A '
Swivel'' is a mechanical device used on a
drilling rig
A drilling rig is an integrated system that Drilling, drills wells, such as oil or water wells, or holes for piling and other construction purposes, into the earth's subsurface. Drilling rigs can be massive structures housing equipment used to ...
that hangs directly under the
traveling block
A traveling block is the freely moving section of a block and tackle that contains a set of pulleys or sheaves through which the drill line (wire rope) is threaded oreevedand is opposite (and under) the crown block (the stationary section).
Th ...
and directly above the
kelly drive
A kelly drive is a type of well drilling device on an oil or gas drilling rig that employs a section of pipe with a polygonal (three-, four-, six-, or eight-sided) or Rotating spline, splined outer surface, which passes through the matching pol ...
, that provides the ability for the kelly (and subsequently the
drill string
A drill string on a drilling rig is a column, or string, of drill pipe that transmits drilling fluid (via the mud pumps) and torque (via the kelly drive or top drive) to the Well drilling#Drill bits in mechanical drilling, drill bit. The term ...
) to rotate while allowing the traveling block to remain in a stationary rotational position (yet allow vertical movement up and down the derrick) while simultaneously allowing the introduction of
drilling fluid
In geotechnical engineering, drilling fluid, also known as drilling mud, is used to aid the drilling of boreholes into the earth. Used while drilling oil and natural gas wells and on exploration drilling rigs, drilling fluids are also use ...
into the ''drill string''.
See
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.
The equipment ...
for a diagram of a drilling rig.
{{Petroleum-stub
Oilfield terminology
Drilling technology
Petroleum engineering