing may
greatly increase the life of a tool joint because an abrasive formation can reduce its size and
weaken it.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
Drill Pipe Ranges:
Manufacturers make drill pipe in one of three API recommended ranges of length.
Range Length (ft) Length (m)

1 18-22 5.5 – 6.7
2 27-32 8.2 – 9.8
3 38-45 11.6 – 13.7
These 3 ranges of length are produced because derrick heights vary and drilling contractor must be
able to buy drill pipe lengths that make into stands of a height that fit inside the derrick.
The most common drill pipe in use today in the oil industry is Range 2. Range 1 is now obsolete and
has been replaced by lengths of pipe 5ft. to 10ft. long, known as pup joints.
Drill Pipe Grades:
The type of DP needed is based on the conditions expected down hole. Depth being the primary
factor.
There are 4 API grades:
Strength in PSI E-75 X-95 G-105 S-135

Minimum yield strength 75,000 95,000 105,000 135,000
Grades of Pipe: The grade of a pipe is symbol used for identification.
Grade Symbol Minimum Yield

D55 D 55,000
E75 E 75,000
X95 X 95,000
G105 G 105,000
S135 S 135,000
V150 V 150,000
Used U
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
3. 2. 3. 2. The heavy wall drill pipe (HWDP)
Heavy wall drill pipes, also called heavyweight

drill pipes, are manufactured with walls that are
thicker than those in standard drill pipe and
fitted with special extra length tool joints.
The extra length of the tool joint allows room for

re cutting connections when the original ones
are damaged and reduce the rate wear on the
OD of the tube by keeping the wall of the tube
away from the side of the hole.
The OD of the tube is also protected from

abrasive wear with a center wear pad.
Heavy weight drill pipes are frequently used in

the drill stem just above the drill collar, in the
transition zone between the stiffer collars and
the more limber drill string.
Fatigue failure often occurs in the first few

joints above the drills collars. This area of the
drill string is referred to as the transition zone.
Decrease the effects of drag and toque. (3

contact points: both tool joints, central upset)
Can be run in compression in certain cases.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
3. 2. 3. 3. Drill Collars
Drill collars are heavy walled metal tubes positioned directly

above the bit. Drill collars are used primarily to apply weight to
the bit. Their large wall thickness gives them a greater
resistance to buckling than drill pipe so they also provide
weight to keep the drill string in tension and avoid it from
being subjected to bucking forces.
They will be used to proved a pendulum effect that caused the

bit to drill a more nearly vertical hole and support and stabilize
the bit so that it will drill new hole that is aligned with the
hole already drilled.
The lower part of the drill collar section is under compression,

therefore subject to buckling. This generates high stresses and
potential fatigue, particularly at the connections.
Therefore, the drill collars are designed to work in

compression and drill pipes in tension. However, a safety
factor will be kept, commonly 15 to 20% of the weight of the
drill collars.
It means that when calculating the amount of D.C.s required to

be run with a new bit, the maximum W.O.B. will represent
either 80 or 85% of the weight of the drill collars.
Reminder: Buoyancy factor of the mud for weight calculations.
They range in weight from 16 to 379 pounds per foot. Most of

them are round and are 30 or 31 feet long. Well planner
determines how many drill collars are needed above the bit by
taking into consideration how much weight is needed to drill
efficiently and how much each drill collar weighs.
The clearance between drill collars and the well bore is

smaller than with DP, therefore increasing the possibility of
differential sticking. Differential sticking is a condition in
which the drill stem becomes stuck against the wall of the
well bore because of the difference in pressure between the
drilling fluid in the well bore and that of a permeable
formation.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
Some drill collars have spiral grooves machined into the outside surface. These spiral drill collars
are used in holes in which the clearance between the drill collar and the wall of the hole is small
and in directional drilling where the collars will likely contact the side of the hole.
If it is thought to be a potential problem, spiral drill collars can be used to reduce the contact area
with the well bore and consequently the chance of different sticking.
3. 2. 3. 4. Drill Bit
There are two main types of drill bit available.
1. Roller Cone or Rocks Bits

These can be sub-divided into Mill Tooth Bits and Insert Bits
2. Fixed Head Bits

These can be subdivided into Natural Diamond, PDC & TSP bits
Bit Selection
Factors to consider for the bit selection are: Durability, Effectiveness, and Nature of Formation.
• Durability: We want the bit to last for a reasonable number of rotating hours.
• Effectiveness: Is linked with durability, we need a bit that will give the biggest footage
• Nature of formation: We might find changes in the formation, hence we need to find a
suitable bit to perform under these conditions.
Bit Design
The bit designer will consider different variable:
• Heavy duty bearings

• High resistant cone shell
• Full length cutting teeth
If the designer wants a bit with short teeth, the cone shell must be thinner and the bearings
smaller.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
At the end, the final product will be a bit which will last for the planned time with no premature
failures of one of these elements.
Jet Nozzles
With all drill bit designs, nozzles size plays an important role in the bit hydraulics
The benefits of correct selection include improved bottom hole cleaning, reduced risk of bit balling,
faster ROP and lower drilling cost.
There are two basic types of jet nozzles for mud circulating snap ring erosion due to a abrasive
fluids, excessive turbulence or extended drilling hours.
Standard jet nozzles are easier to install and recommended for situations where erosion is not a
problem.
Orifice sizes are stated in 1/32 of an inch increments.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
3. 2. 4. Auxiliaries:
3. 2. 4. 1. Lifting Subs and Lifting Heads
Since some drill collars do not have the elevator recess lift subs are used
Lifting sub Lifting Head
3. 2. 4. 2. Bit Sub:
Bits come with a pin rather than a box and a bit sub has a box connection on each end allowing the
make up to the drill collar.
Bit Sub
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
3. 2. 4. 3. Cross over sub:
Two different items from the drill stem may not have the same thread and a cross over sun is then
used to connect them together.
3. 2. 4. 4. Stabilizers:
Used in the drill collar string to keep the hole straight or to intentionally curve it from
the vertical. Blades on the stabilizer contact the wall of the hole as the drill string
rotates.
Full gauges stabilizers, provide a fixed stand-off distance from the wall of the hole and
keep the drill collars concentric with the well bore, thus reducing the buckling and
bending. Stabilizers may however increase torque and drag.
• The integral blade stabilizer is the preferred type of stabilizer.

• Although integral blade stabilizers are generally preferred, welded blade
stabilizers can be used for conductor and surface hole depending on the
formation. Generally soft formations and in any cases, above the kick of point
for directional wells.
• Replaceable sleeve stabilizers are to be used only in areas of the world where
logistics is a real problem (economical considerations). Their main
disadvantage is that they restrict the flow circulation in smaller size hole.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
The position, size (full, under or Adjustable Gage Stabilizer) and number of the stabilizers in the
bottom hole assembly are determined by the directional drilling requirement. In the vertical section
their purpose is to maintain the drift angle as low as possible.
Note:
• The near bit stabilizer may replaced by a full size roller reamer if excessive toque is
experienced.
• Do not place a stabilizer at the transition from drill collars to HWDP.
• The use of stabilizers inside casing should be avoided as much as possible (or limited to a short
period of time). e.g. while drilling out cement.
3. 2. 4. 5. Roller Reamer
Roller reamers can be used for drill string stabilization where it is

difficult to maintain the gauge and in hard, deep formation where torque
presents a problem.
Roller reamers do not stabilize as well as integral blade stabilizers. More

walk is experienced when they are used, especially if a near bit roller
reamer is used. Used with a building assembly, they often increase the
building rate.
The type of cutters, will depend on, the formation type. The same roller
reamer body can be used for different application,
3 point 6 point
3. 2. 4. 6. Jars
Double acting hydraulic jars are preferred. Jars are generally used from blew conductors or surface
casing.
The number of drilling hours and jarring hours should be recorded to enable replacement at the
recommended time (this must be provided by the manufacturer). This varies depending upon the
manufacturer, hole size of jar and deviation.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
Jar Position
Run a jar placement program, then optimize for position considering all aspect of the BHS:
• The location of the neutral point in the drill string should be known and Jars kept out of this
area.
• When appropriate (see below), place jars in the drill collar section above the top stabilizer. Jars
should not be run directly next to a stabilizer (minimum of one collar between them).
• Place a couple of drill collars above the jar for hammer weight where possible. HWDP are
flexible and will not transmit a blow downwards as well as drill collars.
• The anticipated problem can also influence where to locate the jar:
1. If it is differential sticking or key seating, then the jar should be run in the HWDP to
avoid being stuck with the rest of the BHA
2. Or it is stabilizers “balling-up” and/or hole swelling then the jars should be positioned in
the collar above the top stabilizer.
3. When drilling in new area where common hole problems have both yet been identified, a
good compromise is to run some smaller OD spiral drill collars above the jar.
• Jars have a pump open force, which must be overcome when cocking the jar.
Pump open force = Pressure drop below Jars x Washpipe Area
The Washpipe area can be obtained from manufacturers data book.
3. 2. 4. 7. Accelerators
Accelerators (also called Jar Boosters) are run in the string above jars, they are used to increase
the impact force exerted by a jar.
They consist of a slip joint that, as extension of the tool occurs cause further compression of an
inert gas (generally nitrogen) in a high-pressure chamber. Then, the gas under pressure forces the
tool back to its original length. It allows the drill collars below the booster to move rapidly up the
hole.
Accelerators are useful in a fishing string or drilling assembly, particularly in high angle holes
where the string is in contact with the side of the hole and large amounts of friction may be
developed.
3. 2. 4. 8. Shock Subs
Shock Subs are placed in the drill string, ideally directly above the bit to absorb vibration and shock
loads.
They are useful, especially at shallow depth, when drilling hard rocks, broken formations or
intermittent hard and soft streaks to limit the wear and failure of the drill string components
(MWD, bit, etc.).
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
3. 2. 4. 9. Hole Openers and Under-Reamers

Hole Openers and under-reamers are used to enlarge holes. An under reamer is never as robust as
a hole opener but can pass through obstructions (e.g. casing string) of a smaller diameter than the
hole it will drill.
Hole Openers
Use to enlarge a pilot hole, which may have been required for one of the following
reasons:
• A core was required, standard coring equipment size start at 12 ¼”.

• High quality of wire line log was required which is not likely to be achieved in big
diameter hole.
• It is easier to control the trajectory of a smaller hole, especially in very soft
formation.
• Drilling through what may be a pressure transition zone or a gas pocket. In small
hole, circulation bottoms up take less time and kicks are easier to control due to
the reduced volume.
A hole opener may also be required if the diameter of the hole has been reduced by the
formation expanding into it, so that the full size bit can no longer pass. It may happen in
particular in sections containing plastic shales or salt.
A hole opener is run either with a pilot bit or with a bull nose that guides the hole
opener along the pilot hole. There is thus no need to steer a hole opener and no risk to
drill away from the pilot hole. The bull nose can be fitted directly to the hole opener or
one joint below to give more flexibility.
As an alternative to a hole opener, especially in hole sizes less than 17 ½”, a “common” bit me be
used to enlarge the hole. This is not recommended in soft formation in harder formations the bit is
more likely to follow the path of least resistance but it is necessary to measure the deviation of the
well at frequent intervals to check that it is following the trajectory of the pilot hole.
The majority of hole openers still use roller cones, with either steel teeth or tungsten carbide
inserts depending on the formation. These are available from 8 3/8” (6” pilot hole) to 48” (17 ½”
pilot hole). The number of cones (from 3 to 8) is a function of the size of the hole.
Fixed blade hole openers are available for smaller (less than 17 ½”) hole sections. They remove the
risk of cones falling off and can cut in an upward direction as well should this become necessary
(“squeezing formation”).
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
Under-Reamers
Typical applications include:
• Opening the hole below a casing shoe, to provide a larger annular space for cementing the next
casing string. This permits for example, the use of a larger intermediate casing string diameter
than could be used otherwise.
• Overcome BOP or wellhead size diameter restriction.
• Enlarging the hole annulus within the producing zone for gravel pack completion.
• Opening a pocket to start a sidetrack.
• Reducing dog leg severity
• Enlarging “heaving areas” through problem fault zone.
Since the under reamer has to pass through a restricted bore, it incorporates expandable cutters
which stay collapsed when the tool is RIH. The cutters are then expanded into the formation by
utilizing the differential pressure of the drilling fluid. Once the hole is under reamed to the desire
depth, the pumps are turned off, allowing the arms to collapse back into the body for POOH.
Under reamers used to have rolling cones on extending arms, but nowadays, the tendency is to use
extending arms fitted with PDC cutters. They can be run with a bullnose or a small drilling bit as for
hole openers.
Should limited oversize be required, an alternative would be a bi-centered bit (e.g. 8 ½” X 9 7/8”)
which eliminates the risks associated with under-reamer.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
3. 2. 5. Rotary Shouldered Connections
The primary requirement of a tool joint is to allow the connection of a number of tubulars there by
facilitating a continuous length of pipe.
However, the joint must also be able to provide several critical requirements if it is to be used in
the drilling environment.
1. It must satisfactorily connect two pipes together and not unscrew under the action of
normal drilling operations.
2. It must provide a hydraulic seal such that drilling fluid may be pumped down inside the
string of pipe under high pressure without leakage.
3. It must be able to withstand normal drilling torque and bending form reasonable rotation
and doglegs without parting or unscrewing.
4. It must be able to resist most reasonable conditions being made up and broken out that
exist in the drilling environment.
5. It must have a reasonable service life.
3. 2. 5. 1. Connection Types:
FH = Full Hole
NC = Numbered Connection
IF = Internal Flush
Reg = Regular
H-90 = Hughes
3. 2. 5. 2. Torsional Yield Strength and Make-up Torques
The Torsional strength of a tool joint is a function of several variables.
These include the strength of the steel, connection size, thread form, taper and coefficient of
friction on mating surfaces, threads or shoulders.
The theoretical Torsional yield strength of a tool joint connection can be determined from curves
that can be found in “Recommended Practice for Drill Stem Design and Operating Limits” (API).
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
The make-up torque should be based on a tensile stress of 50% of the minimum yield for new tool
joints and 60% for used tool joints.
3. 2. 5. 3. Stress Concentrations
When drilling, the string is constantly under tensional, compressional and Torsional stresses.
When run in tension, it is held relatively straight and bending and wear is kept to a minimum.
When running in compression, however, the string bends severely and both the tool joints and the
pipe wear against the walls of the hole.
In addition, continuing flexing produces fatigue failure in the body of the pipe.
Since the tool joint is stiffer and stronger, bending is concentrated in the pipe and failure occurs
where the bending occurs.
Drill collars are also subject to fatigue as a result of bending while rotating in the hole.
However, there is a difference. The body of the drill collar is stiffer than the joint. As a result, most
of the flexing occurs at the tool joint.
Consequently, most drill collar failures occur in the tool joint.
Whenever any tubular is bent, the fibers on the outside of the bend are stretched in tension. The
fibers on the inside of the bend are placed in compression.
If the piece rotates while bent, each fiber passes from maximum tensi on to maximum compression
and back to tension during each revolution.
If the stress level is high enough, minor surface defects begin to grow and get deeper each time
the defect reaches the tension side of the bend.
This progressive growth of surface defects into cracks is called fatigue failure.
Fatigue failure may occur although the average stress level is less than half the yield strength of
the steel.
It is a matter of localized stresses, near a notch or other surface defect, becoming great enough to
produce local failure.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
Stress concentration is the term used to describe such a condition where a local area is highly
stressed because bending or flexing to occur at this locality.
3. 2. 5. 4. Stress Relief Grooves
The API standardization committee has established a recommended practice of cutting stress relief
grooves in the tool joints.
These are located near the base of the pin and in the bottom of the box just beyond the last
engaged thread of the pin.
These relief grooves are intended to release stress concentration in the critical bending areas of
the pin and box.
They do this removing unnecessary threads, which are notches, and replacing them with smooth,
large radius contours.
It is essential that the surfaces of the stress relief areas are free of tool marks, stencil marks or
other notches.
IPM
Section 3. 2
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Rotating System
Notes
IPM
Section 3. 3
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.
IPM
Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
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.
IPM
Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
• The driller’s 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 driller’s office and to store small items.
IPM
Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
3. 3. 2. The Hoisting Equipment:
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Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
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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Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
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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Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
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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Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
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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Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
This wire rope generally ranges from 1 inch to 1 ¾ 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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Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
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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Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
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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Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
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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Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
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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Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
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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Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
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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Section 3. 3
The Hoisting System
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Section 3.4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Circulating System
3. 4. 0. Overview of the Circulating System
The circulating system provides the equipment, materials and working areas to prepare, maintain
and condition the drilling fluid. There are four main components of the circulating system:
1. The drilling fluid

2. The preparation area
3. The circulating equipment
4. The conditioning area
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Section 3.4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
3. 4. 1. Drilling Fluid
The drilling fluid is a liquid mixture of various components, which can include: water (fresh or salt),
oil, clay, chemical additives, gas or air. In the drilling field, it is commonly called mud.
The fluid is circulated down the drill string and into the well bore.
3. 4. 1. 1. Drilling fluid major functions:
1. Provides hydraulic horsepower (HHP) to bit for cleaning bottom of well bore:
Fluid leaving the bit under pressure removes the cuttings (piece of broken, dislodged or fragmented
rock formation created by the bit’s cutting action) from the well bore, helping to maintain maximum
penetration rate.
2. Transports cutting out of the hole:
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Section 3.4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Cuttings flushed form the bottom of the hole are suspended in the drilling fluid and move up the
annulus (space between drill stem and well bore wall) to the surface. The fluid viscosity (thickness)
may suspend the cutting even when circulation stops.
3. Supports well bore wall:

Drilling fluid lines the well bore side. This “walling” reduces fluid losses to the formations,
contamination and cave-in. Wall cake thickness is carefully monitored and controlled since it may
decrease well bore diameter.
4. Prevents entry of formation of formation fluids into the well bore:

Hydraulic pressure created by the weight of the fluid column presses against the well bore wall.
The amount of pressure is determined by the fluid density and the well depth and prevents
formation fluids form entering the well bore.
5. Cools and lubricates bit and drill stem:

One of the primary functions of the drilling mud is to cool and lubricate the bit. In addition, it also
lubricates the drill stem and well bore wall. In both cases, it reduces down-hole friction.
Drilling Fluid Composition:

Down-hole conditions and the types of formations being drilled determine the drilling fluid
composition used in a given well bore.
There are three basics types of drilling fluid:
1. Water-based drilling fluid:

The most commonly used drilling fluid because it is cheaper to maintain, easier to use and forms
filter cake to protect the hole.
Drilling fluid composition of various combinations and amounts of fresh or salt water, clay and
chemical additives is determined by the down-hole conditions.
2. Oil-based mud:
Oil-based drilling fluids are used to drill: water soluble formations, deep and hot holes, areas
subject to differential pressure sticking or when better lubrication is required. Oil-based drilling
fluids are generally more expensive to make and maintain.
3. Air or gas-based drilling fluids:

Only about 1% of all drilling fluids are air or gas-based. Its primary advantage is that a faster
penetration rate is achieved.
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Section 3.4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
3. 4. 2. The Preparation Area:
This is the area where drilling fluid is initially prepared as well as maintained. Drilling fluid
preparation and maintenance is essential to any successful drilling operation.
3. 4. 2. 1. The Preparation Routine
There are four major drilling fluid preparation routines carried out by the crew.
They are:
1. Initial preparation
2. Weigh-up (increasing mud weight)
3. Water-back (reducing the mud weight)
4. Break over (change in the chemistry of the mud)
The drilling fluid preparation area consist of an assembly of specialized equipment that is carefully
arranged to facilitate preparation or treatment of drilling fluid
It generally includes:
• Mud house: storage shed for additives
• Mud pits/tanks: steel containers that facilitate the storage and handling of drilling fluid.
• Bulks storage bins: large funnel shaped storage bins containing additives used in large
quantities such as clays and weight material. They operate on a gravity-feed principle or
air-assisted.
• Mixing hopper: a funnel-shaped device used to rapidly add solid materials to the drilling
fluid by vacuum.
Mud flowing through the nozzle creates a venturi suction effect.
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Section 3.4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
3. 4. 2. 2. Treatment and testing:
The two major variables, viscosity and density are controlled by treating the drilling fluid with
various additives and then constantly monitored.
Weight or density:
Additives are used to control the weight or density of the drilling fluid. A mud balance is used and
converts a measured amount of drilling fluid into unit weight in pound per gallon or kilogram per
liter.
Viscosity:
The viscosity (thickness) is the fluid’s resistance to flow. Resistance is brought about by internal
friction resulting from the combined efforts of cohesion and adhesion. Viscosity is measured with a
marsh funnel, which is used to determine the number of seconds required for one quart of drilling
mud to flow from the funnel.
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Section 3.4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
3. 4. 2. 3. Mud monitoring instruments:
In addition, the drilling fluid is monitored by a series of instruments located on or near the mud pits
and their reading will be at the driller’s console.
They include:
• The pit volume totalizer (PVT): measures

loss or gain in drilling fluid volume in the
hole by means of a flotation device attached
to each mud pit.
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Section 3.4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
• Mud pump stroke indicator: measures rate

of circulation by recording the number of
strokes being produced by the mud pump
each minute.
• Mud flow meter: measure fluid flow through

a pipe from the well. Increase in flow may
indicate that a kick is taking place.
The fluid is moved from the preparation area, down the drill stem and up the annulus where it is
transported at the surface to the conditioning area before being placed back into the mud pits for
re-circulation.
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Section 3.4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
3. 4. 3. The circulation equipment
Basically consists of
1. The suction mud pit: steel container used to hold and control drilling fluid
2. Mixing hopper: a device used to rapidly add solid materials to the drilling fluid
3. The suction line: connecting line between pit and pump
4. The mud pumps: they are the “heart of the circulating system. They move large amount of
mud under high pressure.
5. Pump discharge line: carries drilling fluid to the stand pipe
6. The standpipe: steel pipe clamped vertically to the side of the derrick. Fitted with a
goose-neck where the rotary hose is attached,
7. The rotary hose: strong and flexible rubber hose that permit vertical movement of the drill
stem
8. The annulus : include swivel, Kelly or top drive, drill string and bit
9. The annulus : space between the drill stem and the well bore wall
10. The return line: carries fluid by gravity from the well bore to the conditioning area
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Section 3.4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
11. Setting tanks: steel container used to hold drilling fluid during conditioning. Also known
as sand traps.
12. The conditioning area : it includes equipment used to “clean up” the drilling fluid after it
has been brought up from the well bore.
3.4. 4. The Conditioning Equipment:
Effective use of the conditioning equipment significantly reduces mud pump wear. Reduced
amounts of formation solids in the drilling fluid affect the entire system: less additives and
chemicals are needed.
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Section 3.4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
3. 4. 4. 1. The Shale Shaker:
The drilling fluid comes directly to the shaker form the well bore. Its primary function is
to remove larger cuttings and broken formation pieces form the drilling flu id. This is
done by moving the drilling fluid over vibrating screens that separate the unwanted
cuttings.
3. 4. 4. 2. The Desander:
Hydroclone Mud Cleaning Equipment Working of the Hydroclones
The desander consists of a number of cone shaped cylinders that remove smaller solid particles
that pass through the shale shaker screens. The drilling fluid is forced through the cylinder under
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Section 3.4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
pressure with the heavier particles being removed and discharged through the bottom by
centrifugal.
3. 4. 4. 3. The Desilter:
The desilter is similar to the desander in operation and function except that the desilter can remove
very minute formation particles form the drilling fluid.
3. 4. 4. 4. The Degasser:
Its function is to remove gases from the drilling fluid because gases:
• Reduce density
• Reduce pump efficiency
• Decrease hydrostatic pressure
• Increase drilling fluid volume
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Section 3.4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
3. 4. 4. 5. The Mud-Gas Separator
It is a tank like container that is attached to the choke manifold by high-pressure lines. Its primary
functions are:
• Eliminate larger quantities of free gases entrained in the drilling fluid

• Save any usable fluid by returning it to the degasser
• Pipe any flammable and/or poisonous gases to a safe distance away from the rig.
IPM
Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
The Blowout Prevention System
3. 5. 0. Kicks and Blowouts
A blowout is an uncontrolled flow of formation fluid to the surface. A blowout usually begins as a
”kick”, which is an intrusion of any high-pressure subsurface formation fluid into the well bore. If
the crew does not handle it immediately, this intrusion may lead to a blowout.
In order to stop a “kick” from becoming a blowout, the blowout prevention (BOP) system is used.
The BOP system has two major functions:
1. To seal off the well bore when a “kick” occurs.
2. To maintain sufficient back pressure in the well bore to prevent further intrusion of formation
fluids while steps are being taken to restore the well to a balanced condition.
Controlling formation fluid intrusion:
If the intrusion of formation fluid is minor, it can be handled by directing the circulation of drilling
fluid through the conditioning equipment, which will assist in expelling the entrained gases more
rapidly.
If the intrusion of formation fluid is sever, the blowout preventers are activated. This action is
called “shutting-in” the well. The choke manifold is used to control the back pressure when a kick
occurs by limiting the escape of fluid from the well bore, as well as preventing any further
intrusion. Once the intrusion is stopped, heavy drilling fluid is pumped preventing any further
intrusion and returning control over the well bore.
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Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Blowout prevention and control:
The best prevention against possible blowout is the use of drilling fluid that is properly weighed
and has the correct density sot that sufficient hydrostatic pressure is exerted against the well bore
walls. This prevents any formation fluids from entering (fluid intrusion) the well bore.
A kick:
When large quantities of formation fluid under high pressure enter the well bore and begin rising to
the surface, it is called a “kick”. There are a number of observable warning sign when a “kick”
occurs:
• An unexplained change occurs in drilling rate and decrease in circulating pressure
• The mid flow indicators show an unexplained increase in drilling fluid volume
• The mud pit volume indicators rise rapidly.
ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE INDICATORS OF FORMATION FLUID INTRUSION INTO THE WELL
BORE. IF LEFT UNCONTROLLED, A BLOWOUT WILL OCCUR.
IPM
Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
A blowout:
A blowout is an eruption of uncontrolled fluid (oil, gas or water) under high pressure form a
subsurface formation that enters the well bore and displaces all the drilling fluid.
The occurrence of a blowout is a drilling disaster. Lives may be endangered, severe damage may
occur to the rig and the surrounding environment.
3. 5. 1. Overview of The Blowout Prevention System:
The blowout prevention system on a rotary drilling rig is a pressure control system designed
specifically to control a “kick”
The system consists of four components:
1. The blowout preventer (BOP) stack

2. The accumulator unit
3. The choke manifold
4. The kill line
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Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
3. 5. 2. The BOP stack:
The blowout preventer (BOP) stack is located at

the casing or wellhead directly under the rotary
table for surface stack.
The BOP stack is an assembly of special devices

that may include:
• Annular preventer
• Pipe ram preventer
• Drilling spool
• Blind / shear ram preventer
• Casing head
The BOP stack can be assembled in any number

of arrangements usually dictated by the
potential problems that are anticipated at a
particular drilling site.
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Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
3. 5. 2. 1.The Annular Preventer
The annular preventer is located at the top of the BOP stack assembly. It contains a steel-reinforced
rubber packing element that closes to seal on drill pipe, drill collar, Kelly or open hole.
Annular preventers employ a ring of reinforced synthetic rubber as a packing unit that surrounds
the well bore to effect a shutoff. In the full-open position, the inner diameter of the packing unit
initially equals the diameter of the preventer bore.
Annular preventers have the ability to effect pressure shutoff on any shape or diameter that might
be in the hole. They can effect a shutoff on square or hexagonal kellys and permit slow rotation as
well as vertical movement of the drill pipe while under pressure.
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Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
3. 5. 2. 2. The ram preventer
1 Bonnet Seals 7 Ram Assembly 13 Operating Piston

2 Bonnet 8 Operating Cylinder 14
3 Fluid Port 9 Locking Screw Housing 15 Ram Change Piston
4 Ram Assembly 10 Locking Screw 16 Ram change Cylinder
5 Seal rings 11 Bonnet Bolt 17 Intermediate Flange
6 Bottom Flange 12 Pad Eye 18 Weep Hole
Ram Preventers close the annular space outside a string of drill pipe in a well by moving rams from
a retracted position clear of the bore into a position where they close around the pipe.
Rams operate in pairs and seal the space below them when closed. Pipe Rams will have openings
that match the diameter of the pipe for which they are designed.
The ram preventers close only on specific sizes of pipe, tubing, and casing or on an open hole. they
are designated as
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Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Ram Types
• Pipe rams: which close only that sizes of pipe for which they are matched.
• Variable rams: which close only a range of size for which they are matched.
• Shear rams: which cut the drill pipe and seal the resulting open hole.
• Blind rams: which close only on an open hole.
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Section 3.5
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3. 5. 2. 3. Drilling spools:
Drilling spools are spacers between preventers. They provide hookups for the choke line and kill
line.
3. 5. 2. 4. Casing head
The casing head or well head is an attachment at the top of the casing on which the BOP stack is
engaged.
A wear bushing (sleeve) is placed across the wellhead connection to prevent damage as drill pipe
and down hole equipment is run into and pulled out of the well.
3. 5. 3. The Choke Manifold
The choke manifold is an assembly of high pressure flanged pipe fittings with several lateral
outlets controlled by manual and/or automatic valves. It is attached to the BOP stack by a high
pressure line called the “choke line”.
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Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
When activated, the choke manifold assists in maintaining sufficient back pressure in the well bore
to prevent any further formation fluid intrusion.
The drilling fluid can then be diverted from the BOP stack to a series of valves, which restrict the
flow and direct it to the pits or to the mud – gas separator.
3. 5. 4. The Kill Line:
The kill line is attached to the blowout preventer stack, usually directly opposite the choke line.
Heavy weight drilling fluid is pumped into the well bore until balance has been restored or if losses
occur, fluid is being pumped to keep the hole full.
Kill Line Drilling Spool
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Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
3. 5. 5. The accumulator
The two main functions of an accumulator unit are to store hydraulic fluid under pressure and to
enable of al BOP functions. The reason for having stored pressure is in case of major incident with
loss of power supplies on the rig, the well can be secured by operating the required BOP function.
The unit can be activated from the remote panel on the rig floor or from the accumulator on the unit
itself in case the crew must evacuate the rig floor
The power supply for the accumulator unit is:
Electrical – Triples pump with a micro switch (starts at 2700psi and cuts out at 3000psi.)
Air – 2 air pumps powered by rig air pressure (120psi)
The triples and air pump suction lines are connected to the reservoir tank, which would be filled
with a light hydraulic oil or mix of fresh water with some kind of anti-freeze/anti-corrosion fluid.
A bank of bottles will store pressure at 3000psi (Accumulator pressured). Each bottle has a 10-
gallon capacity and contains a rubber membrane, which will be pre-charged with 1000psi of
Nitrogen.
When a function is operated the fluid will pass through a regulator and reduce the pressure to
1500psi into the manifold to operate Rams and HCR valves only.
Fluid for functions of the Annular preventer will be provided through a separate line and regulator
with a normal operating range of 600psi to 1200psi. The annular can be operated at pressures
below 600psi and up to a maximum of 1500psi depending on the size and type of tubulars and the
condition of the packing element.
A By-pass valve is located on the manifold line. In normal operating condition the valve will be on
low pressure (1500psi) selection. If the use of the shear rams is required the lever can be moved to
the high-pressure position (3000psi). This allows full accumulator pressure to by-pass the regulator
and energize the manifold.
The number of bottles required depends on the number of BOP functions (rams, annulars, HCR’s).
With loss of all power supplies al functions should be able to CLOSE, OPEN and CLOSE and not
allow the remaining pressure to drop below 1200psi (200 psi above pre-charge pressure).
This operation can be performed at the beginning of each well with all power supplies switched off
as an efficiency test. The time taken and fluid volume used for each function will be recorded.
IPM
Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
IPM
Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Typical B.O.P. Accumulator Parts
1. Customer Air Supply:
Normal air supply is at 125psi. Higher air pressure may require an air regulator.
2. Air Lubricator:
Located on the air inlet to the air operated pumps.
3. Bypass Valve:
To automatic hydro-pneumatic switch. When pressured higher than the normal 3,000 psi are
required, open this valve. Keep closed at all other times.
4. Automatic Hydro-Pneumatic Pressure Switch:
Pressure switch is set 2,900 psi cutout when air and electric pumps are used. Otherwise at 3,000
psi for air pumps alone. Adjustable spring tension control.
5. Air Shut-Off Valves:
Manually operated to open or close the air supply to the air operated hydraulic pumps.
6. Air Operated Hydraulic Pumps:
Normal operating air pressure is 125 psi.
7. Suction Shut-Off Valve:
Manually operated. Keep normally open. One for each air operated hydraulic pump suction line.
8. Suction Strainer: One for each operated hydraulic pump suction line. Has removable screens.
9. Check Valve:
One for each air operated hydraulic pump delivery line.
10. Electric Motor Driven Triplex Pump Assembly.
11. Automatic Hydro-Electric Pressure switch:
IPM
Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Pressure switch is set 3,000 psi cut-put and 250 psi cut-in differential. Adjustable.
12. Electric Motor Starter (Automatic):
Automatically starts or stops the electric motor driving the triplex pump. Works in conjunction with
the automatic hydroelectric pressure switch and has a manual overriding on-off switch.
13. Suction Shut-Off Valve:
Manually operated, normally open. Located in the suction line of the triplex pump.
14. Suction Strainer:
Located in the suction line of the triplex pump.
15. Check Valve:
Located in the delivery line of the triplex pump.
16. Accumulator Shut-Off Valve:
Manually operated. Normally in open position when the unit is in operation. Closed when testing or
skidding rig or when applying pressure over 3,000 psi to open side of RAM preventers.
17. Accumulator:
Pre-charged with Nitrogen to 1,000 psi +/- 10%. Check Nitrogen precharge in accumulator system
every 30 days.
18. Accumulator Relief Valve:
Valve set to relieve at 3,000 psi.
19. Fluid Strainer:
Located on the inlet side of the pressure reducing and regulating valves.
20. Pressure Reducing and Regulating Valve:
Manually operated. Adjust to the required continuous operating pressure of RAM type BOP’s.
21. Main Valve Header:
IPM
Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
5,000 psi working pressure, 2” all welded.
22. 4-Way Valves:
With air cylinder operators for remote operation from the control panels. Keep in standard
operating mode (Open or Close) never in the Block position.
22. Bypass Reducing and Regulating Valve:
With air cylinder operators for remote operation from the control panels. Keep in the Close
position, it puts regulated pressure on the Main Valve Header 921), and in Open position it puts full
pump pressure on the header. Keep in Close position unless 3,000 psi (or more) is required on RAM
type BOP’s.
23. Manifold Relief Valve:
Valve set to relieve at 5,000 psi.
24. Hydraulic Bleeder Valve:
Manually operated. Normally closed. This valve should be kept open when precharging the
accumulator bottles.
25. Panel – Unit Selector:
Manual 3-way valve. Used to apply pilot air pressure to the air operated pressure reducing and
regulating valve, either from the air regulator on the unit or from the air regulator on the remote
control panel.
26. Pressure Reducing and regulating Valve – Air Operated
Reduces the accumulator pressure to the required annular BOP operating pressure. Pressure can be
varied for stripping operations. Maximum recommended operating pressure of the annular
preventer should not be exceeded.
27. Accumulator Gauge.
28. Manifold Pressure Gauge.
29. Annular Preventer Pressure Gauge.
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Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
30. Pneumatic Pressure Transmitter for Accumulator Pressure.
31. Pneumatic Pressure Transmitter for Manifold Pressure.
32. Pneumatic Pressure Transmitter for Annular Preventer Pressure.
33. Air Filter:
Located on the supply line to the air regulators.
34. Air Regulator for Pressure Reducing and Regulating Valve – Air Operated.
35. Air Regulator for Pneumatic Pressure Transmitter 933) for Annular Pressure.
36. Air Regulator for Pneumatic Pressure Transmitter (31) for Accumulator Pressure.
37. Air Regula tor for Pneumatic Pressure Transmitter 932) for Manifold Pressure.
Air regulator controls for pneumatic transmitter normally set at 15 psi. Increase or decrease air
pressure to calibrate panel gauge to hydraulic pressure gauge on unit.
38. Air Junction Box:
To connect the air lines on the unit to the air lines coming from the remote control panel through air
cable.
39. Rig Test Check Valve.
40. Hydraulic Fluid Fill Port.
41. Inspection Plug Port.
42. Rig Test Outlet Isolator Valve.
High pressure, manually operated. Close when rig testing and open when test is complete.
43. Rig Test Relief Valve:
Valve set to relieve at 6500 psi.
44. Rig Test Pressure Gauge
IPM
Section 3.5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
45. (a) Rig Skid Outlet
46. (b) Valve Header Isolator Valves:
Manually operated. Close valve header isolator valve and open rig skid isolator valve when
skidding the rig. Open valve header isolator valve and close rig skid isolator during normal drilling
operations.
46. Rig Skid Relief Valve:
Valve set to relieve at 2,500 psi
47. Rig Skid Pressure Gauge.
48. Accumulator Bank Isolator Valves:
Manually operated. Normally open.
49. Rig Skid Outlet:
Customer’s connection.
50. Rig Skid Outlet:
51. Electric Power:
52. Rig Test Outlet:
IPM
SECTION 4
DRILLING
OPERATIONS
IPM
Section 4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Contents
4. 1. DRILLING
4.1.0 Drilling Operations
4.1.1. BIT Break-In
4.1.2 Bottom Balling
4.1.3. Negative Drilling Breaks
4.1.4. Drilling Abrasive Sandstone
4.1.5. Surface Indicators
4.1.5.1. Torque
4.1.5.2. Pump Pressure
4.1.5.3. Pump Strokes
4.1.6. Drill-Off Test
4.1.6.1. Passive Drill-Off test
4.1.6.2. Active Drill-Off Test
4. 2. TRIPPING
4.1.0. Tripping procedures while Pull Out Of Hole
4. 3. CASING
4.3.0. Functions of Casing
4.3.1. Casing Types
4.3.1.1. Conductor Casing
4.3.1.2. Surface Casing
4.3.1.3. Intermediate Casing
4.3.1.4. Line Casing
4.3.1.5. Production Casing
4.3.2. Casing Properties
4.3.2.1. Range
4.3.2.2. Size
4.3.2.3. Weight
4.3.2.4. Threads and Couplings
4.3.2.5. Grade
4.3.3. Casing Accessories
4.3.3.1. Guide Shoe
4.3.3.2. Automatic Fill-up Shoe and Float
4.3.3.3. Centralizers
4.3.3.4. Scratchers
4.3.4 Casing Equipment Preparation Checklist (SAMPLE)
4.3.5. Preparation and Inspection Before Running
4.3.5.1. Inspection
4.3.5.2. Thread Protectors
4.3.5.3. Rig Equipment
IPM
Section 4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Contents
4.3.6. Pre-running Preparations

4.3.6.1. Thread Preparation
4.3.6.2. Drifting of Casing
4.3.6.3. Handling from the Pipe Rack to the Rig Floor
4.3.7. Running Casing
4.3.7.1. Stabbing
4.3.7.2. Make-up Power Tongs
4.3.7.3. Make-up Conventional Tongs
4.3.7.4. Questionable Make-up
4.3.7.5. Lowering Casing
4.3.7.6. Casing Landing Procedure
4.3.8. Causes of Casing Problems
4. 4 CEMENTING
4.4.0. Introduction
4.4.1. Primary Cementing
4.4.2. Secondary Cementing
4.4.3. Normal Hook-Up
4.4.4. Mixing Cement
4.4.4.1. Cement Mixer
4.4.4.2. Slurry Density
4.4.4.3. Cement Additive
4.4.5. Pumping Cement
4.4.5.1. Cement Head
4.4.5.2. Cement Plug
4.4.5.3. Cement Job
4.4.6. Waiting on Cement (WOC)
4.4.7. Drilling Out Float Equipment
4. 5. STUCK PIPE PREVENTION

4.5.0. Introduction
4.5.1. Solids Induced Pack-off
4.5.1.1. Un-consolidated Formation
4.5.1.2. Mobile Formation
4.5.1.3. Fractured and Faulted Formation
4.5.1.4. Naturally Over-Pressured Shale Collapse
4.5.1.5. Induced Over-Pressured Shale Collapse
4.5.1.6. Reactive Formations
4.5.1.7 Hole Cleaning
4.5.1.8. Tectonically Stressed Formations
4.5.1.9. First Actions
IPM
Section 4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Contents
4.5.2. Differential Sticking

4.5.2.1 First actions
4.5.3. Mechanical and Well Bore Geometry
4.5.3.1. Key seating
4.5.3.2. Under Gauge Hole
4.5.3.3. Junk
4.5.3.4. Ledges and Doglegs
4.5.3.5. Collapsed Casi ng / Tubing
4.5.3.6. Cement Blocks
4.5.3.7. Green Cement
4.5.3.8. First actions
4. 6. WELL CONTROL
4.6.0. Primary Well Control
4.6.1. Causes of Kicks
4.6.1.1. Failure to fill Hole Properly while Tripping
4.6.1.2. Swabbing
4.6.1.3. Lost Circulation
4.6.1.4. In-sufficient Mud Weight
4.6.1.5. Loss of Riser Drilling Fluid Column
4.6.2. Secondary Well Control
4.6.3. Tertiary Well Control
4.6.3.1. Barite Plugs
4.6.3.2. Cement Plugs
4.6.4 Detecting a Kick
4.6.4.1. Kick Detection While Drilling
4.6.4.2. Kick Detection While Tripping
4.6.5. Kick Containment
4.6.6. Shut In Procedures
4.6.6.1. Surface BOP’s while Drilling
4.6.6.2. Subsea BOP’s while Drilling
4.6.6.3. Surface BOP’s while Tripping
4.6.6.4. Subsea BOP’s while Tripping
4. 7. HYDROGEN SULFIDE
4.7.0. Introduction
4.7.1 Properties of H2S
4.7.2. Effects of H2S
4.7.3. Gas Detectors
4.7.3.1. Gas Detector tubes
4.7.3.2. Continuous Monitors
4.7.3.3. Personal Monitors
IPM
Section 4
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Contents
4.7.3.4. Portable Monitors

4.7.4. Rescue and First aid
4.7.5. Protection from H2S
4.7.5.1. Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
4.7.5.2. Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus
IPM
Section 4.1
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Drilling
4. 1. 0. Drilling Operations.
Some drilling operations and precautions while drilling are explained.
4. 1.1. Bit Break – In
Break – in procedures are extremely important for roller cone bits and vital for fixed cutter bits.
New bits can be damaged easily by being started badly and this will reduce bit life often before
many meters are drilled.
General procedures for all types of bits include:
1. A few before reaching bottom begin pumping and rotate the bit (to one-half the on-bottom rotary
rate rpm), and slowly lower the bit. Use no more than 500 lbs. Weight per inch of bit diameter. An
increase in torque and bit weight will signal that the bottom has been reached. A crowfoot fixed
cutter bit will show an increase in pump pressure.
2. Raise the bit about 6 to 12 inches off bottom while rotating and circulate for five minutes to
wash away any fill or junk. Return to bottom and begin drilling with no more than 500 lbs. Weight
per inch of bit diameter. The bit usually drill-off immediately.
3. If the bit does not drill-off immediately, be patient as a proper break -in is important. Only
increase the weight above the 500-pound value if it isn’t sufficient to overcome the formation
strength.
The bit break-in weights should not be used beyond the drilling of one to two feet of new hole,
since the weight is used to get rid of the old hole pattern and to establish a new pattern. The
bottom hole pattern left by the previous bit seldom fits the profile of the bit going into the hole.
This is because the previous bit had its own particular profile and will be worn in a unique way.
Even when the following with another bit of the same type or model, the bottom hole pattern will
be different between the new bit and the previous bit. The new bit must first drill out the old
pattern and establish its own pattern before it can begin to be fully optimized.
Incorrect break-in procedures often lead to severe vibration levels, resulting from low levels of
weight applied to the bit. By monitoring the overall levels of axial and torsional events early
damage to the bit can be avoided.
Also, lateral vibrations often start when the bit is placed on bottom regardless of bit type. Using
the correct break-in procedures can reduce bit whirl. The most effective manner to eliminate bit
whirl starting, particularly after a connection is to follow these directions.
IPM
Section 4.1
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Drilling
1. Set RPM to one half on-bottom target rate.

2. Place the bit back on bottom. Slowly increasing the WOB to its target value. Care should be
taken when increasing WOB to ensure stick -slip is not initiated prior to increasing RPM.
3. Increase the rotary to the target on-bottom value.
4. 1. 2. Bottom Balling
The condition known as bottom balling occurs when high bottom hole pressures and a high
overbalance pressure are realized. This condition only occurs with non-inhibitive drilling muds.
Slow ROP (1-5m/hr), low drilling torque and a lack of response to drilling parameter changes
identify bottom balling. It is also usual for bits to be pulled out of hole with minimal cutting
structure wear when bottom balling has occurred.
It is important to control the applied WOB to minimize the possibility of global bailing. If too much
WOB is applied, global balling of the bit maybe the result. This will be more likely in low strength
shale based formations.
4. 1. 3. Negative Drilling Breaks
Negative drilling breaks may be encountered when drilling through interbedded sections with
varying formation strengths. When negative drilling breaks are encountered, stop drilling, pick up
off bottom and eliminate any residual drilling torque. Return to drilling with the same procedure as
for the initial start-up of the bit. When the bit profile is established, resume optimum drilling
parameters to maximize ROP.
4. 1. 4. Drilling Abrasive Sandstone
When drilling abrasive sandstone, the drilling parameters should be adjusted to minimize the
abrasive potential of the drilling environment. Bit speed should be reduced to the slowest speed
possible without inducing torsional vibration. Maintaining a steady drilling torque can monitor this.
The applied WOB should be increased; again care should be taken to avoid initiating torsional
vibration. If after increasing WOB drilling torque starts to oscillate then reduce WOB gradually until
a steady torque is achieved. Bit HIS should be maximized through abrasive formations, if possible,
maximize flow rate to the maximum permissible pump operating pressure.
4. 1. 5. Surface Indicators
Once the drill rate has been optimized and drilling has commenced, there are several other
variables, which should be monitored to ensure this drill rate remains optimized and problems are
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Section 4.1
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Drilling
avoided. Usually changes in the drill rate and drilling problems will show up on several surface
indicators, and cross-referencing will help to determine the cause.
The two most important drilling parameters WOB and RPM should be monitored constantly. Their
interaction with the following indicators should be noted.
4. 1. 5. 1. Torque
Torque is usually measured in foot pounds, when diesel or SCR rigs are being used, torque is
measured in amperes (amps), which is the amount of electrical power required by the motors to
rotate the drillstring. This torque comes from the interaction between the borehole and the bit, BHA
AND DRILL PIPE.
Torque should remain uniform without wide variations through individual formation types, if drilling
parameters stay constant.
Irregular Torque
Changes from the mean value(s) may indicate:

- Interbedded formations
- Stabilizers hanging up
- Keyseats or doglegs
- Excessive WOB
- The bit is becoming under gauge
- Junk in the hole.
Increase in torque maybe due to:
- Higher applied WOB

- RPM Sensitivity
- ROP increase
- Formation change
- Increasing hole inclination
- Increasing filter cake
- The bit becoming under gauge.
Decreases in torque maybe due to:
- Formation change
- Running on a disclosed pipe protector
- Cutting structure wear / breakdown
- Increased RPM reduced WOB
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Section 4.1
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Drilling
- Decreasing hole inclination

- Decreasing filter cake
- Bit balling
4. 1. 5. 2. Pump Pressure
Pump pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (psi), with readings being taken at the mud
pumps or standpipe.
Constant pump pressure should be the norm once the recommended pressure is reached.
Irregular Pump Pressure
Changes from the recommended value could be:

- Formation or engineering related.
Increases in pump pressure may indicate:

- The annulus is packing – off / stabilizers balling
- The bit is globally balling
- Inadequate hole cleaning
- A plugged fluid passageway or nozzle
- A PDM motor is working at a higher torque value
- Mud theology changes
Decreases in pump pressure may indicate

- A washout in the drill string
- Lost nozzles
- Losing circulation
- Aerated drilling fluid
4. 1. 5. 3. Pump Strokes
A set number of strokes per minute are necessary to circulate drilling fluid at a predetermined flow
rate and pressure. With pump pressure constant, variations in the pump stroke rate can indicate
problems.
Increased pump strokes can indicate:

- A washout
- Losing circulation
- Aerated drilling fluid
Decreased pump strokes can indicate:
IPM
Section 4.1
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Drilling
- An annular restriction (pack-off)

- A plugged nozzle
- Balled Bit
4. 1. 6. Drill – Off Test
A drill-off test is designed to determine the most appropriate WOB and RPM to drill a section of
hole, using information on formation drill ability, bit type and drill rate considerations. This test is a
step-by-step process of altering the drilling parameters to achieve the maximum drill rate.
The test should be performed after a bottom-hole pattern is established and the encountered
formation is not expected to change for some time. The test is performed in a passive manner and
is used to define a fixed rotary speed and weight-on bit range.
To optimize the WOB range, an active drill-off test can be performed. In both the passive and active
drill-off tests, the vibration levels should be monitored. It is inadvisable to use a RPM/WOB
combination that produces high vibration levels as well as high ROP, as this combination may result
in premature failure of the drill bit or drill-string components.
4. 1. 6. 1. Passive Drill-Off Test
1. Begin with a moderate RPM and maximum WOB and lock the brake handle down.
2. Allow the bit weight t drill-off by a predetermined increment and record the time taken to drill-
off the WOB increment.
3. Continue to monitor the time for each weight increment reduction until the drill rate becomes too
slow.
4. Select the weight increment requiring the least amount of time to drill off.
5.Repeat this procedure at different rotary speeds to determine the optimum RPM.
4. 1. 6. 2. Active Drill-Off Test
Using the RPM and WOB from the passive drill-off test, the active test is used to determine the
specific values for the best drill rate. Set the RPM at the best value from the passive drill-off test
and for each small weight increment within the optimum WOB range, record the drill rate over five
minutes. This will refine and optimize the applied WOB.
For example:
1. Begin by selecting a mid-range WOB and moderate RPM.

2. Maintain the RPM and WOB for five minutes and record the drill rate.
3. Increase the WOB and repeat 1 and 2. Then decrease the WOB and repeat 1 and 2.
4. Determine the two fastest drill rates and select a WOB between the two drill rates
IPM
Section 4.1
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Drilling
5. Using the selected WOB, vary the rotary speed as in 1 and 2, recording the drill rate for each
period.
6.Select the RPM between the two best drill rates.
Once drilling has been optimized, the weight on bit should be kept smooth. Continuous weight
should be fed to the bit. The ‘slack-off/drill’ approach should be avoided, as this will contribute to
torsional vibrations leading to premature bit and BHA failure/wear and decreased ROP. Active drill-
off tests can be performed independently of the passive test.
IPM
Section 4. 2.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Tripping
4. 1. 0. Tripping Procedures to Pull Out Of Hole
1. When it has been decided to stop drilling, the bit is picked up of bottom and the rotation is
slowed down.
2. The volume of the annulus is circulated (bottoms up) until the hole is clean while the drill string
is reciprocated.
3. The mud weight “in” and “out” will be checked throughout the circulation.
4. The drilling crew will prepare the IBOPs on the drill floor. I.e. Full opening safety valve and gray
valve.
1. The trip tank will be filled up and it will be ensured that the electric motor is working properly.
2. The trip sheet will be prepared.
3. The circulation will be stopped, and the trip lined up and circulated across the hole.
4. A flow check is performed (15 minutes) with the Kelly or Top Drive still connected.
5. After the flow check, the Kelly or Top Drive is disconnected.
6. The trip starts and the first few stands have to be pulled out slowly and could be pulled out
connected if the rig has a top drive.
NOTE: In the open hole the stands are pulled at a steady rate in order to avoid or minimize the
swabbing effect created by the stabilizers which, charged with cuttings, will significantly reduce
the passageway between the blades and the wall of the hole and, therefore, will tend to work as
pistons, emptying the bottom of the hole, leading to a drop of the hydrostatic pressure, and
possibly allowing the formation fluid to enter the well bore.
For this reason, the level of the trip tank will be checked at every stand initially.
If a swabbing phenomenon is noticed, the priority will be to go back to bottom and re circulate as
long as we are not in a well control situation. Extreme attention and vigilance will be required.
EVERY TIME THE TRIP TANK NEEDS TO BE REFILLED (OR EMPTIED), THE TRIPPING
PROCESS SHOULD BE STOPPED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VOLUMES.
IPM
Section 4. 2.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Tripping
7. When arriving at the casing shoe, a flow check will be performed 9 15 minutes), with the IBOP
(Kelly valve) stabbed on the string.
12. Then, with the Kelly or Top Drive connected, a slug will be pumped.
13. Disconnect the Kelly or Top Drive and continue to pull out of the hole.
14. At the last stand of drill pipe or HWDP pipe below the BOPs, a flow check will be performed
(15 minutes).
15. The crew will prepare the cross over for the IBOP.
16. The BHA will be pulled out at a slow speed (because of increased steel volume and low
capacities of some trip tank’s electric motors).
NOTE: Lifting subs used to handle stand of drill collars should be threaded type subs in order to be
able connect the top drive in care of a well control situation.
Two tongs will be used when making up or breaking out connections to prevent stress and bending
of the drill-pipe in the table.
The three flow checks performed at the bottom of the well, at the casing shoe, and prior to pulling
BHA out of the hole are a reasonably standard drilling contractor policy. Their duration will be 15
minutes and even more in some particular cases.
IPM
Section 4. 3
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Casing
4. 3. 0. Functions of Casing
1. Prevent cave-in or washout of the hole

2. Prevent contamination between zones
3. Exclude water from producing formations
4. Confine production to the well bore
5. Provide a means of controlling well pressure
6. Provide a flow path for produced fluids
7. To permit installation of artificial lift equipment
4. 3. 1. Casing Types
1. Conductor casing
2. Surface Casing
3. Intermediate Casing
4. Liner Casing
5. Production Casing
4. 3. 1. 1. Conductor Casing
Conductor
The conductor is a short string of pipe that
provides surface integrity and ground support
for drilling operations.
Surface
It can be driven by a pile driver (hammer) or a
hole is drilled and the conductor is then run and
cemented in a place.
Intermediate
4. 3. 1. 2. Surface Casing
The main functions of the surface casing are: Liner
1. Protect fresh water formations

2. Seals off weal zones
3. Protect the well against blowouts
Production
4. Protect the well from cave-in
5. Apply to state rules and regulations
IPM
Section 4. 3
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Casing
4. 3. 1. 3. Intermediate Casing
The main functions of intermediate casing are:
1. Seals off weal zones

2. Seals off high pressure formations
3. Prevents contamination of the drilling fluid
4. 3. 1. 4. Line Casing
A liner is an abbreviated, or short string of casing used to case an open hole below an existing
casing. The casing does not come back to the wellhead but is hung off in the lower part of the last
casing string.
Their installation involves lower cost and requires a relatively short amount of time to run in the
hole.
4. 3. 1. 5. Production casing
Sometimes called the oil string or long string and is frequently the heaviest string in the well.
The production casing separates the reservoir or “pay zone” from all other zones and is the channel
to the oil and gas for tubing and other production equipment.
4. 3. 2. Casing Properties
Usually there are 5 properties of the casing that we need to know when designing any casing
string. They are
1. Range
2. Size
3. Weight
4. Connection or thread type
5. Grade
IPM
Section 4. 3
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Casing
4. 3. 2. 1. Range:
Casing is manufactured to API recommendations and comes in three ranges of length.
Range Length in Feet

1 16-25
2 25-34
3 34-48
The most common length is range 3 and an average joint length is approximately 40 ft.
Shorter lengths are known as pup joints.
4. 3. 2. 2. Size
Casing is available in many sizes ranging from 4 ½” to as much as 36 “. Depending on the type and
depth of the well the size of the casing is chosen.
4. 3. 2. 3. Casing Weight
Casing is available in many weights for each grade or size of the same casing. The thicker the wall
thickness the heavier the casing will be.
4. 3. 2. 4. Threads and Couplings
As per API recommendations, casing is threaded on each end and furnished with couplings.
Casing Box Casing Pin
There are several different types of thread available for the different applications and strengths.
The coupling is usually power tight on to the casing when supplied. Handling tight is defined as
tight enough so that a wrench must be used to remove the coupling for cleaning and inspection.
IPM
Section 4. 3
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Casing
4. 3. 2. 5. Casing Grade
Casing strings are designed to withstand 3 principal forces:

1. Tension is the force that pulls downward because of the weight of the string.
2. Collapse pressure is the external pressure stress that will cause the casing to break down. The
problem is minor at surface and greatest at the bottom of the hole and is important in casing
selection.
3. Burst pressure is the internal pressure stress that will cause the casing to burst and split. This
problem is at its greatest at the top of the casing string.
The type of steel used for manufacturing the casing determines the grade and hence the strength.
So when a casing joint is to be ordered all the following 5 properties of the casing needs to be
addressed
For e.g.
7” Range 3 32ppf LTC N80

Size (Dia) Length (40ft) Weight Type of coupling Grade
IPM
Section 4. 3
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Casing
4. 3. 3. Casing Accessories
4. 3. 3. 1. Guide Shoe
Guide Shoe Float Shoe
Used to guide the casing around obstructions or ledges in the hole. Some are open internally and
some are fitted with a one-way check valve or float. This allows fluid to be pumped down the
casing but nothing can enter into the casing from the bottom.
4. 3. 3. 2. Automatic Fill-up Shoe and Float

Control the volume of fluid entering the bottom of the casing. Will reduce surge pressures and
reduce the possibilities for lost circulation.
4. 3. 3. 3. Centralizers
Centralizers are placed on the outside of the casing either while the joints is on the deck or prior to
running the joints in the hole. They will centralize the casing in both the open hole and previously
cased hole sections.
Casing centralizers have two main functions
1. To ensure a uniform distribution of cement around the pipe

2. To obtain a complete seal between the casing and the formation
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Section 4. 3
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Casing
4. 3. 3. 4. Scratchers
Different types of scratchers
Casing scratchers are used to assist in providing a good cement bond with the formation. As the
casing is run in the hole, scratchers are put on the outside similar to centralizers. As the casing is
passing through the open hole section, the scratchers help to remove some of the filter cake on the
wall of the hole.
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Section 4. 3
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Casing
4. 3. 4. CASING EQUIPMENT PREPARATION CHECK LIST (SAMPLE)

DATE:
_______________
9 5/8 CASING EQPT. DESCRIPTION CHECKED NOTES
REMARKS
YES NO
DRILL FLOOR EQUIPMENT
1 CASING BOWL #2
2 CASING HAND SLIPS
3 ELEVATOR “SLX” TYPE
4 SINGLE JOINT ELEVATOR
WITH SLINGS AND SWIVEL
5 ELEVATOR VARCO OR BJ 500T
6 CASING SLIPS VARCO OR BJ 500 T
7 AIR HORSES TO OPERATE no 6
8 BACK UP TONG WITH JAWS
9 ADJUSTABLE SLING FOR TONG SUSP.
10 ELEVATOR BAILS 2 7/8” 134” LONG
11 SAFETY ROPE FOR V DOOR
12 FILL UP LINE FOR CASING JOINTS
13 RUBBER PROTECTORS
14 LINE FOR PROTECTOR DESCENT
15 STEPS FOR TONG OPERATOR
HYDRAULIC EQUIPMENT
16 HYDRAULIC UNIT
17 HYDRAULIC CASING TONG
18 HORSES
VARIOUS EQUIPMENT
19 CIRCULATING HEAD
20 CENTRALIZERS, STOP RINGS
21 NAILS FOR CENTRALIZERS
22 PIPE TO BEND THE NAILS
23 BARYTE TO CLEAN THE THREADS
24 CLEAN WIRE BRUSH
25 RAGS
26 BAKERLOK
27 CASING DOPE
NOTE: CHECK THE SENSATIO BEFORE ANY CASING JOB.
GAP = 5/8”
CHECK THE MUD PUMPS AND SUNCTION FILTERS BEFORE ANY CASING JOB.
DRILLER’S NAME AND SIGNATURE
IPM
Section 4. 3
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Casing
4. 3. 5. Preparation And Inspection Before Running
4. 3. 5. 1. Inspection
New casing should be delivered free of injuries but it is suggested that the individual user
familiarize himself with inspection practices specified in the standards and employed by the
respective company.
The number of joints delivered to the rig site should be checked against the shipping papers and a
casing tally sheet to list them.
4. 3. 5. 2. Thread Protectors
All casing, whether new, used, or reconditioned, should always be handled with thread protectors
in place.
Casing should be handled at all times on racks or on wooden or metal surfaces free of rocks, sands,
or dirt other than normal drilling mud. When lengths of casing are inadvertently dragged in the dirt,
the threads should be re-cleaned and serviced.
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Section 4. 3
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Casing
4. 3. 5. 3. Rig Equipment
Slip elevators are recommended for long

strings. Both spider and elevator slips should
be clean and sharp and should fit properly.
Slips should be extra long for heavy casing
strings. The spider must be level.
Note: Slip and tong marks are injuries. Every

possible effort should be made to keep such
damage at a minimum by using proper up-to-
date equipment.
If Collar-pull elevators are used, the bearing

surface should be carefully inspected for:
1. Uneven wear which may produce a side

lift on the coupling with danger of it jumping
off
2. Uniform distribution of the load when
applied over the bearing face of the coupling.
Spider and elevator slips should be examined
and watched to see that all lower together. If
they lower unevenly, there is danger of
denting the pipe or badly slip-cutting it.
Care must be exercised, particularly when
running long casing strings, to insure that the
slip bushing or bowl is in good condition.
Tongs should be examined for wear on hinge-
pins and hinge-surfaces.
The back-up line attachment to the back-up
post should be correct if necessary to be
level with the tong in the back-up position, so
as to avoid uneven load distribution on the
gripping surfaces of the casing.
The length of the back-up line should be such
as to cause minimum bending stresses on the
casing to allow full stroke movement of the
make-up tong.
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Section 4. 3
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Casing
4. 3. 6. Pre-running Preparations
4. 3. 6. 1. Thread Preparation
The following precautions should be taken in the preparation of casing threads for make-up in the
casing strings:
Immediately before running, remove thread protectors from both field and coupling ends and clean
the threads thoroughly, repeating as additional rows become uncovered.
Carefully inspect the threads. Those found damaged, even slightly, should be laid aside unless
satisfactory means are available for correcting thread damage.
The length of each piece of casing shall be measured prior to running. A steel tape calibrated in
decimal feet to the nearest 0.01 ft should be used.
The measurement should be made from the outermost face of the coupling or box to the position on
the externally threaded end where the coupling or the box stops when the joint is made up power
tight.
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Section 4. 3
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Casing
On round thread joints, this positions is to the plane of the vanish point on the pipe; on butters
thread casing, this position is to the base of the triangle stamp on the pipe; and, on extreme line
casing, to the shoulder on the externally threaded end. The total of the individual lengths so
measured will represent the unloaded length of the casing string.
The actual length under tension in the hole can be obtained by consulting graphs which are
prepared for this purpose and which are available in most pipe handbooks.
Check each coupling for makeup. If the standoff is abnormally great, check the coupling for
tightness.
Tighten any loose couplings after thoroughly cleaning the threads and applying fresh compound
over entire thread surfaces, and before pulling the pipe into the derrick.
Before stabbing, liberally apply thread compound to the entire internally and externally threaded
areas.
It is recommended that high-pressure modified thread compound be used, except in special cases
where severe conditions are encountered, it is recommended that high-pressure silicone thread
compound be used.
Place clean thread protector on the filed end of the pipe so that the thread will not be damaged
while rolling pipe on the rack and pulling into the derrick. Several thread protectors may be cleaned
and used repeatedly for this operation.
If a mixed string is to be run, check to determine that appropriate casing will be accessible on the
pipe rack when required according to the program.
Connectors that are used as tensile and lifting member should have their thread capacity carefully
checked to assure that the connector can safely support the load.
Care should be taken when making up pup joints and connectors to assure that the mating threads
are of the same size and type.
4. 3. 6. 2. Drifting of Casing
It is recommended that each length of the casing be drifted for its entire length with mandrels just
before running.
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Section 4. 3
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Casing
4. 3. 6. 3. Handling form the Pipe Rack to the Rig Floor
Lower or roll each piece of casing carefully to the walk without dropping.
Avoid hitting casing against any part of derrick or other equipment. Provided a hold-back rope at
the V-door opening.
For mixed or unmarked strings, a drift or “jack rabbit” should be run through each length of casing
when it is picked up from the catwalk and pulled onto the derrick floor, to avoid running a heavier
length or one with a lesser inside diameter than called for in the casing string.
IPM
Section 4. 3
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Casing
4. 3. 7. Running Casing
4. 3. 7. 1. Stabbing
Do not remove thread protector from field end of casing until ready to stab. If necessary, apply
thread compound over entire surface of threads just before stabbing.
The brush or utensil used in applying thread compound should be kept free of foreign matter and
compound and the compound should never be thinned.
In stabbing, lower casing carefully to avoid injuring threads. Stab vertically, preferably with
assistance of a man on the stabbing board.
If the casing stand tilts to one side after stabbing, lift up, clean, and correct any damaged thread
with three-cornered file, then carefully remove any filings and reapply compound over the thread
surface.
After stabbing, the casing should be rotated very slowly at first to insure that threads are engaging
properly and not cross-threading. If spinning line is used, it should pull close to the coupling.
4. 3. 7. 2. Make-up, Power Tongs
The use of power tongs for making up casing made desirable the establishment of recommended
torque values for each size, weight, and grade of casing. Early studies and test indicated that
torque values are affected by a large number of variables, such as: variations in taper, lead, thread
form, surface finish, type of thread compound, length of thread, weight and grade of pipe, etc.
Minimum torque values listed are 75% of optimum values and maximum values listed are 125% of
optimum values. All values are rounded to the nearest 10 foot-pounds.
These values must necessarily be considered a guide only, due to the very wide variations in torque
requirements that can exist for a specific connection. Because of this, it is essential that torque be
related to made-up position as outlined in the following:
It is advisable when starting to run casing from each particular mill shipment to make up sufficient
joints to determine the torque necessary to provide proper make-up.
Minimum torque should be not less than 75 per cent of the optimum selected. The maximum torque
should be not more than 125 per cent of the optimum
The power tong should be provided with a reliable torque gage of know accuracy. In the initial
stages of make-up, any irregularities of make-up or in speed of make-up should be observed, since
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Section 4. 3
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Casing
these may be indicative of crossed threads, dirty or damage threads, or other unfavorable
conditions.
Continue the make-up, observing both the torque gage and the approximate position of the
coupling face with respect to the last scratch position.
The optimum torque values shown in the tabulations have been selected to give optimum make-up
under normal conditions and should be considered as satisfactory providing the face of the coupling
is flush with the last scratch or within two thread turns plus or minus of the last scratch.
If several threads remain exposed when the optimum torque is reached, apply additional torque up
to the maximum torque. If the standoff (distance from face of coupling to the last scratch) is greater
than three thread turns when the maximum torque is reached, the joint should be treated as a
questionable joint.
Make-up torque values for buttress thread casing connections should be determined by carefully
noting the torque required to make up each of several connections to the base of the triangle, then
using the torque value thus established, make up balance of the pipe of that particular weight and
grade in the string.
4. 3. 7. 3. Make-up, Conventional Tongs
When conventional tongs are used for casing make-up, tighten with tongs to proper degree of
tightness.
The joint should be made up beyond the hand-tight position at least 3 turns for size 4-1/2 through 7
inch, and at least 3-1/2 turns for sizes 7-5/8 inch and larger, except 9-5/8 inch and 10-3/4 inch
grade P-110 and 20 inc grade J-55 and K-55 which should be made up 4 turns beyond hand-tight
position. When using a spinning line it is necessary to compare hand tightness with spin-up
lightness.
In order to do this, make up the first few joint to the hand tight position, then back off and spin up
joints to the spin-up tight position. Compare relative position of these two make-ups and use this
information to determine when the joint is made up the recommended number of turns beyond
hand tight.
4. 3. 7. 4 Questionable Make-up
Joints that are questionable as to their proper tightness should be unscrewed and the casing laid
down for inspection and repair. When this is done, the mating coupling should be carefully
inspected for damaged threads.
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Section 4. 3
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Casing
If casing has a tendency to wobble unduly at its upper end when making up, indicating the thread
may not be in line with the axis of the casing, the speed of rotation should be decreased to prevent
galling of threads.
If wobbling should persist despite reduced rotational speed, the casing should be laid down for
inspection. Serious consideration should be given before using such casing in a position in the
string when a heavy tensile load is imposed.
In making up the field joint it is possible for the coupling to make up slightly on the mill end. This
does not indicate that the coupling on the mill end is too loose, but simply that the field end has
reached the tightness with which the coupling was screwed on at the mill.
4. 3. 7. 5. Lowering Casing
Casing strings should be picked up and lowered carefully, and care exercised in setting slips to
avoid shock loads.
Dropping a string even a short distance may loosen couplings at the bottom of the string. Care
should be exercised to prevent setting casing down on bottom, or otherwise placing it in
compression because of the danger of buckling, particularly in that part of the well where hole
enlargement has occurred.
Definite instructions should be available as to the design of the casing string, including the proper
location of the various grades of steel, weights of casing, and types of joint. Care should be
exercised to run the string in exactly the order in which it was designed.
If any length cannot be clearly identified, it should be laid aside until its grade, weight, and the
type of joint can be positively established.
To facilitate running and to assure adequate hydrostatic head to contain reservoir pressures, the
casing should be periodically filled with mud while being run. A number of things govern the
frequency with which filling should be accomplished: weight of pipe in the hole, mud weight,
reservoir pressure, etc. In most cases, filling every 6-10 lengths should suffice.
In no case should too infrequent filling jeopardize the hydrostatic balance of reservoir pressure.
Filling should be done with must of the proper weight, using a conveniently located hose of
adequate size to expedite the filling operation. A quick-opening/closing plug valve on the mud hose
will facilitate the operation and prevent overflow.
If rubber hose is used, it is recommended that the quick-losing valve be mounted where the hose is
connected to the mud line, rather that at the outlet end of the hose. It is also recommended that at
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Section 4. 3
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Casing
least one other discharge connection be left open on the mud system to prevent build-up to
excessive pressure when the quick closing valve is closed while pump is still running.
A copper nipple at the end of the mud hose may be used to prevent damaging of the coupling
threads during the filling operation.
Note: The foregoing mud fill-up practice will be unnecessary if automatic fill-up casing shoes and
collars are used.
4. 3. 7. 6 Casing Landing Procedure
Definite instructions should be provided for the proper string tension, also on the proper landing
procedure after the cement has set. The purpose is to avoid critical stresses or excessive and
unsafe tensile stresses at any time during the life of the well. In arriving at the proper tension and
landing procedure, consideration should be given to all factors such as well temperature and
pressure, temperature developed due to cement hydration, mud temperature and changes of
temperature during producing operations.
The adequacy of the original of the original tension safety factor of the string as designed land
procedure instructions (and this probably applies to a very large majority of the wells drilled), then
the procedure should be followed of landing the casing in the casing head at exactly the position in
which it was hanging when the cement plug reached its lowest point or “as cemented”.
4. 3. 8. Causes Of Casing Problems
General
The more common causes of casing troubles are as follows:
1. Improper selection for depth and pressures encountered.
2. Insufficient inspection of each length of casing or field-shop threads.
3. Abuse in mi ll, transportation, and field handling.
4. Non-observance of good rules in running and pulling casing.
5. Improper cutting of field-shop threads
6. The use of poorly manufactured couplings for replacements and additions
7. Improper care in storage.
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Section 4. 3
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Casing
8. Excessive torque of casing to force it through tight places in the hole.
9. Pulling too hard on string (to free it). This may loosen the couplings at the top of the string.
They should be retightened with tongs before finally setting the string.
10. Rotary drilling inside casing. Setting the casing with improper tension after cementing is one of
the greatest contributing causes of such failures.
11. Wire-line cutting, by swabbing or cable-tool drilling.
12. Buckling of casing in an enlarged, washed-out un-cemented cavities if too much tension a
released in landing.
13. Dropping a string, even a very short distance.
14. Leaky joints, under external or internal pressure, are a common trouble, this may be due to:
a. Improper thread compound

b. Under-tonging
c. Dirty threads
d. Galled threads, due to dirt, careless stabbing, damaged threads, too rapid spinning, over-
tonging, or wobbling during spinning or tonging operations.
e. Improper cutting of field-shop threads
f. Pulling too hard on string
g. Dropping string
h. Excessive making and breaking
i. Tonging too high on casing, especially on breaking out. This gives a bending effect that
tends to gall the threads
j. Improper joint make-up at mill.
k. Casing ovality of out-of-roundness
l. Improper landing practices which produces stresses in the threaded joint in excess of the
yield point.
IPM
Section 4. 4.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Cementing
4. 4. 0. Introduction
Cementing operations are generally divided into two main processes:
4. 4. 1. Primary Cementing
The main functions of primary cementing are:
1. To restrict fluid movement between formations and the surface

2. To provide support for the casing
3. To prevent pollution of freshwater formation
4. To prevent casing corrosion
4. 4. 2. Secondary Cementing
Secondary cementing is considered as a remedial operation for problems down hole. The tow main
operations of secondary cementing are:
1. Squeeze cementing for:

• Repair of casing leaks
• Shut off bottom water in a producing zone
• Abandonment of a depleted zone
2. Plug back cementing for:

• Sealing off a dry zone
• Shut off a depleted formation so that the production can be taken from a higher zone
4. 4. 3. Normal Hook - Up
IPM
Section 4. 4.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Cementing
4. 4. 4. Mixing Cement
Dry cement is mixed with water to form what is known as a “slurry”. The purest water available
should be used although sea water could be used but will increase the early strength of the
cement.
4. 4. 4. 1. Cement Mixer
The recirculating mixer is the most commonly used system for cement mixing because it produces a
smooth and homogenous cement slurry due to the process of mixing the wet cement with
recirculated.
4. 4. 4. 2. Slurry Density
Slurry density will checked with a pressurized mud balance and also with an automatic density
recorder in the mixing tank.
Density will be carefully monitored and controlled because:

1. It indicates the volume of the slurry
2. It is a direct indication of the water to cement ratio that affects hydration
3. Lost circulation may be a factor.
4. 4. 4. 3. Cement Additive
Additives are used with basic cements in order to:

1. Alter the setting time
2. Change the slurry density
3. Lower the water loss
4. Improve flow properties
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Section 4. 4.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Cementing
4. 4. 5. Pumping Cement
Water is usually used as preflush to provide a spacer between the drilling mud and the cement
slurry.
It will:
1. Assist in removal of some of the filter cake
2. Reduce cement contamination
3. Be put in turbulent flow at low rate
4. Will be easy to obtain
4. 4. 5. 1. Cement Head
The cement head or plug container is made up on the top joint of casing and provides a way to
circulate cement and to load the plugs.
IPM
Section 4. 4.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Cementing
4. 4. 5. 2. Cement Plug
The cement plugs will assist in wiping mud from the inside of the casing but their main function
will be to separate the cement from the drilling fluid to avoid contamination.
4. 4. 5. 3. Cement Job
The operator should pump the cement at the

highest rate possible and with no delays.
When the bottom plug reaches the float

collar, the pressure increases and ruptures
the diaphragm, allowing the cement to go
down and in to the annular space between
the casing and the hole.
The top plug is more solid and can

withstand higher pressures.
When it seats or “bumps”, the pump

pressure will increase. At this time the
cement job is complete. The pressure
should be bled off so that the casing does
not “bulge” before the cement sets dry.
Job in Progress Job Finished
IPM
Section 4. 4.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Cementing
4. 4. 6. Waiting on Cement
The operator generally decides the beginning of waiting on cement time (WOC) and will normally
start drilling out the shoe after about 12 hours.
If there is a concern about the height of the cement it can be solved by cement bond logs or
temperature survey as cement gives off heat as it sets.
4. 4. 7. Drilling Out Float Equipment
The float equipment should be properly prepared for drilling our. Thread locking compound should
be applied to the first four to six casing thread connectors and to the floating equipment threads
(float shoe and collar). This will help prevent the shoe joint from backing off during drill out.
The top plug should be released while still pumping cement. This will allow for at least 10 feet of
cement to be located above the top plug at the concl usions of pumping. This procedure is referred
to as tailing-in.
Maintaining proper operating parameters while drilling out is important to not only protect the bit,
but also to prevent damage to the float equipment and casing. Excessive weight and rotation can
promote shoe joint failure as well as damage the bit. Higher circulation rates are necessary to
remover the drilled-up materials from the bit face.
Plug spinning is a common phenomenon associated with drilling out with both roller cone and fixed
cutter bits. If plug spinning is encountered, the WOB should be adjusted accordingly.
Conventional type cementing plugs should be avoided when PDC bits are used to drill the plugs,
these plugs tend to turn or spin while being drilled with PDC bits. Also the inserts are made of
aluminum or cast iron which is detrimental to fixed cutter bits.
Non-rotating type cementing equipment is recommended, however, non-rotating type cementing

plugs may also drill slowly if the non-rotating assembly fails during drilling operation.
Lock Down Anti-Rotation plugs tend to perform well. These plugs have huge locking devices that
tend to keep the plugs from turning during drilling. A problem with these plugs however, is that
they may have too much rubber on the top. Care must be taken to avoid center punching this type
of plug.
When drilling non-rotating type cementing plugs, patience should be exercised. At the start of the
drilling operation, WOB should not be too high ( 2000 – 4000 lb. ). Excessive WOB may cause the
bit to center punch the plugs, drastically slowing down the drilling operation; RPM should be in the
50-70 range. When rotating off-bottom, RPM should be 60 or less.
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Section 4. 4.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Cementing
Service company personnel who supply the float equipment are the local experts. These people
should be contacted to discuss the makeup and materials used in their particular brand of
equipment.
IPM
Section 4. 5.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Stuck Pipe Prevention
4. 5. 0. Introduction: Stuck pipe be a very time consuming and expensive problem.
Stuck pipe is generally divided into three categories:
• Solids Induced
• Differential
• Mechanical or Wellbore Geometry
4. 5. 1. Solid Induced Pack-Off
4. 5. 1. 1. Unconsolidated formations
An unconsolidated formation falls into the well bore because it is loosely packed with little or no
bonding between particles, pebbles or boulders.
The collapsed of the formation is caused by removing the supporting

rock as the well is drilled. This is very similar to digging a hole in a
sand on the beach, the faster you dig the faster the hole collapses.
It happens in a well bore when little or no filter cake is present. The

un-bonded formation (sand, gravel, small river bed boulders etc.)
cannot be supported by hydrostatic over balance as the fluid simply
flows into the formation. Sand or gravel then falls into the hole and
packs off the drill string. The effect can be a gradual increase then
falls into the hole and packs off the drill string. The effect can be a
gradual increase in drag over a number of metres, or can be sudden.
The mechanism is normally associated with shallow formations. Examples are shallow riverbed
structure at about 500m in the central North Sea and in surface hole sections of land wells. This
mechanism normally occurs while drilling shallow unconsolidated formations.
IPM
Section 4. 5.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
4. 5. 1. 2. Mobile formations
The mobile formation squeezes into the well bore because it is being
compressed by the over burden forces. Mobile formations behave in a
plastic manner, deforming under pressure.
The deformation results in a decrease in the well bore size, causing

problems running BHA’s, to logging tools and casing. A deformation
occurs because the mud weight is not sufficient to prevent the formation
squeezing into the well bore.
4. 5. 1. 3. Fractured & Faulted Formations
A natural fracture system in the rock can often be found near faults.
Rock near faults can be broken into large or small pieces. If they are
loose they can fall into the well bore and jam the string in the hole.
Even if the pieces are bonded together, impacts from the BHA due to
drill string vibration can cause the formation to fall into the well
bore.
This type of sticking is particularly unusual in that stuck pipe can

occur while drilling. When this has happened in the past, the first
sign of a problem has been the string torquing up and sticking. There
is a risk of sticking in fractured / faulted formation when drilling
through a fault and when drilling through fractured limestone
formations.
IPM
Section 4. 5.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
4. 5. 1. 4. Naturally Over-Pressured Shale Collapse
A naturally over -pressured shale is one with a natural pore pressure

greater than the normal hydrostatic pressure gradient.
Naturally over -pressured shales are most commonly caused by

geological phenomena such as under -compaction, naturally removed
over burden (i.e.: weathering) and up lift. Using insufficient mud
weight in these formations will cause the hole to become unstable
and collapse.
4. 5. 1. 5. Induced Over-Pressured Shale Collapse

Induced over-pressure shale occurs when the shale assumes the hydrostatic pressure of the well
bore fluids after a number of days exposure to that pressure. When this is followed by no increase
or a reduction in hydrostatic pressure in the well bore, the shale, which now has a higher internal
pressure than the well bore, collapses in a similar manner to naturally over-pressured shale.
4. 5. 1. 6. Reactive Formations
A water sensitive shale is drilled with less inhibition than is

required. The shale absorbs the water ad swells into the well
bore. The reaction is ‘time dependent’, as the chemical reaction
takes time to occur. However, the time can range from hours to
days.
IPM
Section 4. 5.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
4. 5. 1. 7. Hole Cleaning
In deviated wells cuttings and cavings settle to the low side

of the hole and form layers called solids beds or cuttings
beds. The BHA becomes stuck in the solids bed.
OR
Cuttings and cavings slide down the annulus when the pumps
are turned off and pack-off the drill string. Avalanching can
also occur while the pumps are on. Good hole cleaning means
removal of sufficient solids from the well bore to allow the
reasonably unhindered passage of the drill string and the
casing.
There are several main reasons for solids not being cleaned
out the well out of the well bore.
These are:
Low annular flow rate
Inappropriate mud properties
Insufficient circulation time
Inadequate mechanical agitation
4. 5. 1. 8. Tectonically Stressed Formations

Well bore instability is caused when highly stressed formations are drilled and there exists a
significant difference between the near well bore stress and the restraining pressure provided by
the drilling fluid density.
Tectonic stresses build up in areas where rock is being com pressed or stretched due to movement
of the earth’s crust. The rock in these areas is being buckled by the pressure of moving tectonic
plates.
When a hole is drilled in an area of high tectonic stresses the rock around the well bore will
collapse into the well bore and produce splintery cavings similar to those produced by over-
pressured shale. In the tectonic stress case the hydrostatic pressure required to stabilize the well
bore may be much higher than the fracture pressure of the other exposed formations.
IPM
Section 4. 5.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
4. 5. 1. 9. First Actions
1. At the first signs of the drill string torquing up and trying to pack-off, the pump strokes should be
reduced by half. This will minimize pressure trapped should the hole pack-off. Excessive pressure
applied to a pack-off will aggravate the situation. If the hole cleans up, return flow to the normal
rate.
2. If the string packs off, immediately stop the pumps and bleed down the standpipe pressure [NB
not possible with a non-ported float valve]. When bleeding pressure down from under a pack-off,
control the rate so as not to “U” tube solids into the drill string in case they plug the string.
3. Leave low pressure (<500 psi) trapped below the pack-off. This will act as an indicator that the
situation is improving should the pressure bleed off.
4. Holding a maximum of 500 psi on the stand pipe and with the string hanging at its free rotating
weight, start cycling the drill string up to maximum make-up torque. At this stage do not work the
string up or down.
5. Continue cycling the torque, watching for pressure bleed off and returns at the shakers. If bleed
or partial circulation occurs, slowly increase pump strokes to maintain a maximum of 500 psi stand
pipe pressure. If circulation improves continue to increase the pum p strokes.
6. If circulation cannot be regained, work the pipe between free up and free down weight. DO NOT
APPLY EXCESSIVE PULSS AND SET DOWN WEIGHTS AS THIS WILL AGGRAVATE THE SITUATION
(50k lb max). Whilst working the string continue to cycle the torque to stall out and maintain a
maximum of 500 psi stand pipe pressure.
7. DO NOT ATTEMP TO FIRE THE JARS IN EITHER DIRECTION.
8. If circulation cannot be established increase the stand pipe pressure in stages up to 1500 psi and
continue to work the pipe and apply torque.
9. If the pipe is not free once full circulation is established, commence jarring operations in the
opposite direction to the last pipe movement. Once the pipe is free rotate and clean the hole prior
to continuing the trip.
IPM
Section 4. 5.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
4. 5. 2. Differential Sticking
Differential sticking occurs when the drill string

is held against the well bore by force. This force
is created by the imbalance of the hydrostatic
pressure in the well bore and the pore pressure
of a permeable formation. When the hydrostatic
pressure is greater than the pore pressure the
difference is called the over balance. The
resultant force of the over balance acting on an
area of drill string is the force that sticks the
string.
This mechanism normally occurs:
1) With a stationary or very slow moving

string.
2) When contact exist between the drill string
and well bore
3) When an over balance is present
4) Across a permeable formation
5) In a thick filter cake
1.Establish that differential sticking is the mechanism

2. This is recognized by
• string stuck after connection or survey
• BHA is across a permeable formation
• full unrestricted circulation is possible
3.Initially circulate at maximum allowable rate to erode filter cake
4. Slump the string holding 50% of make up torque
5. Pick up to just above string weight and repeat above operation
6. Repeat the above two steps increasing the torque to 100%
7. Continue till free or releasing pill is ready
IPM
Section 4. 5.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
4. 5. 3. Mechanical & Well Bore Geometry
4. 5. 3. 1. Key Seating
Key seating is caused by the drill pipe rotating against the

bore hole wall at the same point and wearing a groove or
key seat in the wall. When the drill string is tripped, the tool
joints or the BHA are pulled into the key seat and become
jammed. Key seating can also occur at the casing shoe if a
groove is worn in the casing.

• At abrupt changes in angle or direction in medium-soft
to medium-hard formation.
• Where high side wall forces and string rotation exist.
• While pulling out of the hole
• After long drilling hours with no wiper trips through the
dogleg.
4. 5. 3. 2. Under gauge Hole
Drilling hard abrasive rock wears the bit and the stabilizer
gauge and results in a smaller than gauge hole. When a
subsequent in-gauge bit is run, it encounters resistance due to
the under gauge section of hole. If the string is run into the
hole quickly without reaming, the bit can jam in the under
gauge hole section.

• After running a new bit
• After coring
• When a PDC bit is run after a roller cone bit
• When drilling abrasive formations
IPM
Section 4. 5.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
4. 5. 3. 3. Junk
Debris that has fallen into the hole from surface

or from down hole equipment, which falls down
the well bore and jams the drill string.
This mechanism usually occurs:

• Due to poor house keeping on the rig
floor
• The hole cover not being installed
• Down hole equipment failure
4. 5. 3. 4. Ledges and Doglegs
Ledge: The well bore passes through rock of varying types

and ledges develop at the interfaces between layers of
differing hardness.
Doglegs: While drilling a well bore, the characteristics of
the rock cause the bit to the deflected and can result in a
change in direction. Likewise when drilling with a directional
BHA, sudden changes in angle can cause a kink in the well
bore direction. Sharp deviations in well bore direction are
called doglegs.
This mechanism usually occurs:

• When an unsuitable BHA is run
• After a change in BHA
• Prognosed hard soft inter bedded formations
• Prognosed fractured / faulted formations
• After direction changes
• While POOH
IPM
Section 4. 5.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
4. 5. 3. 5. Collapsed Casing / Tubing
Casing collapses either if pressure conditions exceed its original rated collapsed or the original
collapse pressure rating of the casing is no longer valid due to casing wear and/or corrosion.
Casing wear due to friction or corrosion decreases the effective collapse pressure rating of the
casing, through decreased wall thickness. Collapse is often discovered when the BHA is run into
the hole and hangs up inside the casing.
This mechanism can occur when:

• The collapse pressure of the casing is exceeded during a pressure test where an annulus leak
is occurring. The collapse pressure of the casing may be less than expected, due to casing
wear.
• The casing fluid is evacuated, causing the casing to collapse
• The casing is buckled due to aggressive running procedures
4. 5. 3. 6. Cement Blocks
The drill string becomes jammed in the hole by cement blocks falling around the string
This mechanism normally occurs when:

• Hard cement becomes unstable around the casing shoe, open hole squeeze plugs and kick-off
plugs
4. 5. 3. 7. Green Cement
When the drill string is in-advertently run into cement, the

cement can flash set. The top of the cement may be higher than
prognosed. The increase in pressure generated by the surge of
the BHA causes the cement to flash set.
Circulation is attempted with the bottom of the drill string in soft

cement. The increase in pressure causes the cement to flash set.
A high penetration rate is used when cleaning out recently set
cement, below which is un-set cement which flash sets.

• While running into the hole to dress off cement.
IPM
Section 4. 5.
Rev 0.0 April 2004
I.Ensure circulation is maintained

II.If the string become stuck while moving up, (apply torque) jar down
III.If the string became stuck while moving down, do not apply torque and Jar up.
IV. Jarring operations should start with light loading (50000 lbs) and then systematically
increased to maximum load over a one hour period.
V. Stop or reduce circulation when;
a) cocking the jars to fire up and
b) jarring down.
c) Pump pressure will increase jar blow when jarring up, so full circulation is
beneficial (beware of maximum load at the jar)
VI. If jarring is unsuccessful consider acid pills, if conditions permit.
IPM
Section 4. 6
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Well Control
4. 6. 0. Primary Well Controls
Primary well control is the use of fluid density to provide sufficient hydrostatic pressure.
• Drilling and completion fluids of adequate density are used.

• Well is kept full of adequate density fluid at all times
• Active volumes are continuously monitored, especially during tripping
• Changes in density, volumes and flow rate of drilling fluids from the wellbore are immediately
detected and appropriate action taken.
4. 6. 1. Causes of Kicks
There are 5 major causes for the loss of primary well control:
4. 6. 1. 1. Failure To Fill Hole Properly While Tripping

As the drill string is pulled from the hole, the mud level drops due to the volume of the pipe being
removed
As the mud level drops the hydrostatic pressure may be reduced enough to lose primary well
control allowing formation fluids to enter the wellbore.
4. 6. 1. 2. Swabbing
The hydrostatic pressure in the wellbore will always be reduced to some extent when the drill
string or any down hole tools are being pulled from the hole.
The reduction in hydrostatic pressure should not be such that primary control is lost.
Swabbing is caused by one or more of the following:
• High pulling speeds

• Mud properties with high viscosity and high gels
• Tight annulus BHA-hole clearance, or restricted annulus clearance
4. 6. 1. 3. Lost Circulation
When lost circulation occurs, the drilling fluid level will drop and a reduction in hydrostatic
pressure in the wellbore may cause the loss of primary well control.
Loss of circulation may result form one or more of the following:
• Cavernous or vulgar formations.

• Naturally fractured, pressure depleted or sub-normally pressured zones.
• Fractures induced by excessive pipe running speeds.
• A restricted annulus due to balling of BHA or sloughing shales
IPM
Section 4. 6
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Well Control
• Excessively high annular friction losses.

• Excessive pressures caused by breaking circulation when mud gel strength is high.
• Mechanical failure) casing, riser, etc.)
4. 6. 1. 4. Insufficient Mud Weight

When the hydrostatic pressure due to drilling fluid density is less than formation pressure of a
permeable zone, formation fluids will enter the well bore.
This may occur due to the following:
• Drilling into an abnormal pressure zone.

• Dilution of the drilling fluid
• Reduction in drilling fluid density to influx of formation fluids, in particular gas
• Setting of weighted material
• Failures to displace riser to kill mud after circulating out a kick
• Pumping long column of low weight spacer while cementing
• After cementing while WOC. Cement loses hydrostatic pressure as is starts to set.
4. 6. 1. 5. Loss Of Riser Drilling Fluid Column

On floating unit operations, the loss of the drilling fluid column in the riser may result in a reduction
of hydrostatic pressure in the well bore and may cause the loss of primary well control.
This loss of riser hydrostatic column could be due to:
• Accidental disconnects
• Riser damage
• Displacement of riser with seawater
4. 6. 2. Secondary Well Control
Secondary Control is the proper use of blowout prevention equipment to control the well in the
event that primary control cannot be properly maintained.
Early recognition of warning signals and rapid shut-in are the key to effective well control. By
taking action quickly, the amount of formation fluid that enters the well bore and the amount of
drilling fluid expelled from the annulus is minimize.
The size and severity of a kick depends upon:
IPM
Section 4. 6
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Well Control
• The degree of under balance

• The formation permeability and productivity
• The length of time the well remains under balance
Smaller kicks provide lower choke or annulus pressure both upon initial closure and later when the
kick is circulated to the choke.
4. 6. 3. Tertiary Well Control
In the event that secondary control cannot be properly maintained due to hole conditions or
equipment failure, certain emergency procedures can be implemented to prevent the loss of
control.
These procedures to be applied depends on the particular operating conditions which are
encountered, and specific recommendations regarding appropriate tertiary control procedures
cannot be given until the circumstances leading to the loss of secondary control are established.
However, there are two procedures that are widely used. These involve the use of:
1. Barite
2. Cement plugs
4. 6. 3. 1. Barite Plugs
A barite plug is slurry of barite in fresh water or diesel oil which is spotted in the hole to form a
barite bridge that will seal the blowout and allow control of the well to be re-established.
The plug is displaced through the drill string and, if conditions allow, the string is pulled up to a
safe point above the plug. The barite settles out rapidly to form an impermeable mass capable of
shutting off high rates of flow. The effectiveness of a barite plug derives from the high density and
fine particle size of the barite and its ability to form a tough impermeable barrier.
A barite plug has the following advantages:
It can be pumped through the bit and offers a reasonable chance of recovering the drill string.
The material required is normally available at the rig site.
The plug can be drilled easily if required.
IPM
Section 4. 6
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Well Control
The main disadvantage is the risk of settling and consequent plugging of the drill string if pumping
is stopped before the slurry has been completely displaced.
4. 6. 3. 2. Cement Plugs
A cement plug can be used to shut off a down hole flow. However, this generally involves
abandoned of the well and loss of most of the drilling tools.
Cement plugs are set by pumping a quantity of quick setting (accelerated) cement into the annulus
via the drill string.
The cement is usually displaced until the pump and choke pressures indicate that a bridge has
formed.
Quick setting cement reduces the possibility of gas cutting.
If a cement plug has to be set off bottom with mud below it, then consideration should be given to
spotting a slug of viscous mud below the zone to be plugged.
This precaution should be considered in long or deviated holes or when the cement slurry is
substantially heavier than the mud.
Setting a cement plug offers little chance of recovering the drill string. It is also likely that the
string will become plugged after pumping the cement, precluding any second attempt if the first
should not succeed.
Cement plugging should be regarded as the final option.
4. 6. 4. Detecting a Kick
A kick cannot occur without a warning sign or variation when drilling with “returns to surface”.
A kick occurs when the hydrostatic pressure if the mud column in the well is less than the
formation pressure (i.e., an under balance). If the formation can produce formation fluids.
Whereas drilling breaks, mud contamination, etc., are cautionary signals, a kick provides a positive
indicator that formation fluid is entering the well bore.
The pit level/volume indicators and flow line sensors must be regularly calibrated, according to the
calibration procedures, so that high and low level alarms can be set as closely together as
practical. By doing this, any gains or losses can be identified quickly.
IPM
Section 4. 6
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Well Control
4. 6. 4. 1. Kick Detection While Drilling
1. Increase in Relative Flow

The first positive indicator that a kick is occurring is an increase in the return flow rate while the
pumps are running at constant output.
2. Decrease in pump pressure and corresponding increase in the pump strokes.
3. Flow with pumps off.

Flow out of the flow line with the pumps shut off is a positive indicator that a kick is in progress.
The check for flow can, however, be masked by mud U-tubing or if a slug has been pumped before
tripping. Drainage of return lines can also be a factor in flow checks. Rig movement on a floating
drilling rig makes it more difficult to recognize that kick indicators. It is important that surface
equipment reliably detect small increases in the return flow rate.
4. Increase in Pit Volume
A gain in pit volume not caused by, mud additions, mud transfer from different pits, start and stop
of mud solids control equipment, or the start and stop of degassing equipment, is a positive
indicator that a kick is occurring.
Monitoring and recording of the active pit volume must be done on a continuous basis.
5. Variation in Pump Speed and Pressure

An influx of formation fluid into the well bore may cause a variation in the pump output.
A decrease in pump pressure combined with an increase in pump speed may occur when low-
density formation fluids flow into the annulus causing a “U-tube” effect.
Changes in the pump speed and pressure may not mean there is a kick in the well bore. It may be
an indication of pump problems, washout in the string, washed nozzles, etc.
When there is a change in pump speed and pressure, a flow check will be conducted.
6. Well Flowing During a Connection

An influx may occur during a connection due to the reduction in bottom hole pressure as the pumps
are shut down (reduction of ECD) and the pipe pulled off bottom (swabbing).
If the well flows only during a connection, it is likely that the influx flow rate will be slow initially,
resulting in only a small pit again.
Checking for flow during a connection is important, because if a close to balance situation is
developing, it is most likely to show initially during a connection.
IPM
Section 4. 6
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Well Control
The first signs are likely to be increasingly connections gases.
The detection of a small pit gain during a connection is complicated by mud volume in the flow line
returning to the out after the pumps have been shut down (drain back)
7. Drilling Break
A drilling break is an increase in the rate of penetration and is often the first indication that a kick
may occur.
A drilling break is an indication of a change in formation characteristics.
Any change in formation can be a factor for the cause of a kick. Increases in formation porosity,
permeability and, most important, pore pressure will usually cause an increase in the penetration
rate.
Sometimes circulating bottoms up may be advisable before continuing to drill ahead even if a flow
check is negative, e.g., HTHP wells, transition zones, e.g., the mud in the hole under balances a
tight formation.
If low gravity formation fluids enter the well bore during drilling, the hydrostatic pressure in the
annulus will decrease rapidly as more influx enters and when the influx expands as it is circulated
up the hole. As a result, rapid influx flow rates can quickly develop, although the initial influx flow
rate might have been very low.
The light of formation exposed also has direct bearing on the rate of flow into the well. The greater
the length of formation exposed, the larger the flow rate.
All drilling breaks will be flow checked.
8. Change of Drilling Fluid Properties.

Accurate and frequent checks of the mud weight and continuous monitoring of the gas content of
the mud returning form the hole must be made.
Reduction in drilling fluid density due to formation fluids.
A flow line show observed when gas cut or fluid contaminated mud is returning form the well, does
not necessarily mean the well is kicking.
Flow line shows can be:
Drilled shows
Swabbed shows
IPM
Section 4. 6
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Well Control
High pressure – low volume shows.
Gas cut mud may have less density than the mud going in the hole; however, this does not mean
that the bottom hole pressure is reduced significantly.
Reduced mud weights can occur during drilling for many reasons. The main reasons are:
Reduction due to formation fluids

Reduction due to gas cutting
Setting of weighting material
9. Increase in Hook load

An increase in Hook load although theoretically possible is not a reliable method of detecting a kick
especially in a deviated hole.
When an influx displaces the drilling fluid in the well bore there will be a reduction in the buoyancy
of the drill string, because the influx is lighter than the drilling fluid. A reduction in the buoyancy
will be seen on the surface as an increase in the Hook load.
Normally if this indicator is seen, a serious kick has occurred and other, more reliable indicators
should have been notice.
4. 6. 4. 2 Kick Detection While Tripping
Before tripping the mud should be conditioned to ensure tripping will not cause excessive swab
and surge pressures all gas and cuttings have been circulated out and the mud weight is always
adequately over balance.
The swab and surge pressures and maximum pipe speed will be calculated so as not to break down
the formations.
Before every trip, the trip tank, or calibrated tank will be lined up and a trip sheet will be filled out.
The trip sheet will show the expected hole fill volumes as the pipe is pulled out of the hole.
Flow into the well bore will cause improper hole fill-up. If this is observed, a flow check will be
conducted.
If the flow check is positive then the well will be shut-in.
A negative flow check at this point is not necessarily confirmation that an influx has not occurred. It
is possible, that the well will not flow even if an influx has been swabbed in.
IPM
Section 4. 6
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Well Control
Every effort must be made to ensure that significant swab pressures are avoided during a trip. The
first 10 stands are usually the most critical.
As pipe is tripped out of the hole, the actual hole fill volumes will be entered.
If the hole is taking less mud than expected it is an indication that an influx has been swabbed into
the hole. If a successful trip was made the previous time, then the previous trip sheet will be a
good guide to expected hole fill values.
If the hole will not take the correct volume of mud, the pipe will be run immediately back to bottom
and bottoms up circulated. When circulating mud, consider bringing the last 2500 feet of annulus
volume below the BOP stack through an open choke (especially in HPHT wells).
Any deviation from expected hole fill volumes will be investigated.
4. 6. 5. Kick Containment
When a well kicks, it should be shut-in within the shortest possible time. By taking action quickly,
the amount of formation fluid that enters the well bore and the amount of drilling fluid expelled
from the annulus is minimized.
The size and severity of a kick depends upon:
• The degree of under balance

• The formation permeability
• The length of time the well remains under balance.
Any suspected influx must be shut-in as fast as possible. IPM Policy is HARD SHUT-IN.
The procedure for shutting-in the well will be rehearsed so that it can be done fast and without
mistakes. Drills will be conducted and recorded on the IADC drilling report.
The Driller, or the person on the brake, has sole responsibility to take the initial steps in a potential
well control situation. He has the authority to shut the well in whenever an indication of an influx
or kick exists. False alarms should be treated as good kick drills.
Clearly written, detailed instructions on the shut-in policy will be available to the Driller. Notices
displaying the shut-in procedure will be posted on the drill floor.
When a positive indication of a kick is observed (or if there is any doubt), such as a sudden increase
in flow or an increase in the pit level is noted, the well will be shut-in immediately without
conducting a flow check.
IPM
Section 4. 6
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Well Control
4. 6. 6. Shut In Procedures
4. 6. 6. 1. Surface BOPs while Drilling
Stop rotation
Pick up the string to shut-in position.
Stop the pumps and flow check; if well flows:
Close annular and open remote control choke line valve (HCR).
Notify the Toolpusher and OIM, who will notify the Operator representative.
Check space out and close pipe rams and ram locks.
Bleed off pressure between pipe rams and annular (if possible)
Record annulus and drill pipe pressure and pit gain.
4. 6. 6. 2. Subsea BOPs while Drilling
Stop rotation
Pick up the string to shut-in position
Stop the pumps and flow check; if well flows:
Close the annular preventer (upper preferred) with 1500 psi control, and immediately open choke
outlet valves on the BOP stack.
Notify the Toolpusher and OIM, who will notify the Operator representative
Confirm the space out and close the designated hang off rams with reduced pressure, reduce the
annular pressure, slack off and land drill string on the rams.
Increase the manifold pressure back to 1500 psi, engage ram locks.
Bleed off pressure between pipe rams and annular, if possible, and open annular.
IPM
Section 4. 6
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Well Control
Adjust the Drill String Compensator to support the drill string weight to the BOP plus 20,000 lbs.
Set the DSC at mid stroke.
Commence recording the shut-in drill pipe and casing pressures.
Confirm the gain in pit volume
Monitor riser for flow.
4. 6. 6. 3. Surface BOPs while Tripping
Set the slips at suitable height
Install full opening safety valve and close same
Close annular and open HCR valve on choke line
Notify Toolpusher and OIM, who will notify the Operator representative
Make up the Kelly or Top Drive (insert pup joint between safety valve and Top Drive) and open the
safety valve.
Record annulus and drill pipe pressures and pit again
Prepare to strip back to bottom
4. 6. 6. 4. Subsea BOPs while Tripping
Set the slips at suitable height
Stab, hand tighten and close the fully opening safety valve
Close the annular preventer (upper referred), and immediately open choke outlet valves on the BOP
stack
Notify the Toolpusher and OIM, who will notify the Operator representative
Make up the Kelly or Top Drive and open the safety valve, (insert a pup joint or single between the
Top Drive and the safety valve)
Open the Drill String Compensator (DSC)
IPM
Section 4. 6
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Well Control
Confirm the space out and close the designated hang off rams with reduced pressure, reduce the
annular pressure, slack off and land drill string on the rams. Increase the manifold pressure back to
1500 psi. Engage ram locks.
Bleed off the pressure trapped between the annular and rams, if possible.
Adjust the DSC to support the drill string weight to the BOP plus 20,000 lbs. set the DSC at mid
strike.
Commence recording the shut-in drill pipe and casing pressures.
Confirm the gain in the trip tank volume
Monitor riser for flow and prepare for stripping operation.
IPM
Section 4. 7
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Hydrogen Sulfide
4. 7. 0. Introduction
Hydrogen Sulfide, also known as H2S, is a toxic, colorless, combustible gas that is formed by the
decomposition of organic plant and animal life by bacteria and has the distinct odor of rotten eggs
at low concentrations. Hydrogen Sulfide can be found in oil and gas refining and production,
sewers, pulp mills, underground water and a variety of industrial processes.
It is heavier than air and forms explosive mixtures, with air, between 5.9% and 22,2% by volume.
Prolonged exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide has a tendency to dull the oil factory nerve, your sense of
smell. The sense of smell can be lost in 2 to 15 minutes of exposure to low concentrations and lost
in 60 seconds at higher levels.
Thus a person exposed to Hydrogen Sulfide may think the proportion of the gas is decreasing, when
it may actually be increasing.
Susceptibility to H2S poisoning varies according to the number of exposures by an individual. A

second exposure is more dangerous than the first, and so on.
Hydrogen Sulfi de is more poisonous than Carbon Monoxide, but its characteristics odor of rotten
eggs in low concentrations can make its presence easy to detect.
One-tenth of 1% (0.1 percent! may cause instantaneous death, and unconsciousness may result
from exposure to 0.02% (2 hundredths of a percent).
This gas is very irritating to the eyes and throat, and as its concentration increases, it is also tends
to destroy the sense of smell.
H2S poisons a person by building up in the blood stream the same as carbon monoxide does, but
H2S is as toxic as Hydrogen Cyanide and is between 5 to 6 times more toxic than Carbon
Monoxide.
The after effects of being intoxicated with this gas are serious, similar to those of carbon
Monoxide. They last for long periods of time and may have permanent effects. Should the
concentration be high enough, death follows rapidly after the victim has lost consciousness.
This toxic gas paralyzes the nerve centers in the brain which control breathing. As a result, the
lungs are unable to function and the individual is asphyxiated.
Hydrogen Sulfide in low concentration is easily recognized by its characteristics foul odour similar
to rotten eggs.
IPM
Section 4. 7
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Hydrogen Sulfide
However continued exposure will temporarily eliminate one’s ability to smell the gas. The effect
usually misleads the worker into thinking the danger has passed, often with tragic results.
The acute effect of H2S on the body is two fold. It acts as an irritant to eyes, nose, throat and lungs
and it acts as an internal poison causing unconsciousness by paralysis of the respiratory system.
4. 7. 1. Properties of H2S
Color…………………Colorless
Odor………………….Very offensive, commonly referred to as odor of rotten eggs
Vapor density………... 1.189 (Air=1.0) H2S is heavier than air
Explosive limits……… 4.3 to 46 percent by volume in air
Auto ignition temp……260 degrees C
Flammability………….Forms explosive mixture with air or oxygen
Water solubility……….2.9 percent (2.9g/100 ml water at 20 degrees C)
4. 7. 2. Effects of H2S (10,000 parts per million = 1 percent)
1 ppm…………………..Can be smelled
10 ppm………………… Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) for 8 hours (Alberta)
15 ppm………………… OEL allowable for 15 minutes of exposure
20 ppm………………… Ceiling OEL. At this level workers must wear appropriate

breathing apparatus.
100 ppm………………... Loss of sense of smell in 2 to 15 minutes. Possible headache,

nausea, throat irritation.
200 ppm………………... Sense of smell lost rapidly. Burns eyes and throat
300 ppm………………... Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) level.

Positive pressure breathing apparatus required.
IPM
Section 4. 7
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Hydrogen Sulfide
500 ppm………………... Loss of reasoning and balance. Respiratory disturbances

in 2 to 15 minutes
700 ppm………………... Immediate unconsciousness. Death will result if not

rescued promptly.
1000 ppm………………. Causes immediate unconsciousness. Causes seizures,

loss of control of bowel and bladder
Breathing will stop and death will result if not rescued

promptly.
Immediate resuscitation needed.
4. 7. 3. Gas Detectors
To determine the presence of H2S in your work area, one of the following means of detection
should be used:
4. 7. 3. 1. Gas Detector Tubes
The concentration of H2S is indicated by the length of the discoloration when a set volume of air is
drawn through the detector tube. There are several reliable types of detector tubes available, but
correct interpretation of the results requires a trained and experienced operator.
4. 7. 3. 2. Continuous Monitors
In larger plants and during critical drilling and well servicing operations a system is used where
potentially hazardous areas are sampled by strategically located sensors. An alarm system is
activated by any sensor and will give warning when the H2S concentration rises above preset
limits for the area sampled.
4. 7. 3. 3. Personal Monitor
Battery operated H2S monitors can be carried or worn by individual workers to indicate the
concentration of H2S to which they are being exposed.
4. 7. 3. 4. Portable Monitors
Used for testing for gas enriched areas on the rig. Mainly used performing confined space entry
operations.
IPM
Section 4. 7
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Hydrogen Sulfide
Familiarize yourself with the detection equipment used on your worksite. Learn its proper
operation. Maintain and operate it according to manufacturers specifications. Your life may depend
on it!
4. 7. 4. Rescue & First Aid
It is VITALLY IMPORTANT that everyone working around or near H2S has a good working
knowledge of artificial respiration (rescue breathing).
Training in C.P.R. (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) would be a strongly recommended addition to a

worker’s knowledge and skill in first aid.
It is important when workers use respiratory protective equipment for rescue that they are aware of
the limitations of each type of equipment.
Regular practice and training in rescue are necessary to provide appropriate rescue capability on
the worksite.
4. 7. 5. Protection from H2S
When you are in any area where H2S is a potential hazard, you must wear approved personal
protective and respiratory protective equipment.
Selection of Respiratory Protective Equipment must be in accordance with the General Safety
Regulations
Two Common Types of Respiratory Protection
4. 7. 5. 1. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
This type of apparatus supplies compressed air from a cylinder worn on the back to a full-face
piece. This apparatus must be of the type that maintains positive pressure in the face piece.
The cylinder must be rated to supply air for at least 30 minute. Heavy physical work will consume
air more quickly.
All self-contained breathing apparatus must be equipped with an alarm in accordance with the
General Safety Regulations
IPM
Section 4. 7
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Hydrogen Sulfide
4. 7. 5. 2. Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus
This apparatus supplies respirable air from cylinders, or a compressor in a remote location, via a
hose to a full-face piece.
An emergency escape bottle must be worn with this type of equipment in case of an interruption of
supplied air. This is a requirement of the General Safety Regulation Sections.
The emergency escape bottle is for escape purposes only and must never be used alone to carry
out work in an H2S environment.
Note: Workers using respiratory protective equipment of either type must be clean shaven.
ALWAYS PUT ON RESPIRATORY PROTECTION BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY RESCUE.
YOU COULD BECOME A VICTIM!
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GLOSSARY
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Glossary of Abbreviations and Drilling Terms
Abnormal Pressure – A down hole pore fluid pressure that is not similar to normal salt-water
gradient.
Active Mud Tank (AMT)
Adjustable Choke – A valve that is constructed to resist wear while high velocity solids laden fluids
are flowing by the restricting or sealing elements and used in well control operations to reduce the
pressure of a fluid from high pressure in the closed well bore to atmosphere pressure.
Agitator – A motor driven paddle or blade that is used to mix the liquids and solids in the drilling
fluid tanks.
Air drilling – A drilling technique where gases are used to cool the bit and lift cuttings out of the
well bore instead of the more conventional use of liquids.
American Petroleum Institute (API) – Oil trade organization offering publications regarding
recommended practices, standards and safety bulletins.
Annular blowout preventer – a large valve used to control well bore fluids.
Annular velocity – the speed that the drilling fluid is moving in the annulus.
Annulus (Ann) – the space between two concentric pipes, or the space between pipe and the bore
hole wall where fluid (gas or liquid) can flow.
Assistant Driller (AD)
Aquifer – a water bearing formation.
Auxiliary Brake – a braking mechanism on that draw works used to slow down the load and
supplement the manual brake. Two types – hydrodynamic and electro-dynamic.
Azimuth – The compass direction of a directional survey.
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Background gas – gas that returns to the surface during drilling operations and is an indication that
the well has or may kick.
Back Off – to unscrew drill string components, which are connected by various thread forms known
as connections, tool joints, and threaded connections which are down hole.
Barefoot – open hole or without casing.
Barite – barium sulfate (BaS04). Common weighting material with a specific gravity of 4.37 used to
increase the bulk density of the liquid mud system. Alternate spelling: baryte
Barrel (BBL) – US measure of volume
Bell Nipple – an enlarged pipe at the top of a casing string that serves as a funnel to guide drilling
tools into the top of the well.
Bentonite – a colloidal clay that swells when wet. Used to provide gelling and viscosity to water
based drilling fluids.
Bit – the tool that is used to break rock. Everything else associated with a drilling rig is directly or
indirectly assisting the bit in the drilling process.
Bit breaker – a special tool used by the rig crew to prevent the drill bit from turning while the bit
sub (see sub) on top of it is tightened or loosened.
Bit nozzle – the part of the bit that includes a hole or opening for the drilling fluid, usually liquid, to
exit. Synonyms – jet nozzles, jets.
Bit record – an historical record of how a bit performed in a particular well bore.
Blind ram – a thick, heavy steel component of a conventional ram blow out preventer.
Blowout – an uncontrolled flow of reservoir fluids into the well bore, and usually, to the surface. A
blowout may commonly consist of salt water, oil, gas or a mixture of these. Blowouts occur in all
types of exploration and production operations, not just drilling.
Blowout preventer (BOP) – a large valve at the top of the well that may closed to ensure pressure
control of a well in the event that the drilling crew loses control of the formation fluid. A BOP stack
is when a set of two or more BOP’s are used.
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Borehole – the well bore itself, including the open hole or uncased portion of the well.
Bottom hole assembly (BHA) – the lower portion of the dill sting used to provide force for the bit to
break the rock (weight on bit), and provide the driller with directional control of the well, (even in a
straight hole).
Bottom hole circulating temperature (BHCT) – the temperature of the circulating fluid (air, mud,
cement, water) at the bottom of the well bore after several hours of circulation. This temperature is
lower than the bottom hole static temperature.
Bottom hole pressure (BHP) – the pressure at the bottom of the hole.
Bottom hole static temperature (BHST) – the temperature of the undisturbed formation at the depth
of the well.
Bottoms up – from the start of circulation, the mud and cuttings that are calculated or measured to
come from the bottom of the hole.
Bow spring centralizer – a metal strip shaped roughly like a hunting bow, usually in a group, used
to keep casing in the center of a well bore (centralizer”) casing prior to and during a cement job.
Illustration: photo
Box – a female thread form, especially of tubular goods and drill string components
Brake – the mechanism of the draw works than permits the driller to control the speed and motion
of the drilling line, and the drill string.
Break circulation – establish circulation after static flow (or non-flowing) conditions. This may be
after a short time, such as taking a survey or making a mouse hole connection, or after a prolonged
time, such as after a round trip.
Break out – to unscrew drill string components, which are connected by various thread forms
known as connections, tool joints, and threaded connections.
Breakout cathead – a clutching mechanism that permits the driller to apply high torques to a
connection using the power of the draw works motor.
Break out tongs – large capacity self-locking wrenches used to grip drill string components and
apply torque. The break out tongs are the active tongs during breakout operations.
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Bridge – to make a restriction in a well bore. This restriction may be partial or total, and is usually
caused by solids (drilled solids, cutting, cavings, or junk) becoming lodged together in a narrow spot
or a geometry change of the well bore.
Bridging materials – small particle materials used to prevent and / or eliminate the loss of fluid
from the well bore to the formation (lost circulation).
Brine – saline liquid, usually in completion operations, and increasingly, by drillers entering the pay
zone. Brines are used for their increased density over fresh water, without the addition of solid
particles that might prove damaging to producing formations. Classes of brines include chloride
brines (calcium and sodium), bromides, and more recently, formats.
Bubble point – the temperature and pressure at which part of a liquid begins to convert to gas.
Buddy system – a method for pairing two persons for their mutual aid or protection.
Bulk head – a wall that divides compartments on a ship or mobile offshore drilling unit.
Bull heading – the act of forcibly pumping annular fluids into a formation, usually formation fluids,
that have entered the well bore during a well control event.
Buoyancy Factor (BF) – the calculated figure when multiplied with the true weight will give the
actual weight of an object when immersed in a fluid.
Cable head – an electro-mechanical device used to make a transition between a logging cable and
a logging tool.
Cable tool drilling – an almost obsolete method of drilling whereby an impact tool (suspended in
the well from a steel cable), is dropped repeatedly on the bottom of the hole, thus crushing the
rock.
Caliper log – measurement of the diameter of the borehole along its depth.
Cased hole – portion of the well bore that has had metal casing placed and cemented to protect
the open hole form fluids, pressures, and/or well bore stability problems.
Casing (CSG) – large diameter pipe, usually steel, that is lowered into an open hole and usually
cemented in place.
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Casing centralizer – a mechanical device used to keep casing form contacting the well bore wall.
This is desirable in order to provide a 360-degree annular space for cement to seal the casing to
the well bore wall.
Casing point – the depth at which drilling of a particular diameter section of the hole ceases and
casing is run in cemented. The casing point may be at a predetermined depth, may be selected on-
site by a pressure hunt team, may be selected on-site based on observed geology, or may be
caused by problems in the open hole section.
Casing shoe – the bottom section of the casing string, also including the cement in the annulus
around it.
Cathead – clutched spools connected to the draw works power system used to tension chains,
cables, and soft line rope.
Cat line – a cable, usually relatively small sized, used with other equipment to move small rig and
drill string components and to provide tension on the tongs for tightening or loosening threaded
connections.
Cat walk – a long, rectangular plat form about three feet high, usually made of steel, and that is
physically located perpendicular to the vee-door at the bottom of the slide and used as a staging
area for rig and drill string tools and components that are about to be picked up and run, or
alternately, have been run and are being laid down.
Cellar – a dug out area that me be lined with wood, cement or very large diameter (six feet or
more) thin wall pipe, located below the rig.
Cement – the material used to permanently seal annular spaces between casing and well bore
wall, vulgar formations causing loss of drilling fluid, and for assorted operations.
Cement bond log (CBL) – a measurement of the integrity of the cement job, especially as to
whether the cement is solidly adhering to the outside of the casing. The log is typically sonic in
nature, and comes in a variety of types, manufacturers, and service providers.
Chain tongs – a type of pipe wrench used for hand tightening various threaded connections around
the rig site. It consists of a handle, a set of gripping die teeth, a length of flat chain, and a hooking
slot where the chain may be adjusted to fit the pipe.
Check valve – a mechanical device that permits flow in one direction only. Various designs are in
use, typically to aid in well control operations and cementing.
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Choke line – a high-pressure pipe leading from an outlet on the BOP stack to the backpressure
choke and associated manifold.
Choke and kill manifold (C+K) – a set of high pressure valves and associated piping that usually
includes at least two adjustable chokes, arranged such that one adjustable choke may be isolated
and taken out of service for repair and refurbishment while well flow is directed through the other
one.
Christmas tree (X-mas) – the set of valves, spools, and fittings connected to the top of a well direct
and control the flow of formation fluids from the well.
Circulate (CIRC) – move the drilling fluid with pumps throughout the well bore flow system.
Circulation system – the complete path that the drilling fluid travels.
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) – system of cameras positioned around the rig to assist with
operations.
Coiled tubing – continuous long lengths of pipe that are wound on a spool for transport. The pipe is
straightened prior to pushing into a well bore, and recoiled to spool the pipe back onto the
transport and storage spool.
Coiled tubing drilling – the use of coiled tubing, accompanied by down hole mud motors to turn the
bit, in order to deepen a well bore. Depending on the task at hand, this option has the benefit of
relatively low mobilization costs and day rates when compared to a full size, jointed pipe drilling
rig.
Company man – the operator’s representative on location. For land operations, he/she is normally
in charge of the operational issues on the location. He/she is completely responsible for the safety
and efficient operation of the project. Offshore, depending on the regulatory requirements, there
may be an Offshore Installation Manager, who is in overall charge above the company man on
safety and vessel integrity issues, but not operational ones.
Completion – The hardware used to optimize the production of hydrocarbons form the well. This
may range form nothing but a packer on tubing above an open hole completion (“barefoot”
completion), to a system of mechanical filtering elements outside of perforated pipe, to a fully
automated measurement and control system that optimizes reservoir economics without human
intervention (intelligent completion).
Completion fluid – a solids free liquid used to provide a fail-safe control of the well (should down
hole hardware fail), and to help place certain completion related equipment such as fracture
proppants, without damaging the producing formation. These fluids are typically brines, (chlorides,
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bromides, and formats) but in theory could be any non-damaging fluid with the proper density and
flow properties.
Compressive Yield Strength – the maximum stress a metal, subjected to compression, can
withstand without a predefined amount of permanent deformation.
Conductor pipe – the casing string that is usually put into the well first, particularly on land wells,
largely to prevent the sides of the hole from caving onto the well bore.
Connection – any threaded or non-threaded machine to connect two tubular components. Also the
specific act of adding a joint or stand of drill pipe to the top of the drill string, as in “making a
connection”.
Core – a cylindrical sample of the formation being drilled. To deepen the well bore by way of
collecting a cylindrical sample. A core bit is used to accomplish this, in conjunction with a core
barrel and core catcher.
Cross flow – the flow of fluid across the bottom of the bit after it exist the bit nozzles, strikes the
bottom or sides of the hole, and turns upwards to the annulus. Modern well designed bits seek to
maximize this cross flow.
Also refers to the flow of reservoir fluids from one zone to another. This situation can occur when a
lost returns event is followed by a well control event. The higher pressured reservoir fluid will flow
out of the formation, into the well bore, travel along the well bore to teach the lower pressured
formation, and then flow out of the well bore into the lower pressure formation.
Crown block – the fixed set of pulleys (called sheaves) located at the top of the derrick or mast,
over which the drilling line is threaded. The companion blocks to these pulleys are the traveling
blocks. By using two sets of blocks in this fashion, great mechanical advantage is gained, thus
enabling the rig construction to use relatively small drilling line (3/4 to 1 ½ inch diameter steel
cable) to hoist loads many times heavier than the cable could support as a single strand.
Cuttings – small pieces of the formation that break away due to the action of the bit teeth.
Cuttings may be seen being screened out of the liquid mud system at the shale shakers, and are
monitored for composition, size shape, color, texture, hydrocarbon content, and other factors by the
mud engineer, the mud logger, and other members of the on-site personnel.
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Daily drilling report – a record made of the daily operations of a working rig.
Day rate – the daily cost to the operator of renting the drilling rig and the personnel and routine
supplies associated with it.
Deadline – the section of drilling line from the crown to the anchor point.
Degasser – a device to remove air and/or drilled gases (methane, H2S, CO2, others) from the
drilling liquids.
Derrick – the structure used, especially offshore, to support the crown blocks and hence the drill
strings. Derricks are usually pyramid in shape, and offer a very good strength-to-weight ratio.
Derrickman – one of the rig crew members who gets his/her name from the fact that during trips,
they must work on a platform approximately eighty five feet above the rig floor, attached to the
derrick or mast. More modern drilling rigs have automated pipe handling equipment such that the
derrickman controls the machinery rather than physically handling the pipe.
Desander – a hydrocyclone solids removal device that is used to remove large drill solids from the
whole mud system.
Desilter – a hydrocyclone much like a desander but differs in that it’s design incorporates a greater
number of smaller sized cones and is designed to efficiently remove smaller diameter drill solids
than a desander can.
Deviated hole – a well bore that is not vertical, especially if intentionally drilled away from vertical.
Diamond bit – a tool for drilling rock that works by scarping industrial grade diamonds against the
bottom of the hole.
Differential pressure – in general, a measurement of fluid force per unit area (such as pound per
square inch) subtracted from a higher measurement of fluid force per unit area. This could be done
from the outside to the inside of a pipe, a pressure vessel, before and after an obstruction in a flow
path, or even simply between two points along any fluid path (such as two places inside a pipe)
Differential sticking – a condition whereby the drill string (drill pipe and drill collars and associated
equipment) cannot be moved (rotated or reciprocated along the axis of the well bore) due to high
contact forces caused by low reservoir pressure, high well bore pressures, or both, exerted over a
sufficiently large area of the drill string.
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Directional driller – an individual trained in the science and art of intentionally forcing a well to drill
along a predetermined ideal path in three-dimensional space, usually involving deviating the well
from vertical and directing it in a specific compass direction or heading.
Directional drilling – the intentional deviation of the well bore form the path it would ordinarily
take.
Directional well – a well bore that requires the use of special tools or techniques in order to ensure
that the well bore path hits a particular subsurface target, typically located away from (as opposed
to directly under) the surface location of the well.
Displacement (Disp) – the shortest distance from the surface location of a well to the Horizontal
wells often have total displacements of one thousand feet or more from the surface location. Also
the act of removing tubulars or fluids from a well bore and replacing it with another fluid.
Doghouse – the room, usually made of steel plate on all sides, roof, and floor, that is adjacent to
the rig floor, usually with the access door close to the drillers controls.
Dogleg – a particularly crooked place in a well bore, where the trajectory of the well bore in three-
dimensional space changes rapidly.
Dope – the lubricant placed on the threads used to screw drill pipe together. Drill pipe dope
contains 40% solids, which in addition to lubricating and protecting the threads from galling serve
to seal the void space between the threads.
Drawworks – the machine on the rig consisting of a large diameter steel spool, brakes, a power
source, and assorted auxiliary devices. The primary function of this machine is to reel out and reel
in the drilling line, a large diameter steel spool, brakes, a power source, and assorted auxiliary
devices. The primary function of this machine is to reel out and reel in the drilling line, a large
diameter wire rope, in a controlled fashion.
Drift – to guarantee the inside diameter of a pipe or other cylindrical tool by pulling a cylinder or
pipe of known outside diameter through it. The drift diameter is the inside diameter that the pipe
manufacture guarantees per specifications.
Drill collar (DC) – thick walled tubular pieces of steel used to apply axial force to a drill bit. Drill
collars are machined from solid bars of steel (usually plain carbon steel but sometimes of non-
magnetic monel or other non-magnetic stainless steel).
Drill pipe (DP) – tubular steel conduit fitted with special threaded ends called tool joints. The drill
pipe serves to connect the rig surface equipment with the bottom hole assembly and the and the
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bit, both in order to pump drilling fluid to the bit and to be able to raise, lower, and rotate the
bottom hole assembly and bit.
Drill ship – a maritime vessel that has been modified so that it includes a drilling rig equipment
package and may contain special station keeping equipment.
Drill-stem test (DST) – a procedure to test the productive capacity of a hydrocarbon formation.
Driller – the supervisor of the rig crew. He/she operates the pumps, draw works, and rotary table
via the drillers console – an control of gauges, control levers, rheostats, and other pneumatic,
hydraulic and electronic instrumentation.
Drilling break – a sudden increase or decrease in the rate of penetration.
Drilling contractor – the company who owns and operates the drilling rig.
Drilling crew – personnel who physically run the machine we call a drilling rig. The crew consists of
roustabouts, roughnecks or floor hands, motormen, derrick men, assistant drillers, and the driller.
Drilling rate – the speed at which the drill bit can break the rock under it and thus deepen the well
bore. This speed is usually reported in units of feet per hour or meters per hour.
Synonyms – Penetrate Rate (P-rate), Rate of Penetration (ROP)
Drilling riser – a large diameter pipe that connects the subsea BOP stack to a floating surface rig so
that mud returns may be taken to the surface.
Drillstring – the combination of the drill pipe and the bottom hole assembly, along with any other
tools used to make the drill bit turn on bottom.
Dry hole – a well bore that is determine to not have hydrocarbons in economically producible
quantities.
Dynamic positioning – the keeping of a vessel, especially a drill ship or semi submersible drilling
rig, on specific location in the sea by the use of computer controlled propulsion units called
thrusters.
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Electrodynamic brake – the system design of electric motors to act as a brake on motion.
Elevator – a hinged mechanism that may be closed around drill pipe or other drill string
components to facilitate lowering them into the well bore or lifting them out of the well bore.
Embrittlement – the process whereby steel components become less resistant to breakage and
generally much weaker in tensile strength.
Erosion – the wearing away of material, usually rock or steel, by a continuous abrasive action of a
solids laden slurry.
Escape line – a steel cable attached to the rig derrick or mast near the work platform to provided a
rapid escape path for the derrick man should well conditions or massive mechanical failure
warrant. The escape line is usually referred to as the “Geronimo line”.
Exit velocity – the speed at which the drilling fluid attains when accelerated through the bit
nozzles.
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Fast line – the section of moving drilling line between the crown and the drawworks.
Filter cake – a layer of concentrated solids from the drilling fluid that forms on the walls of the well
bore.
Fingerboard – the working platform approximately halfway up the derrick or mast that the derrick
man utilizes to store drill pipe and drill collars in an orderly fashion on trips out of the hole.
Fish – anything lost in the hole. It does not matter whether the fish consist of a piece of junk metal,
a hand tool, a length of drill pipe or drill collars, or a multi-million dollar MWD and directional
drilling package. Once the component is lost, it is properly referred to as simply “the fish”.
Fishing – the procedure of recovering lost equipment such as tubulars in the well bore.
Fishing tool – special purpose mechanical devices used to speed the recovery of lost equipment
down hole.
Flapper valve - a check valve that has a spring loaded plate (or flapper) that me be pumped
through, generally in the down hole direction, but closes if the fluid tries to flow back through the
drill string to the surface.
Float collar – a check valve that has a spring loaded plate (or flapper) that may be pumped through,
generally in the down hole direction, but closes if the fluid tries to flow back through the drill string
to the surface.
Float joint – a full sized length of casing string that is usually left full of cement on the inside in
order to ensure that good cement is left on the outside of the bottom of the casing.
Float shoe – a tapered, often bullet nosed piece of equipment fitted with a check valve often found
on the bottom of a casing string.
Flowline – the large diameter metal pipe that connects the bell nipple (under the rotary table) to
the possum belly (at the mud tanks).
Formation damage – changing the far-field or virgin characteristics of the producing formation,
usually by exposure to drilling fluids.
Free water – in cementing, any water in the slurry that is in excess of what is required to fully
hydrate the Portland cement and other additives
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Gamma ray log – a particularly common and inexpensive formation evaluation measurement that is
particularly helpful in correlating one well to another.
Gas show – gas that reports to the surface, usually evident in the mud as reduced density.
Gas-cut mud – drilling fluid that has had its bulk, unpressurized density reduced by a small volume
of gas displacing an equivalent volume of liquid.
Gauge hole – a well bore that is substantially the same or nearly the same diameter as the bit that
was used to drill it.
Geosteering – the intentional directional control of a well based not on three-dimensional space
“targets” but rather based on the results of down hole logging tools, usually in order to keep a
horizontal well in a pay zone.
Gooseneck – an inverted “U” shaped section of rigid piping, normally used as a conduit for high
pressure drilling fluid. In particular, this term is commonly applied to such a structure that connects
the top of a vertical standpipe running up the side of a derrick or mast to a flexible Kelly hose (that
in turn is connected to another gooseneck between the flexible line and the swivel.
Guide shoe – a tapered, often bullet nosed piece of equipment often found on the bottom of a
casing string.
Gumbo – a generic term for soft, sticky, swelling clay formations that are frequently encountered in
surface holes offshore or in sedimentary basins onshore near seas. This clay can foul drilling tools
and plug piping, and hence is a severe problem for drilling crews when encountered.
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Heavy Wall Drill Pipe (HWDP) – special drill pipe fabricated with a thick wall tube, longer tool
joints and an integral wear pad in the middle of the tubular. The heavier weight tubular is normally
used in transition zones or in place of drill collars to apply weight on the bit in smaller diameter
holes and horizontal.
High pressure, high temperature (HPHT) – a description applied to wells that in a general sense are
hotter or higher pressure than normal.
Hook – the high capacity J-shaped equipment used to hang various other equipment from,
particularly the swivel and Kelly, the elevator bails, or top drive units that is attached to the bottom
of the traveling block.
Hook load – the total force pulling down on the hook.
Hopper – in general, any container for holding or using bulk products, especially drilling fluid
additives. Also the device used to facilitate the addition of drilling fluid additives to the whole mud
system.
Horizontal drilling - a subset of the more general term “directional drilling”, where the well bore’s
departure from vertical exceeds 80 degrees or so.
Hydraulic horsepower (HHP) – a measure of the energy per unit of time that is being expended
across the bit nozzles.
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) – an extraordinary poisonous gas with the molecular formula H2S.
Hydrostatic pressure – the force per unit area caused by a column of fluid.
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IADC – International Association of Drilling Contractors.
Inclination – the deviation form vertical, irrespective of compass direction, expressed in degrees.
Inside blowout preventer – a valve put in the drill string that may be used to prevent the well from
flowing uncontrolled up the drill string.
Intermediate casing string – a length of pip used below the surface casing string, but before the
production casing is run, in order to isolate one or more zones of the open hole to enable the well
to be deepened further.
IWCF – International Well Control Forum.
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Jack-up rig – a self-contained combination drilling rig and floating barge, fitted with long support
legs that can be raised or lowered independently of each other.
Jar – a mechanical device used down hole to deliver an impact load to another down hole
component, especially when that component is stuck.
Jet – the small diameter tungsten carbide nozzles used in the bit to produce a high velocity drilling
fluid stream exiting the bit.
Joint – a length of pipe, usually referring to either drill pipe or casing.
Junk – anything in the hole that is not supposed to be there.
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Kelly – a long square or hexagonal shaped bar of steel with a hole drilled through the middle for
fluid path and used to transmit rotary motion from the rotary table/Kelly bushing to the drill string,
while allowing the drill string to be lowered or raised during rotation.
Kelly down – the condition where the Kelly is all the way down, and hence drilling progress cannot
continue. A connection must be made, which has the effect or raising the Kelly up by the length of
the joint of drill pipe added, and then drilling can continue.
Kelly hose – a large diameter (three to five inc inside diameter) high pressure flexible line used to
connect the standpipe to the swivel.
Kelly spinner – a mechanical device for rotating the Kelly
Keyseat – a small diameter channel worn into the side of a larger diameter well bore.
Kick – a flow of reservation fluids into the well bore during drilling operations.
Kill – to stop a well from flowing or having the ability to flow into the well bore.
Kill line – a high pressure pipe leading from an outlet on the BOP stack to the high pressure
manifold and rig pumps.
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Leak off – the magnitude of pressure exerted on a formation that causes fluid to be forced into that
formation. This term is normally associated with conducting a test to determine the strength of the
rock, commonly called s “pressure integrity test”, (PIT) or a “leak off test” (LOT).
Liner – a casing string that does not extend to the top of the well bore, but rather, is anchored or
hung off inside the bottom of the previous casing string.
Logging while drilling (LWD) – the measurement of properties of the formation during the
excavation of the hole itself, or shortly thereafter, through the use of tools made up to be an
integral part of the bottom hole assembly.
Lost circulation – the reduced or total absence of fluid flow up the annulus when fluid is pumping
in through the drill string.
Lost circulation material (LCM) – solid material intentionally mixed into a mud system in order to try
and reduce and eventually stop the flow of drilling fluid into a week, fractured or vulgar formation
Lubricator – a long high-pressure pipe fitted to the top of a wellhead or Christmas tree so that tools
may be put into a high pressure well. The top of the lubricator assembly includes a high-pressure
grease injection section, and sealing elements.
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Make up – to lighten threaded connections.
Making hole – to deepen the well bore with the drill bit. To drill ahead.
Makeup cathead – a clutched rotating spool that enables the driller to use the draw works motor to
tension a chain that is connected to the makeup tongs. This tensioned chain, acting at right angles
to the tong handle, imparts torque to the connection being tightened.
Mast – the structure used, especially onshore, to support the crown blocks and hence the drill
string. Masts are usually rectangular or trapezoidal in shape, and offer a very good stiffness,
important to land rigs where the mast is laid over to move the rig.
Measured depth (MD) – the length of the well bore, as if determined by a steel ruler.
Measurement-while-drilling (MWD) – the evaluation of physical properties, usually related to

pressures, temperatures, and well bore trajectories in three-dimensional space while extending the
depth of a well bore.
Mechanical sticking – the limiting or prevention of motion of the drill string by anything other than
differential pressure sticking. This can be caused by junk in the hole, well bore geometry
anomalies, cement, keyseats, and a buildup of cuttings in the annulus.
Mill – a tool for grinding metal down hole. This tool is usually used to remove junk in the hole or to
grind away all or part of a casing string.
Mist drilling – a variation of air drilling, where a small amount of water trickles into the well bore
from formations, and is carried out of the well bore by the compressed air used for air drilling. This
often signals the impending end of practical air drilling, when the water inflow becomes to great
for the compressed air to lift from the well bore, or the produced water (usually salty) becomes a
disposal problem.
Mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) – a generic term for virtually any of several classes of self-
contained floatable or floating drilling machines such as jackups, semi-submersibles, and
submersibles.
Monkeyboard – the small platform that the derrick man stands on when tripping pipe.
Motorman – the member of the rig crew that is responsible for maintenance of the engines. While
all members of the rig crew help with major repairs, routine preventive maintenance and small
repairs are done by the motorman.
IPM
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Mousehole – an opening in the rig floor near the rotary table and between the rotary table and the
vee-door that enables rapid connections to be made when drilling. This opening is usually fitted
underneath with a length of casing, usually with a bottom.
Neat cement – cement that has no additives to modify its setting time or its theological properties.
Neat cement is commonly used in shallow cementing jobs where retarding of the slurry is not
required.
Nipple – any short piece of pipe, especially if threaded at both with male threads.
Nipple up – to put together, connect parts and plumbing, and otherwise make ready for use. This
particular term is usually reserved for the installation of a blowout preventer stack.
Offset wells – penetrations of the earths crust close to a proposed well which are used as data
points when planning the new well.
Open hole – the uncased portion of the well.
Operator – the company that serves as the overall manager of a drilling project.
Overbalance – the amount of pressure (or force per unit area) in the well bore that is in excess of
the pressure of fluids in the formation.
IPM
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Pack off – to plug the well bore around a drill string.
Packer – a device that can be run into a well bore with one outside diameter, and then be made to
expand externally to seal the well bore.
PDC bit – a type of drilling tool that uses polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutters to shear
the rock.
Permit to Work (PTW) – communication and control system for work performed on the rig.
Pill – any relatively small quantity (less than 200 barrels) of a special blend of drilling fluid to
accomplish some task that the regular drilling fluid cannot effectively handle.
Pin – a male thread form, especially of tubular goods and drill string components.
Pipe dope – a specially formulated blend of lubricating grease and fine metallic particles that
serves to prevent thread galling (a particular from of metal-to-metal damage) and seal the roots of
threads.
Pipe rack – onshore, two elevated triangular cross section truss-like structures to support drill pipe,
drill collars, or casing above the ground.
Pipe ram – the type of sealing element in high pressure split seal blow out preventers that is
manufactured with a half circle hole on the edge (to mate with another horizontally opposed one)
sized to fit around drill pipe.
Plug and abandon (P&A) – to prepare the well for permanent closing, usually after either logs
determine there is insufficient hydrocarbon potential to complete the well, or after production
operations have been exhausted and the reservoir drained.
Pore-pressure gradient – the pressure of the subsurface formation fluids, expressed as the density
of fluid required in the well bore to balance that pore pressure. A normal gradient would be around
nine pounds per gallon, while an extremely high pressure gradient might be eighteen pounds per
gallon or higher.
Prime mover – the source of power for the rig location. On modern rigs, the prime mover consists of
one to the four or more diesel engines.
IPM
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Quebracho – South American tree that is a source of tannin extract, which was used as a thinning
agent for drilling mud. Seldom used today.
Racking back pipe – the act of placing a stand of drill pipe in the derrick when coming out of the
hole on a trip.
Ram blow out preventer – a device that can be used to quickly seal the top of the well in the event
of a well control event.
Rate of Penetration (ROP) – speed of drilling.
Rathole – a storage place for the Kelly, consisting of an opening in the rig floor fitted with a piece
of casing with an external diameter larger than the outside diameter of the Kelly, but less than that
of the upper Kelly valve rests on the top of the piece of casing.
Also the extra hole drilled at the end of the well (below the last zone of interest), to ensure that the
zone of interest can be fully evaluated of for the purpose of having a place to leave expendable
completion equipment, such as the carriers for perforating gun charges.
Ream – to enlarge a well bore. Reaming may be necessary for several reasons, some planned,
other not. Perhaps the most common reason for reaming a section of a hole is that it was not
drilled large enough to begin with. This can occur when a bit has worn out and is smaller than its
original size, but this is not discovered until the bit is tripped out of the hole and some under gage
hole has been drilled. Last, some plastic formations may slowly flow into the well bore over time,
requiring the reaming operation to maintain the original hole size.
Reserve pit – in onshore operations, an earth-bermed storage area for discarded drilling mud.
Reverse circulation – the intentional pumping of well bore fluids down the annulus and back up
through the drill pipe.
Rig – the machine that we use to drill a well bore.
Rig down – to take apart equipment for storage and portability.
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Rig floor – the work area for the drill crew when conducting various operations usually related to
adding drill pipe to the drill string or removing it.
Rig up – to make ready for use.
Roller cone bit – a tool designed to crush rock efficiently, while incurring a minimal amount of wear
on the cutting surfaces. Invented by Howard Hughes, this type of bit has conical shaped cutters or
cones that have spiked teeth around them.
Rotary drilling - the method of making hole that relies on continuous circular motion of the bit to
break rock at the bottom of the hole.
Rotary Kelly bushing (RKB) – an adapter that serves to connect the rotary table to the Kelly.
Rotary table – the revolving or spinning section of the drill floor that provides power to turn the drill
string in a clockwise direction (as viewed from the top looking down).
Roughneck – a low ranking member of the drilling crew also called a Floorhand.
Round trip – the complete operation of removing the drill string from the well bore and running it
back in the hole.
Roustabout – any unskilled manual labor position on the rig site.
Running in the hole (RIH) – the act of connecting pipe together and lowering the connected length
into the bore bole in a controlled fashion.
IPM
Section 5
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Safety joint – an intentionally weak spot in the drill string. Such a weak spot is sometimes put into
the drill string so that if tension in the drill string exceeds a predetermined amount, the safety joint
will part and the rest of the drill string will be salvageable.
Saver sub – a short length of drill collar that has male threads on one end and female on the other.
It is screwed onto the bottom of the Kelly or top drive quill so that when screwed onto the rest of
the drill string the lower connection bears the brunt of the water and tear and not the Kelly or top
drive.
Scratcher – a device for cleaning mud and mud filter cakes off of the well bore wall when running
and cementing casing in the hole.
Semi-submersible – a particular type of floating vessel that is supported primarily on large pontoon
like structures that are submerged below the sea surface. Semi-submersibles (or semi-subs or
simply semis) can be used for drilling, work over, and production platforms, depending on what sort
of equipment they are fitted with.
Settling pit – a drilling mud filled open steel or earthen berm tank that is not stirred or circulated.
By having mud pass through such a container slowly, most larger drilling solids will sink to the
bottom, thus “cleaning” the mud somewhat and making it a better drilling fluid.
Shackle – a U-shaped or anchor shaped fitting with a pin used to attach wire ropes to other ropes
or devices.
Shale shaker – the primary and probably most important device on the rig for removing drilled
solids from the mud. The concept is that of a simple vibrating sieve.
Shale ram – a blowout preventer (BOP) closing element fitted with hardened tool steel blades
designed to cut the drill pipe when the BOP is closed.
Sheave – a pulley. In oilfield usage, the term usually refers to either the pulleys permanently
mounted on the top of the rig (the crown blocks), or the pulleys used for running wire line tools into
the well bore.
Show – a surface observation of liquid hydrocarbon, usually observed as florescence of the liquid
on cuttings when viewed with a ultra-violet or “black light”.
Shut-in bottom hole pressure (SIBP or SIBHP) – the force per unit area exerted at the bottom of a
well bore when viewed it is closed at either the Christmas tree of the BOP stack.
IPM
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Sidetrack – to drill a secondary well bore away form an original well bore. This operation may be
done intentionally or may occur accidentally.
Skid – to slide the rig over, as in moving it over another well slot on a fixed offshore platform. Also
a steel frame for mounting portable pieces of equipment to facilitate ease of handling with cranes
and/or flatbed trucks.
Slide – to drill with a mud motor rotating the bit down hole without rotating without rotating the
drill string from the surface.
Slimhole drilling – a non-exact term describing a bore hole (and associated casing program) that is
significantly smaller than a standard approach.
Slip joint – a telescoping joint at the surface in floating offshore operations that permits vessel
heave (vertical motion) while maintaining a riser pipe to the seafloor.
Slips – a device used to grip the drill string in a relatively non-damaging manner, and suspend it in
the rotary table.
Slip-and-cut – the act of replacing the drilling line wrapped around the crown block and traveling
block as a precaution against drilling line failure due to fatigue, the “ton miles” the line is
subjected to.
Snubbing – the act of putting drill pipe into the well bore when the blow out preventers (BOPs) are
closed and pressure is contained in the well.
Softline – oilfield slang term for rope not made of steel such as nylon, cotton, or especially
standard manila hemp rope.
Spacer fluid – any liquid used to physically separate one special purpose liquid from another one.
Spinning chain – a length of ordinary steel link chain used by the drilling crew to cause pipe being
screwed together to turn rapidly.
Spud – to start the well drilling process by beginning to remove rock, dirt, and other sedimentary
material with the drill bit.
Stab – to place the male threads of a piece of the drill string, such as a joint of drill pipe, into the
mating female threads, prior to making up tight.
IPM
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Rev 0.0 April 2004
Stand, two or three single joints of drill collars that remain screwed together during tripping
approximately one-third of the way up the derrick, where it connects to a flexible high pressure
hose (Kelly hose).
Stripping – the act of putting drill pipe into the well bore when the blow out preventers (BOPs) are
closed and pressure is contained in the well.
Stuck – the inability to remove the drill string from the well bore. Under this definition, it might be
possible to rotate the pipe or lower it back into the well bore.
Stuck pipe – a portion of the drill string that cannot be moved in the normal fashion, either rotating
or vertically.
Sub – any small component of the drill string, such as a short drill collar or a thread cross-over.
Submersible drilling rig – a particular type of floating vessel, usually used as a mobile offshore
drilling unit (MODU), that is supported primarily on large pontoon like structures that are
submerged below the sea surface.
Suction pit – the mud tank, usually made of steel, that is connected to the intake of the main rig
pumping system.
Supply vessel – in offshore operations, any barge, boat, or ship that is used to bring materials (and
people) to and from the rig site.
Surface casing – a large diameter, relatively low pressure pipe string that is set in shallow yet
competent formations in order to accomplish several functions.
Survey – a completed measurement of the inclination and azimuth of a location in a well. In both
directional and straight holes, the position of the well must be known to a reasonable degree of
accuracy to ensure the well bore path is correct and to know its position in the event a relief well
must be drilled.
Swabbing – the lowering of pressure in a well bore by moving pipe, wire line tools, or rubber
cupped seals up the well bore.
Swivel – a mechanical device that must simultaneously suspend the weight of the drill string,
provide for rotation of the drill string underneath it while keeping the upper portion stationary, and
permit the high volume flow of high pressure drilling mud form the fixed portion to the rotating
portion without leaking.
IPM
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Tapered string – a string of drill pipe or casing that consist of two or more sizes. In most tapered
strings, a larger diameter pipe or casing will be at the top of the well bore with the smaller size at
the bottom.
Texas deck – on an offshore jackup-drilling rig, the deck below the rotary table and rig floor where
workers can access the BOP stack. This platform surrounds the base of the BOP stack and is
suspended from the cantilever (where the rig floor is located) by adjustable cables. It is accessed
from the main deck of the jackup barge by a semi-permanent stairwell. It is primarily used for
installing the well head and nippling the BOP stack up and down.
Thread form – a particular style of threaded connection, especially as used for rotary shouldered
connections. The thread forms come in a variety of sizes, pitches, tapers, threads per inch, and
individual thread profiles. Fortunately, each of these varieties has a published standard, either
considered public and maintained by the American Petroleum Institute (API), or maintained by
companies as their proprietary property.
Thread protector – a cheap, expendable, perhaps even disposable threaded shape to mate with the
threads on drill string and casing components. The function is to prevent harmful impacts and other
contact to the metal thread surface. Some protectors are strong enough and are fitted with lifting
eyes so that they may be screwed into a joint of drill pipe or drill collar or other component and a
chain tied to the eye for lifting the joint. Except for this type, most of the other available styles of
thread protectors are relatively inexpensive, being made from thermoplastics and various epoxy
resins.
Tight hole – a section of a well bore, usually open hole, where larger diameter components of the
drill string (such as drill pipe tool joints, drill collars, stabilizers, and the bit) may experience
resistance when the driller attempts to pull them through these sections.
Also a well that the operator has designated is to be kept as secret as possible, especially as
regards to geologic information. Exploration wells, especially rank wildcats, are often designated
as tight. Note that this designation is of questionable benefit in keeping the data secret.
Tongs – large capacity self-locking wrenches used to grip drill string components and apply torque.
Tool joint – the enlarged and threaded ends of joints of drill pipe. These components are fabricated
separate from the pipe body and welded onto the pipe at a manufacturing facility. The tool joints
provide high strength, high pressure threaded connections, that are sufficiently robust to survive
the rigors of drilling and numerous cycles of tightening and loosening of the threads.
IPM
Section 5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Tool joints are usually made of steel heat to a higher strength than the steel of the tube body. The
large diameter section of the tool joints provides a very low stress area where pipe tongs are used
to grip the pipe.
Tour – (“Tower”) a work shift of a drilling crew. Drilling operations are usually twenty four hour in
nature. As a result, there are usually two separate crews working twelve hour long tours to keep
the operation going. Some companies may have three eight hour tours as their preferred work
schedule.
Tripping pipe – the act of pulling the drill string out of the hole or replacing it in the hole. This is
usually done because the bit has dulled or has otherwise ceased to drill efficiently and must be
replaced.
See round trip.
True vertical depth 9TVD) – the vertical distance from a point in the well, (bottom or otherwise) to
the surface, usually as designated by the elevation of the rotary Kelly bushing (RKB).
Turnkey – type of financing arrangement for the drilling of a well bore that places considerable risk
(and potential reward) on the drilling contractor. Under such an arrangement, the drilling contractor
assumes fill responsibility for the well, up to some predetermined milestone such as the successful
running of logs at the end of the well, the successful cementing of casing in the well, or even the
completion of the well. Until this milestone is reached, the operator owes nothing to the contractor.
The contractor bears all risk of trouble in the well, and in extreme cases, may have to abandon the
well entirely and start over. In return for assuming such risk, the price of the well is usually a little
higher than the well would cost if relatively trouble free. Hence, it the contractor succeeds in
drilling a trouble free well, added contingency becomes profit. One caveat: Some operators have
been required to remedy problem wells such as blow outs if the turnkey contractor would not, due
to government regulatory agencies involvement
IPM
Section 5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Under-balanced – the condition of having less pressure exerted on an exposed formation than the
internal fluid pressure of that formation. If sufficient porosity and permeability exist, the formation
fluids will enter the well bore. As one approaches the under balanced condition, drilling rate
typically.
Underground blow out – the uncontrolled flow of reservoir fluids from one reservoir into the well
bore, then along the well bore, and then into another reservoir.
Under ream – to enlarge a well bore past it’s original as-drilled size.
Vacuum Degasser – a device used to remove gas-cut mud by the action of a vacuum inside a tank.
Vee-door – the upside down vee shaped opening in one side of the derrick to enable long pipes and
tools to be physically lifted into the interior of the derrick. This opening corresponds with slide and
catwalk of the rig.
Venturi effect – the drop in pressure that results from the increased velocity of a fluid as it flows
through a constricted section of a pipe.
Viscosity – a measure of the resistance of a fluid to flow.
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Waiting on cement (WOC) – the act of conducting non-drilling operations while allowing cement
slurries to solidify, harden, and develop strength.
Washout –an enlarged region of a well bore.
Washover pipe – in fishing operation, a large diameter pipe, perhaps fitted with an internal
grappling device and tungsten carbide cutting surfaces on the bottom, for the purpose of lowering
over a lost fish in the well bore, latching onto, and retrieving same.
Weevil / worm – a new, completely inexperienced member of the drilling crew. Such a crew
member is prone to making mistakes and getting hurt, as well as enduring pranks played on him by
the drilling crew. While the terms weevil and its close cousin, worm, are used widely, they are
meant as a label of inexperience, not a derogatory term.
Weight on Bit (WOB) – amount of the drill collar weight allowed to push down on the drill bit.
Well control – the technology area that is focused on maintaining pressure on open formations to
prevent or direct the flow of formation fluids into the well bore. This technology encompasses the
estimation of formation fluid pressures, the strength of the subsurface formations, and the use of
casing and mud density to offset those pressures in a predictable fashion. To account for errors in
the estimations, large valves are installed at the top of the well to enable well site personnel to
close the well if necessary.
See blow out preventer.
Wellhead – the system of spools, valves, and assorted adapters that provide pressure control of a
production well.
Whip stock – an inclined wedge placed in a well bore to force the bit to start drilling in a direction
away from the axis of the well bore.
Wildcat – an exploration well. The significance to the drilling crew and well planners is that by
definition, very little if anything is known for sure about the subsurface geology, especially the
pressure regime.
Wire line log – to measure formation properties with electricity powered instruments in order to
infer properties important to the decision to produce the well, and subsequently, to efficiently
manage the reservoir.
Workover – the repair or stimulation of an existing production well for the purpose of restoring or
enhancing the production of hydrocarbon fluids.
IPM
Section 5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
X-C Polymer – a biopolymer produced from a strain of bacteria on carbohydrates that produces
large increases in apparent viscosity.
x/o – crossover.
x-hole – oilfield slang for a patented and trademarked tool joint thread, named Xtra-Hole by the
Hughes Tool Company. While numerous other thread standards exist, x-hole is probably the most
common found in the oilfield today.
Yaw – on a mobile offshore rig or ship, the angular motion of the bow or stern moves from side to
side.
Yield – the volume one sack of dry cement will occupy after the mixing water and special additives
are mixed together to form a slurry of the desired density. Commonly expressed in US units as
cubic feet per sack (cu. Ft./sk)
The specified minimum yield strength of the steel used in pipe.

For example the yield of N-80 casing is 80,000 psi.
IPM
Section 5
Rev 0.0 April 2004
Zerk – a special fitting on equipment that accommodates a similar fitting on a grease gun. The zerk
allows greases to the injected but forms a seal to prevent the entry of dirt when the grease gun is
removed.
Zip collars – drill collars (usually straight dimensioned) that have been machined with a reduced
diameter at the box (up) end so that they may be more easily handled with open-and-close
elevators.
IPM

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Section 4

Rig Induction Page 1 of 2

3. 0 RIG SYSTEMS OVERVIEW

3. 1. THE POWER SYSTEM

3. 2. THE ROTATING SYSTEM

3. 3. THE HOISTING SYSTEM

3.3.2. The Hoisting Equipment

3. 4. THE CIRCULATING SYSTEM

3. 5. THE BLOWOUT PREVENTION SYSTEM

SECTION 3: RIG SYSTEMS

SECTION 4: DRILLING OPERATIONS

1. 1. BASIC RIG TYPES

1. 2. BASIC RIG COMPONENTS

1. 3. BASIC RIG CREWS

1. 1. Basic Rig Types

Some of the items to consider in rig selection include:

§ Territory in which to operate

In Drilling Mode In Moving Mode

Platform in un assisted mode Platform in assisted mode

Generation Year of Construction Examples of Development of Technology

1. 2. Basic Rig Components

Mud Tanks Derrick/Mast

1. 3. Basic Rig Crews

1. 3. 2. Rig Superintendent / Tool Pusher

1. 3. 3. OIM (Offshore installation Manager)

The main drilling crew may consist of the following personnel:

1. 3. 4. 1. Driller – is in overall charge of the drilling crew.

Other members of a rig crew may include:

1. 3. 5. 1. Maintenance Supervisor – supervise and control the maintenance and repair of

1. 3. 7. 1. Materials Coordinator – coordinate the rig’s materials requisitions, organize and

1. 3. 7. 4. Rig Safety Training Coordinator – coordinates and administers the company’s

Well Logging Company – conducts well monitoring procedures

Cementing Company – specializes in the cementing operations, primarily casing cementing.

Casing Company – specializes in running of casing.

There are many rotation schedules including:

1 Weeks on – 2 weeks off

2 Weeks on – 3 weeks off

3 4 weeks on – 4 weeks – off also known as “month and month”

4 Weeks on – 5 weeks off

Some areas even work 2 weeks on – 4 weeks off

Meal break periods are generally as follows:

2. 1. THE MAIN ASPECTS

2. 2. RIG QHSE ORIENTATION AND INDUCTION

2. 5. PERMIT TO WORK (PTW)

2.5.3. Administration of the PTW

2. 6. GENERAL SAFE WORKING PRACTICES

2. 1. The Main Aspects

2. 1. 1. Policy (The What)

2. 1. 2. Scope (The Who)

2. 1. 3. Purpose (The Why)

2. 1. 4. Procedure (The How)

2. 1. 5. Documentation (The Verification)

allows verification of compliance, serves as a communication tool, becomes a form of record

2. 2. Rig QHSE Orientation and Induction

- Introduced to the OIM

- Provided with a written installation specific “Welcome Onboard Card”

- Job specific Orientation and Induction.

- QHSE meetings – weekly, pre-tour, pre-task.

- Requirement to report any known allergies or current medication