Electric Drilling Rig Developments

The electrification of oil field drilling equipment has for the most part taken place on offshore installations and mobile units. Other applications of oil field drilling equipment have generally not utilized available electric transmissions because of factors not readily recognized. An attempt is made to review the design engineer's considerations for drilling equipment design and important environmental and logistic factors. Some observations are made that should assist the electric equipment manufacturer in broadening his field of application in this market by proper consideration of the factors discussed.