8 AUGUST 2022 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Surprising Methods of Getting Drilling Equipment to Jobsites Adapted from Information by Fordia Drill sites can be found all over the world, often in very remote areas. Getting equipment to these sites can be tough. Drilling companies and suppliers use various methods to transport equipment, and some of them may surprise you. Many manufacturers will ship to the nearest train yard, bus stop, delivery service depot, or building; after which, the drilling companies use some creativity in making sure equipment reaches the work site. Train: This mode of transportation is not too surprising. Equipment is often heavy, and a train is a good choice for large equipment. However, not all drill sites are close to trainyards, so the train will only get the equipment so far. Truck: Transport by road may not seem unexpected or difficult, but a truck can face many obstacles when making deliveries of this size. When a drill site is remote and in a cold climate, road access is tricky. Oftentimes, roads are narrow, ice-covered, and treacherous; and they may not be open for the entire year. If an unexpected thaw occurs, the ice may turn to mud or water, which is common on northern roads, making delivery just as challenging. The fear of sliding off a road covered with black ice is replaced with a heavy truck becoming stuck in mud or sinking into a nearby lake or sea. Snowmobile and sled: When trucks are unable to use roads in the far north, or when the site is not near any roads, snowmobiles can be a viable option. Equipment is loaded on a sled which is pulled across ice and snow by a snowmobile. This sled is known as a “qamutiik”, built using traditional Inuit design techniques. These sleds are ideal for Arctic sea ice environments, and are still widely used for travel in Arctic regions. Boat: Although most drilling is done on land, there are situations where drilling is completed on water. In this case, the only way to deliver equipment is by using a boat or other water transport. Plane: Small planes have been used to deliver supplies to northern areas of Canada for years. These are single-engine, propeller-driven planes ideal for short takeoffs and landing areas common in undeveloped places. Helicopter: Sometimes the only way to access a drill site is by helicopter. This is the case for drill sites in very remote areas not accessible by road throughout the entire year. When delivering equipment by helicopter, the weight of equipment becomes an important consideration. For example, certain water pumps weigh much less, but are still powerful, making them ideal for sites accessible only by helicopter. Mule: Believe it or not, the mule is still used in many South American countries as a mode of transport. When roads are too narrow for trucks, mules can carry equipment to drill sites. Workers in these areas are often knowledgeable about loading equipment with straps and saddles. Human power: Sometimes the only way to get certain equipment to a location is to have several people carry it. This may not be the quickest or easiest way, but it can get the job done when necessary. In addition to the types of transport listed above, there are also four-wheelers, ATVs, and a variety of tracked vehicles which are all used in various areas. This list signifies the importance of planning and ingenuity when drilling in remote-access areas. C&G September 26-28, 2022 ~ National Drilling Association (NDA) is celebrating 50 years during its annual convention at the Hilton Garden Inn in Pittsburgh/Southpointe, Pennsylvania. Among the offerings are a golf outing, day excursion, past presidents’ cruise, president’s dinner, numerous presentations, indoor exhibits, outside rig displays, and much more. Register now at www.nda4u.com See more events at www.worldwidedrillingresource.com online issue. Are you planning to go? WorldWide will be looking for you!
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