lead tongs (pronounced “leed”)

The Unsung Hero of Oil & Gas: Lead Tongs in Drilling & Well Completion

In the bustling world of oil and gas drilling, a myriad of tools and techniques come together to extract the earth's treasures. Among these crucial components, the lead tongs play a silent yet vital role, ensuring smooth and efficient pipe handling operations. While their name might sound unfamiliar to the uninitiated, their presence is felt in every stage of drilling and well completion.

What are Lead Tongs?

Lead tongs, pronounced "leed" tongs, are a specialized type of pipe tongs suspended from the derrick or mast. Unlike traditional tongs that are directly operated by hand, lead tongs are controlled remotely using a chain or wire rope connected to either the makeup cathead or the breakout cathead. This innovative design allows for seamless pipe manipulation, even when dealing with heavy loads at significant heights.

How Lead Tongs Function in Drilling & Well Completion:

Lead tongs are employed in various crucial phases of drilling and well completion, including:

Running and Retrieving Drill Pipe: During drilling operations, lead tongs are used to efficiently run and retrieve sections of drill pipe. The remote control mechanism allows for precise and controlled movement, minimizing the risk of pipe damage or operator injury.
Making Up and Breaking Out Casing: Lead tongs play a crucial role in connecting and disconnecting sections of casing, the protective layer that surrounds the wellbore. Their robust construction and precise control ensure a secure and reliable connection, preventing leaks and ensuring well integrity.
Handling Tubing and Production Equipment: In the later stages of well completion, lead tongs are instrumental in handling tubing strings and other production equipment. Their ability to manage heavy loads with precision and safety makes them invaluable in this complex phase of the operation.

Key Features and Benefits:

Lead tongs offer several significant advantages over traditional hand-operated tongs:

Enhanced Safety: Remote control eliminates the need for workers to be in close proximity to the moving pipe, significantly reducing the risk of injury.
Increased Efficiency: Automated operation speeds up the process, allowing for faster pipe handling and ultimately increasing overall drilling and completion efficiency.
Reduced Labor Costs: Fewer operators are required to operate lead tongs, resulting in lower labor expenses for the drilling operation.
Improved Accuracy: The precise control offered by lead tongs ensures a tighter grip on the pipe, reducing the risk of slippage and potential damage.

Conclusion:

Lead tongs, though often overlooked, are a vital part of the intricate machinery employed in oil and gas drilling and well completion. Their ability to manage heavy loads with precision and safety, coupled with increased efficiency and reduced labor costs, make them an essential tool for any successful drilling operation. As the energy industry continues to evolve, lead tongs will undoubtedly remain an integral component of modern drilling technology, ensuring smooth and efficient extraction of the earth's precious resources.

Test Your Knowledge

Lead Tongs Quiz:

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What is the primary function of lead tongs in oil and gas drilling?

a) To measure the depth of the well. b) To control the flow of oil and gas. c) To handle and manipulate pipes during drilling and completion. d) To stabilize the drilling rig.

Answer

c) To handle and manipulate pipes during drilling and completion.

2. How are lead tongs operated?

a) Manually by hand. b) Using a hydraulic system. c) Remotely with a chain or wire rope connected to the cathead. d) By an automated robotic system.

Answer

c) Remotely with a chain or wire rope connected to the cathead.

3. Which of the following operations DOES NOT involve the use of lead tongs?

a) Running and retrieving drill pipe. b) Making up and breaking out casing. c) Cementing the wellbore. d) Handling tubing and production equipment.

Answer

c) Cementing the wellbore.

4. What is the main safety advantage of using lead tongs?

a) They prevent the pipe from spinning. b) They reduce the risk of pipe damage. c) They eliminate the need for workers to be near moving pipe. d) They automatically detect and prevent pipe failures.

Answer

c) They eliminate the need for workers to be near moving pipe.

5. What is a key benefit of lead tongs in terms of drilling operations?

a) They can handle extremely high temperatures. b) They can operate in harsh weather conditions. c) They increase the speed and efficiency of pipe handling. d) They reduce the amount of drilling fluid required.

Answer

c) They increase the speed and efficiency of pipe handling.

Lead Tongs Exercise:

Scenario: You are working on a drilling rig and need to run a new section of drill pipe into the wellbore.

Task: Describe the steps involved in running the drill pipe using lead tongs. Include the following in your description:

The role of the makeup cathead.
How the lead tongs are controlled.
The safety precautions you would take during this operation.

Exercise Correction

Here's a possible solution for the exercise:

Preparation: Ensure the drill pipe is properly connected to the drill string and that the lead tongs are in good working order.
Running the Pipe:
- The drill pipe is lifted by the traveling block and lowered onto the makeup cathead, which is a rotating drum connected to the lead tongs.
- The makeup cathead is engaged with the drill pipe, and the lead tongs are positioned to grip the pipe securely.
Control:
- The operator controls the lead tongs by using a chain or wire rope connected to the makeup cathead. This allows for precise lowering of the pipe into the wellbore.
Making Up the Joint:
- The drill pipe is lowered until it reaches the previous section of pipe.
- The lead tongs are used to apply torque to make up the joint, ensuring a secure connection.
Safety Precautions:
- Ensure the drill floor is clear of personnel and obstructions before starting the operation.
- Use a tag line to control the pipe while it's being lowered.
- Always wear appropriate safety gear, including hard hat, gloves, and safety glasses.
- Maintain clear communication with the drilling crew throughout the operation.

Books

"Drilling Engineering" by Bourgoyne, Millheim, Chenevert, and Economides: This comprehensive textbook covers various aspects of drilling operations, including pipe handling, and may provide relevant information about lead tongs.
"Petroleum Engineering Handbook" by Society of Petroleum Engineers: This reference handbook contains detailed information about drilling equipment and practices, and may include sections on lead tongs or related equipment.
"Drilling and Well Completion" by Schlumberger: A specialized book by Schlumberger, a major oilfield services company, providing technical insights into drilling and completion operations.

Articles

Journals: Search in technical journals like the Journal of Petroleum Technology (JPT), SPE Drilling & Completion, and Drilling Contractor. These often feature articles about advancements in drilling technology and equipment, including specialized tools like lead tongs.
Online Articles: Websites of major oilfield services companies like Schlumberger, Halliburton, and Baker Hughes might have articles or technical documents detailing their drilling equipment, which could include information about lead tongs.

Online Resources

Drilling Equipment Manufacturers: Visit the websites of manufacturers specializing in drilling equipment and look for information about tongs, catheads, and pipe handling systems.
Oil & Gas Forums: Participate in online forums dedicated to oil and gas engineering and drilling. Ask questions about lead tongs and learn from experienced professionals.
Oil & Gas Glossary: Consult online glossaries related to oil and gas drilling to find definitions of terms and descriptions of equipment like lead tongs.

Search Tips

Use precise keywords like "lead tongs", "drilling tongs", "pipe handling tongs", "makeup cathead", "breakout cathead", "remote controlled tongs", "oil & gas equipment", "drilling equipment manufacturers", "oil & gas drilling glossary".
Combine keywords with phrases like "oil and gas", "drilling operations", "well completion", "drilling technology", "pipe handling techniques".
Use advanced search operators like site: (e.g., site:schlumberger.com "lead tongs") to narrow down your search to specific websites.