Drilling String Checklist

 Always know how many joints of drill pipe are on the drill site.

 Always be familiar with the drilling string on board. Check all crossovers,
subs, and handling tools available for operations and verify tool joint
compatibility. Know all drill string weights, grades, and tool joint types.
Inspect and fully caliper, OD and ID all rig provided crossovers and subs.
Request and verify component tests (DS5), x-ray, blacklight inspections and
other appropriate tests.

 A drill string design analysis should be done and updated at regular intervals.

 Develop a list of, and order any additional components that could be required
for operations, including basic fishing tools for all drill string components and
service provider BHA components

 Visually inspect all drill string components and verify test documentation.

 Depending on the drilling conditions an average time to inspect the drill string
is after approximately 300 rotating hours for the BHA, and 50,000 ft. of hole
for the drill pipe. A full DS-5 inspection should be expected if receiving an
“unknown history” string of pipe from a drilling contractor. Any tools to be
used in the drilling well from a contractor must have a Certificate of
inspection showing it passed the inspection, before being used in the well. If
well is of critical nature (i.e. deep HTHP), a DS-1 inspection should be
performed.

 Make certain that items such as Kelly saver subs, surface safety vales have
appropriate thread and/or crossovers.

 Verify maximum stresses and pressures that the drilling string can be
subjected, post and keep all personnel aware of drill string limitations. This
includes torsion and bending moment limitations (section modulus).

 Never run drill pipe in compression. Keep in tension by providing 10- 15%
excess BHA weight.

 Verify and check all tool joint makeup requirements and ensure compliance
on the rig floor.

 Utilize only accepted API makeup torque values.

Drill String_Checklist - IPM

  Limit rotary torque to 80% of recommended tool joint make up. Utilize
torque-limiting devices.

 Periodically check & calibrate rig torque gauges.

 Ensure all tool joints are clean before makeup; apply only acceptable API
pipe dope.

 Encourage rig floor vigilance for identifying any problems in makeup or

overall pipe integrity.

 Be aware of all drilling string and components' cycle time.

 Be aware of prior unexpected failures and consider full black light inspection
if necessary.

 If questions arise as to drilling string integrity, make certain they are

addressed prior to operations. Refer to: Rig Move Checklist.

 Review vibration criteria and causes, use of shock subs, critical rotating
speeds

 Ensure knowledge of dynamic factors such as buoyancy, drilling string

pressure losses, hook load.

 Be aware of tension and stretch information for stuck pipe considerations.

See Stuck Pipe Guidelines.

 Remember to rotate drill pipe on trips. Alternate breaks each trip.

 Always be aware of capacities of the entire string and BHA. Ensure

displacements are always known and complied with!

 Remember to regularly inspect and change the kelly saver sub as it mates
with every joint of drill pipe in the string.

 Drill string vibrations and severe “whipping” of the pipe in the rotary table
may be due to induced harmonics. However, harmonic vibrations in a drill
string are very damaging if action is not taken to eliminate these vibrations.
There are Critical Rotary Speeds (CRS), which will induce resonance in the
drill string. Under ideal conditions, these can be accurately calculated and/or
measured in situ. The well bore, however, presents far from ideal conditions
and calculations will probably not give you THE critical rotary speed. At best
they may give you an idea of about where you may expect to see harmonics
and from this you can estimate a rotary speed range to avoid.

Drill String_Checklist - IPM

  Tool joints should be hard faced with a smooth or alloy type compound.
Avoid coarse and sharp hard facing.

 Consider drill pipe rubbers inside of cased hole, especially if high rotating
speeds are anticipated. Rubbers should be approximately 1/4" OD greater
that tool joints and placed one joint apart. Inspect on each trip. Do not run
drill pipe rubbers in open hole

 Slips should be set about 3' above rotary to avoid bending moments.

 Ensure an inspection Policy is developed utilizing the following criteria

1. Inspection program to be used

2. Acceptance/Rejection criteria

3. Ensuring inspections are done properly

4. Inspection frequency

Note: The T.H. Hill Associates, Inc. Standard DS-1, Drill Stem Design and
Inspection is a guide to setting up an appropriate inspection program and should be
used to assist in setting up your program.

Drill String_Checklist - IPM