Figure 9-7.-Hoisting plug.performs tasks, such as racking the steel pipe, screwingthe hoisting plug, and handling the drill pipe or casing.The floor hand records the information on the drill log,records cutting samples, maintains the mud pits, andmaintains all work tools and equipment on the deck ofthe rig.All crew members must wear protective clothing orequipment, such as hardhats, gloves, safety shoes, andsafety belts. When wearing hard hats, the derrick handand any other crew member working overhead shouldwear chin straps to keep the hard hat from dropping onpersonnel below. Also, while working in the mast, crewmembers should attach their tools securely to the safetybelt by means of line. Before ascending, they shouldclean their shoes of all mud and inspect footholds forgrease. No crew member should wear loose or flappingclothes. Gloves should be worn for protection whenhandling wire rope. Safety shoes with reinforced topswill protect toes from being crushed.Kelly-Drive Rotary Drilling OperatingPrinciplesThe basic components of a kelly-drive rotarydrilling rig are the derrick and hoist, kelly, turntable,drill pipe, bit, and pump (fig. 9-6).The drill pipe comes in lengths that are joinedtogether, as the depth of the well increases. The top jointof the drill pipe is connected to the kelly, which is asplined hollow shaft, that passes up through theturntable and kelly bushing. This bushing is grooved tofit the splines on the kelly. When rotated by the turntable,the kelly is free to move up and down. The pump forcesa mixture of clay and water through the kelly and drillpipe.A water swivel, suspended from above, is attachedto the top of the kelly. It allows the kelly, drill pipe, andbit to rotate with the driving mechanism. The waterswivel and kelly are raised and lowered by a cable thatruns from the swivel over the sheave at the top of thederrick down the kelly drum. The kelly drum brakes andwire rope control the pressure and rate of feed to the bitby holding off or applying the weight of the drill pipe.The accessories of a kelly-driven rotary drilling riginclude the hoisting plug, slips, drill collar, kelly sub,and casing. The hoisting plug (fig. 9-7) is the connectinglink between the hoisting line and the drill pipe. Itswivels so that the drill pipe is free to turn while beinghoisted. The slips (fig. 9-8) are used to hold the drill pipewhen it is being moved in or out of the hole while a jointis removed or added. The slips are circular wedges madein two or four pieces and fastened together in sets orpairs. Teeth on the inside of each slip grip the outside ofthe drill pipe. The slips are tapered in such a manner thatwhen set around the drill pipe and pulled into theturntable, they grip the drill pipe securely. The drillFigure 9-8.—Slips.9-7
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