3-Hoisting System 08

3
Hoisting System
Drawworks
Drum
Brakes
Catheads
Block and tackle
Drilling line
Round strand rope
Service life evaluation of wire rope (ton-miles)
Field troubles and their causes
Slip-and-cut program
Ton-mile estimation
Ancillary equipment
The hoisting system is a vital component of the rig equipment. It provides a means of
lowering or raising equipment (e.g., drillstring, casing and other surface and
subsurface equipment). Two routine works carried out with the hoisting system are:
Making a connection and

Making a trip.
Making a connection and making a trip are presented in Figs. 3.1 and 3.2.
The hoisting system is made up of three main components:
1. Drawworks,
2. Block and tackle,
3. Derrick and substructure.
School of Petroleum Engineering, UNSW
Chapter 3 - Hoisting System
42
Fig. 3.1 Making a connection. (A primer of oil well drilling, University of Texas, Austin)
Fig. 3.2 - Tripping-out operation. (A primer of oil well drilling, University of Texas, Austin)
3.1 Drawworks
Drawworks represents the heart of the rig that uses the energy from the power system
to apply a force to the wireline to lower or raise drilling equipment in or out of the
hole. As a rule of thumb, the drawworks has 1 hp for each 10-ft drill depth capacity.
The principal components of the drawworks are:
Drum,
Brakes and
Catheads
47
in turn provides the braking effect. Figure 3.7 illustrates the working principle
of an electromagnetic brake.
Fig. 3.7 - Schematic of auxiliary brakes: (a) hydromatic brake; (b) eddy current brake.
(Codrey R, 1980)
3.1.3 Catheads
Power is also transmitted to catheads, which are attached to both ends of the
drawworks. Catheads are spool-shaped rotating drums that are powered by jack-shaft
assembly. There are two types of cathead: (1) friction and (2) mechanical rotating
heads.
FRICTION CATHEADS
They are used to lift and move heavy equipment around the rig floor. The number
of turns of rope on the drum and the tension provided by the operator control the
force of the pull.
MECHANICAL CATHEADS
They comprise of makeup cathead on the drillers' side and breakout cathead on
the opposite side. The mechanical catheads are spooled with a suitable length of
wire line, which is connected to the tong. Mechanical catheads are shown in Fig.
3.8.
Fig. 3.8 - Automatic catheads. At left is the spinning or makeup cathead. At right is the
breakout cathead. (A primer of oil well drilling, University of Texas, Austin, 1978)
48
3.2 Block and Tackle

Block and tackle system is the primary link between the drawworks and pipe or
casing and consists of:
1. Crown block,
2. Travelling block and
3. Drilling lines: fast line and dead line.
Figure 3.9 presents the block and tackle system. The principal function of the block
and tackle is to provide mechanical advantage, which allows easier handling of large
loads.
CROWN BLOCK
nF1
n = No. OF
LINES
TRAVELLING BLOCK
FD
LIN
FA
ST
LIN
E
AD
DE
FF
FS
DRAW WORKS
ANCHOR
LOAD
INDICATOR
STORAGE
REEL
ARRANGEMENT OF BLOCK AND TACKLE
FREE-BODY DIAGRAM OF
TRAVELLING BLOCK
FREE-BODY DIAGRAM OF
CROWN BLOCK
Fig. 3.9 - Schematic of block and tackle. (After Adam T Bourgoyne et al, 1991)
Mechanical advantage, M, is defined as:

M
W
Ff
(3.1)
where W is load supported by travelling block or hook load; and Ff is load imposed
on the drawworks by the tension in the fast line.
Note that fast-line load, Ff, is carried by the hoisting drum line. Dead-line load is
carried by dead-line anchor.
49
The input power, Pi, of the block and tackle is given as:
Pi F f f
(3.2)
where f is velocity of the fast line.

The output power, Po, is given as:
Po Ph W b
(3.3)
where Ph is power supplied to the hook and b is velocity of the travelling block or
hook.
Efficiency of the block and tackle: For an ideal condition, efficiency of the block
and tackle can be expressed as:
E
Ph W b
Pi F f f
(3.4)
Under a static condition, hook load W is supported by the fast lines (i.e., by each of
the strung lines through the travelling block), hence:
W nF f
(3.5)
or,
M
W
n
Ff
(3.6)
where n is number of lines strung through the crown and the travelling block.
This indicates that, for a frictionless block and tackle system, the mechanical
advantage M is equal to the number of lines strung between the crown block and the
travelling block. The most common number of lines used are: 6, 8, 10 and 12,
depending on the workload.
Since the movement of the fast line by a unit distance tends to shorten each of the
strung lines between the block and tackle by 1/n times the unit distance, then we have
(see Fig. 3.9)
f
n
(3.7)
It can be easily shown that the efficiency of an "ideal" block and tackle, E, is unity by
replacing b and W in Eq. (3.4) with Eqs. (3.5) and (3.7).
50
However, calculation of the tension in the fast line in an actual system requires
knowledge of the block and tackle efficiency. Examples of the block and tackle
efficiency factors for roller-bearing sheaves are presented in Table 3.1. Since the
power efficiency of block and tackle is given by:
f
Ph W b W n
W
Pi F f f
Ff f
Ff n
(3.8)
hence, the tension in the fast line is
Ff
W
En
(3.9)
Equation (3.9) coupled with a safety factor, to account for line wear and shock
loading conditions, assist in the selection of drilling line.
Table 3.1 - Average block-and-tackle efficiency factors.
No. of Lines
(n)
6
8
10
12
Efficiency
(E)
0.874
0.841
0.810
0.770
(H Rabia 1985)
Line pull under dynamic condition: In the previous section we considered line pull
as static load. In this section, we shall determine the tension in the dead line and the
fast line under dynamic condition, as illustrated in Fig. 3.10.
Hoist
Lower
Crown
Block
P1
P2
P3
P4
P5
PN
Travelling
Block
Hoist
Drum
Fastline load (FL)
Deadline load (PN)
Fig. 3.10 - Effect of friction on the efficiency of the hoisting system. (After H Rabia 1985)
51
Starting with the tension in the fast line, the tension in the successive fast lines can be
given as:
P1 F f K
(3.10)
P2 F f K 2
(3.11)
Pn F f K n Fs
(3.12)
where K is efficiency factor for sheave and Pn is tension in the dead line (= Fs).
Then the hook load can be expressed as:
W P1 P2 P3 ... P n F f K K 2 K 3 ... K n
(3.13)
The geometric mean of which is given as:
1 K n
W F f K
1 K
(3.14)
Hence, the tension in the fast line is:
Ff
W 1 K
K 1 K n
(3.15)
Taking into account the efficiency of block and tackle, E, the tension in the dead line
can be expressed as:
Fs
W Kn
En
(3.16)
Sheave efficiency factor, K, is typically 0.9615.

Example 3.1
A rig must hoist a load of 400,000 lbs. The drawworks can provide an input power to block
and tackle system as high as 700 hp. Twelve lines are strung between the crown block and
the travelling block. Calculate:
1. Static tension, Ff, in fast line.
2. Maximum hook horsepower, Ph.
3. Maximum hoisting speed, Vb.
Data:
W 400, 000lb f
Pdw 700hp
E 0.77
n 12
52
Solution:
(1) Static tension,
Ff
W
4.329 104 lb f
E.n
(2) Maximum hook horsepower,
Ph E.Pdw 539hp
(3) Maximum hoisting speed,
vb
539hp
33, 000lb ft
Ph
44.46 ft
min
W
hp min
400, 000lb f
To pull a 90-ft stand would require,
90
2.024 min
46.3
3.3 Drilling Line

A drilling line is basically a wire rope made up of a number of strands wound around
a steel core (Fig. 3.11). Each strand contains a number of small wires wound around a
central core. There are five different types of wire rope:
Round strand (most widely used in drilling),

Flattened strand,
Locked coil,
Half-locked-coil and
Multi strand.
The principal differences between them are: internal construction, weight per unit
length, breaking strength, number of strands and number of wires in each strand and
types of core. In oil well drilling only round-strand wires are used, hence discussion
will be limited to this type.
53
Fig. 3.11- Construction of wire rope. (Courtesy of Wireco)
3.3.1 Round Strand Rope

Round strand rope consists of six strands wound over a fibre core or a small wire rope
or compounds of several central wires. Six different wire ropes are presented in Fig.
3.12.
Fig. 3.12- Typical wire rope constructions, 6 x 19 classification; (a) 6 x 19 Seale with fibre
core; (b) 6 x 19 Seale with independent wire rope core; (c) 6 x 21 filler wire with fibre core; (d)
6 x 25 filler wire with fibre core; (e) 6 x 25 filler wire with independent wire rope core; (f) 6 x 25
Warrington Seale with independent wire rope core. (H Rabia, 1985)
54
Type A: 6 x 9/9/1, or 6 x 19 meaning 6 strands of 9 outer wires, 9 inner wires and one
central core.
In general, two types of lay are used in winding wire rope:
Lang's lay and

Ordinary lay.
In Lang's lay, wire in the strand and the strands in the rope are twisted in the same
direction or same hand. Hence, Lang's lay can be right lay or left lay. Right or left
twist increases resistance to wear, however, it tends to unwind the rope (see Fig.
3.13).
Fig. 3.13 Lay of the rope. (WW Moore, 1981)
In ordinary lay, wires in the strand and the strands are twisted in opposite directions.
It has less resistance to wear, however, it is easier to install and handle than Lang's lay
type. Table 3.2 shows wire classification and strength of different wire ropes.
55
Table 3.2 - Nominal breaking strength of 6 x 9 classification wire rope, bright (uncoated) or
drawn galvanized wire, independent wire rope core (IWRC).
Nominal Diameter
Approximate Mass
in.
lbm/ft
0.46
0.59
16
1
1 18
1
1 38
1
1 58
1
1 78
2
Nominal Strength
Improved Plow Steel Extra Improved Plow Steel
lbf
lbf
23000
26600
29000
33600
0.72
35800
41200
1.04
1.42
51200
69200
58800
79600
1.85
2.34
89800
113000
103400
130000
2.89
3.50
138000
167000
159800
192000
4.16
4.88
197800
230000
228000
264000
5.67
6.50
266000
304000
306000
348000
7.39
344000
396000
( API RP9B, 1980)

Example 3.2
Following data refer to a 1 line with 10 lines of extra improved plough steel wire rope strung
to the travelling block:
Weight of the travelling block and hook = 24,500 lbs
Hole depth = 9,000 ft
Drillpipe = 5 OD, 4.276 ID, 19.5 lb/ft.
13
Drill collars = 500 ft. 8, 2 16
, 150 lb/ft
Mud weight = 75 lb/ft3
3
Steel weight = 489.5 lb/ft
Line and sheave efficiency factor = 0.9615
Block and tackle efficiency = 0.81
Calculate:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Data:
Weight of the drillstring in air and in mud.

Hook load.
Dead line and fast line load.
Dynamic crown load.
Design factor for wire line for running drillstring if breaking strength is 228,000 lbs.
Design factor for running casing string of 7 OD and 29 lb/ft.
D 9, 000 ft
MW 75 lb
ft 3
Ldc 500 ft
Ldp D Ldc
E 0.810
BS 228,000lb
Wcsg 29 lb
Wdp
Wdc 150 lb 3 K 0.9615

ft 3
ft
19.5 lb 3 Wsteel 489.5 lb 3
ft
ft
Whook _ block 24,500lb

n 10
56
Solution:
(1) Weight of the string in the air
= Weight of the drillpipe + Weight of the drill collars
Wds _ air Wdp Ldp Wdc Ldc 2.408 105 lb

Weight of the drillstring in mud = Weight in air x Buoyancy Factor (BF)
MW
5
Wds _ mud Wds _ air 1
2.039 10 lb
Wsteel
MW
) 0.847
BF (1
Wsteel
(2) Hook load = Weight of the string in mud + Weight of the travelling block + Weight of the
hook
Fh Wds _ mud Whook _ block 2.284 105 lb

W Fh 2.284 105 lb
(3) Dead-line load, Fs,
Fs
W Kn
1.902 104 lb
.
n E
Fast-line load, Ff,
Ff
W
2.816 104 lb
E.n
(4) Dynamic crown load, Fcrown,
Fcrown W Fs Ff 2.755 105 lb
(5) Design factor (DF) = breaking strength / fast-line load
DF
BS
8.096
Ff
(4) Weight of casing in mud, Wcsg_mud,
Wcsg _ mud D Wcsg BF 2.21 105 lb

Hook load during casing loading = Weight of the casing pipe + Weight of the travelling block
+ Weight of hook
Fh _ cagloading Wcsg _ mud Whook _ block 2.455 105 lb

Wcsloading Fh _ csgloading 2.455 105 lb
57
Fast-line load,
Ff _ csgloading
Wcsgloading
E.n
3.028 104 lb
Design factor,
DFcsgloading
BS
Ff _ csgloading
7.531
3.3.2 Service Life Evaluation of Wire Rope (ton-miles)

The total service life of the drilling line is evaluated based on the work done by a line
during drilling-, fishing-, coring- and casing-landing operations and stresses imposed
during these operations (bending stresses on the drum and sheaves and tension).
According to API RP 9B, the service life is evaluated based on ton-mile. This means a
drilling line is said to have rendered a ton-mile of service, when the travelling block
has moved 1 US ton a distance of one mile.
3.3.3 Field Troubles and Their Causes
All wire ropes will eventually deteriorate in operation, but many avoidable conditions
of service are guaranteed to shorten its life. Table 3.3 will help the oilfield worker
become aware of these.
58
Table 3.3 Field problems and their causes.
Problem
Probable Cause
Rope broken (all strands)
Overload resulting from severe impact, kinking, damage, localized

wear, weakening of one or more strands, or rust-bound condition
and loss of elasticity. Loss of metallic area due to wire breaking
from severe bending.
One or more whole strands

parted
Overloading, kinking, divider interference, localized wear, or rustbound condition. Fatigue, excessive speed, slipping, or running too
loosely. Concentration of vibration at dead sheave or deadline
anchor.
Excessive corrosion
Lack of lubrication. Exposure to salt spray, corrosive gases, alkaline

water, acid water, mud or dirt. Period of inactivity without adequate
protection.
Rope bent or broken upon

arrival at location
Rolling reel over obstructions or dropping from car, truck, or

platform. Use of chains for lashing, or use of a lever against the
rope surface. Nailing through rope to flange.
Kinks, doglegs, and other

distorted places
Improper winding on the drum. Improper tiedown. Open-drum reels

having longitudinal spokes too widely spaced. Divider interference.
The addition of improperly spaced cleats to increase drum diameter.
Stressing while rope is over small sheave or obstacle.
Premature breaking of wires
Frictional heat developed by pressure and slippage, regardless of

drilling depth.
Excessive wear in spots
Kinks or bends in rope due to improper handling during installation

or service. Divider interference. Wear against casing, hard shells, or
abrasive formations in a crooked hole. Too frequent cutoffs on
working end.
Irregular wear on spliced rope
A splice is never as good as a continuous piece of rope; slack is

liable to work back and cause irregular wear.
High strands
Slipping through clamps, improper seizing, improper socketing or

splicing, kinks, doglegs, and core popping.
Wear by abrasion
Lack of lubrication. Slipping clamp unduly. Sandy or gritty

working conditions. Rubbing against stationary object or abrasive
surface. Faulty alignment. Undersized grooves and sheaves.
59
3.3.4 Slip-and-Cut Program

To avoid failure of the drilling line, it is essential that the drilling line tension be kept
well below the nominal breaking strength. Drilling line does not tend to wear
uniformly over its entire length. Severe wear occurs at (see Fig. 3.14):
The pickup points in the sheaves and

Lap points on the drum of the drawworks.
PICKUP
PICKUP
CROSSOVER
PICKUP
PICKUP
Fig. 3.14 - Critical points of wear on the drilling line of both positions of the block. (After WW
Moore, 1981)
Rapid acceleration of heavy drillstring also causes severe stress on the line. Therefore,
good condition of the drilling line is usually maintained by maintaining a slip-and-cut
program.
Slipping the drilling line involves loosing the dead line anchor and placing a few feet
of new line in service from the storage reel. Cutting the drilling line involves
removing the line from the drum and cutting off a section of the line from the end.
Ton-mile record is, therefore, essential for the employment of slip-and-cut program.
Typical ton-miles for cut off are 500 for 1'' diameter drilling line to 2,000 for 1 83 ''
diameter drilling line. Tables 3.4 and 3.5 present the recommended cut-off program.
Table 3.4 - Frequency of cut-off for DF = 5, extracted from API.
Wire rope diameter

in.
Ton-miles between cut-off
600
1 18
800
1
1
1
1100
1
4
3
8
1
2
1900
2600
( API RP9B, 1980)

Table 3.5 - Recommended cut-off lengths in terms of drum laps.
1
Derrick
or mast
height
(ft)
11
13
14
16
18
20
8
9
Drum diameter (in.)
22
24
10
11
12
13
14
15
26
28
30
32
34
36
15 12
14 12
13 12
12 12
11 12
Number of drum laps per cut-off
187
142,143,147
133,136,138
126,129,131
11 12
11 12
10 12
15 12
14 12
12 12
11 12
11 12
10 12
9 12
9 12
9 12
15 12
14 12
12 12
12 12
11 12
10 12
11 12
10 12
9 12
9 12
8 12
19 12
17 12
14 12
12 12
87
17 12
14 12
12 12
11 12
12 12
12 12
17 12
94,96,100
66
13 12
11 12
( API RP9B, 1980)
61
CUTTING
In order to cut a line, it is necessary to seize, or wrap, the rope at both sides of the
intended cut. In seizing a wire rope, both sides of the area to be cut are wrapped with
wire or metal bands. Tape should never be used in seizing non-preformed rope. If the
rope were to jump or fray when being cut, tape would not hold the strands, and
injuries could result.
The wire method of seizing, preferred by the API, is illustrated in Fig. 3.15.
1. The seizing wire is wound around the rope several times by hand. The wraps
should be kept together, and considerable tension should be kept on the seizing
wire.
2. The ends of the wrapping wire are twisted together counterclockwise by hand so
that the twisted portion is near the middle of the seizing.
3. Using proper cutters, the twist is tightened just enough to take up the slack.
Tightening the seizing further by twisting is not advisable
4. The seizing is then tightened by prying the twist away from the axis of the rope
with cutters.
5. The tightening is repeated as often as necessary to secure a finished seizing.
6. The ends of the seizing wire are then cut and taped flat against the body of the
rope. After two such seizings are made, the rope is ready to be placed in the
cutter.
Fig. 3.15 Seizing wire rope using wire. (API RP9B, 1980)

Example 3.3
Given the following:
Determine:
drum diameter
derrick height
wire rope size
design factor
62
=
=
=
=
30 two-step spirallel grooving

136 ft
1 in
3.5
(a) ton-miles between cuts

(b) cut-off length (Assume that the data in Table 3.4 are applicable)
Solution:
(a) From Table 3.4, for a 1 wire rope, the ton-miles between cuts are 1100 for DF = 5. For DF
= 3.5,
3.5
1100 770
5
Ton-miles =
(b) From Table 3.5, cut-off length in terms of drum laps for a derrick height of 136 ft and drum
diameter of 30 is 10.5. Since the drum has a spirallel grooving design, a lap should be
added. Hence, cut-off length in terms of drum laps
= 10.5 + 0.25 = 10.75
Length to be cut for every 770 ton-mile service
= 10.75
30in
84.4 ft
12 in
ft
3.3.5 Ton-Mile Estimation

Ton-mile is estimated mainly for: round trips, drilling operation and casing operation.
ROUND TRIPS
Total work done during round trips is the sum of the work done by travelling block,
drillpipe and drill collar.
Work done by travelling assembly, (WD)tb: Let M be the weight of travelling
assembly, Ls be the length of each stand and N be the number of stands. Then,
WD tb
N M 2 Ls
(3.17)
Note that to run a stand in the hole, the travelling block has to move a distance of
approximately 2Ls. Similar amount of work is required to pull the stand out of the
hole.
Hence, the total work done by the travelling block can be calculated as:
WD tb
2( N M 2 Ls ) 4 N M Ls
Assuming N x Ls = drill depth (D), then
WD tb
63
4 M D
(3.18)
Work done by the drillstring, (WD)ds:

(WD)ds = ave. weight x drill depth (D)
(3.19)
and
Ave. weight
1
2
1
2
(initial load + final load)

(weight of 1 stand + weight of N stands)
1
= Wbdp Ls Wbdp Ls N
2
=
=
(3.20)
where Wbdp is the buoyant weight of drillpipe.

Hence, work done during running the string in and pulling it out of the hole is given
as:
1
(WD) ds 2 Wbdp ( Ls Ls N ) D
2
Wbdp ( Ls D) D
(3.21)
Work done by drill collars, (WD)dc:
(WD) dc 2 C D
(3.22)
where C is correction for the weight of the drill collars, because it was assumed in
Eq. (3.21) that drillpipe was run to the bottom of the hole. Hence,
C = weight of the drill collar in mud
weight of the same length of drillpipe in mud
Lc (Wdc Wdp ) BF
(3.23)
Therefore,
(WD) dc 2 Lc (Wdc Wdp ) BF D
(3.24)
Total work done during round trips, (WD)rt:
(WD) rt 4 M D Wbdp ( Ls D) D 2 C D
(3.25)
64
In field units,
(WD) rt
D L
D Wbdp 4 M D 2 C D
(3.26)
1000 5280
where (WD)rt in ton-miles, M in lb, Ls in ft and D in ft.

DRILLING OPERATION
Work done (WD) during drilling operations involves the following cycles of drilling
operation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Drill ahead a length of the kelly,

Pull up the kelly,
Put the kelly in rat hole,
Pick up a stand,
Lower the stand in the hole,
Pick up the kelly and drill ahead.
Operations (1) and (2) give WD for 1 round trip,

Operation (5) gives WD for 12 round trip,
Operations (3), (4) and (6) give approximately WD for
Hence, total work done is
1
2
round trip.
(WD) dr WD for 2 round trips 2 (WD) rt
(3.27)
However, work done from drill depth D1 to D2 can be expressed as:

(WD) dr 2 (WD) rt at D2 2 (WD) rt at D1
(3.28)
CASING-LANDING OPERATION
Total work done in setting casing, (WD)cs, is the same as that of tripping drillpipe
except that the correction for drill collar is not required. Moreover, tripping casing is
a one-way operation, hence,
(WD) cs
1 D Lcs D Wbcs 4 M D
(ton-miles)
2
1000 5280
where Wbcs is buoyant weight of casing.
(3.29)
65
Example 3.4
Using the data given in Example 3.2, determine:
(a) round trip ton-miles at 9,000 ft;
(b) casing ton-miles if one joint of casing = 40 ft;
(c) design factor of the drilling line when the 9 5 8 casing (36 lb/ft) is run to 10,000 ft;
(d) Ton-miles when drilling from 9,000 ft to 10,180 ft.
Solution:
(a) From Eq. (3.26),
(WD) rt
D L
D Wbdp 4 M D 2 C D
1000 5280
M 24,500 ft
C = Lc (Wdc Wdp ) BF 500 150 - 19.5 0.847 55267lb
D 9, 000 ft D
Ls 93 ft
Wbdp 19.5 BF 16.52 lb
ft
Therefore,
9, 000 93 9, 000 16.52 4 24,500 9, 000 2 55, 267 9, 000

(WD) rt
1000 5280
305.7ton miles
(b) From Eq. (3.29),
(WD) cs
1 D Lcs D Wbcs 4 M D
2
1000 5280
Wbcs Weight of casing in air x BF 29 0.847 24.56 lb
ft
and
Lcs 40 ft
Therefore,
1 9, 000 40 9, 000 24.56 4 24,500 9, 000

(WD)cs
2
1000 5280
136.36ton miles
(c) DF = 6.717 (see Example 3.2).
(d) Td T2 T1

where,
T2 Round-trip time at 10,180 ft, where drilling stopped; and

T1 Round-trip time at 9,000 ft, where drilling started
Therefore,
10,180 93 10,180 16.52 4 10,180 24,500 2 55, 267 10,180

T2
1000 5280
= 364.528ton miles
T1 305.7ton miles (from Part (a))

Therefore,
T2 2 T2 T1 = 2 364.528 305.7 117.656ton miles
66
67
3.4 Ancillary Equipment

3.4.1 Crown Block
Crown block provides a means of taking wire line from the hoisting drum to the
travelling block. It is fastened to the top main beams of drill structure and usually an
integral part of mast structure. It has a number of sheaves mounted on a stationary shaft,
each acting as a pulley. Drilling line is reeved successively round the crown block and
travelling block sheaves with the end coming from crown block and going to a dead
anchor. Placement of the crown block is to get the fast line sheave as close as possible to
the centre line of the hoisting drum. This centering relationship between the fast line
sheave and drum is necessary to obtain a fleet angle of 1.5o or less, so that the drum will
spool efficiently and line wear is minimized. The angle formed by the fast line and
vertical is called the fleet angle. A crown block is shown in Fig. 3.16.
Fig. 3.16 Crown block. (WW Moore, 1981)
Figure 3.17 illustrates API recommended practice for crown block inspection. Crown
block maintenance includes:
Keep clean.
Lubricate bearings.
Remove any rust and weather protect as required.
Check and ensure all fasteners.
68
Fig. 3.17 Crown block inspection. (API RP9B, 1980)
3.4.2 Travelling Block

Travelling block incorporates a parallel, inline sheave arrangement as shown in Fig 3.18.
The sheaves are mounted on anti-friction bearings, which are lubricated by grease. To
ensure stability, the block should:
Have a low centre of gravity, as tipping or canting of the block during operations
is undesirable;
Be short, so that less head room is used at the top of the hoisting cycle;
Be narrow and slim, so that the inside clearance space within the upper mast will
not be endangered;
Be heavy enough to overcome line friction and drop with an empty hook, and be
made of tough material to handle oilfield use;
Be free of protrusions and sharp edges for safety of workers.
Fig. 3.18 Travelling block. (Rotary drilling,

The blocks and drilling line, Petroleum extension service, University of Texas, Austin, 1980)
69
Diameter of the sheaves is usually 30-35 times the wire line diameter and the sheave
grooves have tapering faces in order to support 150o of the rope circumference. The
travelling block is often connected a hook.
Figure 3.19 illustrates API recommended practice for travelling block inspection.
Travelling block maintenance includes:
Keep clean.
Lubricate bearings.
Check and ensure all fasteners.
Fig. 3.19 Travelling block inspection. (API RP9B, 1980)
3.4.3 Hook
Hook is used to connect the travelling block to the swivel and the rest of the drillstring
Fig. 3.20. It has to have a throat that is wide enough to accommodate elevator links and
swivel bail simultaneously. Modern hooks, such as triplex hooks, have one large safety
hook for the swivel bail and two smaller hooks or ears for the elevator bails. To reduce
costs and vertical space required, a triplex hook is combined with a travelling block,
known as a Hook-Block, as shown in Fig. 3.21.
Fig. 3.20 Hook. (Rotary drilling,

The blocks and drilling line, Petroleum extension service, University of Texas, Austin, 1980)
Fig. 3.21 Hook block. (Courtesy of Oilwell Supply)
70
71
Figure 3.22 illustrates API recommended practice for drilling hook inspection. Drilling
hook maintenance includes:
Keep clean.
Grease coat latching mechanism, link arms, and saddle.
Lube all grease fittings
On units with hydraulic snubber check oil level and change oil at intervals
recommended by manufacture.
Oil pins not accessible to grease lubrication.
Check and ensure pins and fasteners.
Fig. 3.22 Hook inspection. (API RP9B, 1980)
3.4.4 Deadline Anchor

Deadline anchor consists of a base with a slightly rotatable drum attached to the rig floor.
The anchor provides a means of securing the deadline as well as measuring the hook
load. A pressure transformer between the lever arm of the drum and stationary extension
of the base does the measurement of the load by converting the load to hydraulic
pressure. This pressure signal representing the deadline load is transmitted through a fluid
filled hose connected to a weight indicator gauge at the drillers control position. A deadline anchor is shown in Fig. 3.23.
72
Fig. 3.23 Deadline anchor.(Courtesy of Martin Decker Co)
Figure 3.24 illustrates API recommended practice for drilling hook inspection. Deadline
anchor maintenance includes:
Keep clean.
Grease coat surface of wire line spool.
On units equipped with load cell for weight indicator, lubricate pivot bearing
Fig. 3.24 Deadline anchor inspection. (API RP9B, 1980)
73
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. List the main components of a drawworks system and describe their functions.
2. Compute the tension in the fast line when lifting a 500,000-lbf load for 6, 8, 10, and 12 lines
strung between the crown block and travelling block. (Answer: 95,347; 74,316; 61,728; and
54,113 lbf)
3. A rig must hoist a load of 200,000 lbf. The drawworks can provide a maximum input power
of 800 hp. Ten lines are strung between the crown block and the travelling block and the dead
line is anchored to a derrick leg on one side of the v-door.
(a) Calculate the static tension in the fast line when upward motion is impending. (Answer:
24,691 lbf)
(b) Calculate the maximum hook horsepower available. (Answer: 648 hp)
(c) Calculate the maximum hoisting speed. (Answer: 106.9 ft/min)
4. A 1.25-in. drilling line has a nominal breaking strength of 138,800 lbf. A hook load of
500,000 lbf is anticipated on a casing job and a safety factor based on static loading
conditions of 2.0 is required. Determine the minimum number of lines between the crown
block and travelling block that can be used. (Answer: 10)
5. A driller is pulling on a stuck drillstring. The derrick is capable of supporting a maximum

equivalent derrick load of 500,000 lbf, the drilling line has a strength of 51,200 lbf, and the
strength of the drillpipe in tension is 396,000 lbf. If eight lines are strung between the crown
block and travelling block and safety factors of 2.0 are required for the derrick, drillpipe, and
drilling line, how hard can the driller pull trying to free the stuck pipe? (Answer: 166,667 lbf)
6. What could be the possible causes of kinks or doglegs on a wire rope?

7. Following data refer to a 1 5 8 line with 10 lines of extra improved plough steel wire rope
strung to the travelling block:
Weight of the travelling block and hook = 25,000 lbs
Hole depth = 12,000 ft
Drillpipe = 5 OD, 4.276 ID, 19.5 lb/ft.
13
Drill collars = 700 ft. 8, 2 16
, 150 lb/ft
3
Mud weight = 85 lb/ft
Steel weight = 489.5 lb/ft3
Line and sheave efficiency factor = 0.9615
Block and tackle efficiency = 0.81
Calculate:
Weight of the drillstring in air and in mud. (Answer: 325,350 lbs & 268,854 lbs)
Hook load. (Answer: 293,854 lbs)
Dead line and fast line load. (Answer: 24,498 lbs)
Dynamic crown load. (Answer: 354,630 lbs)
74
Design factor for wire line for running drillstring if breaking strength is 264,000 lbs.
(Answer: 7.3)
Design factor for running casing string of 7 OD and 29 lb/ft. (Answer:6.8)
8. Given the following:
Determine:
drum diameter
derrick height
wire rope size
design factor
=
=
=
=
26 two-step spirallel grooving

126 ft
1 18
3
(a) ton-miles between cuts (Answer: 480 ton-miles)

(c) cut-off length (Assume that the data in Table 3.4 are applicable)
(Answer: 80 ft)

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3

Making a connection and

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Chapter 3 - Hoisting System

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Chapter 3 - Hoisting System

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Chapter 3 - Hoisting System

3.2 Block and Tackle

ARRANGEMENT OF BLOCK AND TACKLE

Mechanical advantage, M, is defined as:

School of Petroleum Engineering, UNSW

Chapter 3 - Hoisting System

where f is velocity of the fast line.

School of Petroleum Engineering, UNSW

Chapter 3 - Hoisting System

hence, the tension in the fast line is

Fastline load (FL)

Deadline load (PN)

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Chapter 3 - Hoisting System

The geometric mean of which is given as:

Hence, the tension in the fast line is:

Sheave efficiency factor, K, is typically 0.9615.

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Chapter 3 - Hoisting System

(2) Maximum hook horsepower,

To pull a 90-ft stand would require,

3.3 Drilling Line

Round strand (most widely used in drilling),

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Chapter 3 - Hoisting System

Fig. 3.11- Construction of wire rope. (Courtesy of Wireco)

3.3.1 Round Strand Rope

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Chapter 3 - Hoisting System

Lang's lay and

Fig. 3.13 Lay of the rope. (WW Moore, 1981)

School of Petroleum Engineering, UNSW

Chapter 3 - Hoisting System

( API RP9B, 1980)

Weight of the drillstring in air and in mud.

Wdc 150 lb 3 K 0.9615

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Whook _ block 24,500lb

Chapter 3 - Hoisting System

Wds _ air Wdp Ldp Wdc Ldc 2.408 105 lb

Fh Wds _ mud Whook _ block 2.284 105 lb

Fast-line load, Ff,

(4) Dynamic crown load, Fcrown,

Fcrown W Fs Ff 2.755 105 lb

(5) Design factor (DF) = breaking strength / fast-line load

(4) Weight of casing in mud, Wcsg_mud,

Wcsg _ mud D Wcsg BF 2.21 105 lb

Fh _ cagloading Wcsg _ mud Whook _ block 2.455 105 lb

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Chapter 3 - Hoisting System

3.3.2 Service Life Evaluation of Wire Rope (ton-miles)

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Chapter 3 - Hoisting System

Table 3.3 Field problems and their causes.

Rope broken (all strands)

Overload resulting from severe impact, kinking, damage, localized