Performance of Diesel-Electric Rig for Deep-Well Drilling

The successful operation of a big diesel-electric powered drilling rig has permitted the taking of accurate electrical data during normal deep-well drilling on each of the main motor drives and on the engine-generator sets. This paper presents: A description of the power plant and the main power equipment; an elementary power diagram showing the main d-c circuits; a discussion of the functions of the electrohydraulic governor which regulates engine speed from half speed to full speed; the operation of the rig as seen by the driller who is uninterested in the technical details of the governors and amplidynes; test data taken on the engine-generator sets showing how the governor regulates engine speed and limits engine loading; and test data taken on the drawworks motor, the mud pumps, and the rotary table motors and a discussion of the power requirements of each.