An iron roughneck is a piece of hydraulic machinery used to "handle" (connect and disconnect) segments of pipe in a modern drilling rig.[1] The segments can be manipulated as they are hoisted into and out of a borehole. This type of work was previously performed manually by workers using tongs,[1] and was one of the most dangerous jobs in a drilling operation. However, with iron roughnecks and modern technology, much of this can be done remotely with minimal manual handling.[2]
Automated roughnecks became common in deep-water drilling and were later adopted by onshore rigs.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Dlouhy, Jennifer A. (16 May 2014). "Century-old water driller's new rigs walk into oil field service". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ^ "How do Iron Roughnecks Work". www.rigzone.com. Rig Zone. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
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