Overview
Keller called after an auger cleaner arm was knocked off a rig mast, ripping out the captive threads. I mobilised the mag drill, bored out the broken fasteners, tapped the mast for heavy-duty inserts, and refitted the arm so the crew could be drilling again the same afternoon. While onsite I also hardfaced the auger flights (the cleaner itself is a wire-rope wheel), sorted the captive chain on the foot, and cleared a few smaller snags before handing the rig back.
Scope & Methods
- Secured the mast, mapped the bolt pattern, and removed the snapped stud remnants.
- Set up a mag drill to step-bore the damaged holes square to the mast face.
- Tapped oversize to suit threaded inserts and installed them with locking compound.
- Refitted the auger cleaner arm, torqued the new bolts, and verified swing clearance.
- Hardfaced the auger flights and repaired the foot's captive chain while the rig was offline.
Highlights
Same-Day Recovery
- Onsite within hours of the call-out; auger cleaner back on the mast by mid-afternoon.
- Worked alongside the Keller crew so the rig re-entered production without rescheduling.
Precision Repairs
- Mag drill and tapping set held the bolt line true despite the impact damage.
- Heavy-duty inserts give the mast stronger threads should the cleaner take another hit.
Outcomes
- Auger cleaner arm reinstated and drilling restarted the same afternoon.
- Thread inserts protect the mast plate from future bolt damage.
- Hardfacing on the auger flights and the captive-chain fix reduced the risk of follow-up stoppages.
Gallery
