Giant Oil-drilling Semi-trailer Outfit
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EMPLOY1NG two semkrailers i specially constructed by Cranes. (Dereham), Ltd., an oil-well drilling and servicing outfit,-for use in Tri-nidad, has recently been completed by the Oil Well Engineering Co., Ltd., Stockport. One semi-trailer carries two RollsRoyce 150 b.h.p. six-cylindered oil engines and an Ideal Type T-20 drawworks, which is driven through a torque converter. On the other semi-trailer is mounted a retractable Lee C. Moore design of cantilever mast which, when in position, extends to 97 ft.
The two semi-trailers have been designed so that they can be linked together to form a drilling platform complete with pipe ramp and walkways. At the rear of the operating semi-trailer are brackets which enable it to be pinned rigidly to the mast trailer. When retracted and loaded for transport, the mast extends over the cab of the towing vehicle, giving overall dimensions of 61 ft. 6 in. long, 10 ft. 6 in. wide and 15 ft. high.
Overall measurements of the draw. works on its semi-trailer are 38 ft. long, 10 ft. 6 in. wide and 13 ft. 8 in. high. The weight of the complete outfit is in the region of 67 tons. The operating semi-trailer has a triple tandem-axle arrangement giving a total of twelve 10.00-20 pneumatic tyres, whilst the mast semi-trailer has a tandem-axle assembly carrying eight pneumatics.
So as to allow the complete equipment to be of reasonable height for transport, the semi-trailers are designed A32
for placing on fabricated steel ramps when static. this giving a working platform height of 10 ft. above ground level. When in position on their respective ramps, the semi-trailers are locked together as previously described and the weight taken by a series of jacks. Both semi-trailers have hinged walkways.
The main mast is designed so that the top section retracts into the lower part, the main leg members being in line when extended. The upper section incorporates a hinged racking platform with fingers for 7,200 ft. of 41-in. drill pipe. The mast semi-trailer carries the mast gin pole, but the rear gin pole supports are built into the draw-works semi-trailer.
The outfit described is the first of several which are on order. Some of them incorporate Ideal T-32 drawworks.