Question 3250 Deck General

The correct answer is D) compensator. The heave or drill string compensator is the element used to keep the weight on the bit at a constant value despite the up-and-down movement of a MODU (Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit) during floating drilling operations. The compensator acts as a shock absorber, adjusting the weight on the bit to maintain a consistent drilling force, even as the MODU experiences heave due to wave action. The other options are incorrect because a tensioner is used to maintain tension in the drill string, a stabilizer is used to provide lateral support to the drill string, and an equalizer is used to distribute weight evenly across multiple drill string components, but none of these specifically address the issue of maintaining a constant weight on the bit during floating drilling operations.