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Rathole/Rig Anchor Drilling

Industry Code: 09904

Compulsory

Prior to setting up a drilling rig to drill oil and gas wells, it is necessary to drill a starter or conductor hole as well as holes for pipe stands known as rat and mouse holes. This is done with truck mounted drilling rigs. This industry is also used to cover the rig anchoring operations which install ground anchors, primarily to secure service rigs during operations and also to secure flare stacks.

Operation Details:

The oil company, or contractor, arranges site survey and access to the area, and indicates where the holes are to be drilled. Unlike drilling or service rigs, where sections of drill stem are used, a one piece truck mounted auger is used in these operations. Three holes are drilled from 16 to 36 inches in diameter depending on requirements.

A conductor hole is drilled to a depth of 30 to 40 feet (the deepest may be 60 feet, but this is rare). A 16 or 19 inch pipe, or casing, is put into the hole and cemented around the outside to hold it in place. The conductor hole is the main drill hole that the drilling rigs start their drilling operations in. Two smaller holes are augured near the first and are left open. These are referred to as the mouse hole and the rat hole. The mouse hole is used to store/hold the drilling pipe. The rathole is used to store/place the 'kelly' (a square or hexagonal steel pipe which transmits torque from the rotary table to the drilling string, thus rotating the string and bit).

Rig anchoring services are completed with the use of truck mounted equipment, which will screw an auger type piece of iron into the ground until a solid base is reached. The anchor is pull tested at 15,000 to 20,000 lbs. Safety cables are then used to secure service rigs or flare stacks to the anchors. Anchoring companies do not usually fasten the cables.

Businesses may utilize auger trucks, auger bits, air/gas compressors, handtools, and employ equipment operators, technical staff, labourers, drivers and office/administrative staff.

All employers in this industry are members of Energy Safety Canada (ESC). Safety associations represent the interests of employers and promote workplace safety through education and other initiatives. Improved workplace safety can result in fewer claims and help lower premiums. A portion of premiums collected is allocated to the association to support these initiatives.

Underwriting Considerations:

There is little or no crossover with companies providing rat hole drilling and rig anchoring services. However, due to the use of truck mounted equipment, work locations and the shallow augering depths; anchoring is rated with rat hole drilling.

Water well drilling (industry 42130) is performed for domestic, commercial and irrigation applications to drill water wells or for obtaining deep core samples. Horizontal/angular drilling (industry 42103) is the boring of holes under roads, water bodies, railways, airstrips, sidwalks, lawns, driveways, etc. to establish openings for sewer or waterlines, or telephone or cable tv lines (utility lines). Businesses procuring soil samples obtain samples for such companies as engineering firms, in anticipation of future projects such as pipeline work, sewer and waterline installation, etc.; and are classified in industry 42150. Businesses which offer a cross section of the drilling services found in this rate group are classified in the industry which represents the majority of the drilling services performed.

Premium Rate History:

Activities:

Anchoring Services
Drilling - Rathole
Drilling Rig Anchoring Service
Rathole Drilling
Service Rig Anchoring

Rate Group History:

This industry was reviewed along wtih the general petroleum industry review in 1991. This rate group includes most types of drilling businesses, other than oil and gas drilling. In 1992, rate group 421200 was established, consolidating a number of drilling businesses which use similar drilling, boring and augering activities, equipment, processes and occupational mixes. In 1999, rate group 421200 was consolidated with shot hole drilling, rate group 092101, sector 2 - Mining and Petroleum Development.

Prior to setting up a drilling rig to drill oil and gas wells, it is necessary to drill a starter or conductor hole as well as holes for pipe stands known as rat and mouse holes. This is done with truck mounted drilling rigs. This industry is also used to cover the rig anchoring operations which install ground anchors, primarily to secure service rigs during operations and also to secure flare stacks.

Premium Rate History:

Activities:

Anchoring Services
Drilling - Rathole
Drilling Rig Anchoring Service
Rathole Drilling
Service Rig Anchoring

Operation Details:

The oil company, or contractor, arranges site survey and access to the area, and indicates where the holes are to be drilled. Unlike drilling or service rigs, where sections of drill stem are used, a one piece truck mounted auger is used in these operations. Three holes are drilled from 16 to 36 inches in diameter depending on requirements.

A conductor hole is drilled to a depth of 30 to 40 feet (the deepest may be 60 feet, but this is rare). A 16 or 19 inch pipe, or casing, is put into the hole and cemented around the outside to hold it in place. The conductor hole is the main drill hole that the drilling rigs start their drilling operations in. Two smaller holes are augured near the first and are left open. These are referred to as the mouse hole and the rat hole. The mouse hole is used to store/hold the drilling pipe. The rathole is used to store/place the 'kelly' (a square or hexagonal steel pipe which transmits torque from the rotary table to the drilling string, thus rotating the string and bit).

Rig anchoring services are completed with the use of truck mounted equipment, which will screw an auger type piece of iron into the ground until a solid base is reached. The anchor is pull tested at 15,000 to 20,000 lbs. Safety cables are then used to secure service rigs or flare stacks to the anchors. Anchoring companies do not usually fasten the cables.

Businesses may utilize auger trucks, auger bits, air/gas compressors, handtools, and employ equipment operators, technical staff, labourers, drivers and office/administrative staff.

All employers in this industry are members of Energy Safety Canada (ESC). Safety associations represent the interests of employers and promote workplace safety through education and other initiatives. Improved workplace safety can result in fewer claims and help lower premiums. A portion of premiums collected is allocated to the association to support these initiatives.

Underwriting Considerations:

There is little or no crossover with companies providing rat hole drilling and rig anchoring services. However, due to the use of truck mounted equipment, work locations and the shallow augering depths; anchoring is rated with rat hole drilling.

Water well drilling (industry 42130) is performed for domestic, commercial and irrigation applications to drill water wells or for obtaining deep core samples. Horizontal/angular drilling (industry 42103) is the boring of holes under roads, water bodies, railways, airstrips, sidwalks, lawns, driveways, etc. to establish openings for sewer or waterlines, or telephone or cable tv lines (utility lines). Businesses procuring soil samples obtain samples for such companies as engineering firms, in anticipation of future projects such as pipeline work, sewer and waterline installation, etc.; and are classified in industry 42150. Businesses which offer a cross section of the drilling services found in this rate group are classified in the industry which represents the majority of the drilling services performed.

Rate Group History:

This industry was reviewed along wtih the general petroleum industry review in 1991. This rate group includes most types of drilling businesses, other than oil and gas drilling. In 1992, rate group 421200 was established, consolidating a number of drilling businesses which use similar drilling, boring and augering activities, equipment, processes and occupational mixes. In 1999, rate group 421200 was consolidated with shot hole drilling, rate group 092101, sector 2 - Mining and Petroleum Development.