|
Oil and Gas Drilling Process
Drilling
is the first step that follows the identification of oil and
gas fields by Geologists. Not all drilling is successful,
but when it is, wells are put in motion to begin the production
process. Drilling rigs are used to drill the initial hole
for the oil or gas well. It is then removed and replaced by
a service rig. The drilling team prepares the well for production
and returns periodically for maintenance, production enhancement
and for plugging it when it stops producing.
Drilling Rig or Service Rig
Drilling
rigs and service rigs each have a distinct place in the exploration
and production of oil and gas. Oil and gas companies contract
drilling rigs to explore new areas. They contract service
rigs to turn an exploratory well into a producing well.
When you
see a rig on the horizon, you might have a hard time distinguishing
between the two, but the drilling team who run rig equipment
will tell you: the two work environments are very distinct.
Oil
Well Drilling Rigs
Oil well
Drilling Rigs are larger than service rigs. (Drilling rigs
known as triples have masts that can hold 3000 feet of pipe
above ground.) When working on very deep wells, a drilling
rig can be on the same location for months.
Drilling
rigs are not bound to a specific area and will often go from
one area / or location to another. Drilling rigs run 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week. drilling team work in 12-hour shifts:
a day shift and a night shift.
Drilling
team can live anywhere. They are responsible to arrive at
the lease site for their 'hitch' (2 weeks of 12-hours shifts)
which is followed by 7 days off. Drilling rig employees don't
always live in areas where there's oil and gas production.
For example, Kelowna BC has a surprising number of residents
who work on drilling rigs.
Drilling
personnel are paid a significant hourly wage and a subsistence
allowance to help cover expenses while they are away from
home.
Oil
Well Service Rigs
Service
Rigs are smaller than drilling rigs and are mobile. Service
rigs will move often (sometimes daily) to new jobs on different
wellsites. Each day is a different type of job, working with
different oilfield service providers.
Service
Rigs look after wells in a set area. Service rigs will return
to a we llsite many times: when it needs repairs, when the
oil company wants to take it offstream (temporarily halt well
production) or bring it back onstream.
Service
rigs vary in type and size, depending on well depths. On offshore
platforms, drilling and service rigs are typically all in
one and their functions are very similar to land-based operations.
Drilling
Rig Operators work rotational 12 hour shifts in a 24/7 work
environment. Service Rig Operators typically work 8 or 12
daylight hour shifts depending on the employer.
Drilling
Rig Operators are more prone to being away from home for extended
periods than are Service Rig Operators. Appropriate time off
is given depending on the rotation and overtime is common.
Completion
or Workover Rig System
This
type of oil rig is commonly called by several names such as
completion rig, workover rig, or pulling unit. The terms are
interchangeable and mean that the rig is usually only capable
of pulling pipe (tubing) in and out of the well.
It consists
of a large truck with a drawworks (large winch) and a telescoping
mast built onto the bed and chassis. The truck is backed up
to a well that has already been drilled, the mast is raised
and extended, and the work begins.
This rig
only requires three men to operate and only works during the
daytime. These rigs cannot drill unless equipped with a special
equipment package called a “power swivel.”
This type
of rig is used to “complete,” repair, or swab
existing wells.
It is
a general service type of equipment that can do many things,
but is primary used to remove tubing from a well or place
tubing in the well.
Companies
that supply this type of equipment are Key Energy Services,
Pool Workover Services, and Basic Well Services.
|
