Understanding the essential types of drilling equipment is not only necessary but needed. In both land and offshore drilling, each component plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient and safe operations. Let’s explore some of the most common types of oil drilling rigs, the proper equipment, and their functions.
What Drilling Equipment is Used for Oil and Gas Applications?
There are a wide variety of industrial parts and components that make up oil and gas drilling equipment. The following list encompasses some of the most common drilling equipment found on rigging sites.
- Drill Bits, Pipes, and Collars
- Swivel
- Drilling Line
- Sand Pump
- Mud Pump and Mud Tank
- Degasser
- Top Drive
- Derrick
- Blowout Preventer
1) Drill Bits, Pipes, and Collars
The drill bits, pipes, and collars are tools commonly used tools in oil drilling operations. Drill pipe, comprising the connected pipes, transports mud during the drilling process. Whereas drilling collars and other elongated tools collect core samples to aid geologists in evaluating reservoir properties.
2) Swivel
The swivel is a part of the drilling and rigging apparatus that receives and transfers loads to the drilling rig frame. Thanks to the swivel, the drill motor is relieved of the weight of the load and therefore preserves the service life of the motor. Modern swivel designs incorporate advanced features for better performance and durability in tough drilling conditions. The swivel is a part of the rotary table, which is a mechanical device on a drilling rig that provides rotational force.
3) Drilling Line
The drilling line is a collection of multiple strands of twisted wires and is an integral part of the drilling process. This line is used to lower and lift the drilling rigging. Bigger projects might require larger drilling lines, some of these lines can hold over a million pounds at once. Ultimately, advancements in drilling line technology improve safety and reliability in oil and gas drilling.
4) Sand Pump
As its name implies, a sand pump is used for drilling locations containing sand deposits. It is commonly used for oil and gas tanks filled with sand. Using its rotating grooved disks, the pump sifts the sand out of the tank and helps, the crude oil or other drilling fluid. Advances in sand pump technology have led to more efficient and durable pumps, capable of handling varying sand concentrations.
5) Mud Pump and Mud Tank
Similarly to the sand pump, the mud pump and tank are used to move and circulate the oil and fluid to desand and desilt it. This keeps all of the equipment moving smoothly and properly. It also helps to maintain the longevity of the equipment, otherwise it would be susceptible to rust. With advancements in design and technology, modern mud pumps and tanks offer increased reliability and performance.
6) Degasser
The degasser is a piece of the drilling system responsible for removing the gas in drilling floods. It helps prevent and maintain the amount of hydrostatic pressure needed for safe and efficient operation. When mud from drilling passes over the shale, a gas is released and high pressure is lost.
With a degasser, this gas is removed to eliminate the loss of the hydrostatic pressure in the rig. Typically, the degasser comes in two types:
- Centrifugal degasser: This new type of dresser is specialized in processing gas-cut drilling fluid. It is traditionally installed after the shale shaker and is commonly widely in various solids control systems. The centrifugal degasser recovers mud weight, stabilizes mud viscosity performance, and reduces drilling costs.
- Vacuum degasser: This type of dresser uses a combination of turbulent flow and reduces the internal pressure in the tank. Vacuum degassers move gas-cut drilling fluid and release gas bubbles.
7) Top Drive
The top drive is a piece of oil and drilling equipment that is suspended from the derrick. This motor is responsible for driving the drill into the ground. It is particularly necessary over other motorized drilling methods because it can drill longer sections of pipe at once. With its efficient design and powerful performance, the top drive improves drilling efficiency and reduces downtime to help the project operate smoothly and productively.
8) Derrick
The derrick is a support framework shaped like a tower to house the oil and gas drilling equipment. As a lifting drill, it is so tall that new pipe sections can be added even as it is drilling. It lifts the drill string and, with the help of gravity, drills into the ground. There are many types of Derrick drilling equipment including single, double, triple, quadri, conventional, and slant.
9) Blowout Preventer
The blowout preventer (BOP) is our specialty! The BOP is an essential part of oil rigging and drilling equipment. With an industrial blowout preventer, natural oil, and gas are contained and kept safely inside the drilling apparatus.
State of the Art Oil and Gas Drilling Equipment
At BOP Products, we provide state-of-the-art drilling equipment. Our advanced products are designed to make oil and gas drilling as safe and efficient as possible.
For expert advice and top-notch products tailored to your needs, our team is ready to help complete your next oil drilling project. Reach out to BOP Products today for a customized quote!
