Rotary Drilling Process

Definition: What is a rotary drilling process?

The rotary drilling process is frequently used for geological drilling in oil, gas and geothermal exploration and production.

In the conventional rotary drilling process, a drilling bit on the lower end of a drill pipe is turned by a rotary table, boring through layers of rock at several hundred revolutions. Drill collars are used to increase the drilling pressure. Jetting liquid is used to cool the rotary drilling bit and transport the drilling material to the surface.

Modern drilling rigs on the other hand work with a so-called top drive suspended by a hoist on the derrick. This makes it easier to lengthen (and later shorten) the drill pipe string, which is required continuously.

The rotary process is mainly used for vertical and slightly angled deep drilling for natural gas, crude oil or geothermal energy.

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