Page 280 - 4637
P. 280
The second part will cover exploratory drilling and future
drilling plans for a country that holds 9 % of the world's proven oil
reserves.
Santa Fe International Inc., a Dallas-based company that
operates a worldwide fleet of 71 rigs, uses a variety of rig designs
to improve moving efficiency, both on and offshore. In Kuwait,
the company uses three desert drilling-rig moving systems:
1. Integral-wheel complex
2. Skid-beam trailer
3. Telescoping derrick.
Currently, Santa Fe's local rig fleet consists of eight rigs: five
that operate within Kuwait itself, and three that operate in the
Partitioned Neutral Zone (PNZ). In total, there are now nine rigs
operating in Kuwait, with the addition of an Admasco rig that
spudded-in last month. Santa Fe has been the sole contractor in
Kuwait since 1982.
Integral-wheel complex
The integral-wheel complex, designed by Dreco Energy
Services Inc., is used by two of Santa Fe's rigs and was first used
in Kuwait about 7 years ago. These rigs are normally moved mast-
up utilizing three, six-wheel drive, Super-Kenworth trucks. A
single prime mover, pinned to the rig with a tow bar, pulls from
the front, while two additional trucks push from behind (Fig. 18.2).
Pin connections are designed to handle deflections of 4-5° while
down rough desert roads.
These rigs can be towed backwards or forward. When
moving on the road, the back tires are normally locked while the
front tires are free to turn along with the tow truck.
The four sets of dual tires on each rig, each of which areal 36
in. wide by 8 ft tall, can be independently controlled for exact
positioning over well heads or to turn sharp corners. In addition,
each wheel can be individually locked. A manually operated, skid-
279