WorldWide Drilling Resource

32 MAY 2015 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Drilling Rigs and Service Rigs Adapted from Information by the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors and TalentEgg When the average person sees an oil and gas exploration rig in the field, they probably have no idea whether they are looking at a drilling or service rig. Both rigs serve a vital purpose in the explo- ration and production of oil and gas. Drilling rigs are used to explore new areas for oil and gas. Once a well begins production, the drilling rig will leave and a service crew will come in and set up a smaller service rig to conduct the well completion. The work environment for the crew running these rigs is also unique. Here are some of the most notable differences in working on a drilling and service rig: Drilling Rigs - Larger than service rigs, drilling rigs (known as triples) have masts capable of holding 3000 feet of pipe aboveground. When working on very deep wells, a drilling rig can be on the same location for months. - Drilling rigs are not bound to a spe- cific area and will often go from one location to another. - Sites run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and crews work 12-hour shifts: a day shift and a night shift. - Crews can live anywhere. They are responsible to arrive at the lease site for their hitch - 2 weeks of 12-hour shifts followed by 7 days off. Service Rigs - Smaller than drilling rigs, service rigs will move often (sometimes daily) to new jobs on different well sites. Each day is a different type of job, working with different oilfield service providers. - Since these rigs look after wells in a certain area, it will return to a well site many times: when it needs re- pairs, when the oil company wants to take it offstream (temporarily halt well production), or bring it back Drilling Rig onstream. - Sites operate during the day and crews work between 8- and 12-hour shifts. Crews typically travel together to the work site and travel home together each night. Despite these differences, there are also things drilling and service rig crews have in common. Whether a crew mem- ber works on a drilling or service rig, con- tinuing education and safety is extremely important. Most employers offer assis- tance and/or bonuses to crew members seeking to upgrade their knowledge and skills. All companies work hard to ensure safety regulations, and policies provide a safe work environment for their crews. Photos courtesy of www.foremost.ca Service Rig

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