Oil drilling technology has evolved from ancient spring poles and cable tools to today’s modern rigs that can drill several miles into the Earth’s crust with OCTG products. In this guide, learn how oil country tubular goods have become what they are today; as well as, how MSI Pipe Protection Technologies’ products can help you meet current and future production demands.
The First Drilling Tools and Technologies
The drilling industry had its start long before natural gas and oil were anything but curiosities that seeped from the ground. For hundreds of years, shovels were the best way to uncover the earth’s hidden treasures. Technology advanced somewhat with the advent of the spring pole, which used a bent tree’s resiliency to aid in finding water, salt, and other important commodities. The ingenuity of these early drillers, along with the tools they invented, formed the basis of the oil and gas industry as it’s known today.
Digging Holes with Cable Tools
The emerging use of cable tools in oil drilling brought the derrick onto the landscape. Cable tools worked under the same basic premise as the spring pole, in that they both chiseled holes into the earth. However, with the addition of steam power, better tools, and mechanical engineering skills, wells were drilled more efficiently. While frequent stops were required to remove rocks, water, and other materials, the first oil country tubular goods, or OCTG products, helped to keep equipment safe. In 1859, the discovery of significant quantities of oil started the American oil drilling industry, and soon, cable tool rigs could be seen everywhere.
Rotary Rigs
As explorers dug deeper in the search for oil, they often encountered rock that was difficult to get through. With rotary drilling rigs, the hollow stem allowed debris to be washed away as the rotating drill bit dug deeper. These rigs were more efficient than their cable tool counterparts, and they soon became the preferred way to drill for oil. Although modern oil country tubular goods make today’s rigs safer and more efficient, these rigs still use the same basic technology that was invented over a century ago. Below is a list of a rotary rig’s basic parts.
- Swivel: This large handle holds the drill string’s weight and allows it to rotate, creating a pressure-tight seal on the drilled hole.
- Drill string: It consists of OCTG products such as drill pipe and collars that put weight on the bit.
- Drill bit: The end of the drill can cut through rock. Bits are available in varying shapes, sizes, and materials to suit different drilling tasks and rock formations.
- Turntable or rotary: This part uses electric motors to drive the drill’s rotating motion.
- Kelly: This four- or six-sided pipe transfers the rig’s motion to the drill string and turntable.
MSI’s Oil Country Tubular Goods
MSI is proud to be a part of the modern oil and gas industries. Our thread protection products come with many benefits, but peace of mind is one of the most significant. We make a variety of custom, premium, and API thread protection products for the full OCTG range, and we use the most advanced CNC and injection molding equipment available today.
Our facilities in Canada, Scotland, Singapore, Brazil, Australia, and Mexico meet the world’s demand while keeping up with technological advancements and complying with current industry regulations. Contact us by phone at 877-276-9208 for more information on our full line of OCTG products and services. Or for your convenience, request a FREE quote online.
