.

,
Offshore South East Asia 82 Conference
9-12 February, Singapore

COMBINED SESSION :
WELL COMPLETION/DRILLING

How To Prolong Sewice Life

Of Heavy Wall Drill Pipe
by Jwn Teh (lhomas) Cheng, Sii Drilco
Division of Smith International, Inc., Singapore.
Heavy waUdriU p@elmsfottnd incrdng
vtih-ti=atitinnm~todwti~~b

ttselorweight onthebitirs tUrectionaiitokaandsmaUer

thedril lpiperssnsscarttsedrillcollas%

In thesesevereapplicatio~ proper use,ins@ion and rnaintenarsce

isessential.Heavy wall drill pips
should be mn in a property tapereddrill stringabove the corwwtsizedrill collara. Proper breaker in
proceduresand make up torque should be used. Periodld irupecdon and maintenance,ueing the
correct procedW iscaaential. Hardbastdingwilltsel ppraventwearonth etooljoissbassdeenter
upset and shotdd be repaired using the correct proc&mes when it wears down. Futsdly,accurate
recordsshould be kept of heavy wall ttrill pipe serviceand maintenance.
ADof&8tftM

of theserecomsnersdationswill ersatlv extend tne tsseftdsanica We of heaw wall drill

P&and rduce

overall dsillissgcosta.

Heavy wall drill pipehasfound increasinguscasa key memberin the

drili string, In directional hoks and snsalkr wrticd h~
heavy
waUdrill pipe can supply much of the desiredweighton bit. Heavy
wall drill pip hasalso found ~fuf
useasa transitionmember,
designedto reducedanragein the drill pipe run near the drill collars.
By the nature of itsUSC.eitheras weightfor the bit or asa transition
pipe, heavywall driU pipe receivessome of the most scvetesaticcs
of any drift stemmember. As will occurwith any drift stemmember.
$evereservicecan adverselyal%ct its useftdlife. But its ssscfuktess
can be greatly extended by proper use, inspaion, and
trwisstemsnok
How Heavy Wall Drfil Pfpe is Used
When heavy wall dnU pipe is usedfor weight in directional hoie&
the typical assemblyconsistsof four to six stabilizeddrill collars,30
to 70 joints of heavy wall drill pi%. followed by conventionaldrill
pipe to the surface. Usually in a directional well, the slope of the
hole and the weight of the thick walled pipe causesit to lie on the
low side of the hole which preventsit from buckling when run in
compression.
When usedfor weightin ve~ical holes,the heavywall tube Ioscathe
supportafforded by the slopeand hole curvature. [n larged@metcr
vertical holes, buckling and fatigue can occur if excessiveweights
andhigh RPM*s are employed. Field experiencehasshownthat tne
effect of weight and rota? s-d is negligiblewhen the hole sizeis
no larger than the tool Joint outside diameter plus four inches
Figure 1.
For example 41~ hea~ wall drill pipe with a 6% OD tool joint
should not be used for weight in vertiad boles larger than IO%
(6fi OD + 4 = IOH).To do so invitespossiblefatiguedamageto
the thick wall tube.
Heavy waif dtill pipe can ako be run as a transition member to
red= dsiit pip damage. When usedin this manner, the heaw wail
dW#Wkmintimati
_tkmtidriB@~tn~
did
cross-overarea from drilf collars to dti pipe. Ex@estce
indicatesthat 1S to 21 joints of heavy waft drill pipe will gmatfy
redum fatigue failures in this transition zone.
lsnprovisSg
the De!&gssofthe Dritl Btasss
Tapring the dsill string to avoid sudden changes in stiffness
the fatigue lifeof ali
between Wrioue s&3ions cats i~
members. Use of the thcor of bending strength ratios (Section
MddmorI/CwhIhtiMo~t4~ati
Cisthe

external radiusof the t&e) betweenthe vsrioussectionsof the drill

cotlars and driIl pipe, haa hefped to extend the fatigue life of 4
members. field experiencehas shown tha~ by settinga limit of 5.5
ratio,.the failure rate in the crossowr areascan be greatly redtsccd.
In larger hok sizesand in severe dsilling conditions, a further
reductionof this ratio to 3.5 isoften necessaryto adequatelyttdtsce
the frequencyof failures.
Figure 2 is a graphic representationof data to provide a quick
referencef~ sizingthe top stand of drill collarsto sunbelowvariotsts
&s of !.~vy wafl drill pipe. when largerdrill coU#s are required,
at **
one stand (three drifl ccdlats)of the ~
upper firtsk
C:~ shotddbe mn betwxm the heavy wall dsifl pipe and the larger
drill coitars.
Tapetectdrill collar stringsare being usedwith greaterfrequencyin
holesizesof 9 -%and larger, becausethe largerdiametercoliarsatc
requiredon bottom for efkient drilling, ~y idealizeddesignusing
bending strengthratios would require too many different sizesfor
practical application.
when a tapereddrill collar string is used,collarsare usualfylirtsitetJ
to two or three sizes because of the time mquimd to change
handling toolsfor each size, Expereienccindicatesthat reductionin
sizeshould never exceed2 in diameter betweensections,and that
at !eastone stand (three joints) of the smaller diameter drill collar
shotdd be used at each crossover point. These limitations are
especiallycritical when usingdrill colfars9 in diameter or larger.
Usaofstress tclieffeaturaa osstheboxand pinconmcttCSsWaed
as cold working the thread roots, will reduceworking stressIevefs
and increasethe life of the connections.
T@ to FOUOWat the Rig
Increasingservicelife also includescomake up prwxhsres for
the connections or heavy wall drll pipe. Tlse same bti
in
for Ss4smsm
~-~~mdfim~amm~
connection life. For the inithd make up connectionssftotdd be
thoroughly cleaned, dried, and well Iubrbted with a proper drill
colfar tht%adcompound, It isgood rig pracdceto slowlywalk in the
connection using chain tongs and then make it up to the
recommendedtorque with the rig tongs. The connectionshould
then be broken OULfor minor dartq% relubricated,and
make up a~in to the proper toque.
Tabkllists themxmmndd
Matkauptorqssaforheavywaildrdl
pipe. llseaevalue aarethesam eaawoufdbe Usedondtincdars

#
with h

comsponding OD and ID and connectionsizeand type.

Tlmad protectorsshouldalways be usedto protectthe threadsand

shotddersfrom handlingdama& whenthe cottnostionisnot in use.
A mashed thread wiU prevent proper make up while a mashed
shoulder cannot seal Both conditions till lead to down hole
Washottw

especiallywhen @ for directionaldrilling, If the hard metal on ,he

taper is severelyworn, theremaining hard metal shotdd be blcwn
off with the air arc technique and the pipe re-hardbandcd with a
flush deposit. Hardbanding should not be Iayed over old hardbandingon the 18 taper as the raisedtungstencarbideparticks wiU
cattw excessivewear to occur in the elevators.
Remssia

i&iodic inspection of the heavy wall driU pipe .lelpsto ettstuc

maximum selife, The connections cm be insby
conventionaldrill coUar methods.St.- eommtration aon the
tube, at the box and pin ends arid center upsets,should be buf%d
clean and inswith the dry powder magnetic partick
inspectionmethod (see FlgrIra 3). SmaUcrackscan often beground
out and bkrded in. fhn~erous sttessriserssuch as stencil marks,
shotdd be avoided in th~ mas, Slip damage should be removed
by grinding and blending,The remaining tube areasother thari the
upsetareas. may be inspectedby ntagnaflux or standardelectronic
methods. but field experienceindicatesfatigue is not a problem in
th- remaining areas.
During inspectioththe tool joint and center upseL as weU as the
hardbanding shotddbe examined for wear. The OD and ID of the
tooljoints and the OD of the centerupsetshouldberecorded.Worn
tool joints or center upsetcan often beeconomically built up with a
sulmwged arc processin a qualifkd re~ir shop(sea Photo 1}
The tool joints may be built up if the minimum mnaining material
is I / 16above the bad diameter of the connection(aecTabk 2). At
last 1Aof material must remain at any point on the circumference
its
build up. Pipe with severelyworn
of the rotter upsetto permit
tool joima may sometimes be salvaged by stttb weidittg rtew
matesial onto the old tool joint.
Eccentricwar is ttsuaUydue to crooked pipe. The stiffnessof the
heavy waUdriU pipe may require ttie uscofa heaw duty drill coUar
stmightenerfor swxessftdstraightening.

Tunt@ten carbide panicles irdatd flush on thetool$ints ano

**mtitidti-~*~to casingand limo
Tool jointa with inlaid hardfacingshotdd IX m-hard-banded whets
the tool joint is % under nominal size. Hard metal osrt be
successfullyovedayed on old hard-metal only if a very thin deposit
remains.The centerupsetb re-hardbanded by owxiaying another
3 wide band on both sides, 1 away from the old hardband (see
Figura 4),
The 18 taper of the box should be WU protectedwith hard metal.

FinaUy, accurate records should be kept of hemy wall drill pip

seMce and maintenance.serial numbersshotdd be steel-stencilled
in ~ high numbersnear the tool joint OD on the 18 taper on the
pin end. Do not stencilnumberson the tube. i! k good praoti@t:
occasionallymstencilthese numbers befote they Lueoblitetad by
wear.
Corsclwdon
A stwessful ddling oyation requiresthat the hole be dri!!cd to
meet specifkations at the minimum cost. Proper usage,periodic
inspection and maintenance. plus an understandingof the tools
being used, are mqttirementsfor prolonging their seMce life and
reducingdrilling expenses.
References:
1.

Drilling Magazine, Staff Report, Nov. 1%7.

2.

PursveU, G.M. Bud: Heavy WaU Pipe Aids ~~Otltii

DtiUi Ig, AAODC Annual DriUing Confercrt=. LOSAngeles.
CaliL, Dec. 11, 1968. Published DnUing-DCW Magazine,
Aptil 1969.

3.

Ganett. W. R.: Heres a Way to Prevent Costly DriU Pipe

Tube Wear, published DnUing-DVW Magazine, Expositionin-Frin~ 197i.

4.

Lewis, R.W. Rusty: How to Stretch Your Tool Joint

DoUar, DriMng-DCW Magazine, April I & 20, may, 1972.

5.

MiUer, -die:
HOW to Bridge ~
pipesZone of Destrttction, Ddksg-DCW Magazine, June 1973.

6.

Lewis. R.W. Rusty: How to Prolong DriU String Life,

Petrokum Engineer, September 1973.

7.

~
R.W. Rusty: 71sa DriUStristg Pinch, DriBissg-DCW
I@@szine,April 5. AprU 20, May 5, 1974.

8.

Rowe, Morris E: Heavy WaU DriU Piw A Key Member of

the DriU Stem, Presentedat the Joint Petroleum Mechanical
Engineering and Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference,
Mexico City, Mexico, September, 1976.

9.

Klattzimki, R.S.: HO & M Improves Drilling Ffficiwtcy by

Using Heavy-WaU Drill Pipe, The Oil& GasJountai Feb. 6,
1978.

- A = Hevi-Wate3 drill pipe tool joint 012

-B

= A + 4 = Maximum hole size to run

Hevi-Wate@ drill pipe
for bit weight
for vertical hole drilling
3-1/2
4,0

%-t:

o
0

-mme@!d

Hevi-Wate@ drill pipe

4-3/4 + 4 = 8-3/4 max. hole size
Hevi-WateQ drill pipe =
5.I/4
+ 4 = 9-1/4 max. hole size

4-1/2

Hevi- Wate@ drill pipe =

6-1/4 + 4 = 10-1/4 max. hole size

Hevi-Wate@drill pipe =
6.1/2 + 4 = 10-1/2 max. hole size

Msaianmnlfok Shnto Rmlbi-WM8@

73A
7~7y4

0$i#F@eforfMWdSM

_SUGGESTEDUPPER>
LIMIT FOR

STRAIGHT

HOLES

7
6y4
61/2:
6

5
SUGGESTED UPPER LIMIT
FOR SEVERE DRILLING
CONDITIONS
31/2

HEVI-WATE

mm2:chartfor

~g

4.

4~~*

DRILL PIPE SIZE

IMeximum Size Drill (Mars to Run Below Hevi-Wate@ Drill P@

TABLE 1
MAKE UP TORQUE FOR HEAVY WALL DRILL PIPE
5 Hevi-Watt?drill ~ipe,
with NC 50 (4% IF) Connection
..and 3-1/8 ID
Tool Joint Torsional
Yield (Ft-lb)

Make Up Torque
(Ft-lb)

64

50,000

28,400

6-3/8 *

46,500

26,400

6+

40,400

23,000

5-1/8 *

34,800

19,800

6*

29,400

16,700

Tool Joint OD
(inches)

~3# Hevi-wate
drill
md 2-7/8 ID

pipe,

with

Nc 46 (4 IF) Connection

Tool Joint Torsional

Yield (Ft-lb)

Make Up Torque
(Ft-lb)

6k

38,800

22,000

38,400

21,800

5-7/8 *

36,100

20,500

5-3/4 *

31,200

17,700

Tool Joint OD
(inches)

4 Hevi-Wate drill pipe, with NC 40 (4 FH) Connection

and 2-11/16 ID
Tool Joint Torsional
Yield (Ft-lb)
I

Make Up Torque
(Ft-lb)

54

23,500

13,400

5-1/8 *

23,000

13,100

5*

19,200

10,900

Tool Joint OD
(inches)

34 Hevi-wate drill pipe with NC 38 (3% IF) Connection

and 2-3/16 ID
Tool Joint OD
(inches)

Tool Joint Torsional

Yield (Ft-lb)

Make Up Torque
(Ft-lb)

4-3/4 *

17,600

10,000

4-5/8 *

14,300

8,100

* Indicates that the weaker member is the box.

Conventional
drill collar
connection inspection
for box and pin

Dry powder inspection

of stress concentratim
areas
*7.,.
I
i?

-3

:koumadA

Masthnpu$m.

hltO 1 Submerged Arc Process for Buiid-up.

&

TABLE 2

HEVI-WAT<DRILL PIPE - BUILD-UP RECOMMENDATION

Minimum Size for Build-up

Worn Tool Joint
Nominal
Size
(ins.)

Type
Tool Joint

Standard
Finished
(i~~.)

*Minimum
Tool Jt.
OD

*Minimum
Shoulder
Width
of Jt.
(ins.)
3/8

NC 50 (4% IF)

6-1/16

4+

NC 46 (4 IF)

5-7/8

NC 40 (4 FH)

5-1/16

34

NC 38 (3% IF]

4-5/8

Center Upset
Finished Minimum**
OD Before
(%. ) B;;::-;p
.
54

7/16

5%

5
I

4-3/4
I

3/8

4%

44

3-3/4

II

Both the shoulder width and the OD of worn tool joint must be greater
than the above-listed minimums for the tool to be acceptable for
build-up. This is applicable for both eccentric and concentric worn
tool joints.

** Worn dimension of center upset must be at least 1/8 larger than

nominal pipe dimens+on at all points around the circumference to be
acceptable for build-up.

,,,

hardband

New hardband

T,,,

II