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Well Drilling
This page has mostly info on cable tool drilling. I've searched the web and found there
is little info and pics on the types of tooling used and what really goes on during drilling.
I've noticed lots of pages describing it as a simple method of drilling. That may be only half true.
The concept may be simple, but actually working on a cable rig is no simple task. There's all kinds
of problems that can happen on a cable rig such as losing tools in the hole, getting tools stuck,
cavins, etc. Fishing jobs are no fun and waste time. Most of the same issues can happen with rotary
rigs also.
Pictured above is a night shot of the cable rig I work on.
Tooling For Cable Rigs
Here's some pictures of some tooling found on a cable tool drill site. Starting from left to right, we first have
a 5" bit with a set of jars, next is the wrenches for making & breaking tool joints. On to the next image is
the wrenches being used to put a 6" bit back on, and the last image on the right is an image of a 5" bailer,
and rope socket, jars and stem. Click the image for a larger version.
The Forge
Typically on a cable rig drilling for oil will have a forge on the drilling platform. This is used
for sharpening the bits and to get them back out to gauge when they wear down. You will rarely see
one on a rig drilling for water but they still either have a forge, have someone do it for them or
use what's called a button bit which has carbide buttons and are just replaced when they wear out.
The forge is usually either fueled with propane or natural gas. You put your bit in and get the end
a very bright orange almost white hot, then you pull it out, set it on the anvil and start hammering
with the sledge hammer, stopping every so often to check it with your bit gauge to see if it's good or
not. Below are some pictures of a 6" bit being heated in a forge on the drilling site. I have 2 sets-
The first set of images shows the new portable forge we built, and the second set of images show how we
used to setup the forge. We basically dug a hole in the ground and lined it with firebrick. What a pain
to setup... Click on the image to see a larger version.
| The new forge--> |
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| The old setup--> |
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Other Pictures
Here are a few pictures of some rigs working on oil & gas wells. These were given to me by a friend.
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