Dusting

This picture shows the typical setup of an air rotary rig in south-central Kentucky. The flatbed truck on the right is used in the transport of drill pipe. As the flatbed is nearly empty, this well is nearing total depth. The vertical mast is a draw-works with pulleys and hydraulics used to add or remove sections of pipe. The rig works by rotating the string of pipe at the surface. A bit at the bottom of the string of pipe works like a rotating jackhammer to crush rock. The pressure of the air used to drive the bit also blows the crushed rock out of the hole.