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How It’s Made – Rotating Mouseholes

    Home Uncategorized How It’s Made – Rotating Mouseholes
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    How It’s Made – Rotating Mouseholes

    By Bizzuka Administrator | Uncategorized | Comments are Closed | 1 June, 2015 | 0
    mousehole

    The mousehole is the area on the drilling rig where the next joint of drilling pipe is stored. This is located between the rotary table and vee-door, and is usually fitted with a casing and bottom. Rotating mouseholes, introduced in the early 1990s, have helped cut the time and labor dedicated to adding joints to the drillstring. In this article, we will discuss standard mouseholes, how rotating mouseholes are made, and how they contribute to the overall drilling process.

    Standard Mouseholes
    The mousehole is a secondary hole drilled for a rig. This is typically done after the cellar and conductor holes are drilled. The cellar is the main hole where drilling fluids and drainage water are collected. The conductor hole is drilled from the center of the cellar, and serves as the guide for the rig. Following this guide, the mousehole is drilled along with the rat hole. Unlike the mousehole, the rat hole serves to hold the kelly when drill pipe is being pulled and moved.
    In a standard mousehole, a 30-foot drill pipe is waiting to be added to the drilling operation. The crew will swing the kelly over the mousehole, attach the pipe, and then pull it out of the mousehole. The pipe will then be screwed into the drill string, while another 30-foot drill pipe is placed into the mousehole for the process to start over again.
    Rotating Mouseholes
    Rotating mouseholes go one step further in that they can accommodate three strings of pre-threaded 30-foot drill pipe. This gives a final depth of 90 feet from the floor of the rig. Similar to cellar holes, rotating mouseholes are cased with steel pipe. Once the hole has been made, the rotating mousehole is installed under the rig floor.
    Little maintenance is needed for this device, though it should be covered when not in use. Both pneumatic and hydraulic versions are available.
    From here, rigs will be able to reap the benefits of the rotating mousehole. Drilling crews are able to make up and set back strands of pipe in little time. The crew is able to, simultaneously, use the top drive and drill ahead. The device can also be used to break out and lay down extra pipe from the derrick, particularly on the last trip out of the hole. Some rigs have also used the rotating mousehole to replace the kelly, taking a time-consuming step out of the process.
    However, the main time-saving benefit of rotating mouseholes comes from the “off-line” work that is done. The making, setting back, and breaking down of strands is done without the use of the main hole or rotary line. Since drilling can continue, the overall efficiency of the rig is improved, sometimes by up to 66%.
    Increased Safety

    Rotating mouseholes can also make drilling safer for the crew.

    The device automatically rotates the tubulars underneath the rig floor. This eliminates the need for someone to turn the stand inside the derrick. The rotating mousehole is also installed beneath the rig floor. As long as it’s covered when not in use, it’s out of the way of workers, meaning there’s one less obstacle to work around.

    Finally, worker safety is reduced simply due to less exposure to the pipe connection process.

    The rotating mousehole has brought many benefits to the drilling industry. Drilling doesn’t have to stop, reducing the time “off-line” and thus increasing efficiency. Once installed, your crew saves time, and works more safely.
    While all rigs are different, rotating mouseholes should be seriously considered as timesaving options.
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