Page 122 - Drilling Technology in Nontechnical Language

Chapter 5 – RIG SELECTION AND RIG EQUIPMENT 113

Fig. 5–3. The Larchford Drillmaster automated singles rig, drilling in the south
of England

As it does not have a large derrick, it is less visible. The equipment that
emits the most noise—generators and pumps—is housed in soundproof
containers so that it is also fairly quiet. This makes it a good neighbor!
Due to the high level of automation, these rigs also work with fewer
people than a conventional rig.
A variation on this theme is the Huisman LOC 400 casing drilling rig.
This rig is designed to drill with casing, whereby the casing itself is used
to drill the well rather than drillpipe. A drilling assembly is suspended
at the bottom of the casing, retrievable by wireline. After drilling to the
depth required, a wireline runs in, latches onto the assembly, and pulls it
back to the surface. The casing stays where it is, cemented in place. The

rig shown in fig. 5–4 all fits into 18 loads the same size as a standard 40 ft

shipping container, so it can be moved by truck or boat. Casing drilling is
described later.

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