OIL & NATURAL GAS CORPORATION LIMITED

Office of Chief Technical Services

2302, 2nd Floor, Deendayal Urja Bhawan,
5 Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi – 110 070
Phone: +91-11-26752302, Fax: +91-11-26129091
______________________________________________________________________
No. TS/DLI/EM/Advisory/RLA-TDS/2023 /TC01 Date 06.01.2023
From: Head – Equipment Management, New Delhi

Technical Circular

Top Drive System (TDS) are equipped with a mechanism, which can rotate the elevator with links to any
desired position. In this mechanism, Rotation of links with elevator is achieved by means of a small
hydraulic drive motor. This rotating assembly is referred as Rotating Link Adapter (RLA) in case of NOV
make TDS, while it is called double hook in case of drillmech make TDS.

In a recent case, which occurred on HP2000-02 rig of Rajahmundry asset, the Hydraulic Drive Motor has
failed due to external rotation of double hook.

Hydraulic drive motor is designed for rotation of double hook/RLA without any load on elevator.
Hydraulic drive motor should never be used to rotate the RLA/double hook, when elevator is loaded
with pipes. As it will lead to failure of hydraulic drive motor.

Moreover, rotation of double hook/RLA by external means like; by Air winch, Hydraulic cathead etc. will
damage the hydraulic motor.

In view of above, all concerned are advised to exercise caution and take note of the following:

1. Under no circumstances double hook/ RLA should be rotated by any external means.
Hydraulic
Drive Motor

Rotation of links and elevator by external by means of Air

winch, Cathead, etc. will damage Hydraulic Drive Motor
2. When elevator is loaded with drill pipe or casing, Double hook/RLA should not be rotated by
using hydraulic motor or even by any external means.

3. Elevator should not be engaged with pipe, during any operations, which may lead to external
rotation of RLA/Double hook, like in case of string shot operation, Jarring operation,
mechanical back off from IRD. In such case, elevator should be deployed in drill down position
as depicted in fig2.

Fig1 Fig2
 4. Risk analysis and Pre/Post Jarring inspection of Top Drive System to be carried out as per OEM
recommendation.

All heads of maintenance are requested to circulate it widely to ensure it reaches all the rig crew.

R L Beohar
CGM (M)-Head EM
Copy to:
1. Chief TS, New Delhi
2. Heads of Maintenance - DS Mumbai
3. Heads of Maintenance – All Onshore Assets
4. LM Maintenance DS- All Onshore Assets
5. LM Maintenance WS- All Onshore Assets