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5 EVOLUTION OF THE HYDRAULIC ROTARY
DRILLING SYSTEM

The hydraulic rotary drilling system was an outgrowth of
core drilling practices. Early use of in drilling for oil was
developed mainly at Corsicana, Texas in the late 1800s but gained
its greatest impetus, after being used to drill the Lucas well at
Spindletop in l901. This famous gusher marks the beginning of the
petroleum industry as we have come to know it. Also it was a
broad step in development of the rotary drilling system which is
undergoing continuous improvement in both equipment and
techniques. Basic principles used in this system are much the same
as in other methods of well digging: break up earth particles and
remove from hole. Methods or mechanics employed, however, are
altogether different. The bit, with a downward thrust, digs by
rotation rather than by reciprocation. Some bit types also produce
percussive forces which are helpful.
Resulting debris is washed from under the bit and circulated
out of the hole in a continuous stream of — drilling fluid, rather
than being removed intermittently, by bailing, as in the cable tool
system.
The rotary rig used to drill the Lucas well in 1901 consisted
of a small locomotive-type oilfield boiler and a single cylinder
steam engine with chain drive to the countershaft of a 2-shaft,
single speed, single brake drawworks. The hoist drum with jaw-
clutched sprocket was driven by chain from the countershaft.
The rotary table was chain driven from countershaft to
clutched sprocket on the pinion shaft of the rotary. The fluid
circulating system used a conventional duplex steam pump
designed for general industrial use, capable of pumping 150 gpm
at 175-200 psi with steam pressure of 75-100 psi. The swivel had
an exposed ball-type thrust bearing to support the drill string
weight. Below that was the packed-off rotating fluid connection.

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