Boart Longyear’s Quick Descent Roller Latch Decreases Wireline Trip Time by 50%

Boart Longyear, the world's leading integrated exploration drilling services, equipment and performance tooling provider, is introducing the Quick Descent™ Roller Latch™ to the surface drilling market to decrease wireline trip time by up to 50 percent and increase the bottom line for drilling contractors.

The Quick Descent Roller Latch decreases the time it takes to retrieve core samples and makes tripping the wireline more efficient. Designed with the Boart Longyear Roller Latch technology, the Quick Descent Head Assembly also features a patented free flow design.

The design incorporates a hollow spindle, latch body integrated check valve, axial grooves, and a tapered profile that optimizes the flow of fluid directly from the inner tube through the head assembly. The result is reduced fluid drag against the Quick Descent Roller Latch for increased tripping speed.

"The free flow design also uses corrosion- and wear-resistant components for a smooth and reliable functionality with less resistance in different hole angles," said Chris Lambert , Boart Longyear global product manager. "The wireline descends at a faster rate with the free flow design of the Quick Descent Roller Latch, allowing mining contractors to be more efficient when retrieving core, especially on deeper holes."

The Roller Latch technology eliminates the low strength and jamming associated with traditional "swing-out" latch mechanisms and features a locking coupling that connects the drill string directly to the outer tube — locking the roller latches causes the head assembly to rotate with the rod string. This eliminates the need for any adapter coupling, drive key, or tang feature, for quick and more reliable operation.

A MKII™ spearhead assembly provides added strength and safety, featuring self-lubricating nylon to reduce wear, a self-centering spearpoint with multiple detent positions and an innovative design to eliminate pinch points. The MKII spearhead includes a new heavy-duty spring that provides a 30 percent increase in detent positioning strength and is treated for consistent, extended performance.

The Quick Descent is compatible with all genuine Q wireline systems; the BQ/BQTK, NQ/NQTK, HQ and PQ. The Quick Descent Roller Latch comes from the same family as its counterpart; the Quick Pump-in Roller Latch Head Assembly.

To learn more information about Roller Latch technology, visit www.boartlongyear.com/roller-latch.