National Oilwell Varco 2010 Annual Report Download - page 25

Kelly The heavy steel tubular device, four- or six-sided, suspended from the swivel through the rotary table
and connected to the top joint of drill pipe to turn the drill stem as the rotary table returns. It has a
bored passageway that permits fluid to be circulated into the drill stem and up the annulus, or vice
versa. Kellys manufactured to API specifications are available only in four- or six-sided versions, are
either 40 or 54 feet (12 to 16 meters) long, and have diameters as small as 2.5 inches (6 centimeters)
and as large as 6 inches (15 centimeters).
Kelly bushing A special device placed around the kelly that mates with the kelly flats and fits into the master bushing
of the rotary table. The kelly bushing is designed so that the kelly is free to move up or down through
it. The bottom of the bushing may be shaped to fit the opening in the master bushing or it may have
pins that fit into the master bushing. In either case, when the kelly bushing is inserted into the master
bushing and the master bushing is turned, the kelly bushing also turns. Since the kelly bushing fits onto
the kelly, the kelly turns, and since the kelly is made up to the drill stem, the drill stem turns. Also
called the drive bushing.
Kelly spinner A pneumatically operated device mounted on top of the kelly that, when actuated, causes the kelly to
turn or spin. It is useful when the kelly or a joint of pipe attached to it must be spun up, that is, rotated
rapidly for being made up.
Kick An entry of water, gas, oil, or other formation fluid into the wellbore during drilling. It occurs because
the pressure exerted by the column of drilling fluid is not great enough to overcome the pressure
exerted by the fluids in the formation drilled. If prompt action is not taken to control the kick, or kill
the well, a blowout may occur.
Making-up 1. To assemble and join parts to form a complete unit (e.g., to make up a string of drill pipe). 2. To
screw together two threaded pieces. Compare break out. 3. To mix or prepare (e.g., to make up a tank
of mud). 4. To compensate for (e.g., to make up for lost time).
Manual tongs (Tongs) The large wrenches used for turning when making up or breaking out drill pipe, casing, tubing, or other
pipe; variously called casing tongs, pipe tongs, and so forth, according to the specific use. Power tongs
or power wrenches are pneumatically or hydraulically operated tools that serve to spin the pipe up tight
and, in some instances to apply the final makeup torque.
Master bushing A device that fits into the rotary table to accommodate the slips and drive the kelly bushing so that the
rotating motion of the rotary table can be transmitted to the kelly. Also called rotary bushing.
Motion compensation equipment Any device (such as a bumper sub or heave compensator) that serves to maintain constant weight on
the bit in spite of vertical motion of a floating offshore drilling rig.
Mud pump A large, high-pressure reciprocating pump used to circulate the mud on a drilling rig.
Plug gauging The mechanical process of ensuring that the inside threads on a piece of drill pipe comply with API
standards.
Pressure control equipment Equipment used in: 1. The act of preventing the entry of formation fluids into a wellbore. 2. The act of
controlling high pressures encountered in a well.
Pressure pumping Pumping fluids into a well by applying pressure at the surface.
Ram blowout preventer A blowout preventer that uses rams to seal off pressure on a hole that is with or without pipe. Also
called a ram preventer.
Ring gauging The mechanical process of ensuring that the outside threads on a piece of drill pipe comply with API
standards.
Riser A pipe through which liquids travel upward.
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