Various types of bit:

A) Roller bit (шарошечное долото) with coarse teeth (for soft formation);

B) Roller bit (for medium hard rock);

C) Roller bit with fine teeth (for tough rock);

D) Roller bit with hard metal inserts (for very hard formations);

E) Roller cone bit;

F) Jet bit – струйное долото, долото с промывкой

G) Diamond full-hole bit – бескерновое буровое долото

Ex. 20. Look at the picture of a drilling rig and match the pieces of equipment A-G with their names 1-7.

1. drill string

2. drill bit

3. blowout preventer

4. drill collar

5. derrick

6. casing

7. turntable

Listening

Ex. 21. Watch the video “Oil Well Drilling” and choose the best answer, A, B, or C, to the following questions.

Vocabulary:

1. stringent – строгий, жесткий

2. mouse hole – шурф для рабочей штанги

3. rat hole – шурф для рабочей штанги

4. in close proximity – в непосредственной близости

5. shift – смена

6. trip out – поднимать бурильную колонну из скважины

7. desander – пескоотделитель

8. desilter – илоотделитель

9. degasser – дегазатор

10. seal – изолировать

11. workover unit – установка капитального ремонта скважины

12. frac – проводить гидроразрыв пласта

13. pump jack – насос-качалка

1. What is a widespread wrong belief about oil?

1. That it will last for a very long time.

2. That it can be produced with very simple operations.

3. That its supply will soon stop.

2. What happens at the very first stage of drilling?

1. The land for the rig is prepared.

2. The rig is brought to the site.

3. Infrastructure for accommodation is built.

3. What are the mouse hole and the rat hole needed for?

1. They show the location of the future main hole.

2. They hold rock cuttings and the drilling mud during drilling.

3. They hold drilling equipment during drilling.

4. Approximately how many people are likely to be involved in assembling the rig?

1. 45

2. 35

3. 65

5. Which word most appropriately describes the process of drilling?

1. safe

2. uninterrupted

3. slow

6. In which case will the drill string be removed from the borehole?

1. When the bit is replaced.

2. When new casings are run.

3. When the casing is cemented.

7. Which piece of equipment is used to prevent escape of underground fluids to the surface?

1. degassers

2. BOP

3. casing head

8. What can be assumed about the drill bit?

1. It has holes through which fluids pass.

2. It wears out quickly.

3. It can be blocked by rock chips.

9. When must be done before starting logging?

1. Casing must be tested.

2. The well must be completed.

3. The borehole must be cleaned by fluid.

10. Which operation involves the use of explosive charges?

1. well frac

2. perforation

3. logging

11. What is the key factor in keeping fluids in the rock for millions of years?

1. pressure

2. temperature

3. organic compounds

Ex. 22. Work in pairs. One of you is a geologist and the other is a drilling engineer. Compare your professions on the basis of the following criteria given below. Try to convince your partner that your profession is better.

1. safety

2. salary

3. travelling opportunities

4. routine

5. responsibility

6. working with people / with data / with equipment

7. stress

8. severe climatic conditions

9. sharing experience with foreign colleagues

10. chances of promotion

Which of these two professions would you prefer? Discuss with a partner.

Grammar

Ex. 23. Study the following information.