16 May 5 Most Important Tools Needed on an Oil Rig

The process of drilling oil is more intricate than it looks: it requires hardworking humans and a slew of specialty tools and equipment to get the job done. There are dozens of tools that oilfield workers use, but some are more fundamental than others. Here are the five most important tools needed on an oil rig and the role each piece plays.

Shale Shakers

You use shale shakers to separate cuttings (solids) from the mud (drilling fluids). After separating them, you can use the mud to keep the drill bit cool.

Degassers

Once you remove the solids, the drilling fluid goes into the degasser. The drilling fluid contains air and gases like methane and carbon dioxide, which can cause gas explosions. The degasser removes these gases to reduce the risk of combustion.

There are two kinds of degassers: vacuum and atmospheric. Vacuum degassers remove gases by reducing internal pressure, while atmospheric degassers use a propeller to spread out the fluid and make it easier for gas to escape.

Mud Cleaners

You also have to clean the mud prior to using it as a cooling agent. To clean and thin the mud, you run it through a mud cleaner, which is a mesh full of minuscule holes. The mesh stops particles larger than barite from passing through. This thins the mud for use in the current drilling product and provides barite you can use in thick drilling solutions.

Stabbing Guides

Another one of the most important tools needed on an oil rig is the stabbing guide. To prevent downtime, it’s crucial that the pipes are properly aligned. You can use stabbing guides to align the pins to the box threads for a more accurate connection. Using stabbing guides doesn’t just make it easier to achieve proper pipe alignment; it also shields against temperature fluctuations, impact, and corrosion, and prevents crushing accidents by reducing the likelihood of damage to the tube threading and bail arms.

Sand Pumps

There are several kinds of pumps on the drill site, but sand pumps are one of the most common. Sand pumps use a grooved, rotating disk to move unwanted particles to a pipe system where they’re diverted away from the drill site. This keeps oil and fluid tanks clean and reduces the need for manual labor for maintenance.

Oilfield drilling is a complex and strenuous task, but it doesn’t have to be a risky one. C-MOR’s oilfield light towers improve visibility, making it easier and safer to work no matter the weather or time of day. Pair a tower with the five tools above for everything you need for a successful drilling operation.