Top drives have transformed drilling; now, new design aims to push ultra-deep, ERD applications

摘要

IN 1982, A radically new drilling system appeared in the oil patch, one that would ultimately allow tremendous advances in the oil and gas industry's well construction capabilities. The advent of the original Top Drive System (TDS) foreshadowed the development of reservoirs that were otherwise considered to be commercially impractical, and greatly improved the net cost, time-to-market and production of many others. Now, in 2008, a fourth generation of top drives from National Oilwell Varco (NOV) aims to continue extending the horizon of reservoir exploitation possibilities. Initially aimed at reducing the costs and risks associated with ultra-deep offshore development projects, the TDX series of top drives is also being chosen to drill in the most extreme ultra-extended-reach well construction programs being planned.