drilling rig | Energy Glossary

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drilling rig

1. n. []

The machine used to drill a wellbore. In onshore operations, the rig includes virtually everything except living quarters. Major components of the rig include the mud tanks, the mud pumps, the derrick or mast, the drawworks, the rotary table or top drive, the drillstring, the power generation equipment, and auxiliary equipment. Offshore, the rig includes the same components as onshore, but not those of the vessel or drilling platform itself. The rig is sometimes referred to as the drilling package, particularly offshore.

Synonyms: rig

See related terms: rig up

Diagram of rig types and operating environments.