A “spinning cathead” in the oil and gas industry refers to a cathead attachment that facilitates the spinning of drill pipe during make-up or break-out operations, often using a spinning chain. It’s essentially a spool-shaped device that provides a rotating surface for a spinning chain to grip and spin the pipe.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Cathead:A cathead is a spool-shaped attachment on the drawworks of a drilling rig, used for various rope-handling tasks, including lifting and moving equipment.
- Spool Attachment:The spinning cathead is specifically designed as an attachment to the makeup cathead, enabling the use of a spinning chain.
- Spinning Chain:A spinning chain is a Y-shaped chain used to tighten drill pipe joints. One end of the chain is attached to the tongs, another to the spinning cathead, and the third end is free.
- Function:When the free end of the spinning chain is wrapped around the drill pipe and the cathead rotates, the chain pulls and spins the pipe, tightening the joint.
- Makeup and Breakout:The spinning cathead is used to make up (tighten) or break out (loosen) drill pipe joints, making it a critical component in oil and gas drilling operations.
