An artfully illustrated account of the oil industry's most important events, HISTORY OF OIL WELL DRILLING records the beginning and development of the oil well industry from early water and brine well drilling to the vast oil industry of today. More than 1700 illustrations and 1500 pages trace the evolution of equipment and methods used in drilling for oil. Every major tool and method is described in detail. From the simple spring pole to the cable tool, rotary and portable rigs, Dr Brantly traces the origin, the development and the accessory tools of these major implements and compares them with modern equipment innovations. There is a comprehensive report on marine drilling and the vast offshore oil fields. Directional drilling, blowout prevention, formation testing and well instruments are other pertinent covered in this masterfully pictorial history.

Table of Contents

Review of Drilling Methods; Prehistoric to 1806; Ruffner 1806 to 1858; Drake Well 1859 to l900; Lucas Well 1900 to Mid 1920's; Mid 1920's to Mid 1940's; Mid 1940's to 1965; Derricks; Power Plants; Cable Tool Rigs; Cable Tool Rig Parts; Downhole Cable Tools; Portable Cable Tool Rigs; Power Transmissions; Mud Circulating System; Rotary Hoists; Rotary Machines; Drilling Feed Controls; Derrick Hanging Tools; Rotary Drilling Shaft; Rotary Bits; Rotary Drilling Fluid; Well Instruments; Rotary Fishing; Formation Testing; Casing and Tubing Heads; Blowout Preventers; Cementing; Portable Rotary Machines; Marine Drilling; Pressure and Pneumatic; Statistics; Index.