Module 1
Unit 1 The Rig
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1. Study the following vocabulary before reading.
boreholes
rotary
rotates
crushes
cuttings
fluid
is made up of
hollow
hexagonal
floormen
dull
driller
in the petroleum industry, the words «borehole», «hole»,
«well» and «oil well» usually mean the same thing.
turning like a wheel.
turns around and around like a wheel.
breaks up into small pieces, using great power.
the pieces of rock drilled by the bit.
anything that flows. Liquids, gases and melted substances
are all fluids. Clay an earthy material, plastic when it is wet.
The most common clay in drilling fluid is bentonite. Bentonite
consists of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and aluminium
(Al).
consist of. Bentonite is made up of Ca, Mg and Al.
having an empty space on the inside. Drill pipe is hollow, so
that mud can pass through it.
having six angles and six sides.
workers on a rig. Floormen are also called «roughnecks».
A mud man or driller can tell a flooman what to do.
not sharp; worn out; gone. If the bit is gone, it must be
changed.
the person in charge of the drilling.
Reading
2. Read the text.
Oil is contained in rocks under the ground and in rocks under the sea. To
find it, oilmen have to drill boreholes. The equipment for drilling these holes is
the drilling rig. Most rigs work on the rotary system. A bit rotates at the end of
a pipe. As the bit rotates, it cuts and crushes the rock at the bottom of the hole.
The cuttings are carried to the surface by a special fluid. This fluid is called
«mud». Mud is a mixture of clay, water and chemicals.
Look at the diagram of the rotary rig (Figure 1.1). Notice the string. This is
made up of «joints» or «singles». Each joint or single is a hollow section of pipe,
30 ft. long. The string is made up of a number of these singles, all joined together.
The bit is connected to the bottom of the string. At the top of the string there
is a special pipe called the «kelly». The kelly isn’t round, but hexagonal. It fits
into a hexagonal hole in the rotary table. The rotary table turns the kelly, the
kelly turns the string, and the string turns the rotary table.
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Unit 1 The Rig
Module 1
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Crown Block
Swivel
Derrick
Kelly cock
Travelling Block
Hook
Swivel
Kelly Hose
Kelly
Kelly
Rotary table
Drawworks
Standpipe
Mud Tanks
Kellysaver
sub
Shale Shaker
Drillpipe
Annulus
Drillstring
Drill collars
String
Joint/Single
Bit
Bit
Figure 1.1
Figure 1.2
Mud is not only used for carrying the cuttings up to the surface. It is also
used for keeping the bit cool. The mud is pumped down through the bit string.
It comes back up again through the annulus. The mud engineer or «mud man»
is in charge of the mud. For example, he tells the floorman how to mix the mud
at the mud tanks.
It is often necessary to pull the string out of the hole. There are different
reasons for this. Perhaps, for example, the drill bit is dull. If the bit is dull, it must
be changed. To do this, the driller and the floorman must trip the pipe. They
must pull the string out (a), change the bit (b), and then run the string back into
the hole (c). Tripping the pipe is also called «making a round trip». Round trips
are expensive. Oilmen make them only if they must.
3. Answer the following questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
6
What is the driller's job? (He is …)
How long is a single? How long is a joint?
As the bit rotates, what tow things does it do?
In the petroleum industry, what is mud?
What is the string made up of?
What is the name of the space between the drill pipe and the sides of
the borehole? (The space is called…)
Who mixes the mud? Where is the mud mixed?
Oilmen make round trips only if they must. Why?
What is bentonite? What does it consist of?
Why is the drill pipe hollow?
Module 1
Unit 1 The Rig
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Language development
4. Find the English equivalents for these words and word
combinations in the text:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
буровая вышка
скважина
долото
крошит и режет породу
полые трубки
шестигранная форма
роторный стол
буровой раствор
произвести замену трубы
дорогостоящая процедура
5. Give the three forms of the following verbs and find the
sentences with the verbs in the text.
To be, to call, to carry, to change, to come, to connect, to crush, to cut,
to do, to find, to fit, to join, to have, to keep, to make, to mix, to pull,
to pump, to rotate, to run, to tell, to trip, to turn, to use, to work.
6. Mark the correct sentences with the letter T and the false ones
with the letter F.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Oil is contained in rocks under rivers.
Most rigs work on the rotary system.
The cuttings are carried to the surface by rotary.
Mud is a mixture of clay, water and chemicals.
At the bottom of the string there is a pipe, 30 ft. long.
The rotary table turns the string.
Mud is used for keeping the bit cool.
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
7. Complete the paragraph below using the given words and
expressions: cuttings, fluid, shale shaker, rotary, mud tanks, annulus,
crushes.
The _______ bit cuts and _______ the rock at the bottom of the hole.
Drilling _______ carries the _______ from the bottom of the hole, up the
_______ to the surface.
The cuttings are separated from the mud at the _______ and the clean
mud then returns to the _______ .
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Unit 1 The Rig
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Module 1
Grammar
8. Make the sentences using the Present Continuous tense.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Driller/examine/bit — e.g. Driller is examining the bit.
Floorman/mix/clay and chemicals.
Drilling crew/trip/pipe out of hole.
Mud man/check/drilling fluid.
Supply boat/deliver/bentonite.
Roughneck/move back/single.
9. Put the verbs in the brackets into the correct tense.
1. Oil ________ (to contain) in rocks under the ground and in rocks under
the sea. 2. The string ________ (to make) up of a number of singles, all
joined together. 3. The rotary table ________ (to turn) the kelly. The kelly
________ (to turn) the string, and the string ________ (to turn) the
rotary bit. 4. Mud ________ (to use) for keeping the bit cool. 5. The mud
engineer ________ (to be) in charge of the mud.
Listening
10.
Listen to the conversation I.
Bob:
George:
Bob:
George:
Bob:
George:
Bob:
George:
Bob:
George:
Bob:
George:
Bob:
Bob:
George:
Bob:
8
Hey, George! Over there!
Yeah?
We'll have to trip the pipe.
What?
I said we’ll have to trip the pipe.
What's wrong, Bob?
I'm not sure. We'll have to bring it up and find out.
Any ideas?
I think the bit is gone.
The bit?
Aye, the bit.
It was changed last shift, Bob.
I know, but I think it's gone. Let's bring up the string and find out.
(the crew trip the pipe out of the hole)
Well, look at that.
You were right. It is worn out. We'll have to change it.
Thanks for telling me.
Module 1
Unit 1 The Rig
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11. Answer the questions.
1. Who is in charge, Bob or George? Who's the driller? Who's the
roughneck? What gives you the answers to these questions?
2. Bob uses another word for «yes». What word does he use?
3. ‘Any ideas?’ Is a short way of saying ‘Have you got any ideas?’ Now
make complete sentences for these short expressions: Any cigarettes?
Any answers? Any tools for the job?
4. What does Bob want to find out? (He wants to find out if…)
5. Offshore, in the North Sea, drilling crews usually work 12hour shifts.
Onshore, they usually work 8hour shifts. Do you work 12hour or
8hour shifts?
12.
Listen to the conversation II.
Bob:
George:
Bob:
George:
Bob:
George:
Bob:
George:
Bob:
Peter:
Bob:
Peter:
Bob:
Peter:
Bob:
Peter:
Bob:
Peter:
Peter:
Bob:
Peter:
Bob:
Peter:
Bob:
Hey, George. Over there.
What's up, Bob?
Get me the mud man.
Who?
The mud man, George. The mud man.
Anything wrong?
Later. Now go and get Peter. Get a move on.
Right, I'm going.
(Peter comes to talk to Bob)
Oh good, there you are, Peter.
What can I do for you, Bob?
The hole's getting tight.
Tight?
Yup. How's the mud?
The mud's OK.
What's bottom up?
About an hour.
All right then. We’ll give it an hour and see.
Right.
(an hour passes)
How’s the hole now, Bob?
Better. I don't think we have to worry.
Good.
How's the mud?
No problem.
Then let's make hole.
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Unit 1 The Rig
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Module 1
13. Read this explanation.
Bob is worried because the hole is becoming «tight». When the hole is tight,
it's difficult to turn the string and to move the pipe up and down in the hole.
There can be different reasons for this. Perhaps rock or sand is falling back into
the hole. Perhaps the mud isn’t supporting the open sides of the hole. Perhaps
the mud isn’t moving the cuttings away from the bit. To find out, Bob wants
Peter to check the mud from the bottom of the hole.
How can Peter check the mud from the bottom of the hole? He must wait
for the mud to travel from the bottom, up through the annulus to the surface.
In a deep hole this can take a long time. The time that it takes is called «bottoms
up». Bottoms up is the time that it takes for the mud to travel from the bottom
of the hole to the surface. Some oilmen also use the expression «lag time».
14. Do the exercises below.
a. Choose the right meaning of the expression ‘What's up?’
1. What is that up there?
2. What can I do for you?
3. What's the matter?
b. Choose the right meaning of the expression ‘Get a move on’.
1. Move that for me.
2. Put something on.
3. Hurry up!
c. Why doesn't Bob explain to George what the trouble is?
d. Bob can say ‘Get me the mud man’ to George, but George cannot say
‘Get me the mud man’ to Bob. Why not?
e. What's another expression for «bottom up»?
15. Join the sentences below using so that + can.
Example: Drill pipe is hollow. The reason for this is to make it possible
for the mud to pass through it.
Drill pipe is hollow, so that mud can pass through it.
1. Mud is heavy. The reason for this is to make it possible for the to
support the open sides of the borehole.
2. Peter is going to the mud tanks. The reason for this is to make it
possible for Peter to check the drilling fluid.
3. The driller is making a round trip. The reason for this is to make it
possible for the driller to examine the bit.
4. Rotary bits are made of very hard steel. The reason for this is to make
it possible for the rotary bits to drill through many feet of rock without
getting dull too quickly.
5. The kelly is hexagonal. The reason for this is to make it possible for the
rotary table to turn the kelly without slipping.
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Module 1
Unit 1 The Rig
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Revision box
16. Fill in the gaps with given words and word combinations:
annulus, bit, bit string, boreholes, chemicals, clay, crushes, cuts,
cuttings, down, drilling rig, floorman, fluid, hole, in rocks, mud, mud
man, mud tanks, oilmen, rotary, surface, water.
1. Oil is contained ________ under the ground and ________ under the
sea. 2. To find it ________ have to drill ________ . 3. The equipment for
drilling these holes is the ________ . 4. Most rigs work on the ________
system. 5. A ________ rotates, it ________ and ________ the rock at
the bottom of the ________ . 6. The ________ are carried to the surface
by a special ________ . 7. The fluid is called «mud». Mud is a mixture of
________ , ________ and ________ . 8. ________ is not only used for
carrying the cuttings up to the ________ . 9. It is also used for keeping the
________ cool. 10. The mud is pumped ________ through the ________ .
11. It comes back up again, through the ________ . 12. The mud engineer
or ________ is in charge of the mud. 13. For example, he tells the
________ how to mix the mud at the ________ .
17. Describe the device or the process.
1. Round trip. 2. Circulation of mud.
18. Translate the sentences into English.
1. Нефть содержится в породе под водой и под землей.
2. Буровая вышка — это оборудование, предназначенное для
бурения скважин.
3. Вращаясь, долото крошит и режет породу на дне скважины.
4. Шлам доставляется на поверхность буровым раствором, который
является смесью глины, воды и химикатов.
5. Колонна бурильных труб составляется из полых трубок, длина
которых тридцать футов.
6. В верхней части колонны бурильных труб находится ведущая
буровая труба шестигранной формы.
7. Роторный стол вращает ведущую бурильную трубу, которая, в свою
очередь, вращает колонну бурильных труб, а она вращает долото.
8. Буровой раствор используется не только для доставки шлама на
поверхность, но и для охлаждения долота.
9. Раствор прокачивается на дно скважины через колонну бурильных труб.
10. В обязанности растворщика входит следить за состоянием бурового
раствора.
11. Если долото затупилось, нефтяники должны произвести замену
трубы, но эта процедура дорогостоящая, поэтому производится в
крайних случаях.
11
Unit 2 Jobs on the Rig
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Module 1
1. Study the following vocabulary before reading.
boll weevil
mousehole
hazard
misunderstood
urgent
scraping rust
hosing down
dope
slush
minimum
kelly bushing
verbal
tubing
a rig worker or an oilfield worker without experience.
Inexperienced workers are also described as «green».
a shallow cased hole close to the rotary table. When making
up a string, each single is stood here so that it can be
connected quickly and easily to the kelly.
risk of harm; serious danger.
failed to understand.
needing immediate attention.
using a sharp tool to remove rust accumulations. Rust (ferric
oxide Fe2O3) is an orangebrown coating formed on iron
when it is chemically attacked by water or moist air.
using a water hose at pressure to clean up the rig or protect
it from fire.
special grease for pipe threads; i.e., some oily substance used
to lubricate (to make smooth or slippery) the threads of
tools, casing, etc.
this is another word for «mud».
the least quantity. The opposite of «minimum» is «maximum».
the part of the drive assembly which transmits motion to the
kelly and permits the kelly to move vertically while rotating or
still. All vertical measurements on the rig are taken from the
RKB (rotary kelly bushing).
spoken.
smallgauge pipe, usually of outside diameter (OD) 23/8 in. to
27/8 in., also called «macaroni». Narrowergauge tubing is
called «spaghetti».
Reading
2. Read the text.
Drilling is one of those jobs where a man has to work his way up. Even if a
man has a university or polytechnic education, most oil companies will want him
to get rig experience by working on the floor with the rotary crew for a certain
period. A boll weevil, even if he is welleducated, can be a highly dangerous
person around the rotary table. He may be a danger to himself (by breaking a
12
Module 1
Unit 2 Jobs on the Rig
●
leg in the mousehole, for example), and may be a hazard to the other members
of the crew. What might happen, for instance, if he opened the wrong valve or
misunderstood an urgent instruction?
On some rigs, the first step up the ladder is the job of roustabout.
A roustabout does semiskilled labour such as scraping rust, hosing down,
painting, carrying cans of dope, unloading materials and supplies, etc.
Having worked for a time as a roustabout, a man
might be ready for the job of roughneck. Among a
roughneck’s duties are such things as operating the
cathead, handling the slips and tongs, standing pipe
back in the derrick, assisting in mixing the slush, and
so on. Like a roustabout, a roughneck may have to be
told what to do. In general,
though, roughnecks know
their job well enough to
Figure 1.4
get on with it for the
minimum number of spoken instructions. It's noisy
around the kelly bushing, and events frequently take
place too fast for verbal orders to be given. Much of
the time, roughnecks are expected to know
Figure 1.3
automatically what must be done.
Next, between the positions of roughneck and driller, is the job of
derrickman. The derrickman works from about 60 ft. to 90 ft. above the rig
floor, near the top of the derrick, where he attaches or detaches the elevators
when pipe or casing is run into or pulled out of the hole. The height at which he
works depends on the length of the sections of pipe, casing or tubing that have
to be handled. These may be in doubles, thribbles, or fourbles. The derrickman
also cleans, oils, greases, inspects and repairs the pulley blocks and cables which
are used to raise and lower sections of pipe and casing. When he isn’t busy on
his platform up in the derrick, the derrickman usually has special responsibility
for the slush pumps and tanks.
Rigs operate around the clock. The period from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. is the daylight
tour, 4 p.m. to 12 midnight is the afternoon tour, and 12 midnight to 8 a.m. is
referred to as «graveyard tour». Offshore crews usually work twelvehour tours.
3. Answer the following questions.
1. Which is closer to the RKB, the rathole or the mousehole? Why?
2. A derrickman must have excellent balance. Why? The platform that he
uses is called «monkeyboard». For what reason?
3. Why might it be hazardous to the crew to have a green worker on the
rig floor?
4. Define a thribble.
13
Unit 2 Jobs on the Rig
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Module 1
5. How are the tongs suspended at working height?
6. Would you like to work as a roustabout? Give the reasons for your
answer.
7. What is the derrickman responsible for? Who is he responsible to? Who
is the toolpush responsible to? What is the drilling superintendent
responsible for?
8. If you knew that you had misunderstood the instruction, what could
you do? If you didn't know that you had misunderstood an instruction,
what might you do?
9. Why must dope be viscous?
10. «…the first step up the ladder…» What ladder?
Language development
4. Find the English equivalents for these words and word
combinations in the text:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
большинство нефтяных компаний
бригада
бурение
верховой работает на высоте
в круглосуточном режиме
любой новичок
носить бочки со смазкой
проложить себе дорогу
работа, не требующая высокой квалификации
разгружать различные материалы
соединение или отсоединение подъемников
соскребать ржавчину
сфера деятельности
техническое образование
разнорабочий
5. Say whether the following sentences are true or false. Correct
the false ones.
1. Macaroni is tubing of OD less than about 23/8 in.
2. A fourble is a section of casing, pipe or tubing consisting of four singles
screwed together.
3. The central hole in the kelly bushing is square.
4. If pipe threads aren’t properly doped the connections will stick.
5. If a crew is working an 8hour tour and for some reason they have to
work 101/2 hours, they will late be paid 21/2 hours’ overtime.
14
Module 1
Unit 2 Jobs on the Rig
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6. Read the text «Measurements».
The petroleum industry in the UK changed to the metric (SI) system of
measurement in 1976 .This change, however, has not been a complete one. In
most countries of the world, pipes, bits, threaded connections etc. are
manufactured to American Petroleum Institute (API) standards. For this reason
and others (e.g., API gravity), workers in the oil business have to be familiar
with American systems of measurement.
‘‘ — inch or inches
‘ — foot or feet
7. Write figures for the following.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Seven and threequarter inch bit.
Two and seveneighths inch OD pipe.
Three thirtyfoot sections of drill pipe.
Eight and a half inch diameter hole.
Twelve hundred foot length of half inch wire.
Hundred and fortyfive foot derrick.
Thirtyseven and a half inch rotary table hole.
One and threequarter inch wire rope.
Eighteen and fiveeighths inch OD surface casing.
Ten and threequarter inch casing.
Nine and fiveeighths inch intermediate casing string
One sixteenth inch OD tube.
Two and a half inch square drive tool.
Sixteen and threequarter inch flexible joint.
Thirteen and threeeighths inch casing shoe.
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
8. Choose the right words.
a. A tongman is a (roughneck/roustabout) who (attaches/detaches/
handles) the tongs (above/in/below) the rotary table.
b. Slips are (iron/steel) wedges fitted with (teeth/points). The slips are
dropped into the (master/mister) bushings in the rotary table to
(join/secure) drill pipe or casing in the table when making up or
braking (in/off/out).
c. Dope is a (lubricate/lubricant). It's a medium thick (oil/greasy/oily)
which is used on pipe and casing threads when (making/breaking)
(in/off/up/out).
d. The (toolpusher/driller) is responsible (for/to) the drilling superintendent
(for/to) all rig operations and (for/to) (making/make) sure that all
(necessary/essential) tools, equipment, services and materials are
available as required.
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Unit 2 Jobs on the Rig
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Module 1
e. The job of a reservoir engineer is to get (minimum/maximum) recovery
at (minimum/maximum) cost to the company.
f. Slips are (iron/steel) wedges fitted with (teeth/points). The slips are
dropped into the (master/mister) bushings in the rotary table to
(join/secure) drill pipe or casing in the table when making up or
braking (in/off/out).
g. Dope is a (lubricate/lubricant). It's a medium thick (oil/greasy/oily)
which is used on pipe and casing threads when (making/breaking)
(in/off/up/out).
h. The (toolpusher/driller) is responsible (for/to) the drilling superintendent
(for/to) all rig operations and (for/to) (making/make) sure that all
(necessary/essential) tools, equipment, services and materials are
available as required.
i. The job of a reservoir engineer is to get (minimum/maximum) recovery
at (minimum/maximum) cost to the company.
Listening
9.
Mac:
Ian:
Mac:
Ian:
Mac:
Ian:
Mac:
Ian:
Mac:
Ian:
Mac:
16
Listen to the conversation between Mac and Ian.
I'm going, Ian. I've decided and that's that.
Ach, Mac, you're crazy. The rigs are no good, not for a
roustabout. Don't go. Change your mind, man.
The money's good, Ian. You must admit the money's good.
Och aye, the money's all right, with overtime and all hat. But you
don't know what it's like to be a roustabout out there. You just
don't know, Mac.
Okay, Ian, you tell me what it's like to be a roustabout, and I’ll
still tell you the money's bloody good.
Sure, you'll come back from a spell offshore with 500 quid in the
bank. But what's 500 quid if you slip on a greasy deck and land
in the drink? You'll not swim in 40foot waves in winter, I'll tell
you that.
Well, if that's all, I'll wear a bloody lifejacket, Ian.
Lifejacket. Look, Mac, how would you like to hose down the rig
sides and equipment for six hours at a stretch?
Six hours?
Aye. And scraping rust. You'll scrape rust all day long. And day
after day, at that. And that's no joke.
H’mm. Aye. I suppose not.
Module 1
Ian:
Mac:
Ian:
Mac:
Ian:
Mac:
Ian:
Mac:
Ian:
Mac:
Unit 2 Jobs on the Rig
●
And you'll paint all tour long, too. And if there's no real wok,
you'll make work. You'll pain a pipe white one day and if there's
no work the next day you’ll paint he same bloody pipe blue.
Now, you're not serious, Ian.
Oh, I'm serious, Mac. I'm serious, all right. Why do you think I quit?
Why did you quit?
Am I not telling you? Because it's monotonous, Mac, that's why.
Routine?
Aye, routine. That's the word. Scrape and paint and hose down.
Hose down and scrape and paint.
I thought it might be a bit more interesting than that.
Well, it isn't. Change your mind, Mac.
I'll think about it, Ian. I'll think about it.
10. Do the exercise based on the conversation between Mac and Ian.
a. Choose the right expression: ‘Land in the drink means’:
1. Drink too much.
2. Fall into the water.
3. Jump into the water.
b. Choose the right expression: ‘For six hour at a stretch means’:
1. For six hours every tour.
2. For six hour out of twelve.
3. For six hours without stopping.
c. How much is one pound sterling in your own currency? In your own
currency, how much is 500 quid?
d. Ian doesn't work as a roustabout anymore. He is quite. Why?
e. Mac says that «the money’s bloody good» for offshore workers. Later,
he says that he’ll «wear a bloody lifejacket». What's the function of
«bloody» in these expressions? A word of similar meaning is «damn».
Do you now any others?
f. Why might a roustabout paint a pipe blue today if he painted it white
yesterday?
g. Offshore crews generally work two weeks on and then take two weeks
off. How many days are there in a spell offshore?
11. Listen to the conversation between Martin and Paul.
Martin:
Paul:
Martin:
Paul:
Martin:
Paul:
I say, Paul.
Yes?
Let's have a look at stand 34.
What's over there, Martin?
Subsea Christmas trees. Want to see?
Why not. They'll be worth looking at.
17
Unit 2 Jobs on the Rig
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Martin:
Paul:
Martin:
Paul:
Martin:
Paul:
Martin:
Paul:
Martin:
Paul:
Martin:
Paul:
Module 1
Let's go over then.
Right. Stand 34. Come on, there it is.
(they go over to stand 34)
Interesting, Paul?
Yes, very.
Diverless, too.
That's an important feature.
I'll be happier, though, when we all go solid block.
Me too.
Well then, seen enough?
Enough for one day.
How about a cup of coffee?
Lead the way, Martin.
12. Do the exercise based on the conversation between Martin and
Paul.
a. What do you think Martin and Paul are doing? Where are they? What
makes you think so? What's stand 34?
b. The subsea trees on stand 34 don't require divers to install them. Why
is this an important feature?
c. Choose the right expression: ‘When we all go solid block’ means:
1. When we all have a look at trees such as these.
2. When we all start using trees such as these.
3. When we all build solid block trees such as these.
d. ‘Seen enough?’ means ‘Have you seen enough?’ Make complete
sentences for these short expressions: Broken it out? Decided yet? Got
it ready? Finished so soon? Understood?
e. Who will arrive at the coffee bar first? Why?
Grammar
13. Put the verbs in brackets into the Passive form, as in the
example. Example:
«…a roughneck may have to be told what to do».
«A well may also have to be deviated…»
«The hole (may have to abandon) if these problems aren't solved
soon».
1. Before kickoff, the abandoned section (will have to plug off).
2. If the junk can't be recovered or pushed into the side of the hole, it (will
have to bypass).
3. This job's urgent. It (will have to do) immediately.
4. Gas for which there is no convenient market (may have to flare).
18
Module 1
Unit 2 Jobs on the Rig
●
14. Use having + past participle to express the following in a shorter
way. Example:
«Having worked for a time as a roustabout, a man might be ready for
the job of roughneck».
The same idea can be expressed in this longer way: «After he has
worked for a time as a roustabout, a man might reready for the job of
roughneck».
1. Now that they have moved their engine outside of the hazardous area,
the wireline crew is ready to start. (Having moved…)
2. After they had corrected the angle, they kicked the hole off.
3. When he had made sure that the tools were properly assembled, the
toolpusher gave the order to run in.
4. When he had listened to Ian's story, Mac changed his mind.
5. Because of the fact that he has actually worked on an offshore rig, Ian
knows very well what it's like to be a roustabout in the North Sea.
Revision Box
15. Notice how the following paragraph has been built up from
information contained in this Unit and write similar paragraphs
to describe the jobs of driller, derrickman, roustabout, tongman.
The toolpush is responsible to the drilling superintendent. He is in charge of
the daytoday running of rig operations, and must make sure that all
necessary tools.
16. Fill in the gaps with given words and word combinations:
boll weevil; clock; crew; daylight; drilling; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 4 p.m.
to 12; floor; graveyard tour; hazard; jobs; polytechnic; rotary; the
mousehole; twelvehour; valve or misunderstood.
1. ________ is one of those ________ where a man has to work his way up.
2. Even if a man has a university or ________ education, most oil companies
will want him to get rig experience by working on the ________ with the
rotary ________ for a certain period. 3. A ________ , even if he is well
educated, can be a highly dangerous person around the ________ table. 4.
He may be a danger to himself (by breaking a leg in ________ , for example),
and may be a ________ to the other members of the crew. 5. What might
happen, for instance, if he opened the wrong ________ or ________ an
urgent instruction? 6. Rigs operate around the ________. 7. The period from
________ a.m. to p.m. is the ________ tour, ________ p.m. to ________
midnight is the afternoon tour, and 12 midnight to 8 a.m. is referred to as
________ . 8. Offshore crews usually work ________ tours.
19
Unit 2 Jobs on the Rig
●
Module 1
17. Describe the device or the process.
1. Career on the rig (step by step).
2. Shifts.
18. Translate sentences into English.
1. Бурение — это та сфера деятельности, где человек в состоянии
проложить себе дорогу наверх собственноручно.
2. Даже если человек имеет высшее или техническое образование,
большинство нефтяных компаний захотят, чтобы он приобрел
опыт, работая непосредственно на буровой.
3. Любой новичок, пусть даже и имеющий образование, может стать
причиной травм, как для себя, так и для других членов бурильной
бригады.
4. Чернорабочий выполняет работу, не требующую высокой
квалификации, например, соскребает ржавчину, носит бочки со
смазкой, разгружает различные материалы.
5. Верховой работает на высоте от 60 до 90 футов над поверхностью
вышки, почти на самом верху буровой установки, и в его
обязанности входит соединение или отсоединение подъемников
при спуске или подъеме из скважины какихлибо труб, он также
очищает, смазывает и чинит лебедки и провода, которые
используются при этом.
6. Вышки работают в круглосуточном режиме.
20
Module 1
Unit 3 Fishing Jobs
●
1. Study the following vocabulary before reading.
item
latching on to
hoisting up
bore
diameter
therefore
grip
inner
bit cutters
hardfaced
springloaded
is broken out
rathole
stands
are stood back
toolpusher
each thing in a group or list of things.
getting hold of.
raising into position using rope or wire.
the inside diameter of a pipe or tube.
the length of a straight line through the center of an object.
for this reason; because of this.
hold with force.
situated farther in. The opposite of «inner» is «outer».
the teeth of the bit are in the bit cutters. The cutters hold the
teeth of the drill bit.
having the outer surfaces made of very hard metal.
closing quickly, powered by sprigs.
is unscrewed and separated.
the rathole is a shallow hole near a corner of the rig floor. The
kelly stands in the rathole when it isn't needed.
stands are 90 ft. sections of drill pipe. A stand is made up of
three joints or singles, all joined together.
are placed on end; are stood back.
the person in charge of all operations on the rig. A toolpusher
can tell a driller what to do. Some oilmen also use the word
«toolpush».
Reading
2. Read the following passage. Remember to look under Notes if
you have difficulties. The diagrams will also help you with
unknown words and expressions.
Sometimes, items of drilling equipment get lost in the borehole. When an
item of equipment is lost in the hole, it's called a «fish». A lost item is also called
«junk». Drilling cannot continue until the fish or the junk is recovered from the
hole. To recover the lost item, a fishing job is necessary. Special fishing tools are
used for latching on to the fish and hoisting it up to the surface. There are many
types of fishing tools. For example, there is a type of fishing tool called a «junk
basket», there is another type called a «spear». Look at the diagrams.
As you can see, these fishing tools are different. The spear is used for
recovering the casing. The spear enters the bore of the lost pipe. The diameter
21
Unit 3 Fishing Jobs
●
Figure 1.5
of the spear, therefore, must be smaller then the
diameter of the pipe in the hole. When the spear
enters the pipe, its teeth push out and grip the inner
sides of the pipe tightly. That is usually possible to
hoist the fish out of the borehole.
The junk basket is used for latching on to the
smaller pieces of junk. It's used for recovering the bit
cutters, for example. The bottom part of the basket
is a shoe with hardfaced teeth. The shoe has a hole
in its center. The fish is forced through the hole and
enters the barrel of the basket. Springloaded
fingers prevent the fish from dropping out of the
barrel and falling back into the well.
Before a fishing job can begin, the string must
be tripped out of the hole. First the kelly is broken
out and is set in the rathole. Then the string is
broken out in stands and the stands are stood back
on the rig floor. When all of stands are stood back,
the fishing can begin. The toolpusher takes charge of
the fishing operation.
Module 1
Figure 1.6
3. Answer the following questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Why is junk basket hollow?
Why are there many types of fishing tools?
What is the toolpusher's job?
Where is the rathole? What is it used for?
What is a spear for? What's a junk basket for?
How does a spear hold a lost piece of pipe?
Before a fishing job can begin, the string must be tripped out of the
hole. Why?
8. A string is 3,960 feet long. How many stands is it made up of? How
many singles is it made up of?
9. What is the difference between «diameter» and «bore»?
10. The string is tripped out of the hole in stands, not in singles. What is the
reason for this?
Language development
4. Find English equivalents for these words and word
combinations in the text:
1. аварийное оборудование
2. бурильное оборудование
22
Module 1
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Unit 3 Fishing Jobs
●
ведущая бурильная труба
колокол, колонна бурильных труб
ловильные работы
нора
скважина
свечи
труболовка
5. Choose the words and expressions to complete the paragraph
below: in charge of, junk, toolpusher, item, run back in, fished,
tools, lost, tripped.
When an ________ of drilling equipment is ________ in the hole, it must
be ________ out. The person usually ________ the fishing operation is the
________ . The string is ________ out of the borehole and fishing ________
are run in. After the ________ recovered, the string is ________ and drilling
can begin again.
6. Look at this example below and make the sentences in the same
way. Choose the right words.
Junk is (lose/lost/losing) equipment in the hole.
Junk is lost equipment in the hole.
1. A stand is made up of three singles, all (joint/joining/joined) together.
2. Would you mind (to repeat/repeating/repeat) that, please?
3. Spears are smaller in diameter (from/than/to) the bore of the drill
pipe.
4. The rathole is (in/on/at) a corner (to/from/of) the rig floor.
5. Most derricks are (between/to/of) 100 and 136 ft. (deep/long/high).
7. Write the sentences as in the example for the other areas. Begin
with the USA, North Africa and Australia.
Example: In the Middle East in 1976, oil consumption was seventy
three million tones and production was one thousand, one hundred
million tones. Сonsumption was less than production by one thousand,
twentythree million tones.
In the USA in 1976, ______________________________________
_____________________________________________________
In North Africa in 1976, __________________________________
____________________________________________________
In Australia in 1976, _____________________________________
____________________________________________________
23
Unit 3 Fishing Jobs
●
Module 1
Listening
8. Listen to the conversation between Keith, Barry and Peter.
Keith is from the Petrolleum Programme, a BBC radio series about the
language of the oil industry.
Keith:
How do you do, Barry. My name's Keith. I'm from the Petroleum
Programme.
Barry:
How do you do. Can I help you?
Keith:
Would you mind explaining what the driller and the floorman
are doing? I notice they're not drilling today. The rotary table
isn't turning. And where has the kelly gone?
Barry:
Well, first of all, the kelly's over there. In that hole over there, in
the corner of the derrick floor. See?
Keith:
Oh yes, I see it. And is that the rathole it's standing in?
Peter:
That's what we call it. How did you know that?
Barry:
Yes, you're certainly right. When we're not using the kelly, we
set it in the rathole, in the derrick floor.
Keith:
Why is the kelly in the rathole now?
Barry:
Because we've pulled out. We've hoisted the pipe out of the
hole. We've stacked the pipe and we can't do any drilling
because there's a fish in the hole.
Peter:
We've going to fish for it now. We're getting the fishing tools ready.
Keith:
But what is a «fish»? What does that word mean? Would you
mind explaining it please?
Peter:
Barry?
Barry:
Sure. A fish is something we've lost in the hole. Sometimes it's a
tool or another piece of equipment. Sometimes it's a part of the
drilling string.
Peter:
Today it's one of the cutters. We've lost one of the cutters from
the bit. It's in the hole.
Barry:
So, we're going to fish for it.
Keith:
When do you think you'll catch it?
Peter:
Oilmen don't say «catch» a fish, Keith.
Barry:
We say «latch on to» a fish. We're going to try to latch on to the
cutter now. We're going to use special fishing tools.
Peter:
And I sure hope we latch on to that fish soon.
Barry:
So do I. Then we can run the drilling string in again…
Peter:
… and hoist the kelly out of the rathole…
Barry:
… and start making hole again.
Keith:
Good luck, then. I hope you latch on to that fish soon.
Peter:
Thanks a lot, Keith.
24
Module 1
Unit 3 Fishing Jobs
●
9. Answer the following questions.
1. From your listening practice in Unit 1, you know that Peter is the mud
engineer. What job do you think Barry does? Why do you think so?
2. Why is the kelly in the rathole now?
3. In the oil business, what is a fihs?
4. What are the crew going to do about the junk in the hole?
5. Keith politely asks Barry to explain what the driller and the floormen are
doing. What expressions does he use?
10. Listen to the conversation between Michael and Barry.
While you are listening, look at the diagram below.
BOP Stack
Michael:
Barry:
Michael:
Barry:
Michael:
Barry:
Michael:
Barry:
Michael: Hello, Barry.
Barry:
Welcome to the rig, Michael.
Michael: Well then, Barry, where's
the BOP stack?
Barry:
Not here on the rig floor.
It's underneath us. Follow
me and I'll show you.
(they climb down some steel steps)
Here it is, right in the
Barry:
middle, under the rig floor.
The rotary table is just above
it and us.
Michael: So this is the BOP stack. It's
quite a big piece of machinery.
Barry:
It has to be big and strong.
If there's a kick or a blowout,
the BOP stack will shut in the
Figure 1.7
well and control it.
And what's this? What's this that the stack is standing on?
That's the wellhead, Michael. That's where the casings are
connected here at the top of the hole.
I see. And what's the working pressure of the stack?
That depends, of course, on the depth of the well and the
pressure that we expect. The working pressure of this BOP
system is ten thousand pounds per square inch.
Ten thousand p. s. t. You must be planning to drill down a very
long way.
We are. Or at least, that's our programme.
Do you mean that you may be lucky, and hit an oil zone soon?
In this business, Michael, you never know. It's full of surprises.
25
Unit 3 Fishing Jobs
●
Module 1
11. Answer the questions.
1. BBC stands for British Broadcasting Corporation. BOP stands for
blowout preventer. What does p. s. t. stand for?
2. Is Barry's rig onshore or offshore? How do you know?
3. A «kick» is a sudden push upwards, against the drilling fluid. If there's
a kick, what will the BOP stack do?
4. What's the working pressure of the BOP system on Barry's rig?
5. The working pressure of BOP stacks are not all the same. What does the
working pressure of a BOP stack depend on?
Grammar
12. Do you remember these sentences from the tape?
«We're going to try to latch on to the cutter now.»
«We're going to use special fishing tools.»
«We're going to fish for it now.»
All given sentences mean that the crew plan to do something soon.
Make sentences, as in the example.
There's a cutter in the hole (toolpusher/try to latch on to it).
The toolpuserh is going to try to latch on to it.
1.
2.
3.
4.
There's something wrong with the bit (crew/trip the string out).
The mud's light (Peter/add bentonite to the tanks).
I'm not sure what to do (I/ask the driller).
I don't know what the trouble is (I/find out now).
13. Put the verbs in brackets bellow into the passive form, as in the
example.
If the bit is dull (must change).
If the bit is dull, it must be changed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Safety instructions (must obey).
Safety boots (must wear) on the rig floor at all times.
Fire doors (must keep) closed.
Smoking (must not permit) on or near the rig.
The string (must trip out) in stands, not in singles.
14. Examine these pairs of sentences in the Past Simple and the
Present Perfect Tenses.
We've pulled out. We pulled out an hour ago.
We've learned about the word «annulus».
We learned about the word «annulus» in Unit 1.
26
Module 1
Unit 3 Fishing Jobs
●
Those actions all happened in the past. The first sentence in each
pair, however, does not give us any information about when the
actions happened. Examples:
1. We’ve stopped the drilling.
We stopped drilling when we lost the cutter.
2. I’ve completed the job.
I completed the job last shift.
Reform the sentences below without using the words in italics.
1. The drilling stopped when the cutter was lost.
2. As soon as they got the junk out of the hole, they ran in again.
3. We tried the junk basket at 5 o’clock and we tried the spear fortyfive
minutes later but that fish is still down there.
4. While she was on the rig, Keith learned some interesting things about
fishing operations.
5. The kelly's in the rathole because we hoisted the pipe out a couple of
hours ago.
15. Make questions in the Past Simple Tense, as in the example.
Ask when the drilling stopped. (When/drilling/stop) (when the cutter
was lost)
When did the drilling stop? — It stopped when the cutter was lost.
1. Ask when Barry arrived. (When/Barry/arrive) (an hour ago)
2. Ask when the bit broke down. (When/bit/break down) (very soon
after it was run in)
3. Ask when the supply boat left.(When/supply boat/leave) (early
yesterday afternoon)
4. Ask when time he came on shift. (What time/he/come on shift) (at
9.30 am)
5. Ask when he shut down the pumps. (When/he/shut down the pumps)
(when the toolpusher told him to do so)
Revision box
16. Fill in the gaps with given words and word combinations.
Barrel, bit cutters, bore, borehole, casing, diameter, fish, fishing job,
fishing tools, forced, grip, hardfaced teeth, hoisting it, hoist, hole,
hole items, junk, junk basket, latching on to, pipe, spear, spring
loaded, teeth, well.
1. Sometimes, ________ of the drilling equipment get lost in the ________ .
2. When an item of equipment is lost in the hole it is called a ________ .
27
Unit 3 Fishing Jobs
●
Module 1
3. A lost item is also called ________ . 4. Drilling cannot continue until the
fish or the junk is recovered from the ________ . 5. To recover the lost
item, a ________ is necessary. 6. Special ________ are used for
________ the fish and ________ up to the surface. 7. There are many
types of ________ . 8. For example, there is a type of fishing tool called a
________ , there is another type called a ________ . 9. The spear is used
for recovering the ________ . 10. The spear enters the ________ of the
lost ________ . 11. The ________ of the spear, therefore, must be smaller
than the ________ of the pipe in the hole. 12. When the spear enters the
pipe, its ________ push out and ________ the inner sides of the pipe
tightly. 13. That is usually possible to ________ the fish out of the
________ . 14. The ________ is used for ________ the smaller pieces of
junk. 15. It is used for recovering the ________ , for example. 16. The bottom
part of the basket is a shoe with ________ . 17. The shoe has a ________
in its centre. 18. The fish is ________ through the hole and enters the
________ of the basket. 19. ________ fingers prevent the fish from
dropping out of the barrel and falling back into the ________ .
16. Describe the device or the process.
1. Junck basket.
2. Spear.
3. Getting prepared for fishing job.
17. Translate the sentences into English.
1. Иногда части бурильного оборудования теряются в скважине, и в
таком случае необходимо произвести ловильные работы.
2. Часть оборудования, потерянная в скважине, называется «потеря»
или «аварийное оборудование».
3. Для захвата потери и подъема ее на поверхность используются
специальные ловильные инструменты: колокол и труболовка.
4. Перед тем, как начинать ловильные работы, необходимо достать
колонну бурильных труб из скважины.
5. Для этого ведущую бурильную трубу ставят в нору, где ее
разбирают на свечи.
28
Module 1
Unit 4a Cementing Jobs
●
1. Study the following vocabulary before reading.
elevators
centralizers
scratcher
wall cake
slurry
waiting on
cement
latches that secure the drill pipe. Attached to the traveling
block which raises and lowers the pipe from the hole.
spring steel guides that are attached to casing to keep it
centered in the hole.
a device fastened to casing which removes the mud cake
from the hole to condition it for cementing. It is made of
stiff wire.
the solid material deposited along the wall of the hole resulting
from filtration of the fluid part of the mud into the formation.
suspension of cement in water, oil, or mixture of both.
the time needed after the casing has been cemented to
suspend operations and allow time for the cement to set or
harden in the well bore.
Reading
2. Read the text.
At predetermined times, the drill pipe is removed and the casing crew
moves in to do its work. The first string of casing they run is called surface
casing. Running casing into the hole is very similar to running drill pipe, except
that the casing diameter is much larger and requires special elevators, tongs and
slips to fit it. Also centralizers and scratchers are often installed on the outside
of the casing before it is lowered into the hole. Centralizers keep the casing
centered in the hole. Scratchers remove the wall cake formed by the drilling mud
and allow the cement bond better to the formation.
After the casing string is run, the next task is to cement the casing in place.
For this reason, bulk cement and handling equipment is moved out to the rig,
making it possible to mix large quantities of cement at the site. The cementing
crew mixes the dry cement with water, using a recirculating mixer, to make
slurry (very thin, watery cement).
Special pumps pick up the cement slurry and send it up to a valve called a
cementing head (also called a plug container) mounted on the topmost joint of
casing that is hanging in the mast or derrick a little above the rig floor. Just
before the cement slurry arrives, a rubber plug (called the bottom plug) is
released from the cementing head and precedes the slurry down the inside of
29
Unit 4a Cementing Jobs
●
Module 1
the casing until it stops or «seats» in the float collar, but continued pressure
from the cement pumps opens a passageway through the bottom plug (by
rupturing the diaphragm). So, the slurry passes through the bottom plug
downwards and starts up the annulus gradually filling it up.
A top plug is similar to the bottom plug
but it is solid. It is released with the last
portion of the cement slurry and some
displacement fluid (usually drilling mud or
water) moves it downwards. Meanwhile,
most of the slurry flows out of the casing
and into the annular space. By the time the
top plug seats or «bumps» the bottom plug
in the float collar the cement is only in the
casing below the float collar and the annulus.
After the cement is run, a waiting time is
needed to allow the slurry to harden. This
period of time is referred to as waiting on
cement (WOC). After the cement hardens,
Figure 1.8
tests may be run to ensure a good cement job.
3. Answer the following questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What kinds of jobs are needed after the well is complete?
Who does the cementing job?
What equipment and materials are used to perform cementing?
What is a «cementing head» and what is its purpose?
Why must the bottom plug have a diaphragm?
Why must the top plug be solid?
What might signal the cementing pump operator to shut down the
pumps?
8. Can displacement fluid be mud?
9. What is WOC?
10. What is the other task for the rig crew after the WOC and tests?
Language development
4. Find in the text English equivalents for these words and word
combinations:
1.
2.
3.
4.
30
погрузочноразгрузочное оборудование
рециркулирующая цементомешалка
самая верхняя труба
отверстие
Module 1
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Unit 4a Cementing Jobs
●
цементировочная головка
продавочная жидкость
закрыть
предшествовать
упорное кольцо
5. Mark the correct sentences with the letter T and the false ones
with the letter F.
1. The rig crew is not competent enough to assist in
cementing jobs.
2. There is special transport equipment to handle cement in
bulk.
3. To mix dry cement with water a blender is used.
4. Slurry is a fluid for cementing the well.
5. A plug container is a part of a cementing head.
6. A plug container has two types of plugs.
7. Pumping continues till the cement slurry fills the annular
space.
8. The top plug is absolutely similar to the bottom plug.
9. Drilling is resumed as soon as WOC is over.
10. Waiting on cement is allotted to allow the slurry to harden.
6. Complete the paragraph below using given words and
expressions. Cement crew, pressuretested, to set, WOC, bit,
nipples up.
________ casing, the casing and ________ run and cement a string of
casing. After the ________ and tests indicate that the job is good, the rig crew
attaches or ________ the blowout preventer (BOP) stack to the top of the
casing. The BOP stack is ________ , and drilling is resumed with a smaller
________ that fits inside the surface casing.
Revision box
7. Fill in the gaps with given words and word combinations.
Operating company, except, production, the bottom of the hole,
producing formation, seal off.
If the ________ decides to set production casing, casing will be brought to
the well and for one final time, the casing and cement crew trip in and cement
the casing string. Typically, the ________ casing is set and cemented through
the pay zone, that is, hole is drilled to a depth beyond ________ , and the
casing is set to a point near ________ . As a result, the casing and cement
31
Unit 4a Cementing Jobs
●
Module 1
actually ________ the producing zone, but only temporarily. After the
production string is cemented, the drilling contractor has almost finished his job
________ for a few final touches.
8. Explain the word or the process.
1. Slurry.
2. Cementing.
9. Translate the sentences into English
1.
После спуска обсадной колонны следующей задачей становится
цементирование спущенной колонны.
2. Оборудование хранения рассыпного цемента и по работе с ним
доставляют к скважине, получая возможность приготовления
большого количества цементного раствора на месте работ.
3. В определенное время бурильные трубы убирают, и к скважине
прибывает бригада для спуска обсадной колонны.
4. Спуск обсадной колонны во многом напоминает спуск бурильной
трубы намного больше, и поэтому требуются специальные элеваторы,
ключи и клиновые захваты.
5. Центраторы устанавливают на обсадной трубе, и, поскольку они
имеют дугообразные пружины, они удерживают обсадную трубу в
центре скважины после ее спуска.
6. Контейнерная цементировочная головка устанавливается на самой
верхней трубе обсадной колонны.
7. Оцентрованная обсадная колонна позже обеспечивает более
эффективное цементирование.
8. Нижняя пробка останавливается или «садится» в муфте с обратным
клапаном.
9. Скребки улучшают качество цементирования за счет удаления со
стенки корки, образованной буровым раствором, что проделывается
движением колонны вверх и вниз, либо ее вращением.
10. После закачки цемента наступает время ожидания затвердения
цемента.
32
Module 1
Unit 4b Cementing Properties
●
1. Study the following vocabulary before reading.
sack
density
slurry density
weight
fluid loss
slurry yield
unpumpable
a weight measure. One sack contains 94 pounds of cement,
100 pounds of bentonite, 100 pounds of barite.
weight of a volume of a material.
the density of slurry expressed in either pounds per gallon or
pounds per cubic foot. Suitable additives are used to modify
slurry density.
refers to the density of a drilling fluid or slurry.
the volume of fluid lost to a permeable material due to the
process of filtration.
volume of slurry when one sack of cement (94 pounds) is
mixed with desired amount of water containing any other
additives such as accelerators, fluidloss control agents, etc.
unable to be pumped.
Reading
2. Read the text.
According to physical properties and chemical composition, the American
Petroleum Institute (API) has identified nine types of cement. They are:
● API Class A and B (Portland cement)
● API Class C (High early strength cement)
● API Class D, E and F (Retarded cement)
● API Class G and H (Basic cement)
● API Class ? (Special order only)
API Classes G and H cements are commonly used across a large geographical
area. Classes A, B and C are used in specific geographic locations where
downhole conditions require special cement properties. Classes D, E and F are
pearly used and only in special situations. You may hear the terms Standard,
Premium and Premium Plus when referring to oil field cements.
The properties of cements used in the oil field depend on the factors like
geographic location, downhole conditions (depth, temperature, etc.), type of
cement job, and type of mixing water.
The properties of cement slurry are influenced by factors such as water
ratio of cement slurries (gal/sk), slurry density (lb/gal), and slurry yield
(ft3/sk). One must remember that if there is too much water in the slurry free
water appears on top of the slurry and retards setting. If there is too little water
the slurry is thick and difficult to pump and accelerates setting.
33
Unit 4b Cementing Properties
●
Module 1
Slurry density (or cement slurry weight) must be always carefully
monitored, too. While on the job, one must be alert to slurry property changes
that can be the result of improper slurry density. The slurry properties most
affected by changes in density are thickening time, flow characteristics
(pumpability), drilling fluid displacement efficiency, free water, settling,
compressive strength, fluid loss.
What about slurry yield, too much cement rather than too little is always
advisable.
The thickening time is the time required for a cement to become
unpumpable. Such well conditions like bottomhole circulating temperature
(BHT), well depth and well pressure influence the thickening time. One must
always remember that temperature, rather than depth has the greatest effect
on cement thickening times. It can also be affected by conditions such as water
invasion, loss of water to the formation, shutdown during cement slurry
placement and contamination.
Compressive strength is the amount of strength required to support a string
of casing. It provides the basis for most WOC regulations. It is a generally accepted
rule that a compressive strength of 500 psi is the minimally acceptable standard for
most cement operations.
3. Answer the following questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
What types of cement are there according to API?
Cement of what class do you think is used in our region?
What factors do the cement properties depend on?
Is too much water more preferable in the slurry than too little water?
Why?
What is fluid loss?
Why is it so important to observe the slurry density?
What well conditions influence the thickening time of cement?
Which has more effect on cement thickening time, the temperature of
the well or the depth?
What might the consequences of slurry contamination be?
Why should the cementing crew never stop moving the cement until it
is in place?
What is a compressive strength?
Language Development
4. Find the English equivalents for these words and word
combinations in the text:
1. химический состав
2. физические свойства
34
Module 1
Unit 4b Cementing Properties
●
3. классификация
4. быстротвердеющий цемент
5. медленносхватывающийся цемент (цемент с замедленным
сроком схватывания)
6. цемент высшего качества
7. отвечать требованиям
8. вода для затворения цементного раствора
9. время начала схватывания
10. прочность на сжатие, реологические свойства
5. Mark the correct sentences with the letter T and the false ones
with the letter F.
1. Cements are used universally in well completion
operations to fill the annular space between the casing
and the open hole.
2. 10 types of cement are identified by the API.
3. Cement is used to seal off lost circulation (or thief) zones.
4. Classes B and C are used across a major part of
geographical area.
5. Type of mixing water doesn't influence the cement
properties.
6. Water ratio is gallons of water required per sack of
cement to make slurry.
7. Most slurries are mixed with an amount of water that
provides a set volume equal to the slurry volume without
freewater separation.
8. Primary casing cementing is performed immediately
after casing has been run into the hole.
9. Slurry density isn't the same property as slurry weight.
10. Fluid density isn't influenced by anything since it is in the
well.
6. Complete the paragraph below using the given words and
expressions.
Finely ground, heated, react chemically, cements, to form,
proportions, material
________ consist of limestone (or other materials high in calcium
carbonate), clay or shale, and some iron and aluminium oxides (if not found in
quantity in the clay or shale). These dry materials are ________ and mixed
thoroughly in the correct ________ , either dry (dry process), or with water
(wet process). The mixture is ________ to very high temperatures causing the
ingredients to ________ , resulting in ________ called clinker. The clinker is
ground with a controlled amount of gypsum ________ cement.
35
Unit 4b Cementing Properties
●
Module 1
Revision box
7. Fill in the gaps with the given words and word combinations.
Great enough, densometer, cement slurry weight, affected by,
primary cementing job, monitored, changes, thickening time.
Slurry density or ________ should, except for squeeze jobs, be ________
to maintain well control. As a result, slurry densities are always carefully
________ . In the field, it can be done either manually with a pressure balanced
scale or automatically with a ________ to avoid a poor ________ , a slurry
must be maintained at its proper density. While on the job, one must be alert to
slurry property ________ that can be the result of improper slurry density. The
slurry properties most ________ changes in density are: flow characteristics,
settling, fluid loss, ________ , etc.
8. Explain the following.
1. Poor cementing job.
2. Influence of downhole conditions on the choice of cement.
9. Translate the sentences into English.
1. Цементы используют повсеместно в работах по освоению скважин
для заполнения кольцевого пространства между обсадной
колонной и стенкой скважины.
2. Одна из основных функций первичного цементирования это
герметизация зон поглощения.
3. Американский нефтяной институт определил девять типов
цемента по химическому составу и физическим свойствам.
4. Характеристики цемента могут быть изменены для того, чтобы
отвечать условиям конкретных работ.
5. Водоцементное отношение, или необходимое количество
галлонов воды на мешок цемента, является важным фактором при
определении времени, в течение которого цементный раствор
сохраняет способность прокачиваться насосом, и прочности
цемента на сжатие.
6. Большинство растворов перемешиваются с таким количеством
воды, которое обеспечивает образование определенного объема
цементного раствора без отделения свободной воды.
7. Если в растворе слишком мало воды, раствор будет густым, его
будет трудно перекачивать и ускорится затвердевание.
8. Для того, чтобы избежать некачественного цементирования,
требуется поддерживать необходимую плотность цементного
раствора.
36
Module 1
Supplementary Reading (Units 1—4a)
9. Выход цементного раствора — это количество кубических футов
раствора, получаемого из мешка цемента, исходя из данного
количества воды для затворения.
10. Время, необходимое цементу до момента, когда его нельзя
закачивать, называется временем начала схватывания.
11. Остановка в процессе продавливания раствора ускоряет
схватывание и раствор затвердевает быстрее.
SUPPLEMENTARY READING FOR MODULE 1
(Units1—4b)
Types of Drilling Rigs and Structures
(to be read after Unit 1)
Rigs are generally categorized as onshore (land) or offshore (marine).
Onshore rigs are all similar, and many modern rigs are of the cantilevered mast,
or «jackknife» derrick type. This type of rig allows the derrick to be assembled
on the ground, and then raised to the vertical position using power from the
drawworks, or hoisting system. These structures are made up of prefabricated
sections that are moved onto the location by truck, barge, helicopter, etc., and
then placed in position and pinned together by large steel pins. Some
cantilevered land rigs have their mast permanently attached to a large truck to
enhance their portability.
Figure 1.8
The diagram shows a typical large land rig with a drilling mast. On location
the mast is usually set upon a sub structure 8 ft. to 40 ft. (2.4 m to 12.2 m) high.
The older standard derrick is the familiar fourlegged structure that had to be
completely disassembled every time the rig was moved (or else left in place over
37
Supplementary Reading (Units 1—4a)
Module 1
the well). These derricks are not often used on land today. Rigs are rated
according to their drawwork's horse power, mud pump horsepower, and
loadbearing capacity. The loadbearing capacity can be translated to a depth
limitation depending on the size of the drillpipe. A few rigs are capable of
drilling to depths of 30,000 ft. (9144 m) and hoisting loads of 1,500,000 lbs
(680,440 kg). Some modern rigs employ an independent jacking system with
hydraulic cylinders to support the heavy load generated by a casing string's
weight, thereby increasing the capacity of the rig.
How to Get a Job
(to be read after Unit 2)
So you're thinking about a field job in the oil industry. If you haven't been
involved in the oil patch before, you probably have no idea how vast it is, or
where to start your job search. Many sites will try to convince you that you can
get a job on an offshore rig making $10,000 a month without any experience or
training at all, and while this is possible, it's not at all likely. Actually, it can be
tough to find a job in any field of the oil industry without some experience or
training.
First, you should realize that the oil industry isn't just drilling rigs,
pumpjacks, and gas stations. The oil industry is a lot like the military in that it
employs people in nearly every profession. There are positions such as
roughneck, that are very specific to the oil industry; but there are also welders,
medics, chemists, biologists, environmentalists, cooks, computer programmers,
engineers, and a thousand more positions that are absolutely essential to the
industry. You don't have to have experience specifically in the oil industry in
order to have relevant experience.
The oil patch is a little bit different from most other industries. You'll soon
lose the idea of a weekend as you now know it... The patch runs seven days a
week, and in many cases, 24 hours a day. You'll be expected to work every day
in all weather conditions, for weeks or even months at a time. The oil industry is
also very production oriented; you'll make more money welding in the oil patch
than in another industry, but you'll work longer and harder for that bigger
paycheck.
There are a few prerequisites if you want a field job in the oil patch:
You must be in reasonably good physical condition, and be able to lift at
least 50 lbs. regularly.
For most positions, you must have a valid driver's license.
You must have suitable clothing for extended outdoor work and in most
cases, hard toed safety boots.
You should not have any medical condition which would make it unsafe for
you to operate machinery.
38
Module 1
Supplementary Reading (Units 1—4a)
You don't need to live in the city where your employer is located, but in
most cases you will have to provide your own transportation to and from your
home from the employer's location (pointofhire). If you live a long way from
any areas with oil and gas activity, you will have a very difficult time finding an
entry level job in this industry.
You must be willing and able to work hard for long hours. This industry is
all about production, and if you don't produce, you're not an asset to the
company.
Much of the work in the oil industry is very physically demanding, especially
in the entry level positions. There is no upper age limit, but you should be willing
and able to work hard for long hours, lift 50 lbs. regularly, and be in relatively
good physical condition. If you have back or other health problems that prevent
strenuous activity, you may want to reconsider this line of work. Most companies
require employees to be at least 18 years old. A recent hearing test and/or
medical evaluation may be required.
You should know that while you can make a lot of money in a month in the
oil patch, you can also make no money in a month. Most oilfield work isn't very
stable, and you'll occasionally find yourself laidoff on short notice due to a
shortage of work... and called back on even shorter notice. Many people in
Canada work in the oil industry during the winter while it's busy, then take the
spring and summer off, or work nonoilfield summer jobs.
Fishing Operations
(to be read after Unit 3)
Regardless of the precautions that are taken to avoid the loss of wireline
tools in the well, it is inevitable that even the most careful operator will lose
wireline and tools in the well occasionally. Well conditions cannot always be
known or anticipated.
When tools are lost in the well, the method required to retrieve the tools
depends on many different factors. Well conditions, completion design, the
tools that were lost, and alternatives to fishing must be considered before
beginning the fishing job. Consideration should also be given to the reason the
tools were lost. Each fishing job is different because the circumstances are
never the same from one well to the next.
If the wireline work is contracted, the next step is for the engineer or
operator and wireline specialist to sit down together and discuss the situation.
Together they should decide the best way to fish the tools from the well. After
a procedure is decided upon, a list of the fishing tools needed should be made.
If the needed tools are not on location, arrangements should be made to get
them to the location. The success or failure of many fishing jobs is determined
by what is done or is not done during the planning stages of the job.
39
Supplementary Reading (Units 1—4a)
Module 1
The attitudes of the field engineer and the wireline specialist may play an
important role in the eventual success of the job. Many times a simple fishing
job becomes complicated simply because the specialist tries to «cut corners»
and quickly fish the tools from the well. This often results in something being
overlooked because the situation was never adequately analyzed. Once a
procedure has been agreed upon and the proper tools are on location, the
fishing job may begin.
Although a multitude of situations might require that fishing operations be
performed, this discussion is limited to only a few examples of how a fishing job
might be performed. Each actual situation should be evaluated, and the
procedure used should be matched to the well conditions and downhole
circumstances.
One rule is almost universally accepted as the best way to perform a fishing
job. Fish the wireline first and then fish the tool string. This requires that the wire
be cut from the tools.
Cementing Programme
(to be read after Units 4a, b)
The primary purposes of cement are to seal the annulus between casing
and formation, and to support the casing strings. The slurry selections and
placement techniques vary widely, depending on the types of formation, well
temperatures, hole and casing sizes, hole enlargement, formation pressures,
and depths and loads of the casing strings.
The well planner must determine all of the conditions and requirements,
select slurries that are appropriate, and prescribe placement and evaluation
techniques that ensure effective results.
All this should be presented in the cement program in a concise manner,
and appropriate instructions should be included in the drilling procedures
section.
There is a large body of cementing technology with which the well planner
should be familiar. Cementing company handbooks are the most readily
available source illustrating the many variations in slurry compositions available
for special conditions. Manufacturers catalogues are the most ready source of
equipment choices. Cementing technology cannot be covered in depth here,
but the principal concerns of the well planner are discussed.
Requirements and Considerations
The casing, hole sizes, depths, and the mud weight and type determined
previously are the basic data for cement design.
Surface strings that support subsequent strings should be cemented to the
surface with an excess of cement to ensure uncontaminated cement at the
surface. Top fill with strong cement is necessary if the primary cement falls
40
Module 1
Supplementary Reading (Units 1—4a)
back. This is sometimes advisable even after circulation to the surface in order
to place strong, uncontaminated cement at the top of the string. Top filling is
done through 1in. pipe lowered alongside the casing.
For subsequent strings, the desired height of the cement column must be
determined and calculated with annular volume to determine cement volume
requirements. Caliper logs should be used and some excess (usually 10 to 20%)
specified, based on area experience, to ensure cement fill to the desired height.
In some cases, only bit gauge is known, and a larger excess (usually 50%)
should be specified to compensate for washout. This, too, depends on area
experience.
The following are other considerations that affect volume requirements:
The cement height should be sufficient to minimize casing buckling during
subsequent drilling;
The upper portion of a cement job often shows poor bonding as a result of
insufficient contact time (the time that a given depth is flushed by cement). All
intervals that must be securely cemented need a minimum (recommended)
contact time of ten minutes;
Potential lostcirculation problems often require the use of a light,
scouring, lead slurry nearly matching the mud density, followed by denser,
strong (neat) cement through potential producing intervals, or for the lower
part of surface and intermediate string annuli. This is also more economical than
using all neat cement;
Twostage cementing may be used with separate volume calculations for
each stage;
Liners should be cemented with an excess to be left inside casing. This
provides less contaminated cement at the liner top.
41