spinning chain

Français

Chaîne Tournante : Un Outil Simple avec un Impact Puissant dans le Forage

Dans le monde du forage pétrolier et gazier, l'efficacité est primordiale. Chaque seconde compte lorsqu'il s'agit d'assembler et de démonter les tiges de forage, composants essentiels qui relient le trépan à la surface. Un outil apparemment simple joue un rôle crucial dans ce processus : la **chaîne tournante**.

La chaîne tournante est une courte longueur de chaîne attachée à la chaîne de traction des mâchoires manuelles. Cette petite chaîne discrète a un impact important lorsqu'il s'agit d'accélérer le processus d'assemblage. Voici comment elle fonctionne :

Préparation : Un membre de l'équipe enroule la chaîne tournante plusieurs fois autour du boîtier de joint de l'extrémité d'une tige de forage suspendue. Cela crée une prise sûre sur la tige.
Connexion : La goupille d'un autre joint d'extrémité est ensuite enfoncée dans l'extrémité du boîtier.
Le "Lancer" : Un membre de l'équipe saisit rapidement l'extrémité de la chaîne tournante et, d'un mouvement sec du poignet vers le haut, la "lance". Cela déroule la chaîne, la faisant monter le long du corps de la tige.
Action Tournante : Le foreur engage le treuil de montage, tirant la chaîne du corps de la tige. Cette action fait tourner simultanément la tige, assurant l'engagement correct des filets de la goupille dans le boîtier.

Pourquoi la chaîne tournante est-elle si importante ?

Efficacité accrue : La chaîne tournante élimine le besoin d'une rotation manuelle de la tige, économisant un temps précieux lors du processus d'assemblage.
Sécurité améliorée : En réduisant la rotation manuelle, la chaîne tournante minimise le risque d'accidents et de blessures.
Intégrité des joints améliorée : L'action tournante assure une connexion serrée et sécurisée entre les joints d'extrémité, contribuant à l'intégrité globale de la colonne de forage.

La chaîne tournante peut être un petit outil, mais son impact sur l'efficacité et la sécurité du forage est indéniable. C'est un témoignage de l'ingéniosité et de la simplicité des solutions qui peuvent faire une différence significative dans des environnements exigeants.

Test Your Knowledge

Spinning Chain Quiz:

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What is the main purpose of the spinning chain in drilling?

a) To lift the drill pipe. b) To hold the drill pipe in place. c) To spin the drill pipe during make-up. d) To connect the drill pipe to the drill bit.

Answer

c) To spin the drill pipe during make-up.

2. How is the spinning chain attached to the drill pipe?

a) It's welded to the pipe body. b) It's threaded into the tool joint. c) It's wrapped around the tool joint box. d) It's attached to the drill bit.

Answer

c) It's wrapped around the tool joint box.

3. What is the primary advantage of using a spinning chain?

a) It reduces the need for heavy lifting equipment. b) It prevents the drill pipe from twisting. c) It improves the efficiency of the make-up process. d) It allows for faster drilling speeds.

Answer

c) It improves the efficiency of the make-up process.

4. How does the spinning chain contribute to safety on a drilling rig?

a) It reduces the need for manual labor, minimizing risks of injury. b) It prevents the drill pipe from falling. c) It ensures that the drill string is properly aligned. d) It reduces the risk of fires.

Answer

a) It reduces the need for manual labor, minimizing risks of injury.

5. Which of these is NOT a benefit of using a spinning chain?

a) Faster make-up times. b) Improved connection integrity. c) Reduced need for skilled labor. d) Enhanced safety.

Answer

c) Reduced need for skilled labor.

Spinning Chain Exercise:

Instructions:

Imagine you are a member of a drilling crew and are responsible for making up a new joint of drill pipe. Describe the steps you would take to use a spinning chain effectively in this process. Include the following points in your explanation:

Preparation and attachment of the spinning chain
Engaging the cathead
The role of the driller and other crew members
Safety considerations

Exercise Correction

Here's a possible solution:

Preparation: I would first ensure the drill pipe is securely suspended and properly aligned. Then, I would wrap the spinning chain several times around the tool joint box of the suspended pipe, making sure the chain is secure.
Stabbing the Pin: Another crew member would then stab the pin of the new tool joint into the box end of the suspended pipe.
The "Throw": I would quickly grab the end of the spinning chain and with a sharp upward wrist movement, "throw" it, causing the chain to climb up the pipe body.
Engaging the Cathead: The driller would engage the make-up cathead, pulling the chain off the pipe body. This would simultaneously spin the pipe, ensuring the pin threads engage properly into the box.
Monitoring and Communication: The driller and I would closely monitor the make-up process, ensuring the pipe is spinning smoothly and the connection is tight. We would communicate clearly and effectively throughout the process.
Safety: Throughout the entire process, I would be aware of my surroundings and take all necessary safety precautions, such as wearing appropriate PPE and ensuring everyone is clear of the spinning pipe. I would also be mindful of the weight of the pipe and the potential for injury.

Books

Drilling Engineering: A Comprehensive Treatise by R.E. Collins (This comprehensive text covers various aspects of drilling, including drill string components and make-up procedures.)
Drilling and Well Completion: Fundamentals and Practices by T.P. Chang (This book delves into the principles and practices of drilling, potentially featuring information on tool joint connections and spinning chains.)

Articles

"The Role of Tool Joints in Drilling Operations" (Search for articles on this topic. Many publications focus on the importance of tool joints, likely mentioning the use of spinning chains.)
"Optimizing Drill String Make-Up Procedures: A Case Study" (Search for articles discussing efficiency improvements in drilling operations, as spinning chains are often mentioned in the context of speed and safety.)
"Safety and Efficiency in Drilling Operations: A Focus on Tool Joint Connections" (This type of article could highlight the importance of secure connections and the role of tools like spinning chains in achieving it.)

Online Resources

Drilling Equipment Websites: Companies specializing in drilling equipment often have resources dedicated to specific tools like spinning chains.
Oil & Gas Industry Forums: Forums dedicated to oil and gas operations might have discussions or posts mentioning spinning chains and their use in drilling.
Drilling Engineering Websites: Sites focusing on drilling engineering and technology could feature articles, tutorials, or videos explaining various drilling practices, including spinning chain applications.