Drilling risers are pipes used to encase drilling equipment during subsea operations. Two types of risers are available: marine and tie-back. Risers protect equipment from corrosion and pollution, and drilling fluid is used to reduce heat and carry debris to the surface. Risers allow for extended underwater drilling and reduce water pollution.
A drilling riser is a large pipe or conduit used to encapsulate drilling equipment during subsea operations. These risers allow workers above the water’s surface to drill deep into the seabed. A drilling mast is commonly used to drill for oil under the sea, or simply to explore the seabed and the land beneath it. After the conduit is placed in the water, the drill itself is lowered through the center of the conduit to access the seabed.
Companies can choose from two basic types of drilling risers depending on the needs of each application. Marine drilling risers are used with floating platforms or boats and include a blast-suppression device placed below the surface of the water. When working from a fixed oil rig, companies rely on tie-back drilling risers. These systems include explosion suppression devices located above sea level, which protect workers and equipment from pressure changes or potential explosions.
A drilling riser may terminate at the seabed or may extend slightly into the land to prevent water infiltration. The drill itself and all associated equipment pass through the riser and continue below the surface of the earth. Without these risers in place, the drill would remain vulnerable to corrosion and damage from salty sea water. All the rock fragments and other debris would simply be released into the water, leading to pollution that could impact water quality and marine life. The drill riser helps contain drilling operations within the confines of the conduit.
During underwater drilling, workers pump drilling fluid through the drill line into the cutting bit at the end. This drilling fluid sprays out of the bit to help reduce the heat generated from cutting through stone and hard earth. This fluid then carries rock and other debris through the conduit to the surface of the sea, where it can be collected and processed by oil workers. The drill riser must be sized slightly larger than the drill itself to accommodate this fluid.
The use of drilling risers allows companies to drill underwater for extended periods, with little risk of equipment damage. The drill can be left in place over time without being exposed to salt water, allowing workers to dig deeper than in previous years. By hauling waste and rocks to the surface for disposal, these risers help reduce water pollution and its effects.
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