As the complexity and cost of oilfield drilling operations increases so the need for improved safety becomes ever more important. To enhance the safe performance of a drilling rig RCP offer a series of electronic Travelling Block Monitors. TBM-6000 operates as a “crown and floor saver” for the drilling derrick and can also be configured to enforce safe speed limits on the most commonly used hoisting systems. It monitors the motion of the travelling block assembly within the derrick and will slow and stop the drawworks if safe limits are exceeded. Additionally the TBM can operate in conjunction with RCP’s ACS collision warning systems, and provide protection for other drill-floor or derrick mounted machinery.

The TBM is very simple to use and minimal user training is required. The TBM allows the driller to define lower and upper limits of travel using a simple set-up procedure. Once these limits are set, the TBM automatically compares the actual speed of the travelling block against calculated safe speeds for any given hook load and acts using drawworks brakes, clutches and throttle controls to slow and stop the load if necessary.

The TBM provides early warning to the driller to provide the opportunity of regaining control. It is designed as a back-up for the driller and will only intervene when necessary. If the driller returns the system to safe speeds then the TBM ceases to act. The TBM has been designed to share information with a range of RCP’s products including the ACS-7000 anti-collision system and the RMS-1000 rig-data monitoring system.