WorldWide Drilling Resource

71 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® MARCH 2015 Rough Ground Meets a Tough Hammer Adapted from Information Provided by Weldco-Beales The first casing hammer to be used with tophead rotary drive drill rigs was developed by Paul Cook, a soils engi- neer. He went on to partner with an engineer at Garrett Weldco, which later became Weldco-Beales Manufacturing (WBM). The company designs and manufactures premium casing hammers specialized for the demanding require- ments of each machine’s unique jobs and capabilities. Drilling in unconsolidated rock for- mations requires a casing hammer to advance the well casing. The drill-thru feature on the 1321 casing hammer from WBM enables simultaneous drilling and driving of 6 to 24-inch casing. Air distribution is controlled by a single mechanical valve, resulting in a very reliable and precise operation with no air lubrication required. Because the casing penetrates the hole directly behind the drill bit, there is much less risk of damage to the casing or shoe. Rapid penetration is possible even in rough, boulder-filled ground. Soils, clay, glacial till, sand, gravel, and other unconsolidated formations can be drilled more rapidly. With the casing protecting the hole from erosion, high penetration rates can be achieved with a fraction of the air volume usual ly required. The hammer is an air-operated casing driver which allows the operator to adjust the energy output and num- ber of blows per minute depending on a drill site’s geological formations. With a simple adjustment and removal of the top seal assembly, the hammer can be converted to up drive the casing for removal. The hammers’ parts are compatible between different models. Complete mounting packages are available for most standard top-drive rotary drill rigs, along with installation support. An oil and gas legend was born on March 29, 1819. See page 74 to find out who.