Onshore drilling & technology briefs: Automated rig aims to reduce human exposure; California well stimulation regulations put operations at standstill

摘要

An Italian company has built an automated drilling rig that replaces the drawworks with hydraulic cylinders and performs hands-free pipe-handling, monkeyboard and drill floor functions with built-in redundancy. Only one individual is required, in the driller's cabin, to supervise operations, as well as a mechanic and a mud engineer. The Genesis BQ Automated Hydraulic Drilling Rig was developed for a range of oil and gas drilling, including unconventional formations, as well as deep geothermal weUs. It has been designed in six sizes from 200 to 700 metric tons and 1,000 to 3,500 hp, according to Walter Bagassi, President of B Robotics W SRL.