Norway Portable top drive targets short mast market

Maritime Hydraulics of Kristiansand, Norway has developed a portable top drive (PTD) system for operators of land rigs or portable offshore rigs. The system has already been employed in Indonesia, the US, Trinidad, China, and Norway.
April 1, 1995
2 min read

Drilling mast extensions and guide rails are not needed with topdrive system

Maritime Hydraulics of Kristiansand, Norway has developed a portable top drive (PTD) system for operators of land rigs or portable offshore rigs. The system has already been employed in Indonesia, the US, Trinidad, China, and Norway.

Maritime says that the PTD enables both land and offshore rig operators to enjoy the benefits of top drive drilling technologies. Conventional top drives were intended for offshore installations - to be permanently installed in a 160 ft derrick and powered by the rig's power system. The PTD has been designed to fit into a conventional land rig or other small and narrow derricks or masts. Land rig operators can now utilize top drives without the expense of mast extension or guide rail installation.

The system is self-contained including necessary equipment and power supply for installation in most all types of rigs. The basic PTD model is equipped with two 355 cu cm hydraulic drivers providing a continuous drilling torque of 30,000 ft/lb at 200 rpm. The high-torque model gives a continuous drilling torque of 39,850 ft/lb, and a high-speed version for slimhole drilling provides a continuous speed of up to 600 rpm. Load ratings of 350 tons or 500 tons are available with all PTDs.

The PTD system's main components consist of the hydraulically-driven top drive, the torque arrestor/guide beam, the diesel-driven hydraulic power unit, the driller control/operation panel and the hose reel for the power hoses. Due to its small size and weight, the control panel can be installed close to the driller and allows remote control of all PTD functions.

The PTD system is delivered to the customer in two or three skid-mounted or containerized units depending on transportation limitations and the required torque rating for the top drive. Following numerous installations of the PTD both offshore and on land rigs, Maritime asserts that the system can be fully installed in less than 15 hours.

Available options for the PTD include a mudsaver valve, a remotely-operated IBOP valve, and a rebuild kit for converting existing elevators to remote operation.

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