Drill Pipe Connection

Care and Handling

w w w. c o m m a n d e n e r g y. c o m
 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction to double shoulder connections 2

Picking up new pipe 3
Thread Compound Application (Doping) 4
Making up connections 6
Good Tripping Practice 7
Interface with the Top Drive 8
Interface with Iron Roughneck 9
Care and Maintenance 9
Quick Inspection 10
Trouble Shooting 13

Disclaimer
All material contained in this publication is for general information only. While every effort has been made to insure the accuracy of this
information, this material is presented as a reference guide only. Command Energy Services cannot assume responsibility for the results ob-
tained through the use of this material. No expressed or implied warranty is intended.

Command Energy
 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Introduction to API

Command Energy is a manufacturer of

Standard API Connections and provides
American Petroleum Institute (API) certified
connections in a variety of pipe lengths,
diameters and steel grades licensed for:

API Specifications 5DP (ISO 11961:2008)

API Specifications 7-1 and 7-2 (ISO 10424-
1:2004 and ISO 10424-2:2007)
NS-1

Introduction to Command Double Shoulder Connections

Smaller OD and Larger ID for slimhole
drilling and improved hydraulics.
Primary Shoulder Provides seal
and preload just as on
Higher Torsional Capacity(25% to conventional tool joint
90% above API RSC)

Increased Wear AllowanceUser

friendly and run like API
RSC(stabbing, spinning running &
one bite torquing)
Secondary Shoulder Does not
Better resistance to fatigue contact when joint is hand tight,
but only when the joint is torqued
up to the recommended MUT

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Command Energy
 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Picking Up New Pipe

Final check before going to the rig floor

Visually examine thread protectors for damage such as dents or crushing. If thread
protectors are damaged, inspect thread on that joint for damage.

If joints were shipped to the rig with rust preventive compound on threads, it must be
removed. Use soap and water, steam or a vapor degreasing solvent such as Varsol. It is
important that no residue remains on the threads after cleaning. Avoid diesel as it leaves a
slippery film that prevents good application of running compound.

If the joints were shipped to the rig with thread running compound dope such as Koprkote,
it is not necessary to remove it unless there is a suspected problem.

Visually inspect the threads for damage or foreign material. Damaged threads or foreign
material on the threads can cause galling or improper make up.

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 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Picking Up New Pipe

* Replace broken
Thread Protectors protectors to protect
connections.
Thread protectors must be on all
connections at all times when the * Have a stock of
spare protectors on
joints are moved or when bringing the the rig.
tool up from the rig floor
* Note: When drifting
pipe, make sure that
you are not breaking
Protectors should be removed on the protectors.
rig floor

Connection Break In on the Rig Floor

Before joints are put in service, connection must be broken in a

factory make and break or on the rig floor. For the rig floor break
in follow the below steps:

1. Make up joints as slow as possible to 100% of make up

torque (MUT).
Break them out. If the break out torque is less than the
MUT, the connections do not have to be separated.

2. Make up the connections again to the same.

Break them out. Separate pin and box then reapply thread
compound.

3. Make up joints as slow as possible again to MUT of Step 1

and now they are ready to run.

Command Energy
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 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Thread Compound Application (Doping)

Compound selection and application

Make sure secondary shoulder of pin and box is

clean and free of drilling fluid solids.

It may be necessary to rinse drilling fluid off

threads before applying compound.

Use a good brush that does not lose its hair which
can create a channel for micro-washout when
trapped between sealed shoulders.

Compound selection and application

Before makeup, the following surfaces of pin and boxes should be coated with a good
quality thread compound;

Threads (~1/3 of thread height)

Primary shoulder makeup
Secondary make up shoulder
Metal to metal seal when applicable

PRIMARY SHOULDER

THREADS

SECONDARY SHOULDER

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Command Energy
 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Protectors

Pins and boxes must receive * NOTE:

fresh compound. When racking
back pipe, best
Compound practice is to practice is to
apply it; apply clean
thread protector
to pin to protect
thread and
On pins during RIH. shoulder surfaces
On boxes during POOH. from dirt/debris/
damage.

Thread Compound Application (Doping)

EXAMPLE:
Compound Friction Factor (FF)
Recommended MUT
The compound Friction Factor (FF) reflects the resistance for CET (4-7/8 x
2-11/16) with 1.0 FF
to torqueing. The higher the FF, the more torque can be compound 22,500
applied to load the connection with the same stress. ft-lb.

Unless otherwise specified, our documents show make up With 1.10 FF: apply
torque based on a FF of 1.0. 24,750 ft-lb (1.10 x
22,500)
Multiply our torque values with 1.0 FF by the compound
supplier FF value (without exceeding 1.15). With 1.20 FF: apply
27,000 ft-lb (1.20 x
22,500)

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Command Energy
 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Make Up Connections
Stabbing In Connections

Using a Stabbing Guide;

Increases safety (removing pinch point).
Ensures connection alignment
(misalignmentdamages threads and
seals).
Saves rig time (no need to stabilize string
beforestabbing)
Use stabbing guide to prevent the end
of the pin from striking the box make up *NOTE: Automatic stabbing systems (top
shoulder when stabbing the pin into the drive, iron roughneck, pipe racking systems)
box. must be set to ensure alignment.

Stabbing In Connections

Using a Stabbing Guide;

Increases safety (removing pinch point).

Ensures connection alignment
(misalignmentdamages threads and seals).
Saves rig time (no need to stabilize string
beforestabbing).
Maintain proper
alignment when spinning
connections.

Misalignment can damage

*NOTE: Mill varnish may need to be removed threads.
if it fills spinners rollers and create sliding.

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 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Making Up Connections
Gripping the Makeup

Minimum Distance
Place the tongs as low as possible on the box
respecting the requirement for minimum
distance from the sealing shoulder (2).

Tong can be set low on the pin tong area as

long as they do not interfere with the box tool
joint.

If recommended MUT is reached at end of

stroke then re-grip and ensure recommended
MUT is applied.

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Command Energy
 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Good Tripping Practice

Alternate breaks when tripping so that each

connection will be broken.

Monitor break out torque (BOT). BOT should

be less than the make up torque (MUT).
BOT greater than MUT is an indication that
downhole make up or thread damage has
occurred.

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Command Energy
 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Top Drive
Top Drive Bell

The top drive bell (also call top drive flippers)

is the piece of equipment that centers the top
drive saver sub pin connection into the stand
or string upper box connection.

The bell inner diameter shall be adjusted to

be at maximum larger that the tool joint
nominal OD.

Simultaneous multiple connection make

up is NOT recommended as there is a risk of
improper torque application.

Each connection must be made up

individually.

Top Drive Saver Sub (TDSS)

The TDSSs lower connection is the

most made up connection in the
entire string.

If this connection is damaged, it

will propagate throughout the
entire string.

TDSS material specifications must match the material specs for the tool joint connections.
Refer to Command Energy CET/CDS material specs for individual requirements.

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Command Energy
 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Interface with Iron Roughneck

Pressure of Iron Roughneck jaws is important

to avoid egging, tearing TJ material by slippage
(increasing the pressure is not always the solution).

Condition of the jaw dies affects their ability to bite

causing tearing of TJ material by slippage.

Check with the manufacturer for directions on Iron

Roughneck maintenance.

* NOTE: Iron * NOTE: All Iron

Roughneck with Roughneck are
multiple tong not designed to
die points is give a BOT value.
preferable.

Proper Care and Maintenance of Drill Pipe

Calibration: Torque and Handling equipment should be properly adjusted and calibrated.
Cleanliness: All connections (drill pipe, subs, lift plugs, saver subs, etc) and thread
protectors should be clean, thread compound should be free of contamination.
Coverage: 100% of connection thread, seal and shoulder surface should be uniformly
covered with light coat of thread compound.
Control: Drill pipe should be handled, stabbed, made up under complete control.
Clamp: Pressure should be minimized. Tongs should not be positioned over the thin
section of boxes.

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Command Energy
 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Quick Inspection
Checking connection length

With measuring apparatus

With Go/No Go Gauge

*NOTE: Inspection procedure and drawings are available upon request.

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 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Quick Inspection
Connection length adjustment
The pin length and box depth must be within acceptable tolerance for proper operation of
double shoulder connections.
If connection threaded section shows good condition and geometry (profile gauge) the
length could be corrected a follows.

Quick Inspection
Shoulder Damage
The make up shoulder provides the seal and
preload for the connections.
Damage to the make up shoulder can result
in washout, galling of the shoulders or an
improperly made connection.
The pin nose is not a seal.
The sealing shoulder should be inspected frequently using the same procedure and criteria
that is used on conventional API connections.

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Command Energy
 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Quick Inspection
Checking Box Swell

Box depth should be checked on over-torqued connections.

Most swollen boxes can be recut with the same loss of length as conventional tool joints.

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Command Energy
 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Trouble Shooting
High Break Out Torque

Possible root cause Action

Bad positioning of tongs onbreakout Ensure that tong free area on box
(gripping thin section of box). connection is respected.

False BOT reading (torqueing equipment Make sure that tonging equipment is
calibration). calibrated.

Downhole make up (downhole Check BHA tool dynamic recording.

dynamics, likely combined with Use downhole make up search technique.
improper make up). Increase MUT.
Follow 5 points of insufficient torque
applied.

Insufficient torque applied during RIH. Check torqueing equipment.

Confirm the recommended MUT.
Apply recommended MUT (accounting for
thread compound FF).
Respect the tong free area on box
connection.
Monitor MUT on next RIH and BOT on next
POOH.

Suspected connection damage. Get inspection company to confirm.

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Command Energy
 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Trouble Shooting
Downhole Make Up Search Technique

If downhole make up is suspected, punch marks

on the pin and box after make up next to sealing
shoulders when RIH.

With the downhole make up, the position of the

punch marks will change on POOH (1/4 move is
indicative of downhole make up).

Downhole make up can cause

- Compressed/belled box counterbores
- Compressed pin noses.

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Command Energy
 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Trouble Shooting
Low Break Out Torque

Possible root cause Action

False make up torque (torqueing Check torqueing equipment.

equipment calibration, gripping thin
section of box).
Check that clamping pressure is not
excessive.
Confirm the recommended MUT.
Apply recommended MUT.
Respect the tong free area on box
connection.
Monitor MUT on next RIH and Boot on
POOH.
Check torqueing equipment capability to
give BOT.
Respect the tong free area on the box
connection.

Downhole dynamics (likely combined Check BHA tool dynamic recording.

with improper make up). Check torqueing equipment calibration.
Check that clamping pressure is not
excessive.
Confirm what the recommended (max) MUT
is.
Apply recommended MUT (accounting for
thread compound FF.
Increase MUT (if feasible).
Respect the tong free area on box
connection.
Monitor MUT on next RIH and BOT on next
POOH

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Command Energy
 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling
Trouble Shooting
Damaged sealing shoulders
Possible root cause
Pitting: Lack of protection by thread
protectors, no application on sealing
shoulders.
Galling: Lack of compound application,
contamination of compound.
Washout: Insufficient pressure on
shoulders, presence of contaminant, out
of length connections.
Trouble Shooting
Damaged thread / galling / pitting
Possible root cause
Pitting: Lack of protection by thread
compound, compound breakdown by
drilling practices, exposure to drilling
fluid.
Galling: Lack of compound application,
contamination of compound.
Command Energy
Action
Make sure shoulders receive thread
compound.
Make sure protectors are clean.
Make sure shoulders receive thread
compound.
Check condition of saver sub.
Make sure that joints with galled shoulders
are segregated and repaired.
Check compound is not contaminated.
Make sure brush hair are not falling off.
Make sure recommended MUT is applied.
Action
Make sure connections receive 100%
coverage thread compound.
Make sure protectors are clean.
Make sure dope is compatible with drilling
fluid.
Make sure that joints with galled shoulders
are segregated and repaired.
Check condition of saver sub.
Make sure connections receive 100%
coverage thread compound.
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 Drill Pipe Connection Care and Handling

Trouble Shooting
Damaged sealing shoulders

Possible root cause Action

Pitting: Lack of protection by thread Make sure connections receive 100%

compound, compound breakdown by coverage thread compound.
drilling practices, exposure to drilling Make sure protectors are clean.
fluid. Make sure dope is compatible with drilling
fluid.

Galling: Lack of compound application,
contamination of compound.
Make sure that joints with galled shoulders
are segregated and repaired.
Check condition of saver sub.
Make sure connections receive 100%
coverage thread compound.

Contact Command Energy for additional assistance:

sales@commandenergy.com
engineering@commandenergy.com
281-921-8889

CANADA USA
Corporate Headquarters: Commercial Operations
406 - 22 Avenue and Sales:
Nisku, Alberta 3434 Greens Rd.
T9E 7W8 Houston, TX
780-955-9331 77032
281-921-8889

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