As an alternative to a Kelly drive and rotary table, the top drive system components are hanging mechanical drives that provide clockwise torque to the drill string. A quill, a short piece of pipe, connects the drill string to the motors, which might be electric or hydraulic.
When choosing top drive system components for applications that prioritise safety and operate at high speeds, it is crucial to consider the following factors:
Operation
Under the direction of the draw-works, the top drives can move up and down the derrick, suspended below the travelling block at the swivel joint. Their safe working load (SWL) determines their ability to thread a drill string into a borehole. In contrast to the bottom-mounted rotary table and Kelly drive, which provide torque to the drill string, the top-mounted drive uses a quill, a short piece of pipe, to convey power.
Top drives enable the advancement of larger pieces of drill string known as doubles and triples because they do not need a Kelly drive, which necessitates a make-and-break cycle for each section of pipe fed through the well bore. Automated pipe-handling activities deploy them to reduce human labour.
Different Types
The following are the different types top drive components available:
- Hydraulic motors power the top drives of hydraulic vehicles. These can be deployed on land rigs, mobile rigs and work-over rigs.
- As the drill string spins, a gearbox controls its speed and torque. One or more AC motors attach to AC-powered top drives. They are preferable to hydraulic top drives when working with heavier loads or digging offshore wells.
Technical Details
- Maximum Twist Force: The rated torsional load that the top drive can transfer to the drill string is called torque capacity, and it is represented in Newton metres (N·m) or foot-pounds of force (ft·lbf).
- Effective Workload Management: The top drive’s lifting capability, often stated in short tonnes or metric tonnes, is known as the SWL. A metric tonne is equivalent to 1000 kilogrammes, or 2,204 pounds, whereas short tonnes are equivalent to 2000 pounds. Another unique measurement is the long tonne, or British, which is equivalent to 2240 pounds.
Operating in a Consistent Setting
Industrial settings may not always guarantee the stability of the top drive system components. The foundation for the safe operation of machinery and equipment is an EMC-compliant assembly with an efficient control cabinet and suppression system.
Knowing what kinds of accessories a drive supplier can provide is a wise move when making a drive purchase. Working with a single supplier who can tailor everything to suit their own drives is more convenient, even though you can purchase these accessories from a third-party supplier.
Summing Up
Apart from these factors, quality should take precedence over all others. To get high-quality top drive system components, trust only Drilling Equipment.