Possum belly
Encyclopedia
A Possum belly, on a drilling rig
, is a metal container at the head of the shale shaker that receives the flow of drilling fluid
and is directly connected to and at the end of the flow line
.A possum belly may also be referred to as a distribution box or flowline trap.
The purpose of the possum belly is to slow the flow of the drilling fluid
(after it has gained momentum from coming down through the flow line
) so that it does not shoot off of the shale shakers.
Possum bellies generally used when bentonite
or another form of "mud" is being used. During the use of freshwater
or brine water, the flow line
generally either goes straight to the reserve pit, or into the steel pits.
The possum belly derives its name from the similarity of its appearance to the underbelly of the female possum. Each of the chambers of the possum belly resemble an elongated teat similar to the ones found on female opossums.
See Drilling rig (petroleum)
for a diagram.
Drilling rig (petroleum)
This article lists the main components of a petroleum onshore drilling rig.Offshore drilling rigs have similar elements, but are configured with a number of different drilling systems to suit drilling in the marine environment....
, is a metal container at the head of the shale shaker that receives the flow of drilling fluid
Drilling fluid
In geotechnical engineering, drilling fluid is a fluid used to aid the drilling of boreholes into the earth. Often used while drilling oil and natural gas wells and on exploration drilling rigs, drilling fluids are also used for much simpler boreholes, such as water wells. Liquid drilling fluid...
and is directly connected to and at the end of the flow line
Flow line
A flow line, used on a drilling rig, is a large diameter pipe that is connected to the bell nipple and extends to the possum belly and acts as a return line, , to the mud tanks.-Flow Line Components:The flow line will typically have equipment attached to it,...
.A possum belly may also be referred to as a distribution box or flowline trap.
The purpose of the possum belly is to slow the flow of the drilling fluid
Drilling fluid
In geotechnical engineering, drilling fluid is a fluid used to aid the drilling of boreholes into the earth. Often used while drilling oil and natural gas wells and on exploration drilling rigs, drilling fluids are also used for much simpler boreholes, such as water wells. Liquid drilling fluid...
(after it has gained momentum from coming down through the flow line
Flow line
A flow line, used on a drilling rig, is a large diameter pipe that is connected to the bell nipple and extends to the possum belly and acts as a return line, , to the mud tanks.-Flow Line Components:The flow line will typically have equipment attached to it,...
) so that it does not shoot off of the shale shakers.
Possum bellies generally used when bentonite
Bentonite
Bentonite is an absorbent aluminium phyllosilicate, essentially impure clay consisting mostly of montmorillonite. There are different types of bentonite, each named after the respective dominant element, such as potassium , sodium , calcium , and aluminum . Experts debate a number of nomenclatorial...
or another form of "mud" is being used. During the use of freshwater
Freshwater
Fresh water is naturally occurring water on the Earth's surface in ice sheets, ice caps, glaciers, bogs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, and underground as groundwater in aquifers and underground streams. Fresh water is generally characterized by having low concentrations of dissolved salts and...
or brine water, the flow line
Flow line
A flow line, used on a drilling rig, is a large diameter pipe that is connected to the bell nipple and extends to the possum belly and acts as a return line, , to the mud tanks.-Flow Line Components:The flow line will typically have equipment attached to it,...
generally either goes straight to the reserve pit, or into the steel pits.
The possum belly derives its name from the similarity of its appearance to the underbelly of the female possum. Each of the chambers of the possum belly resemble an elongated teat similar to the ones found on female opossums.
See Drilling rig (petroleum)
Drilling rig (petroleum)
This article lists the main components of a petroleum onshore drilling rig.Offshore drilling rigs have similar elements, but are configured with a number of different drilling systems to suit drilling in the marine environment....
for a diagram.