Well Drilling Equipment

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Well drilling equipment can’t go to work until the oil is found. That’s generally the job of a geologist. They don’t really find oil. They find areas where conditions are right for oil. They find signs of oil in a variety of ways. In the old days it was primarily by observing surface conditions. They still do that, enhanced with satellite imagery. But they also take seismic surveys. This involves sending shock waves that are reflected back from the rock. They then interpret the reflections to determine areas likely to contain oil. In addition they use gravity meters to find slight gravity shifts that could be caused by oil flows. They even use a GPS to note the location of possible oil. It’s still not very precise. The success rate for identifying new oil fields is about 10%.

It’s still not time for the well drilling equipment. First the site must be prepared. It’s a little bit like preparing food before using the pan and stove to cook it. There are impact studies to conduct to determine how drilling will affect the environment. The legal issues such as land rights have to be settled. Then the land itself, the drilling site, can be prepared.

Well drilling equipment sits on the sidelines while the area is made ready. For land drilling the land is leveled and cleared. Access roads are often built so equipment can make it to the site. Because water is needed they either have to located a water source or drill for water. Finally they prepare a plastic lined pit where the rock, mud and other debris will be deposited. For some sites this refuse must be trucked away and disposed of somewhere else.

Its still not time for the well drilling equipment. Now holes are dug for the rig. In addition a rectangular put is dug. That’s where the rig and all the other equipment will work. Now the site is ready for drilling.

Well drilling equipment includes a rig, but may include a drill truck. This is smaller than the rig. It starts the drilling in the main hole. Then the rig takes over for the remainder of the job.

Drilling for oil is a complex process. Just getting ready to begin takes a lot of steps. Finally, well drilling equipment can do its work.

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