Midland Oil Tools & Services

Why Oilfield Equipment Depends on the Small Stuff More Than You Think

Drilling operations are often associated with the loud and massive machines—the drilling rigs, hoists, and engines—at least, that is what most people visualize. And certainly, these machines are the mainstay of the whole operation, meaning that if the rigs, hoists, and engines were not there, there would be no movement, drilling, or any work done at all.

But here’s the part a lot of outsiders miss: the real efficiency of a drilling site often comes down to the smaller components. The pieces that don’t get headlines. The parts crews burn through every single day. That’s where drilling expendables come in.

Oilfield Equipment: Built for Tough, Constant Work

Oilfield environments don’t forgive mistakes. Equipment has to deal with pressure, heat, mud, vibration, and nonstop movement. Rigs, power tongs, elevators, slips, handling tools—everything is designed to keep pipe moving safely and consistently.

A few things matter most:

Durability under heavy loads

Reliability during long runs

Easy operation for crews under pressure

The breakdown of any piece of equipment causes the entire operation to come to a halt. The money lost per minute varies, but it is always significant. For this reason, reliable equipment should not be viewed merely as a purchase but as an investment into time saved, safety, and workflow predictability.

Where Drilling Expendables Fit Into the Picture

While the big tools last for years, drilling expendables are the items that get used up, replaced, or swapped repeatedly. Think:

Inserts and dies

Wear parts

Seals and gaskets

Hydraulic components

Replacement grips

They’re smaller, but they’re the parts that take the punch of daily operations. When you’re making up thousands of threaded connections or running pipe day after day, expendables absorb most of the wear so major equipment doesn’t fail.

In other words, expendables are the quiet insurance policy that keeps rigs running smoothly.

Why Teams Can’t Ignore the “Replaceable” Parts

If expendables run out, get damaged, or don’t fit correctly, things slow down fast. In some cases, operations stop altogether. A torn seal, worn die, or damaged insert can mean:

Poor torque performance

Thread damage

Safety risks

Costly downtime

The Bottom Line

Yes, heavy-duty oilfield equipment does the big lifting. But drilling expendables keep that equipment alive. One provides power; the other provides longevity. Together, they’re what make drilling operations safe, steady, and profitable.