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Types of Drilling Rig Weight Indicators Used in the Oil and Gas Industry

Types of Drilling Rig Weight Indicators Used in the Oil and Gas Industry

May 1, 2024

Drilling rig weight indicators are among the many pieces of equipment and machinery needed for smooth operations to ensure both you and your technicians stay safe.

With advancements in technology and the need for safety and accuracy coming at the forefront, instrumentations, gauges, and systems have become a must in the drilling industry.

You can now get your hands on affordable and reliable weight indicator systems that utilize cells, sensors, and chart recorders to provide accurate readings for weight, tension, and compression.

If you want to learn more about the types of weighing indicator systems used in the drilling industry, keep on reading.

What is a Drilling Rig Weight Indicator System?

A weight indicator is an instrument used by drillers to monitor and improve drilling operation efficiencies. The tool is typically used in drilling operations, well workovers, and intervention operations.

Because of their demanding applications, weight indicator systems are designed to be durable and reliable during the drilling operation. Furthermore, weight indicator systems are required to deliver highly accurate readings in harsh environments.

Weight indicators use load cells and sensors to measure tension, compression, or weight accurately. For instance, anchor type indicators rely on compression load cells or tension load cells to measure the hook load and indicate the weight on the bit.

With a weight indicator system, the driller will be aware of the weight on the bit and the total hook load. Using a weight indicator system is crucial to improving the operational efficiency of the bits. Moreover, it helps avoid issues such as line tension, stuck pipes, twist-offs, and other tight-hole issues.

Four Types of Weight Indicator Systems

Wireline Weight Indicator System

An easy-to-use and maintain monitor, the Wireline Weight indicator system ensures your downhole tools are free from any line tension. It monitors the flow, provides alerts in case something goes wrong, and warns your operators and technicians of any potential problems before they spiral out of control.

Deflection Type Weight Indicator

Ideal for smaller drilling and oil rigs, the Deflection Type Weight Indicator system moves fluids and products from one rig to another with a straightforward rotating dial. This indicator system is generally much smaller, offering adaptability, easy storage, and transportation options.

The compact design of the Deflection Type Weight Indicator system offers the same amount of accuracy in addition to easy handling.

Midget Weight Indicator Systems

Perfect for small workover rigs, water well rigs, and Flushbyrigs, the Midget Weight Indicator system provides accurate, stable, and reliable readings even in the harshest of conditions. They’re compact, hence the name, easy-to-use and work well no matter what industry or application.

Anchor Type Weight Indicators

Much like all the other weight indicators on our list, Anchor-type Weight Indicator systems are also easy to use and require minimal maintenance. The system uses hydraulics and an anchor-mounted sensor to provide readings. It’s a dependable, cost-effective, reliable, and durable system, that’ll work efficiently for many years to come.

If you’re looking for quality drilling and oil rig instrumentations like weight indicator systems, we’re here to help. At Contact Instruments, we offer everything from clipper weight indicators and deflection weight indicators to pad-type weight indicators, midget weight indicators, and much more!

For more information about our products and services, feel free to reach out to us!

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