A range of advanced products and systems from SKF are playing an important role in improving the reliability and performance of critical top drive systems used in oil and gas drilling and exploration rigs. These include high performance bearings, seals, lubrication and condition monitoring products.
The latest top drive equipment is used to support and rotate the drill string during the drilling process in extreme environmental conditions. Sometimes over eight kilometres in length, the drill string load on the top drive can exceed 1500 tons and the drilling process creates additional torsional, vibration and shock loads, posing additional demands on the bearing system, with as many as six different types of bearings located in 13 positions.
SKF top drive bearing solutions are designed to address these challenges. For example, the main tapered roller thrust bearing uses the latest SKF modelling programs to simulate relevant operating conditions. SKF sensor bearing units solve application problems in the main drive motor and feature ceramic rolling elements; ATEX approved speed and direction of rotation sensors, and high performance double lip seals.
Also available are ATEX approved lubrication systems with flow limiters that precisely meter oil quantities, providing reliable and trouble-free lubrication within each top drive unit. Condition monitoring is an important element in SKF’s top drive offering. SKF also provides a portable range of online monitoring systems, including the Multilog On-line System family with the intrinsically safe DMx product or the IMx system for advanced monitoring.
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