Drilling equipment is a core piece of equipment in oil and gas exploration and development. Its standardized operation directly affects operational efficiency, wellbore quality, and personnel safety.In complex formation conditions and high-intensity continuous operations, operators must fully understand the equipment’s functional principles and standardized procedures to achieve efficient drilling while ensuring safety.

The first step in operation is the pre-operation system check and preparation. This should include checking the fuel or electricity supply status of the power system, confirming the lubrication and securing of rotating parts such as the winch, rotary table, and top drive, inspecting the integrity of the mud pump’s valve seats, pistons, and pipeline seals, and verifying the well control blowout preventer assembly’s closing and emergency release functions. Simultaneously, the calibration status of drilling instruments, sensor systems, and communication devices must be checked to ensure accurate parameter display and smooth command transmission. All checks must be recorded, and any abnormalities should be rectified immediately; operation of malfunctioning equipment is prohibited.

During the startup phase, the principle of supplying power first, followed by coordination should be followed. First, start the power unit and preheat it to rated operating conditions. Then, sequentially turn on the mud circulation system to establish a stable flow state of the drilling fluid within the pipeline, preventing dry grinding or cavitation damage to the pump body. Next, start the rotary table or top drive at low speed according to the work instructions, observing whether the torque and speed response are normal. Only after confirming there are no abnormal vibrations or noises can the operating parameters be gradually increased. When hoisting and lowering the drill string, the hoisting speed and braking mode should be set reasonably according to the drill string weight and downhole resistance to prevent impact loads or traveling block swaying caused by sudden speed changes.

During drilling, key parameters must be monitored in real time, including drill pressure, rotational speed, pump pressure, flow rate, torque, and wellbore inclination data. Operators should adjust drilling parameters promptly according to formation changes to avoid overloading, which could lead to drill string fatigue or wellbore instability. In case of stuck drill, skipped drill, or sudden changes in pump pressure, immediately take measures such as stopping drilling, circulating and flushing, or moving the drill string up and down, and quickly determine the cause. If necessary, activate the emergency plan. Mud performance monitoring and maintenance must be carried out simultaneously to ensure rock-carrying capacity and wellbore stability.

Shift handover operations must strictly adhere to a dual written and on-site confirmation system. The outgoing shift personnel should provide a detailed explanation of the work progress, equipment status, and any unfinished tasks. The incoming shift personnel must verify all details before taking over. During shutdown, the rotation, hoisting, and circulation systems should be shut down sequentially to release residual pressure. Critical components should be cleaned and protected to create favorable conditions for the next round of operations.

Overall, drilling equipment operation methods emphasize systematic checks, gradual startup, dynamic monitoring, and standardized handover. Only by combining rigorous process awareness with emergency response capabilities can efficient, safe, and stable equipment operation be ensured in high-risk working environments, providing reliable guarantees for oil and gas exploration and development.