Definition
Rotary Table — A rotary table is a rotating mechanical platform in the center of the rig floor that turns the kelly and, through it, the entire drill string and bit — the traditional means of transmitting rotation before top drives.
Also known as: rotary table, rotary
What a rotary table is
A rotary table is a heavy, driven turntable set in the rig floor over the wellbore. It houses a master bushing that grips a kelly bushing (or drive bushing); as the table rotates, it turns the kelly, which turns the whole drill string and the bit at the bottom of the hole. The rotary table was the primary rotation source on rigs for most of the last century.
The master bushing also seats the slips used to suspend the drill string in the table when adding or removing a joint. On modern rigs, the top drive rotates the string directly and the rotary table is used mainly for slip support, but many rigs still drill with the rotary.
Key points
- Torque path — rotary table → kelly bushing → kelly → drill string → bit.
- Slip support — the master bushing seats the slips to hold the string during connections.
- Top drive — has largely supplanted rotary drilling but not the table’s slip function.
Renting rotary-drive equipment
Kelly systems, bushings, saver subs and slips are all commonly rented for rotary-table operations. Explore kelly equipment and handling tools, or contact us to outfit your rotary drive.