Innovative Solutions for Age-Old Problems

Bottom-line operational costs and lost-time accidents are everyday concerns for today’s drilling contractor, but the solution for reducing both is closer than one might think. Downtime for repairs or lost-time accidents can occur at any time during drilling operations. A key to reducing both can be found in premium expendable products that improve efficiency and safety and reduce operational costs.

The Hydraulic System

Regardless of the size, configuration or type of rig, the hydraulic system is crucial to the drilling operation. Circulating the drilling fluid cleans the cuttings from the well bore, controls down-hole formation degradation and prevents differential sticking of the drill pipe. The mud pumps are the heart of the hydraulic system and must remain operational. Drilling expendable products—such as mud pump pistons, liners, valves and seats—are often overlooked because of their relatively low cost in comparison with the major components of the drilling rig. However, the performance and reliability of these expendable products have an extraordinary impact on drilling operations. Reliable performance of the drilling expendables can translate into an expeditious rate of penetration, whereas failure of these expendable parts means costly downtime.