Life on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico

4 of 11

Keeping the pressure on

Here mud is Injected into a well by a hollow drill pipe.

Mud lubricates the drill bit and, on its way back up, fills space between the drill pipe and the well bore, carrying soil and rock out of the hole.

The mud keeps pressure on the oil reservoir so oil or gas does not escape.

NEXT: 'These guys don't play'

Last updated July 01 2010: 5:09 PM ET

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