RigTools

 

The drilling sector is overflowing with the potential for safety related accidents. Actually, it's one of the most dangerous occupations around. Crush injuries, chemical hazards, and suspended load impact are only a few of the top risks of accidents that can happen on oil rigs. That is the reason drilling rig safety is critical, and corresponding Rig Tools solutions can play a central role in improving safety in the drilling industry. Today we will be discussing some of these RigTools solutions and how they can help with these safety issues.

 

When the BHA is pulled through the rotary table, cleaning the BHA is required and often times, manual washing using high pressure washers are used by personnel on the floor. As one can imagine, this poses several safety risks such as chemical hazards and suspended load impact. One of the drilling safety tools we can use is the BHA Wash Tool, which is a tailor made tool that fits on top of the diverter or bell nipple. Using the rig’s high pressure water line, the BHA is automatically washed as it is pulled through the rotary table. This eliminates the need for manual washing by personnel on the floor, thereby preventing any safety related incidents that may occur.

 

Similar to the above tool, doping the drilling pipe before connection is a chemical hazard, yet in many rigs, personnel still dope manually by hand. The RigTools COBRA Wash and Dope tool can do away with all of this. It is a separate machine that can be tailor made according to specifications on the rig. The machine will raise itself to engulf the drill pipe and wash the pin with a thorough 360 degree high pressure wash and then apply dope automatically on to the threads. The machine takes care of washing and doping so that personnel do not need to do this by hand, preventing any chemical hazard and suspended load impact exposure.

 

Another crush injury potential hazard is when manual lifting of drilling subs are required. These subs are heavy and when personnel lift it improperly, the sub can drop onto the floor or drop in an uncontrolled manner to meet the drill string, causing pinched fingers and toes. One of the tools that can help prevent this is the RigTools Clamps. It is clamped directly around the lifting sub during installation and removal from the BHA. Then, using the safety hooks, the clamp securely locks itself on the sub. The sub can now be lifted in vertical or horizontal position and it is designed with some tolerance in its diameter so that the sub can even spin while it is being held in place.

 

These are just some of the tools that can help with drilling rig safety issues. On top of this, it's imperative to remember that human error, for example, tiredness and inattention, can likewise add to the risk of injuries. Making a culture of open communication, and ensuring workers can share their perspectives and make alterations if need be, is vital with regards to preventing potential injuries.