In 1987, the Side Drive Drilling System was introduced and has proven to be another successful system for drilling from the top.

This paper describes a new approach to an already proven field. This is an overview of the Side Drive Drilling System concentrating primarily on the following three areas:

  1. What is the Side Drive and how does it differ from conventional Top Drives? This examines unique design aspects of the tool by major components.

  2. Installation requirements and how they impact rig modifications, cost and time.

  3. Actual performance data taken from several installations in various geographic locations. This is a compilation of new data and that which has been reported in various trade journals.

Keywords:
pipehandler, rotation, upper drive assembly, drill string, chain case, upstream oil & gas, directional drilling, installation, drilling system, right angle drive
Subjects:
Drilling Operations, Drilling Equipment, Directional drilling
Copyright 1991, SPE/IADC Drilling Conference
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