Drilling Track: Rigs, Well Control and Geothermal · Module 1 of 4 · about 15 min
How a rig makes hole
Every rotary rig does the same four jobs: it hoists, rotates, circulates and controls pressure. The hoisting system (drawworks, derrick or mast, crown and traveling blocks) raises and lowers the drill string. The rotating system turns the bit, usually with a top drive on modern rigs. The circulating system pumps drilling fluid down the pipe and back up the annulus. The well control system, built around the blowout preventer (BOP), keeps formation fluids from coming up uncontrolled.
The drill string runs from the surface down to the bit: drill pipe, then heavier drill collars that put weight on the bit, then the bottom hole assembly with stabilizers, measurement tools and the bit itself. Making a connection means adding a joint of pipe. Tripping means pulling the whole string out or running it back in, usually to change a bit.
Crew roles are fairly standard. The floorhand or roughneck works the pipe on the floor. The derrickhand works up the mast during trips and looks after the mud pumps and mud. The driller runs the controls and watches the well. The toolpusher runs the rig, and the company man represents the operator.
Water-well, geotechnical and mineral core rigs are smaller, but the same ideas apply: weight on bit, rotation, fluid to clean the hole and cool the bit, and someone watching for trouble.
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Module quiz
5 questions, 4 correct to pass. You'll see what you missed and why, and you can retake it.