Rig equipment

Simple diagram of a drilling rig and its basic operation

Drilling rigs typically include at least some of the following items: See Drilling rig (petroleum) for a more detailed description.

• Blowout preventers: (BOPs)

The equipment associated with a rig is to some extent dependent on the type of rig but (#23 & #24) are devices installed at the wellhead to prevent fluids and gases from unintentionally escaping from the borehole. #23 is the annular (often referred to as the "Hydril", which is one manufacturer) and #24 is the pipe rams and blind rams.

• Centrifuge: an industrial version of the device that separates fine silt and sand from the drilling fluid.
• Solids control: solids control equipments for preparing drilling mud for the drilling rig.
• Chain tongs: wrench with a section of chain, that wraps around whatever is being tightened or loosened. Similar to a pipe wrench.
• Degasser: a device that separates air and/or gas from the drilling fluid.
• Desander / desilter: contains a set of hydrocyclones that separate sand and silt from the drilling fluid.
• Drawworks: (#7) is the mechanical section that contains the spool, whose main function is to reel in/out the drill line to raise/lower the traveling block (#11).
• Drill bit: (#26) device attached to the end of the drill string that breaks apart the rock being drilled. It contains jets through which the drilling fluid exits.
• Drill pipe: (#16) joints of hollow tubing used to connect the surface equipment to the bottom hole assembly (BHA) and acts as a conduit for the drilling fluid. In the diagram, these are "stands" of drill pipe which are 2 or 3 joints of drill pipe connected together and "stood" in the derrick vertically, usually to save time while Tripping pipe.
• Elevators: a gripping device that is used to latch to the drill pipe or casing to facilitate the lowering or lifting (of pipe or casing) into or out of the borehole.
• Mud motor: a hydraulically powered device positioned just above the drill bit used to spin the bit independently from the rest of the drill string.
• Mud pump: (#4) reciprocal type of pump used to circulate drilling fluid through the system.
• Mud tanks: (#1) often called mud pits, provides a reserve store of drilling fluid until it is required down the wellbore.
• Rotary table: (#20) rotates the drill string along with the attached tools and bit.
• Shale shaker: (#2) separates drill cuttings from the drilling fluid before it is pumped back down the borehole.