Oil Well Pictures in the Permian Basin

Oil Rig Drill Floor and Traveling Block

This picture was taken looking up to the drilling floor and also seen in the picture is the traveling block. The Drilling floor is the area on the drilling rig where the tools are located to make the connections of the drill pipe and bottom hole assembly. The drill floor is considered the main area where work is performed.

The traveling block is the freely moving section of a block and tackle that contains a set of pulleys or sheaves through which the drill line (wire rope) is threaded (reeved).

Oil & Gas Rig Drilling Floor Explained

The drilling floor, also known simply as the rig floor, is a critical part of an oil and gas drilling rig. It is the main work area where most of the drilling operations and related activities take place. Located directly above the wellbore, the rig floor is usually elevated and supported by a substructure. Here are several uses for the drilling floor:

1. Drilling Operations: The primary function of the drilling floor is to facilitate the drilling process. This includes the rotation of the drill string, the circulation of drilling fluids (mud), and the monitoring of drilling parameters.
2. Pipe Handling: The rig floor is where drill pipes, casings, and other tubulars are connected and disconnected. This process, known as making or breaking connections, is essential during the tripping operations when the drill string is run into or pulled out of the wellbore.
3. Well Control: The rig floor is equipped with various well control equipment, such as blowout preventers (BOPs), which are critical for maintaining well control and preventing blowouts.
4. Tool and Equipment Handling: Various tools and pieces of equipment, such as drilling bits, stabilizers, and downhole instruments, are handled and managed on the rig floor. The floor crew ensures that the right tools are used at the right times during the drilling process.
5. Mud Circulation: The rig floor is where drilling fluid (mud) circulation begins and is monitored. The drilling mud is pumped down the drill string, returns up the annulus, and is then processed and recirculated.
6. Monitoring and Control: Key control panels and monitoring systems are located on the rig floor. Drillers and other personnel use these systems to monitor drilling parameters, such as weight on bit, rotary speed, and mud flow, to ensure safe and efficient operations.
7. Safety and Coordination: The rig floor is designed with safety in mind. It includes various safety features, such as non-slip surfaces, safety rails, and emergency shutdown systems. The floor crew, including the driller, assistant driller, and roughnecks, work in coordination to carry out drilling operations safely.

Overall, the drilling floor is the hub of drilling activities on an oil and gas rig, playing a vital role in the efficient and safe extraction of hydrocarbons.

For a more detailed explanation of oil & gas rig components, please see our Oil Rig 3D Virtual Tour and our Oil & Gas Glossary of Terms.