mud pump blows all 3 swabs in stock

Mud pump is one of the most critical equipment on the rig; therefore personnel on the rig must have good understanding about it. We’ve tried to find the good training about it but it is very difficult to find until we’ve seen this VDO training and it is a fantastic VDO training about the basic of mud pumps used in the oilfield. Total length of this VDO is about thirteen minutes and it is worth to watch it. You will learn about it so quickly. Additionally, we also add the full detailed transcripts which will acceleate the learning curve of learners.

Powerful mud pumps pick up mud from the suction tank and circulate the mud down hole, out the bit and back to the surface. Although rigs usually have two mud pumps and sometimes three or four, normally they use only one at a time. The others are mainly used as backup just in case one fails. Sometimes however the rig crew may compound the pumps, that is, they may use three or four pumps at the same time to move large volumes of mud when required.

Rigs use one of two types of mud pumps, Triplex pumps or Duplex pumps. Triplex pumps have three pistons that move back-and-forth in liners. Duplex pumps have two pistons move back and forth in liners.

Triplex pumps have many advantages they weight 30% less than a duplex of equal horsepower or kilowatts. The lighter weight parts are easier to handle and therefore easier to maintain. The other advantages include;

• One of the more important advantages of triplex over duplex pumps, is that they can move large volumes of mud at the higher pressure is required for modern deep hole drilling.

Triplex pumps are gradually phasing out duplex units. In a triplex pump, the pistons discharge mud only when they move forward in the liner. Then, when they moved back they draw in mud on the same side of the piston. Because of this, they are also called “single acting.” Single acting triplex pumps, pump mud at a relatively high speeds. Input horsepower ranges from 220 to 2200 or 164 to 1641 kW. Large pumps can pump over 1100 gallons per minute, over 4000 L per minute. Some big pumps have a maximum rated pressure of over 7000 psi over 50,000 kPa with 5 inch/127 mm liners.

Here is a schematic of a triplex pump. It has three pistons each moving in its own liner. It also has three intake valves and three discharge valves. It also has a pulsation dampener in the discharge line.

Look at the piston at left, it has just completed pushing mud out of the liner through the open discharge valve. The piston is at its maximum point of forward travel. The other two pistons are at other positions in their travel and are also pumping mud. But for now, concentrate on the left one to understand how the pump works. The left piston has completed its backstroke drawing in mud through the open intake valve. As the piston moved back it instead of the intake valve off its seat and drew mud in. A strong spring holds the discharge above closed. The left piston has moved forward pushing mud through the now open discharge valve. A strong spring holds the intake valve closed. They left piston has completed its forward stroke they form the length of the liner completely discharging the mud from it. All three pistons work together to keep a continuous flow of mud coming into and out of the pump.

Crewmembers can change the liners and pistons. Not only can they replace worn out ones, they can also install different sizes. Generally they use large liners and pistons when the pump needs to move large volumes of mud at relatively low pressure. They use a small liners and pistons when the pump needs to move smaller volumes of mud at a relatively high pressure.

In a duplex pump, pistons discharge mud on one side of the piston and at the same time, take in mud on the other side. Notice the top piston and the liner. As the piston moves forward, it discharges mud on one side as it draws in mud on the other then as it moves back, it discharges mud on the other side and draws in mud on the side it at had earlier discharge it. Duplex pumps are therefore double acting.

Double acting pumps move more mud on a single stroke than a triplex. However, because of they are double acting they have a seal around the piston rod. This seal keeps them from moving as fast as a triplex. Input horsepower ranges from 190 to 1790 hp or from 142 to 1335 kW. The largest pumps maximum rated working pressure is about 5000 psi, almost 35,000 kPa with 6 inch/152 mm linings.

A mud pump has a fluid end, our end and intake and the discharge valves. The fluid end of the pump contains the pistons with liners which take in or discharge the fluid or mud. The pump pistons draw in mud through the intake valves and push mud out through the discharge valves.

The power end houses the large crankshaft and gear assembly that moves the piston assemblies on the fluid end. Pumps are powered by a pump motor. Large modern diesel/electric rigs use powerful electric motors to drive the pump. Mechanical rigs use chain drives or power bands (belts) from the rig’s engines and compounds to drive the pump.

A pulsation dampener connected to the pump’s discharge line smooths out surges created by the pistons as they discharge mud. This is a standard bladder type dampener. The bladder and the dampener body, separates pressurized nitrogen gas above from mud below. The bladder is made from synthetic rubber and is flexible. When mud discharge pressure presses against the bottom of the bladder, nitrogen pressure above the bladder resists it. This resistance smoothes out the surges of mud leaving the pump.

Here is the latest type of pulsation dampener, it does not have a bladder. It is a sphere about 4 feet or 1.2 m in diameter. It is built into the mud pump’s discharge line. The large chamber is form of mud. It has no moving parts so it does not need maintenance. The mud in the large volume sphere, absorbs this surges of mud leaving the pump.

A suction dampener smooths out the flow of mud entering into the pump. Crewmembers mount it on the triplex mud pump’s suction line. Inside the steel chamber is a air charged rubber bladder or diaphragm. The crew charges of the bladder about 10 to 15 psi/50 to 100 kPa. The suction dampener absorbs surges in the mud pump’s suction line caused by the fast-moving pump pistons. The pistons, constantly starts and stops the mud’s flow through the pump. At the other end of the charging line a suction pumps sends a smooth flow of mud to the pump’s intake. When the smooth flow meets the surging flow, the impact is absorbed by the dampener.

Workers always install a discharge pressure relief valve. They install it on the pump’s discharge side in or near the discharge line. If for some reason too much pressure builds up in the discharge line, perhaps the drill bit or annulus gets plugged, the relief valve opens. That opened above protects the mud pump and system damage from over pressure.

Some rig owners install a suction line relief valve. They install it on top of the suction line near the suction dampener. They mount it on top so that it won’t clog up with mud when the system is shut down. A suction relief valve protects the charging pump and the suction line dampener. A suction relief valve usually has a 2 inch or 50 mm seat opening. The installer normally adjusts it to 70 psi or 500 kPa relieving pressure. If both the suction and the discharged valves failed on the same side of the pump, high back flow or a pressure surge would occur. The high backflow could damage the charging pump or the suction line dampener. The discharge line is a high-pressure line through which the pump moves mud. From the discharge line, the mud goes through the stand pipe and rotary hose to the drill string equipment.

Rig pump output, normally in volume per stroke, of mud pumps on the rig is  one of important figures that we really need to know because we will use pump out put figures to calculate many parameters such as bottom up strokes,  wash out depth, tracking drilling fluid, etc. In this post, you will learn how to calculate pump out put for triplex pump and duplex pump in bothOilfield and Metric Unit.

“Once you know these (rotary screw air) compressors, they’re pretty simple,” says Garth Owens, president of Drill Tech Drilling & Pump Inc. in Chino Valley, Arizona. “It’s not rocket science, but it is a precision unit.”

With approximately 15 rotary screw air compressors (two piston booster compressors) on six drill rigs or as auxiliaries on 10 pump hoists, Owens has learned the mechanical intricacies of them. He has rebuilt the compressors, changed their gear sets, and replaced them on rigs while passing along his knowledge to others in the industry.

“A lot of guys who are drilling don’t even have the right air to develop a well and they’ll throw a pump down there and just try to pump out the mud,” says Garth’s son, Nick, the manager at Drill Tech. “It destroys pumps and you’re never getting that mud wall cake off the walls behind the gravel pack to really get what the well’s producing.”

“You can drill too big of a well to where the annulus is too big, and you can’t get through the gravel pack to get the walls clean. That’s a big problem. A lot of guys think the bigger the hole they go, the more gravel the better, which isn’t necessarily good because you can never get enough annular velocity to get through the gravel pack and get that mud cake off. So, you’ve got to step back and look at the big picture of your annulus to your casing size to your gravel pack.

“Depending on what size drill pipe, what size borehole, what that annular space is between the drill pipe and the borehole determines the amount of your cubic feet per minute,” Garth Owens explains. “And then your pressure is determined by how deep you’re going to go. Every 2.31 feet of water is one pound of pressure you have to overcome, so basically, it’s a 2-to-1 ratio.

Today’s standard rotary screw air compressor rating is at least 900 cfm or 1000 cfm/350 psi. Thirty years ago, the standard was 450 cfm/250 psi or 600 cfm/250 psi.

For example, a 750 cfm/125 psi compressor is half the compressor of a 750 cfm/250 psi compressor because the contractor is compressing the air twice as tight. Therefore, with a 750 cfm/350 psi compressor, the contractor is compressing the air an additional 50%.

To help visualize it, Garth Owens likens pressurizing the compressor to a scuba tank getting pressurized rather than simply filling a balloon with static pressure.

“Instead of putting 125 pounds in it, in order to put 250 pounds in it, it takes a bigger screw and more horsepower to do that,” he shares. “And then to go to 350, it takes a bigger compressor and more horsepower to do that. So, every compressor has two numbers—cfm, and the second number is the amount of pressure that it puts out at that number.

“For instance, for a 750/125 compressor, it’ll probably take 125 horsepower to run that. You go to 750/250, it’ll take you 300 horsepower. You go to 750/350, it’ll take 400 horsepower to do the exact same thing because you’re compressing tighter, tighter, and tighter it takes more horsepower to overcome that pressure. So, the higher the pressure, the more horsepower you need.”

“Typically, ballpark rule of thumb, standard compressor is 125 to 150 psi,” Garth Owens says. “High pressure is 175 to maybe 200 psi. Extra high pressure is usually 350 psi and the highest you’ll ever go on a screw compressor is 500 psi. That’d be extra extra high pressure to get to 500 psi. Anything after that you’re running through a piston booster compressor and boosting pressure with a piston.

“When you get into the high-pressure compressors, it takes a lot of horsepower, takes a lot of heat, it builds up a lot of heat, and it burns a lot of fuel, so if the radiators aren’t clean, if the fanbelts are slipping, if the radiator is plugged up. . . .It might run great at 250 pounds; you push it at 350 and 30 minutes later the rig is overheated.”

To decrease the uphole velocity of 3000 feet per minute, some contractors use drill foam to clean the well at half the amount, 1500 feet per minute. “If you’re using foam and you’re filling that void, you’re taking half of that void away,” Garth Owens says. “You’re using half the air because you’re filling that void with an artificial substance. It’s going to foam up and blow out and then it’s going to evaporate and go away.”

The double-swabbed tool has perforations between the two swabs. Airlifting typically occurs through the drill pipe “from which the development swabs are suspended, so as the swabbing action brings suspended solids into the well, they are purged by the simultaneous airlift system,” writes Marvin F. Glotfelty, RG, in his book, The Art of Water Wells.

“The air comes out of the end of the drill pipe, comes up and hits that rubber swab which is the same diameter as the casing,” Garth Owens says, “and therefore all that air has to go out the perforations, blows into the gravel pack, spins that around in there, and cleans the gravel pack and cleans the borehole. Then the water comes up through the gravel pack and comes back to the perforations above your swab and comes out the top of the well.”

Glotfelty writes how this well development method is effective because “it provides both inward and outward energy to break down and remove the wall cake, without forming sand bridges in the adjacent formation.”

“We’ll actually create a vacuum and pull it between sections there,” Nick Owens says. “That’s why there’s a rubber swab above and below the holes. Typically, if you want to do an air swabber, you don’t need the rubbers because you’re just blowing it out through the perforated screen into the formation.”

The company’s high-velocity horizontal jetting tools allow it to adjust the amount of air it needs to push through them. “That way it’s blowing the air through the perforated screen, through the gravel pack, and then we’re trying to develop all that mud off there if it’s a mud hole,” Nick Owens says.

The company has an additional high-velocity jetting ball tool with approximately 20 holes each drilled to 3/16 inches around it. A high-pressure pump is used to pump freshwater down the well at 2000 psi.

“That will not only churn and turn that gravel, but it places that mud thinner all the way back to the borehole to knock off the wall cake,” Garth Owens says, “and once you’re done pressure jetting it, then you’ll come back and re-swab it and RC it all back out of there.”

Drill Tech, which had a backlog of approximately 100 wells and 30 pumps to install as of late July, stresses it all starts with the design of the well, drilling it correctly, using the right products, and not overusing polymers.

“If we’re RC drilling, we’ll mud up the top and then we’ll case the top off,” Nick Owens says. “There’s some wells out here where we live where the top 300 feet is all alluvium and there’s no water in it. We’ll mud those up, we’ll set a 300-foot surface casing, and we’ll RC drill the bottom out with just pure water because it’s just solid rock. So, we don’t use any product.

“We can literally drill a 1200-foot well, pull out, put our casing in it, and gravel pack it. You can trip in as soon as we’re done with zero development and can video the well, it’s that clean. Something of that nature doesn’t take much development because we didn’t put any product in the well. It just depends on where we are.”

To drive home the importance of using the correct amount of product, Nick Owens recalls a large drilling company that installed two large municipal wells 10 years ago in central Arizona. It both drilled with and pumped too much polymer into the wells and was unable to get the polymer out. The wells produced 300 gpm.

“We drilled some other wells near them, and we got 1200 gallons per minute out of the wells and the aquifer just simply because of the development and not using polymers,” he says, “so [it’s] a big thing to make sure of the product when you’re drilling and make sure you’re using the right product that you can get back out—that’s the biggest thing.”

“Most guys will just trip their drill pipe straight in, blow it straight up the hole, and they’re done,” he shares. “But you’ll get a lot more water out of your well, you’ll pump a lot less sand, and you’ll have a much better production well with a higher pumping level if you clean that formation out and get every bit of that mud that you put in back out again. The only way to do that is with pressure through the perforations.”

While drilling in July in California, Garth Owens also noticed large amounts of gravel being put into large diameter wells drilled using the mud rotary method. “They think that the bigger the hole is, the more gravel they put in, the better it is, which is not true. What they don’t get is the bigger the hole gets, the worse development job you can do.

“Let’s say you drill a 16-inch hole and put in 6-inch casing, and you’ve got 5 inches of gravel on either side of you, you cannot get enough pressure through 5 inches of gravel to clean the wall cake off the borehole on the outside to get it to produce. The well is still going to produce, but it would be a lot better producing well if it has 2 to 3 inches of gravel and you’ve got enough energy that you can push through that.”

Low-cost gravel too has its disadvantages, with it being crushed and therefore angular. These angular pieces all wiggle together and lock together like chip seal on a highway in the well, according to Garth Owens. This causes a slowdown in the production of water.

“Most people don’t use any chemicals to break down that wall cake because it costs $250 a bucket,” he says, “so we’ll go out and drill a well that will make 500 gallons per minute, and our competition literally on the next lot is drilling 100 gallons a minute. And it’s simply because of the gravel pack and the development process.”

“Time is one factor, they want to get to the next job,” Garth Owens says. “Another factor is they don’t want to put a swab in to pressurize the perforations. The third thing is purchasing the cheapest gravel they can because they think they’re going to overcome all that by drilling a hole that’s one or two inches bigger in diameter and now all that other stuff is irrelevant.”

Install the largest gravel to have the most square inches of opening and the least friction for the water to come through but stop the finest particles of sand.

“You design with maybe a 10 percent passing of sand,” he says, “and then you want to go down there and develop it until that 10 percent gets down to 0.5 percent or 0.25 percent. You want to airlift develop that until you’ve blown out everything, you’ve agitated it, washed out the gravel, washed off the wall cake, and then the ground itself and those fines come out of there.

“If you don’t do it right, you can spend three or four days pumping sand because the gravel is too coarse. You put in too coarse of a filter and the sand just keeps flowing. It takes forever, if it ever does stop. Too coarse of a sand and it’ll never stop.”

For a high-pressure compressor, there are three gears in the bellhousing and two low-stage screws and two high-stage screws. The simplicity allows the compressor to last for an average of 10,000 hours.

“Because on a piston compressor, you just have a receiver tank that just holds air,” he says, “and you can pressure it up to 250 to 300 pounds and jerk the valve open and that big surge of air is what blows out silts and rocks when it won’t do it when steady drilling.

“On a screw compressor, when you max out the pressure at say 350 pounds, and you’ve got the same pressure inside the filter as you do on the outside of the filter, when you blast that ball valve open, the pressure differential escapes faster inside than it can equalize. That’s what causes that filter to collapse and blow all your oil down your hose. That’s the one and only thing you don’t do with a screw compressor—build up to max pressure and jerk the valve open—that you can do with a piston compressor.”

For years, automatic transmission fluid (ATF) was the standard for lubrication on compressors. Today, synthetic compressor oil is used because they must run at about 225 degrees to 275 degrees to vaporize the water as it sucks moisture out of the air when drilling. “It sucks all that moisture into it and it rusts up all the bearings and gears,” Garth Owens says, “so by turning the thermostat up so hot, it vaporizes and burns the condensation out of it.

“You hear about a lot of rigs burning down and compressors burning down, it’s typically because they have old non-synthetic oil because it costs less,” Garth Owens says. “What happens is the tolerances are very tight in a screw compressor.

“Typically, there’s three thousandths max tolerant in a screw compressor, so you really have to keep your air filters clean, your oil filters clean, and your oil good. When that tolerance starts to get loose, when you start getting a bearing wearing out or one of your screws starts wearing into the impeller of the compressor, when that tolerance starts to get loose at all, typically your oil temperatures skyrocket tremendously. It’ll run at 200 degrees for 10 years and then all of a sudden, you’re wondering why it’s running at 275 degrees and trying to cook the hoses off your rig.”

The first indication is typically losing a bearing when the oil temperature begins climbing with the tolerances getting loose. “You either have steel on steel friction, or the tolerance is so loose that after you’ve compressed this air and oil, it scoops up the air and oil and pushes it through the screw,” Garth Owens says.

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It is generally not allowed to bring a trailer hitch as carry-on luggage on a plane. Trailer hitches are typically considered to be large, heavy, and potentially hazardous items, and as such, they are not typically allowed on board the aircraft. Instead, you will need to check your trailer hitch as checked baggage. Keep in mind that each airline has its own specific rules and regulations regarding what can and cannot be brought on board an aircraft as carry-on luggage, and you should check with your airline for more information. Additionally, you should be prepared to properly secure and protect your trailer hitch when checking it as baggage, as it may be subject to rough handling during transport.

I am Type 1 diabetic and I frequently have very low blood glucose levels. The quickest way to raise my blood sugar is drinking 4 oz. strawberry milk and eating peanut butter butter for the protein. Can this be allowed in my carry-on?

Depends on the gate agent. Consider alternatives. Hard candy, raisins, glucose tabs. The TSA gate agent might allow you to bring your items through security but have alternatives handy in case they don’t allow it. Additionally, keep a TSA disability notification card on you, this might help get your milk through security. Print out a copy, which you can get here: https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/disability_notification_card_508.pdf

Hi Daniela, yes. TSA allows frozen breast milk to be brought in your carry-on bag and it is exempt from the 3.4 ounce liquids rule. Just be aware that if the milk is partially frozen or is slushy, additional screening may be required. Be aware however that the guidelines do not state a specific amount, the official documentation simply says a “reasonable amount” of pumped milk in your carry-on is allowed. This leaves some discretion to the individual TSA officer. In the event you do experience any problems or encounter an uninformed TSA agent, we recommend calling TSA directly. Their phone number is 1-866-289-9673.

Can I bring a foam roller 13 inches long ( the vibrating kind) in my carry on? The lithium battery is less than 100WH but I prefer not to check it in as checked baggage/

Is CBD oil (from hemp), made commercially, allowed in checked baggage on international flights e.g. from U.S. to Australia and New Zealand and back to U.S. ?

It said lighters (such as Zippo lighters I’m assuming) are allowed in your carry-on only. However last time I flew (in 2008) they dug into my carry-on and confiscated a old, rare Zippo my father gave me! Are these lighters allowed in my carry on?

You are allowed 1 zippo lighter (but no torch lighters). However, the ultimate decision rests with the individual TSA officer. Extra fuel is never allowed.

Am I allowed to bring a non disposable water bottle in my carry on as long as it is empty while going through security? And I’m checking 3 bags so I was wondering if it is required that I have locks on all of them.

CAN I BRING(CHECKED BAGGAGE) A BRAND NEW / UNOPENED LAWN MOWER? the weight and size of the box is within the allowed limit…it will be an international flight…

I have friends who want pepper spray, because they live in a bad area and they can’t get it over there. They are under the 3.4 oz limit. How many can I bring ? This of course would remain in my checked luggage (the one that goes beneath the plane not with me in the cabin area). I have 6 friends…Would the TSA remove it? Another piece of info, I will be going thru 4 different airports for my final destination of Guatemala (not sure if that helps).

I am flying on Spirit toLAX from Cleveland for Thanksgiving. I want to take a 10#fried turkey. I am only carrying a personal bag is the turkey allowed in a plastic bag or do i need to put it in my personal bag/

I would check with Spirit Airlines. While you will be allowed to bring it through security, they may or may not allow it on the airline. Also, Spirit will most likely charge you to bring it on.

I save pocket change so I can give it to my grand daughter for her piggy bank – all told it will be about the size of a grapefruit – can I carry on that?

Hi I’m traveling to Ecuador. I’m an alternative practitioner and would like to carry a dozen or so crystals. My concern is more that when I leave the country they might think I’m taking illegally acquired goods. Is there some documentation I can bring so that it’s ok?

I have a small plastic container with Shea butter. It is an unmarked container. I’m not sure how much it contains. I’m traveling international soon and wonder if u can take it either checked or carry on. I also have a larger container of coconut oil. It is marked but if the temperature drops it could melt. How should I be able to bring it?

If you have a medical marijuana card, you may be able to bring it. However, TSA officers are required to alert the authorities about it. They are a federal agency and marijuana is illegal under federal law. I would contact the local police departments to let them know you are coming. If it is for recreational use, I would not recommend bringing it at all.

Could I bring my mac mini, keyboard, and monitor in my carry on?? would it take me a lot longer to get through security if I did?? First time flyer here, I need to take my desktop with me, and it fits in my approved size carry-on. I just don’t want it to cause any issues especially since I have a short layover for a connecting flight.

I’m going across state for a while, I don’t really know much about flying. I want to take my hair straightener and make up, but they’re all more than 4 oz. What exactly can I all take?

Make up is typically exempt from the 3-1-1 rule. Straightener is fine, depending upon what you are bringing you may or may not be able to carry them on in more than 3 ounce quantities.

I have a prescription tube of ointmemt, 120 grams, about the size of a tube of toothpaste. Can I put in my carry on? How about my 3.4 ounce of secret solid deodorant?

I am flying with Southwest tomorrow, and I have 3 small pins (two are 1″ circle pins, and one is a breast cancer ribbon held on with a safety pin that is 1″ in length) on my backpack that I am using as a carry on. Can I leave these on my backpack, or should I leave them at home?

Hi I have severe back issues and require a toileting aid device. Made of plastic. About 12 inches long and angled approx 90 deg at midpoint. It’s made by Maddak, inc. Do you think this would be allowed through in carry on? It’s only a 36-40 hr round trip so was trying to avoid checked bags. Thanks for your help.

1. Can I pack an electric wax candle warmer for fragrance in my checked bag luggage for under the plane? (It is a not a plug in socket warmer, but more like a small crockpot type of candle warmer)

We manufacture a dry bilge vacuum system for boats. It has a small hollow PVC collection chamber along with a PLC inside a common plastic box that is screwed closed with a lid. What this might look like when going through X-ray I have no clue. We plan on taking several copies with us on a flight to the next boat show and plan it for checked luggage or a checked box. No batteries or built in power supply so they can’t be operated unless 12 volt DC power is applied from an external source. Should I have any concerns with checking these items?

Yes, Cindy. They are specifically mentioned by the TSA as allowed. However, they are not an everyday item so expect a certain level of confusion/delay until it’s worked out. Shouldn’t be long, but may take a few minutes.

Flying American Airlines ina day or so. I have a combo of walking sticks and tripods in a bag. Virgin, Alaskan,Olympic and british Airways always let me bring teh bag as a carry on as “medical device”.Been on hold with American Airlines for 2 hours and 40 minutes. The prompt that says..”tap any digit and we will call you back…isn’t working”. I cannot get an answer to whether if needs must-I can check a rolling duffle with these longer items. Plus I have NO seta assigment for my second lfight of 3. Never flwon American…not feeling too happy about it! Thanks for any and all advice! Lizzy

That sounds frustrating Lizzy. Odds are, if you have been able to carry them on before, you should be fine. Since they are medical devices, they should be allowed through security. If you don’t mind checking the bag, it may save you some stress. I wish I could help you with your seat assignments but that is up to AA. Good Luck.

Shampoo must be in 3.4 ounce bottles or less. Aerosol hairspray and mousse are exempt from the aerosol ban and should be allowed. Just don’t bring a whole bag full.

I have more than 1 personal item, such as laptop and nikon camera with their cases plus a backpack and the carry on suitcase. Do I need to stuff it all (laptop and nikon) into the backpack? It won’t fit

Typically airlines are likely to be lax on this, but they – in theory – could charge you or require you to check you backpack or your other carry-on (especially if the plane is very full and you are running late).

It’s allowed in checked luggage if it is in the open position (again no gas compressors allowed). However, it may be easily broken, so the risk is up to you.

Can you carry a tiny file, with sissers and knife 1 inch long by 1/4 ” wide. It’s a keychain nail set. I usually keep it in my makeup case. I use to carry a tiny 2.5 centimeter knife in my purse carry on for years then last time they took it. I thought the rule had changed if it was small. I travel a lot and use this item a lot. Thanks for any input..

Hi, I have a standard size set of Remmington brand hair clippers like you might see a barber using to cut hair. Am I allowed to bring these clippers on board the plane in my carry on bag?

Can I bring an aerosol can of cornstarch to iron clothes? 20oz heavy starch. Its a used bottle.Can I carry a purse ? Can I bring Aveno lotion ? this is an 18oz bottle of Aveno. I would like to take my travel sz travel cup for coffee. Is that allowed?

Hi, my name is Janet.Iam flying on Delta ,and leaving Saturday afternoon. I would like to know if I can bring a 12 pk cans of Gingerale?If you can respond…ASAP, I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

N I will be leaving Saturday nite,so if u can respond asap,I would really appreciate it. I’ve never flown before so I’m a Lil nervous. Thank you so much..teri

Teri, you can bring all those things, just not in your carry-on luggage. The powdered cappuccino should be fine, but all the other things are in too large quantity to be carried on and must be checked.

I am traveling alone with my 3 year and am wondering if I can bring a collapsible wagon to help carry him and his car seat? It folds down to 6 inches wide and I was going to gate check it not carry it on board. TIA

I would imagine they would treat that just like a stroller. I would contact your airline to make sure they allow it to be gate checked, but you will have no issues going through security.

Film is allowed but must be carried on. If you are transporting high speed (800 ISO and higher) or specialty film, you may request to have it physically inspected when presented at the screening checkpoint instead of undergoing x-ray screening. You may also request that all of your undeveloped film be physically inspected instead of undergoing x-ray, particularly if your film has or may be screened by x-ray more than five times. To facilitate physical inspection, remove your undeveloped film from the canister and pack it in a clear plastic bag. We recommend leaving your film in the unopened manufacturer’s packaging.

Hi..I never flew..this is my first time. .I’m nervous about do and don’t. .how many pieces of luggage can I bring, can I put my clothing inside a vacuum bag all sealed up, I have a gift in the original box it’s men cologne 4.2 Oz and I smoke cigarettes how many loose packs can I bring and use lighters and do my deodorant,toothpaste, and mouthwash has to be in a quart bag

Renee, you’ll have to do the research based on your airline for luggage limits. The Cologne will have to be checked as it exceeds the 3-1-1 limit. Yes, all those toiletries must be in a ziptop quart bag and adhere to the 3-1-1 rule. You may bring 1 lighter on (do not check any).

My husband wants to take his drone on vacation (type DJI Phantom 2 Vision plus). He has a special case for it. For the batteries he will use also special bags so called lipo bags. Is it allowed to take the drone on the plane as carry-on luggage?

If the shake is liquid and you plan to bring it as a carry-on, it must meet the 3-1-1 liquids rule. Otherwise, it should be fine in checked baggage. For the drone, the LiPo batteries MUST be carried on, they can not be placed in checked luggage. You can bring the drone in it’s case provided that it adheres to the carry-on baggage requirements.

As a previous Delta airlines employee, am I allowed to carry handcuffs and bange on the A/C? I am now a corrections offer. Almost 15 years with Delta and 24 years in law enforcement. I am planning to go to at least one B-767 Captains retirement in a year or so to Atanta.

No. I am not about to bring all my individual pill bottles. I separate them out into their weekly dispenser, just like I do at home, and carry that in my purse (not my carry-on bag, my personal handbag). Never had a problem in 100s of flights since 2001.

Sue, I’m sorry to hear about that, but all ice packs and gels must be in a frozen state to pass through security. Any unfrozen liquids or gels will not be allowed through.

I’m a type one diabetic and wear an insulin pump. I’m flying delta from atlant to Oklahoma . Will I be required to remove my pump while going through the scanner. Is it safe or not to put your pump through the scanner

I have 2 Hydro Flash water containers (made of Stainless-steel, double-wall vacuum construction) if they’re empty will I be able to put them on my carry on?

You can bring your medications on in your carry-on or checked luggage. Medication in liquid form is allowed in carry-on bags in excess of 3.4 ounces in reasonable quantities for the flight. It is not necessary to place medically required liquids in a zip-top bag. However, you must tell the officer that you have medically necessary liquids at the start of the screening checkpoint process. Medically required liquids will be subjected to additional screening that could include being asked to open the container.

My family has severe food allergies so we always prepare our own food for trips. 7 years ago we were allowed to take a soft sided cooler with homemade, FROZEN meals (stews, spaghetti, pulled pork etc) from California to Maui. Is this still permitted by TSA or did we just get lucky with the screener back then.

Frozen items are allowed, as long as they stay frozen. You are allowed to use dry ice or ice/gel packs. If you have them backed with icepacks, the must be fully frozen – if they are slushey or partially defrosted, they must conform to the 3-1-1 liquids rule. You may pack up to 5 pounds of dry ice.

Question: I will be traveling to Europe and need to bring my electronic blood pressure machine. It is small and doesn’t weigh much. I will carry the batteries separately.

Hello, are prepackaged meals (ex. microwaveable beef ravioli, chicken and noodles, etc.) okay to take in carry-on luggage? These would be in a sealed container with the wrapper still on them, purchased directly from the grocery store. They don’t contain water and must be microwaved–they would be more of a solid food and not liquidy like salsa or yogurt. Please let me know as I’m not sure which category this type of meal would fall under. Thank you.

Yes, it is an approved item. Just keep in mind, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. The final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any items on the plane.

dont laugh but, CAN I BRING EGGS ON A DELTA FLIGHT FROM CHICAGO TO KAUAI? WE REALLY NEED TO CUZ WE ARRIVE LATE INTO HAWAII AND WE WILL NEED BREAKFAST EARLY BEFORE STORES OPEN

I will be traveling with my 3 year old soon. She is a cancer patient, and we were told to check and see if Bush offers a pre-board card so that we can get through security a little more easily. Do you all offer this, and if so, how do I go about getting it?

Are tie dye materials okay in checked bags? My daughter wants me to bring some home from a tie dye wholesaler here in Denver. It’s all powders, no liquids, and would save on shipping fees… tia

That’s unfortunate, but even if an item is on the approved list, the final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any item on an airplane. Keep in mind that certain types of explosives can come in a powdered form and could be used to create an improvised explosive device so I imagine the TSA agent considered it a safety risk.

Be sure to set everything aside and have it clearly labeled. A doctors note is not required but recommended. Medication is usually screened by X-ray; however, if a passenger does not want a medication X-rayed, he or she may ask for an inspection instead. This request must be made before any items are sent through the X-ray tunnel.

Frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening. If frozen liquid items are partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 liquids requirements which is 3.4 ounces max.

Eileen, you can bring it as checked luggage, I would use frozen or gel packs. If you plan to use dry ice, be advised that airlines have different policies on how much you can bring, so check with them before packing (typically less than 5 pounds).

Rosie, the sunscreen and bug repellant must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule, so it must be in a 3.4 ounce or less container (not approximately 3 ounces left in a larger container). Any more than that must be checked.

An entire category of items is not discussed — medical devices. My wife needs a nebulizer that gives breathing treatments. Is this allowed? Does she need a doctor’s prescription or order? Is there a size limit? This unit is about 9 by 9 by 6 inches. It is electric with a cord. I know you can’t cover every possible contingency, but we don’t want any surprises at a TSA checkpoint, or have to ship the device separately, or risk having it confiscated.

The nebulizer will be permitted. While not necessary, it is always a good idea to bring a doctor’s order or prescription with medicine or medical devices. The medication is also allowed.

Hello! Can I take headsets for simultaneous translation as a carry-on? The equipment consists of two sender headsets, and as many as 25 receiver headsets (like they use at the UN). We would also normally include 3-4 backup packs of standard, single-use AA batteries. The case and weight meet carry-on requirements, but I wasn’t sure about the contents. Thanks!

Hi! In addition to a carry on suitcase and a handbag, do you know if Delta (domestic flight) will allow a passenger to carry on a small Sobakawa cloud pillow for use on the flight? (It doesn’t fit in my handbag).

I have never flown before. Am I correct in that I can take full size shampoo, conditioner and bidy wash in my checked luggage? Also I have a 4 oz clear bottle of contact lens saline – if I pour out enough to make the 3.4 oz limit can I still put this bottle in my carry on?

E.H., Yes you are allowed 1 standard lighter (disposable or zippo type) in your carry on or on your person. Extra fuel is prohibited however. Torch lighters are never allowed.

This site is excellent: informative and well written. I want to take two plants in a decorative pot onboard a SWA flight from Houston Hobby to Columbus, OH. Is that allowed as a carry-on item? Thank you.

Bob, yes you can bring frozen perishables like blackberries on board in carry on or checked bags. If you have them backed with icepacks, the must be fully frozen – if they are slushey or partially defrosted, they must conform to the 3-1-1 liquids rule. You may pack up to 5 pounds of dry ice.

Hi,where should I put my taser,and is it too risky to bring it on a plane? Is it allowed in the suitcase? I want to find out before I bring it, just in case avoiding a trouble in the airport of bringing it. Thanks.

Can I carry-on junior size golf clubs? There have been articles written that TSA lifted golf clubs from the prohibited items in April 2013. However, golf clubs are still on the prohibited item list on the TSA website. Which is correct?

Sheri, you are better off putting them in checked luggage. In your carry on you can carry as many as comfortably fit in a 1 quart zip top plastic bag (3 ounce or less bottles, that is).

Thank you for your attenation, I am an international student and I want to bring a small handmade silk carpet for my professor as souvenir from my country so could you please let me know could I bring it in my baggage?

Hi traveling tomorrow on a two day business trip. I’m planning to only bringing a carry on to put my dress suit, dress shoes and under clothing. Is a clothing steamer allowed ? How many 3 oz toiletries can I bring ? Im looking at bringing 3 oz shampoo, 2 oz lotions and a sealed, pre packaged 9 piece travel kit with deodorant, shave cream, body wash, razor blade, toothpaste, tooth brush, comb, in a TSA compliant zip top bag and travel bag. ( purchased at Target). Is all of these items ok for a carry on ?

Ezekiel, you may bring 1 quart sized bag of creams, liquids and gels in containers that are 3.4 ounces or less. There is no specific limit to the number of containers you can put in the bag, but do not cram them in. So, the shave cream from the travel kit must be in the quart sized bag (as well as the deodorant if it is gel). Remember all of your liquids, creams and gels must be in the same bag and you may only bring 1. Clothing steamer should be fine as long as it is empty and a smaller hand steamer.

Yes, Roberta you may check an air mattress and the pumps. Just remember that you may be charged extra fees by your airline if your luggage exceeds the weight and size restrictions.

Can I bring a small CPAP machine along with its hose and nasal mask in my carry-on bag? I have sleep apnea. Do I need a doctor’s note? Traveling from Boston to Philadelphia.

Adele, yes you can. You may carry-on medicines and medically necessary equipment. Doctors notes are always a good idea to bring when traveling with them.

You shouldn’t have any issue going through security as long as the box adheres to the carry-on dimension requirements. I would double check the box measurements (length, width, height, weight) and contact your airline, they all have slightly different policies.

Although a ferrocerium is not specifically mentioned, fire starters are not allowed as carry-on. You should also be aware that even if an item is usually allowed to be brought on as carry-on, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed to pass through security if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears suspicious to security agents, has looked like it has been tampered with, or poses a potential security risk. Ultimately, the decision is made by the TSA agent inspecting your items on whether to allow any items on the plane.

Lighters without fuel are permitted in checked baggage. Lighters with fuel are prohibited in checked baggage, unless they adhere to the Department of Transportation exemption, which allows up to two fueled lighters if properly enclosed in a DOT approved case.

I would contact your airline regarding the pool pump. You most certainly won’t be able to carry it on, but I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to check it (as long as there are no hazardous chemicals along with it).

Yes, Steve. EPI pens are allowed. Be sure that it is clearly marked and you let the agent know that you have it in your bag. You may request that it be hand screened, rather than xray-ed since the effects of X-Rays on epinephrine are unclear. When in doubt with any medicine or medically necessary product, bring a note from your doctor. It can help clear anything up.

I am flying on AA tomorrow and just read the following from another site under “Not permitted for carry on:” Mouthwash and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, ALL creams and lotions including Neosporin or first-aid creams and ointments, suntan lotions, moisturizers, etc. Does this apply to the items from home we pack in little bottles in our plastic bags? I don’t recall this restriction when I flew last year.

Oran, these are not permitted in carry-on luggage in amounts greater than 3 ounces and kept in ziploc bags. So, you may bring them as long as they comply with the 3-1-1 rules. Otherwise, they must be checked.

Deb, that is correct. Flammable liquids or Gels are NEVER allowed in either checked or carry-on luggage. I’d recommend treating your jacket before you go and or picking up a small bottle at your destination. Good luck.

Yes Robert, you can bring beer in checked luggage. Alcohol under 140 proof is allowed. Airlines have specific rules regarding max weight and luggage size however, so keep that in mind.

As a carry-on, you may bring it if it adheres to the 3.4 ounce liquid rule. If it is larger than that, you must check it or the TSA will discard it. If you purchase it from a store inside a security check point, you will be able to bring it onboard.

excuse me i was wondering something i will travel with american airlines soon and i have herd i may take 1 personal item and one carry on with no cost and i will be bringing a backpack as my carry on and a small purse as my personal item i will be bringing a neck pillow (aka travel pillow) i will have the pillow in my carry on will this small pillow count as a personal item????

Yasso, needles and scissors under 4 inches in length are allowed in your carry-on baggage, but circular thread cutters or any other cutter or needlepoint tools that contain blades must be placed in checked baggage. Whether or not you are permitted to actually sew on the flight may depend on your airline. And, as always, the TSA agent is the ultimate authority, so even it it is permitted by rule, they may ask you to throw it out. Good luck.

Arthur, while the belt would be fine, I wouldn’t try to carryon a five foot chain. This type of object is not specifically classified, but I believe a security screener would not allow it through. Just like most large sports equipment, checked bags is probably the way to go.

Tom, you are allowed to bring frozen liquid (or gel) items or ice packs through TSA checkpoints as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening. If they are melted at all – i.e. if any liquid or slush is present – they must meet 3-1-1 liquids requirements.

Loose batteries are not allowed in checked baggage but can be carried on. You are allowed 2 higher capacity batteries in your carry on – but they cannot exceed 160 Wh. Typically, these are meant to be for consumer electronics, however, so while you should be able to bring them on, the TSA agent may not allow it.

Depends on the type of lithium battery. ​If the nominal battery voltage is 3.6-3.8v (3.7v) like most lithium batteries on the market, then for that device (50000mAh x 3.7v) / 1000 = 185Wh…making it definitely a “Prohibited Item” exceeding FAA’s 160Wh’s requirement by 25Wh, but IF the Lithium-ion Battery is “phosphate-based” then the nominal battery voltage is 3.2v bringing the (Wh) to exactly 160wh the exact MAX. This is why we cannot go solely off of a mAh rating, but please correct me if I’m wrong so I don’t make a mistake!

“The phosphate-based lithium-ion has a nominal cell voltage of 3.20V and 3.30V; lithium-titanate is 2.40V. This voltage difference makes these chemistries incompatible with regular Li-ion in terms of cell count and charging algorithm.”

Passengers are permitted to travel with lithium ion batteries that contain a maximum of 160 watt hours per battery. Any lithium ion battery containing more than 160 watt hours is prohibited from carriage on all passenger aircraft. Lithium ion batteries installed in a personal electronic device can be transported as checked or carry on baggage. Lithium ion batteries not installed in a device (spares) must be in carry-on baggage and no more than two (2) spares between 100 and 160 watt hours are allowed.”

This should not cause you any issue Jamie. The TSA does not have any regulations against hiking or weight training backpacks. If the plate is removable, they may ask you to take it out in security. Some airlines do have weight limits for carry-ons however, usually around 25 pounds.

I wouldn’t try to bring more than 3.4 ounces through security. While you can bring more of medically necessary liquids, the TSA agent screening you may not allow it. Also, only 3 percent peroxide solutions (like the kind you would purchase in a store) are allowed. Please do not try to bring more concentrated peroxide through as you may be in for a long weekend.

As long as the total liquid is less than 3.4 ounces, you should be able to bring the E-juice for vaping in your carryon. Any more than that will have to go in your checked luggage. Vaping devices can only be carried on (not in checked bags) and should be marked and disassembled. (just be prepared to explain what they are to a TSA agent, should they ask).

Veronica, yes, you can absolutely bring your insulin pump – but your supplies need to be accompanied by insulin. The TSA regulations specifically state that any diabetes-related supplies, equipment, and medication are allowed through security once they have been properly screened by X-ray or

As long as it fits in your approved carry-on bag, I don’t think you should have a problem. Molcagetes are really heavy though, so be careful stowing once on board. If you decide to check it, you may incur overweight baggage fees.

I don’t see anything specifically mentioning steering wheel locks, but, given their size and heft, I would imagine that they are treated like baseball bats, pool cues and other like sporting equipment. You should be able to check it but probably won’t be able to carry it on.

Needles and scissors under 4 inches in length are allowed in your carry-on baggage, but circular thread cutters or any other cutter or needlepoint tools that contain blades must be placed in checked baggage. Whether or not you are permitted to actually sew on the flight may depend on your airline. And, as always, the TSA agent is the ultimate authority, so even it it is permitted by rule, they may ask you to throw it out. Good luck.

Can I bring a small bottle of liquid medication (less than 3.4 oz) and syringes for its injection (for erectile dysfunction) as a carry-on or in my checked baggage?

Medications are allowed – along with the products that go with them – even in larger quantities than 3.4 ounces. You can bring syringes when accompanied by the medication, but NOT without medication.

The TSA allows fishing poles, but as a carry-on, you should call your airline to see if the pole exceeds their carry-on limits or their regulations. Tackle is OK as a carry-on, but just be sure that you don’t have any knives or large fishing hooks. You would probably be safer checking your equipment though, as you are subject to the flight crew and airline’s rules and interpretation of them.

I broke my wrist, have metal hardware implanted and wear a brace with metal in it to keep my wrist from bending. Can I wear brace on plane? Flying internationally on British Air from Toronto to London to Stockholm.

Both loose leaf tea and tea bags are allowed in carry-ons and checked bags with no restrictions. Just make sure the herbal tea doesn’t include any – ahem – illicit herbs.

Perhaps we need a post on specifically on camping gear, but you should be able to bring cooking stoves WITHOUT the fuel. TSA does not allow you to carry canister fuel on an airplane, but can carry a fuel bottle for a liquid fuel stove if you take the proper precautions. However, it still may be confiscated by a TSA employee. Attempt at your own risk.

Walt, a walking cane – or crutches – falls under the category of a mobility device. There’s little restriction on such safety- and health-related items. You should have no problem bringing it on – unless you have one with a concealed blade or other weapon/hidden compartment.

Absentee Bid - A procedure which allows a bidder to participate in the bidding process without being physically present. Generally, a bidder submits an offer on an item prior to the auction. Absentee bids are usually handled under an established set of guidelines by the auctioneer or his representative.

Absolute Auction - An auction where the property is sold to the highest qualified bidder with no limiting conditions or amount. The seller may not bid personally or through an agent. Absolute auctions are also known as an auction without reserve.

Accredited Investor - A person or institution deemed capable of understanding and affording the financial risks associated with the acquisition of unregistered securities. The federal securities laws define the term accredited investor in Rule 501 of Regulation D as:a bank, insurance company, registered investment company, business development company, or small business investment company;

a natural person with income exceeding $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with a spouse exceeding $300,000 for those years and a reasonable expectation of the same income level in the current year; or

Abandon - A well is permanently plugged and abandoned if it is drilled and found to be a dry hole, or in the case of a producing well, it is not economically productive.

Acidizing- A technique for increasing the flow of oil and/or gas into a well. Hydrochloric acid is pumped into the oil-bearing rock. The acid dissolves limestone in the producing zone enlarging pores and flow into the well bore with less restrictions.

Auction With Reserve - An auction in which the seller or his agent reserves the right to accept or decline any and all bids. A minimum acceptable price may or may not be disclosed and the seller reserves the right to accept or decline any bid within a specified time. See absolute auction for the definition of an auction without reserve.

Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) - An estimate of the costs of drilling and completing a proposed well, which the operator provides to each working-interest owner before the well is drilled. Various categories of costs are typically listed as "dry hole" costs (the costs to drill to the casing point; these are costs that would be incurred if no indications of hydrocarbons are found), completion cost (the additional costs to complete the well), and the total cost.

Back In - The type of interest in a well or property that becomes effective at a specific time in the future, or on the occurrence of a specified future event; usually pay out to investors of their initial well costs.

Behind Pipe- If a well drills through more than one pay zone and is completed in the deepest productive reservoir, casing is set all the way down to the producing zone. Viewed from (a perspective) inside the borehole, reserves in the shallower pay zones up the hole are behind the casing (pipe).

Bidder`s Choice- A method of sale whereby the successful high bidder wins the right to choose a property or properties from a grouping of similar or like-kind properties. After the high bidder"s selection, the property is deleted from the group, and the second round of bidding commences, with the high bidder in round two choosing a property, which is then deleted from the group and so on, until all properties are sold.

Blowout - The uncontrolled flow of gas, oil or other fluids from a well. This happens when the down-hole pressure gas is not properly balanced by the weight of drilling mud.

Blowout Preventer (BOP) - The equipment installed at the wellhead to control pressures in the annular space between the casing and drill pipe or tubing during drilling, completion, and workover operations. Also known as a Christmas tree.

Broker Participation - An arrangement whereby 3rd-party brokers register potential bidders for properties being sold at auction for a commission. The commission is paid by the owner of the property or the auction firm.

Cased Hole - A well in which casing has been inserted. If the casing does not extend all the way to total depth, the uncased portion is referred to as an open hole.

Cementing or "Setting Pipe" - A process whereby cement is pumped into the hole between the walls of the hole and the outside of the casing. Upon hardening, the cement holds the pipe in place and prevents fluid movement in the hole.

Circulation - The continuous pumping of drilling fluid ("mud") from mud tanks at the surface: down through the drill pipe, out the nozzles of the drill bit, and back to the surface through the space between the drill pipe and the borehole. The flow of mud moves the rock cuttings and carries them up to the mud system, by the shale shaker.

Coiled Tubing- A long, small diameter pipe flexible enough to be stored on and deployed from a large, truck-mounted roll. It is used to replace jointed pipe in certain types of drilling, completion, and workover operations.

Completion - A general term referring to all activities necessary to put a well on production after it has been drilled to casing point. The completion phase of operations generally includes cleaning out the well bore, setting the casing and tubing into the hole, adding surface equipment (pumps, tanks, meters) and perforating the casing so that oil or gas can flow into the well and be brought to surface. Once a well is completed, it is ready to produce oil or gas.

Condensate - Hydrocarbons naturally occurring in the gaseous phase in the reservoir that condense into a liquid at the surface (due to the change in pressure and temperature).

Conditions of Sale - The legal terms that govern the conduct of an auction, including acceptable methods of payment, terms, buyer"s premiums, possession, reserves and any other limiting factors of an auction. They are usually included in published advertisements or announced by the auctioneer prior to the start of the auction.

Convertible Interest- An interest (usually a non-cost-bearing interest) that may, at the option of the owner or on specified date or owner occurrence be changed into another type of interest (usually a cost bearing interest). Example: a 5% overriding royalty convertible to a 1/8 (=12.5%) working interest after payout.

Core - A cylindrical column of rock usually 4 to 6 inches in diameter cut in lengths of about 30 feet by a special drill bit (the operation is like removing the core from an apple). After the core has been brought to the surface, it is examined by geologist for shows of hydrocarbons.

Daily Drilling Report - A record / report of the daily operations on a working drilling rig and, traditionally, phoned, faxed, emailed, or radioed in to the office of the drilling company and possibly the operator every morning.

Density Log - A special radioactivity log for open-hole surveying that responds to variations in the specific gravity of formations. It is a contact log (i.e., the logging tool is held against the wall of the hole). It emits neutrons and then measures the secondary gamma radiation that is scattered back to the detector in the instrument. The density log is an excellent porosity-measure device, especially for shaley sands. Some trade names are Formation Density Log, Gamma-Gamma Density Log, and Densilog.

Depletion Allowance - An allowance granted on taxable income from oil and gas by the Federal and most State Governments. The current Federal rate is 15% of gross income.

Desander - A centrifugal device for removing sand from drilling fluid to prevent abrasion of the pumps. It may be operated mechanically or by a fast-moving stream of fluid inside a special cone-shaped vessel, in which case it is sometimes called a hydro-cyclone.

Dipmeter Survey - An oil well surveying method that determines the direction and angle of formation dip in relation to the borehole. It records data that permit computation of both the amount and direction of forma