Page 66 - Air and gas Drilling Field Guide 3rd Edition

References 57

3'6"
18"
Water from Water Pump
Air Flow 2"
2"

Blooey Line
1" Collar Squeezed
for Spray Effect

5/16"
Metal Shield

End View

FIGURE 3-17. Typical deduster design [3].

that might enter the blooey line from the annulus. As the drill bit is advanced and
hydrocarbon-producing formations are drilled, the hydrocarbons are entrained in
the return air flow to the surface with entrained rock cuttings. The detector alerts
the drilling rig crew that hydrocarbons are in the annulus. This alert allows rig
personnel to take safety precautions against subsurface and surface fires or
explosions.

3.4.7 Pilot Light
Figures 3-1 and 3-14 show a pilot light at the end of the blooey line. Pilot lights
are used only in air or gas drilling operations directed at the recovery of oil and
natural gas. The pilot light is a small open flame (propane or natural gas) main-
tained at the end of the blooey line to ignite and burn any hydrocarbons that
might exit the line as the drilling operation progresses. Many new air and gas dril-
ling operations are equipped with electric igniters instead of open flame pilot
lights.

REFERENCES
1. B. J. Mitchell, Personal communication, November 1982.
2. Moore, W. W., Fundamentals of Rotary Drilling, Energy Publications, 1981.
3. Hook, R. A., Cooper, L. W., and Payne, B. R., “Air, Mist and Foam Drilling: A Look at Latest
Techniques: Parts I and II,” World Oil, April and May 1977.