NS-5 DSFP Rig Team Handbook PDF

CONTENTS
■ Introduction
■ Properties of Drillstring
Components
■ Rig Operations
■ Inspection
■ Fatigue
■ Failure Mechanisms And How To

Recognise Them
■ If Failure Occurs
■ Failure Prevention Methods
■ Tables
• Rotary Shouldered Connection
Nomenclature
• Tool Joint Make-up Torque (ft-lbs)
• Tool Joint Make-up Torque (daN.m)
• Drill Pipe Tensile Capacity (ft-lbs)
• Drill Pipe Tensile Capacity (kN)
• Identification Markings on Completion
of Routine Inspection
• Friction Factors for different make-up
thread compounds
• API Recommended Practice for Mill Slot
and Groove Method of Drillstring
Identification
DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO 1

INTRODUCTION
Purpose
This Rig Handbook was developed to be an easy
reference document for Offshore Personnel who
have attended the Onshore Drillstring Failure Courses
performed by O.C.T.G. Procter Consultancy Ltd.
People who have not yet attended these courses will
find this handbook useful and it will hopefully help
them to also play a part in preventing drillstring
failures.
Properties, Inspection, and Design of the Drillstring,
as well as the Rig Operation and the Environment
which the Drillstring is exposed to, all contribute to
the prevention of Drillstring Failures.
O.C.T.G. Procter Consultancy have investigated the
cause of many drillstring failures, and information
from these are available to their customers through
the O.C.T.G. Procter Consultancy Failure Database.
Following are some failures which are included in the
database.
Failure No. 1
The failed item was the top sub of a LWD sonic tool.
The tool was found to have separated at the box
connection when the string was pulled.
Failure Mechanism : Torsional
Root Cause : Low Yield Strength, due to downhole

frictional heating.
Learning Points from the investigation were:

1 The section showed on initial visual examination
to have belled and the threads showed severe
distortion which would have been consistent with
the connection yielding, under torsional loading.
2 The 2% proof stress (yield) and tensile test results
indicated that the material was considerably
below the accepted values for drill string
components manufactured in accordance with API
Spec 7.
2 DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO

INTRODUCTION
• The internal workings of this MWD sub showed

signs of severe heating (estimated to be
>1000˚C). This was likely due to rotation in stuck
situation without ability to circulate.
Failure No. 2
The failed item was a 43/4” Non Magnetic MWD sub
that was found to have stress corrosion cracking at
the pin stress relief groove (SRG).
Failure Mechanism : Stress Corrosion Cracking

(SCC)
Root Cause : The use of a non-magnetic material
that was susceptible to SCC in the mud system in
use for the drilling operation
Learning Points from the investigation were:

1 Ensure corrosion on SRG’s is monitored during
inspection.
2 Hammer peen internal bore of Non Mag Drill collar
components.
3 High Chlorides increase the risk of Stress
Corrosion Crack failures.
4 Use a material more suitable to the drilling
environment it is to be used in.
The defect in the pin relief groove was a stress

corrosion crack, which had propagated through 90%
of the relief groove thickness. The failure was
observed during a routine inspection after chase and
face operations were performed, possibly due to
corrosion pitting in the threads.
The crack occurred under conditions of high

Chlorides residual in the VCM mud having drilled the
Zechstein salt sequence in the previous hole size
with the same mud, as is the normal practice. During
drilling the 5 3/4” hole section between 4344 to
4650m the stress relief groove will have been
exposed to an environment conducive to Stress
Corrosion.

INTRODUCTION
Failure No. 2 cont...

The crack location was unusual in that it occurred in
the SRG, which is usually protected from corrosion
down hole by connection dope.
There was no compressive layer observed in the

bore. A compressive layer of sufficient magnitude to
produce a net compressive stress is necessary to
inhibit the initiation of stress corrosion cracks from
the bore. This is a common defense used on non
magnetic materials to prevent stress corrosion.
Although in this case the crack originates from the
external surface of the tool. It is understood from the
supplier that Hammer Peening was performed then
the tool was honed out (machined out). This would
remove the effects of hammer peening.
Failure No. 3
The failed item was an NC38 pin connection on a
3.1/2” Drill Pipe, 15.5 lb/ft, S-135, that has washed
out at the base of the pin.
Failure Mechanism : Fatigue
Root Cause : Low toughness (charpy) values
Learning Points from the investigation were :

1 Perform new equipment acceptance inspection.
2 Use a manufacturing specification that specifies
adequate toughness requirements for tool joints.
The NC38 connection failed due to a fatigue crack

propagating at the machined groove, positioned at
the base of the pin flat and seal shoulder.
The low charpy toughness value tested on the tool

joint (31 joules average and a single value of 24
joules) would have reduced the resistance of the
material to crack propagation.
A mechanical test performed on another pin tool joint

from this string gave a much higher toughness
charpy value of 74 joules average.

INTRODUCTION
Failure No. 4
The failed item was a joint of 5 inch drill pipe that had
a washout at the pin upset area.
Root Cause(s) :
1. Inadequate Inspection Specification in place
2. Deterioration of the plastic coating

1 Use O.C.T.G. Procter Consultancy Drillstring
Inspection Specification. (Perform ultrasonic
inspection of upset areas)
2 Use a manufacturing specification that gives
adequate toughness values for drill pipe to allow
more resistance to crack propagation
3 API RP 7G is not an inspection specification and is
therefore inadequate in drillstring failure
prevention.
The washout on this joint of drill pipe was from a

fatigue crack that had initiated on the internal
surface of the upset area in a region where the
internal coating had been damaged allowing
corrosion of the metal substrate. Corrosion can
severely reduce the fatigue life of a component.
Inspection performed by the rental company on this

joint of drill pipe was to API RP7G. This does not
require ultrasonic inspection of the upset areas.
Ultrasonic Inspection is the only adequate method of

inspection for detection of fatigue cracks at the
internal upset area.

INTRODUCTION
Failure No. 5
The failed item was a 9.5/8” Positive Displacement
Motor.
Root Cause: Inability to predict accurate motor

change out interval when high stress drilling
conditions are experienced.

1 Use of motors with rotor catchers, which can
prevent the need for expensive fishing time
2 Design improvements or modifications to remove
resultant stress problems are preferable to the
restrictions on operating and drilling parameters.
Failure of the Upper Saver Sub connection was

believed to have originated by fatigue as a result of
drilling and backreaming.
The thread design would seem to be in some

instances susceptible to fatigue failure as a result of
bending and associated vibration. Design
improvements or modifications to remove resultant
stress problems are preferable to the restrictions on
operating and drilling parameters.
The implementation of real time vibration monitoring

in large vertical, deviated and DLS sections would
help in assessing drilling parameters and therefore
reducing the possibility of fatigue failures in
associated equipment.
The final mechanism was a fatigue failure originating

from a stress crack at the corner of the ACME square
type thread. This type of failure is due to the sharp
thread form radius, which would allow a
concentration point for cyclic stress applied to this
connection. Bending is also a likely mode for the
failure. Vibration also increases the growth rate of a
fatigue crack.

INTRODUCTION
Failure No. 6
This washout was a fatigue failure on the box
connection of a crossover sub.
Root Cause : The frequency for inspection was not

soon enough to detect the fatigue crack prior to it
washing out.
Learning points from the investigation were:

1 The necessity of an inspection frequency for all
BHA rotary subs
2 Review of BHA design to reduce stress points
3 Improve awareness of inspection frequency based
on severity of use rather than simply accumulated
rotating hours
Failure No. 7
This washout was a fatigue failure in a joint of 5 inch
drill pipe. Investigation into the failure indicated that
a crack went undetected during routine inspection.
Failure Mechanism: Fatigue
Root Cause(s) :
1. Integrity of plastic coating had not been
maintained, therefore exposing the internal
surface to corrosion fatigue
2. The prove-up of defect indications at time of the
last inspection was not adequate to detect small
fatigue cracks

1 Maintain integrity of internal plastic coating to
prevent corrosion pitting (a stress concentrator for
fatigue)
2 More care to be taken by inspection company on
prove-up of indications from the inspection unit

INTRODUCTION
Failure No. 8
This failure was a twist-off at the pin connection of a
joint of 5 inch heavyweight drill pipe that failed
shortly after a stuck pipe incident.
Failure Mechanism : Torsion
Root Cause(s) :
1 Brittle material (low toughness values and
ductility)
2 Manufacturing specification used (API Spec 7)
does not cover the minimum mechanical
properties required to prevent this type of failure.

1 The pin connection of the tool joint had failed as a
single event low ductility fast fracture. The low
ductility and impact toughness of the tool joint (6
joules) would make it susceptible to this type of
fracture, especially under shock or high bending
2 API specifications do not cover the manufacture of
Heavyweight Drillpipe

INTRODUCTION
Disclaimer of Liability
O.C.T.G. Procter Consultancy Limited has made every
effort to ensure the reliability of the data presented in
this book. However, O.C.T.G. Procter Consultancy
Limited make no representation, guarantee, claim, or
warranty of any kind as to the validity or accuracy of
any data presented herein.

PROPERTIES OF DRILLSTRING
COMPONENTS
Good metal properties in the drillstring is

fundamental in reducing failures.
Bad material can waste all the good efforts put into
careful design, inspection and handling of the
drillstring.
Yield
Strength Toughness
Wall
Thickness
Friction Weld Tube Body Friction Weld

Tool Joint Tool Joint
Internal
Upset
Geometry
• Minimum Yield Strength

determines minimum rated capacity in torsion,
tension, burst and collapse pressure for a
component of a given size
• Minimum Tensile Strength
determines minimum parting load in torsion,
tension, burst and collapse pressure for a
component of a given size
• Maximum Yield Strength
helps ensure that material is not too hard and
brittle
• Minimum Ductility (Elongation)
ensures a minimum amount of plastic stretch
after yield but before parting

COMPONENTS
• Minimum Toughness
ensures a minimum resistance to fatigue crack
extension. Ensures that a component can support
at least a through-wall crack without parting (leak
before break) and that the material is not brittle
• Internal Upset Geometry
determines the stress concentration effect of the
change in wall section at the internal upset on a
drill pipe tube. This in turn affects the fatigue life
of the tube (higher stress=shorter life)
Properties NOT COVERED

by API Specification
• Internal Upset Geometry (Spec 5D, Grade E only,

no Specification for G or S grade drill pipe)
• Yield Strength, Tensile Strength, Ductility (Spec
5D, Spec 7 - no Specification for HWDP,
stabilisers, motors, jars, LWD)
• Toughness (Spec 5D, no Specification for tool
joints, drill collars, subs, HWDP, stabilisers,
motors, MWD, LWD, jars)
O.C.T.G. Procter have developed specifications to

cover many of these important properties of
drillstring equipment not found in API Specifications.

COMPONENTS
Leak Before Break
A good way of lowering drillstring failures comes out

of fracture mechanics.
This is “Leak Before Break”
or in Oilfield Terms
“Washout not Twist-Off”
Slow down the crack growth.
Brittle material will allow the crack to grow rapidly,
whereas tougher material will resist the crack
growth therefore allowing it to washout, resulting in
pump pressure decline, noted by an alert Driller.
• Remember to specify minimum toughness
values when ordering drillstring components
• When ordering drill pipe these toughness
values are very important in the tube body and
tool joint but don’t neglect the friction weld
(failures have occurred in the weld!!)
Figure No.1
Pin connection that failed due to
brittle material (low toughness)

COMPONENTS
Figure No.2
Brittle failure (low toughness)
Both of the tool joint connections in Figure 1 and 2

failed at lower than designed tension.
The toughness values on these tool joints were 16
and 18 joules respectively. They failed due to their
brittle nature. A minimum of 42 joules is
recommended for tool joint toughness.
A “crystallised” appearance (evidence of brittle
material) is apparent at the fracture surface on
Figure 1.

RIG OPERATIONS
Rig Operations
Using the drillstring correctly can help towards

minimising the exposure to a drillstring failure
Examples..............
• Correct make up of connections
• Calibrating load gauges
• Care taken when tripping pipe and handling
Others....................
• Keep thread protectors on the pipe until it is ready
to be made-up
• Visually inspect and dope each connection prior to
make up
• Inspect saver sub regularly (use of a thread profile
gauge)
• Make sure the pipe stabs without hitting the box
shoulder, never roll a pin into the box, always use
a stabbing guide
• Always use two tongs on make and break out
• Always stop pipe before setting slips
• Don’t allow slips to ride pipe out of the hole
• Never jack pipe with a stilson wrench. Use a tool
made for the purpose (Figure No.3)
• Do not check for empty pipe on trips with a
hammer
Figure No.3
The rig crew are the last people to handle and see
the pipe before it makes its way “in the hole”

RIG OPERATIONS
Cleaning Connections and Application of

Thread Compound
Tripping Pipe
Before each joint is added to the string, the
connection must be cleaned and dried. When the
joint is picked up and on each trip, the threads and
shoulders must be doped. The dope and brush must
be kept clean and free from dirt, water, diesel or
other contaminants.
Note : It is advisory to ensure that the inspection
company apply the same make-up thread compound
on completion of inspection, to that which is to be
used offshore. This will minimise the risk of
contaminating the make-up compound with a
storage compound sometimes used by inspection
and rental companies, which can effect the friction
factor and make-up figures for the connection. This
concern has been highlighted when investigating into
the cause of thread galling.
In all cases it is good practice for the rig crew to

remove all thread compound on material returned
from onshore to allow a good visual inspection of the
connections for any obvious damage and to then
apply the required make-up compound.
Cleaning connections prior to adding them to the

string will pay off in three ways:
• It removes foreign material and permits proper
make-up, thereby reducing danger of galling and
connection wobble
• It permits better inspection
• It increases life of connections by elimination of
abrasive materials

RIG OPERATIONS
Picking Up and Laying Down Pipe

When picking up pipe:
• Clean and visually inspect connections for
damage when pipe is on the racks
• Re-dope using approved connection thread
compound
• Re-install thread protectors and leave them on
when moving and picking up pipe, drill collars,
etc.
When laying down pipe:
• Install clean thread protectors prior to placing pipe
in the V-door for lay down
• Wash residual saltwater mud from internal and
external surfaces with fresh water
• Clean the connections, re-dope and install clean
protectors when pipe is back on the racks
Re-doping practice
Aside from using proper thread lubricants, a
consistent policy should be established so that
connections are re-doped during specific operations
that each crew will follow. Basically, there are two
choices, coming out of the hole or going in.
There are advantages and disadvantages of doping
during either one of these operations, but a rig policy
between crews should be established to ensure that
re-doping is done consistently.
Without this policy, one crew may assume that the
other crew doped the connections while coming out
of the hole, and therefore omit doping while going
back in. The result (if the assumption is wrong) could
cause problems due to lack of lubrication. The
reverse situation could also occur, resulting in both
crews re-doping wasting time and dope.
Contamination of thread dope
Another problem with doping connections during
tripping is the risk of contaminants, such as water
and drilling mud, getting in the dope container.
One way to minimise this problem, and to make the
job go faster, is to utilise a dope stand to hold the
container up off the floor. This not only reduces the

RIG OPERATIONS
Figure No.4
Water in the dope bucket
chance of contamination, but also makes it easier
and faster for the floorhand to reach for the brush.
In addition to the dope stand, the container lid should
not be completely removed, exposing the entire
bucket to contaminant entry. Peeling back only a
portion of the lid, or using a lid that is part of the
brush handle will at least minimise the amount of
exposure.
Thread Lubricants
Several types of lubricants are available on the
market, some are very slick and others are not. This
has a considerable effect on the friction when the
connection is made-up. Slicker compounds will
generate less friction and the connection will be
tighter with the same amount of torque. Less slick
compounds will have the opposite effect. API torque
figures are based on the use of zinc based
compounds.
API recommends the use of thread lubricant
compound containing at least 50 per cent powdered
metallic zinc for all drill pipe connections.
On BHA connections API recommends the use of
compounds containing at least 50 per cent lead.
Special formulated thread compounds
Some special drilling conditions involving high
downhole temperatures and Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)
may require the use of specially formulated thread
compounds to withstand these extreme conditions.

RIG OPERATIONS
Both zinc and lead have a relatively low melting point

compared to other metals. High downhole
temperature conditions exceeding 400 degrees F,
will cause the lead and / or zinc metal particles to
melt down, thereby losing their effectiveness.
Thermal grade Jet-Lube KOPR-KOTE is
recommended for use and is effective in downhole
temperatures up to 700 degrees F.
Environmental friendly thread compounds “green
dope” are also in common use, Bestolife 3000 for
example. These avoid the use of Zinc, Copper or
Lead, but often make up torques (MUT’s) must be
adjusted when using these.
A thread compound “Malleus STC2” is currently in
use on some drilling operations. This is based on
“Malleus TC2” with extra anti-corrosion additives
making it suitable as a make-up and storage
compound whereas the “Malleus TC2” is only a
make-up compound.
Dope Friction Factor

Make up torque should be corrected for dope friction
factor. Dope coefficient of friction is a component of
the make up torque equation.
Dope manufacturers should label their product with a
friction factor that expresses the actual coefficient of
friction as a ratio to the one that was used in make
up torque calculations.
Make up torque should be revised according to the
following formula, and the adjusted torque applied to
the connection :
Adjusted MUT = MUT x Friction Factor
Example :
MUT = 15,000 ft/lbs
Friction Factor = 1.1
Adjusted MUT = 16,500 ft/lbs
This action will theoretically achieve the desired
connection stress. Keep in mind that a slicker dope
(friction factor <1.0) will not only reduce make up
torque, but will reduce the torque limit for the string.

RIG OPERATIONS
Some commonly used make-up compounds and

their friction factors can be found in the Tables at
the back of this book.
Service Breaks
Alternating breaks in the stand is important
whilst tripping
• High torque drilling conditions will overtorque
these unbroken connections over a period of time
• Lack of breaking the connection and applying
fresh thread compound can result in damaged
connections simply by the lack of lubrication
• Alternating breaks will also give an opportunity to
visually inspect a larger number of connections
during trip inspection
Inspection Offshore
As the drillstring is used offshore, it is necessary to
stay alert for conditions and problems that might
contribute to a drillstring failure.
In some cases it is only a few seconds that is
required to prevent a failure.
Pipe Identification
Check identification markings at base of pin
connection, and mill slot for grade of material as a
minimum.
Figure No.5
Identification markings at base of pin connection

RIG OPERATIONS
Belled Boxes
Evidence of belled boxes indicates overtorqued
connections caused by high downhole torque, or the
use of incorrect thread lubricants that are too “slick”.
Severely belled boxes are easy to see, but slightly
belled boxes are harder to detect. If high drilling
torque is encountered, and the possibility of belled
boxes is high, two quick checks can be done:
• Lay a straight edge along the box and look for day
light between the straight edge and the pin
shoulder
• Look for a shiny band at the top of the box OD
indicating contact with the formation/casing in
only the belled area of the box
Figure No.6
A severely belled out connection
resulting in splitting of the box

RIG OPERATIONS
Galled Shoulders
Visual checks should be made for galled shoulders,
this is when metal has been torn away and spread
around the shoulder sealing area, which can lead to
washouts.
This can be prevented by checking shoulder sealing
areas for dents, cuts or any kind of mechanical
damage. Most shoulder damage is inflicted on the
box connection. Galling of connection shoulders may
be caused by the following:
• Insufficient lubrication (lack of thread compound)
• Shoulder damage due to mishandling
• Insufficient make up torque (look for dark ring
around outer edge of shoulder face)
• Improper refacing causing high spots, or lack of
even contact between shoulders
Figure No.7
Severe galling at the seal shoulder

RIG OPERATIONS
Figure No.8
Galling on the seal shoulder
Galled Threads
Visual checks should also be performed on the pin
and box threads for galling or any other form of
mechanical damage. Thread galling may be caused
by the following:
• Improper or insufficient thread lubricant
• Bumping the pin into the box after mis-stabbing
• Thread damage due to lack of thread protectors
• Cross-threading during make up
• Damage to pin threads on saver sub
Figure No.9
Galled threads

RIG OPERATIONS
Heat Checking on Tool Joints

Visual checks should be performed on the tool joint
OD’s for evidence of heat checking.
Heat checking is caused by excessive friction
between the tool joint and the formation.
This friction causes heat to be generated on the tool
joint surface. As the pipe is rotated, the heated area
of the tool joint is then cooled off rapidly by the
drilling mud flowing around it.
The rapid heating and cooling effect causes the
metal to become brittle, and thus more susceptible to
cracking.
The cracks initiate and grow lengthwise and inward
until the box splits.
Figure No.10
Longitudinal cracks caused by severe heat checking
Causes of heat checking are directly related to:

• RPM
• Lateral force of the tool joint against the formation
• Formation type causing high friction

RIG OPERATIONS
Thread Compound on Break-out

Look at condition of thread compound when breaking
out connections. Dry or muddy connections are
caused by a loss of the seal between the pin and box
shoulders, causing mud leakage. If not detected, the
connection will washout while drilling.
Loss of seal may be caused by the following:
• Insufficient make up torque
• Damaged shoulders
• Excessive or improper refacing of shoulders
Inspection Between Wells

(a closer look at random joints)
Hardbanding
• Wear Resistant Alloy Overlays
Visual evaluation should be performed on this type of

hardbanding whenever possible, to monitor its
condition.
Because of the marked difference in tool joint
chemistry and the hardband chemistry, there is a
great difference in the expansion and contraction
rate of each material.
As the hardband cools, it shrinks. The tool joint will
not allow it to shrink on the ID so it must crack to
relieve the stress in the weld area.
After relieving these stresses, the crack should
remain in the hardband and should not propagate
into the base metal.
It is important to monitor these cracks to ensure they
do not propagate and weaken the integrity of the box
tool joint.

RIG OPERATIONS
Any tool joints that have evidence of the

hardbanding breaking away from the tool joint
must be put aside and sent onshore at the earliest
opportunity.
Figure No.11
Damage to a wear resistant alloy overlay
hardbanding
Figure No.12
Crack patterns on a wear resistant alloy overlay
hardbanding
Measure Box OD
Random measurements should be taken of the drill
pipe box OD, and heavyweight pin and box OD, to
highlight at an early stage excess tool joint wear.

RIG OPERATIONS
General Guidelines for Running High Torque

Connections
Hydril Wedge Thread (WT)
The Series 500 Wedge Thread Drill Pipe Connection
is a two step, tapered, dovetail Wedge Thread.
The sealing capability of the connection is provided
by the tapered, dovetail Wedge Thread and the
lubricant.
Hydril produce a Field Handbook for its Wedge
Thread Connection, which should be referred to at all
times.
Some areas from the Hydril Field Handbook are
highlighted here to add completeness to this
Drillstring Failure Prevention Handbook.
• Shoulder Gap
The Wedge Thread connection has a wear indicator
gap between the box face and the external shoulder
of the pin. This gap eliminates the reaction surface
on torque shoulders seen on conventional rotary
connections.
Wear on threads from continued use of this
connection will allow additional travel of the pin into
the box. When the shoulder gap reaches 0.004”
(0.1mm), the connection should be re-cut.
For calculating string length, the gap between the
box and pin must be incorporated after the joints
have been made up. New pipe will have a shoulder
gap of approximately 1/8” to 1/4” (3.2mm to
6.4mm).
• Thread Compound
As the Wedge Thread connection provides a seal in
the threads and not an external shoulder, selection
and application of the thread compound requires
special attention.
Thread compounds containing solid particles are
required as they provide the fillers necessary to
create the seal.

RIG OPERATIONS
• Application of Thread Compound

When making-up the connections for the initial run
into the hole, a thin even coating of thread compound
should be applied to the entire pin connection. There
is not a requirement to dope the box as the thread
compound will be carried into the box by the pin
threads.
After the first trip, compound should be applied
sparingly to the pin or re-distribute the existing
compound around the pin without adding further
thread compound.
By applying the thread compound sparingly this will

prevent compound build-up between the thread
steps that can impair make-up or lead to high stress.
• Top Drive Make-Up

For making-up the top drive to a Hydril Wedge Thread
box, the top drive spin mode should be maintained
while slowly lowering the top drive. Upon tagging up,
continue slacking-off to allow thread engagement.
By maintaining rotation of the top drive while
lowering it into the box, it will reduce stabbing
damage.
• Back-Up Tong Distance From Face

To prevent crushing of the box connection then the
following recommendations should be followed:
Tong gripping of the box should be no closer to the
face of the box than 1 inch for WT 23, and WT 26 and
2 inches for WT 31 through to WT 66.
• Alignment and Standing Back

Correct alignment of the drill pipe in the stand with
the box on the floor is crucial. Excessive make-up
speed can be damaging and should be avoided.
Windy weather as well as ocean currents can impair
proper alignment and rig crews need to take extra
care when working in these conditions.

RIG OPERATIONS
• Back-Out Rotation During Lift Out

Whilst breaking-out the Wedge Thread connections,
the negative load flank of the thread can become
hooked on the box. To minimise this occurring the
pipe should still be rotating slightly to the left as the
pin is hoisted. If this is not practical then rotate the
pin a half turn past the drop back position prior to lift
out.
Rotating the box to the right, as with a rotary table,
while lifting the pin end out will serve the same
purpose.
Grant Prideco Thread (HT)
The High torque (HT) connection incorporates a

double shouldered design. A secondary internal
shoulder on the nose of the pin offers an additional
friction surface and mechanical stop. The primary
external shoulder still serves as the connections
sealing surface. The HT design has an extended pin
base, pin nose, and box conterbore.
Grant Prideco produce a Field Handbook for its HT

connection, “Care and Handling Guidelines for High
Torque Tool Joints” which should be referred to at all
times.
• Application of Thread Compound

All contacting surfaces, the threads, the primary
shoulders and secondary shoulders, must be coated
with a good quality rotary shouldered connection
thread compound.
Some drilling fluids or drilling fluid additives may
affect the frictional properties of the tool joint and
thread compound. If this is the case, rinse the drilling
fluid off the connections before applying thread
compound.
Remove drilling fluid from the secondary shoulder of
the box before making up the connection for the trip
in the hole. Trapped drilling fluid can promote
corrosion of the secondary shoulders.

RIG OPERATIONS
Racking the pipe will wipe thread compound off the

pin nose. If pins are doped coming out of the hole,
reapply compound to the secondary shoulder before
the connections are made-up.
• Tonging, Proper Gripping of the Box During

Make-up
It is good practice to place the tongs at least 2 inches
from the make-up shoulder on HT boxes.
The threads of a HT box are about 1.1/2” further
away from the makeup shoulder than the threads of
an API box. Tongs or top drive torque wrenches
should engage the HT box at the same location in
relation to the threads that they would engage an API
joint.
On the Varco BJ® PH85 pipe handler torque wrench
this can be accomplished by decreasing the length of
the saver sub from 7 inches to 5.1/2 inches. This will
put the tong dies 2 inches from the box make-up
shoulder.
• Standing Pipe Back

Using normal drill pipe care and handling practices,
no special care is required to protect the pin nose
when standing the pipe back. The pin nose is not a
seal. Minor damage to the pin nose from standing the
pipe back does not affect the connection’s
performance.
It is not necessary to use thread protectors when
standing the pipe back.
Do not use pressed steel thread protectors when
standing the pipe back. They could allow the weight
of the stand to be supported by the primary make-up
shoulder of the connection on the sharp edge of the
thread protectors.

MINIMUM DETECTABLE
CRACK
30
CRACK SIZE BY WASHOUT

INITIATED INSPECTION METHODS
DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO
Drilling Component “Life Cycle”
RIG OPERATIONS
Figure No.13
NEW COMPONENT TWIST-OFF
TIME (Not to scale)

ENVELOPE ENVELOPE COVERED EARLY
COVERED BY BY DRILLSTING WASHOUT
INSPECTION INSPECTION DETECTION
FREQUENCY SPECIFICATION
INTRODUCTION
INSPECTION
Onshore Third Party Inspection

Inspection of Drillstrings should be conducted in
accordance with a suitable specification for the
drilling operation it will be exposed to.
O.C.T.G. Procter Consultancy can offer advice on the

specification best suited for your operation.
The purpose of the Drillstring Inspection

Specification is to provide the Operator, Drilling
Contractor, and all related Sub-Contractors working
on a particular well with a standard basis for
selection and evaluation of drilling equipment, and to
specify inspection procedures for the detection,
correction and classification of discontinuities and
irregularities by inspection companies.
Specifying the correct inspection procedure and

the nature in which they shall be conducted is
necessary to prevent equipment failures with the
drillstring by identifying problems that limits its
serviceability.
Drillstring Inspection Frequency

Inspection frequency guidelines should be in place to
optimise the inspection frequency of both drill pipe
and BHA components. This will result in the most
cost effective inspection frequency, avoiding
unnecessary inspections whilst avoiding expensive
catastrophic downhole failure.
Historically BHA connections have been the most

prone to fatigue failure and so it is here that the
inspection frequencies should be based on severity
of use rather than just rotating hours.
O.C.T.G. Procter can offer advice on suitable

inspection frequency programmes for the drillstring.

INTRODUCTION
FATIGUE
Eighty percent of drillstring failures are fatigue

related
What causes fatigue .....
Figure No.14
Drill pipe bends to conform to the hole shape
Figure No.15
Drill pipe and drill collars can buckle when bit
weight is applied

INTRODUCTION
FATIGUE
The string rotates while it is bent or buckled and

stress cycles up and down with each revolution.
With each revolution the string makes, damage
accumulates at stress concentration points on the
pipe body or connection and eventually a fatigue
crack forms.
Total Stress at any Point
OUTSIDE OF BEND
HANGING WEIGHT
INSIDE OF BEND
1 Revolution
Time
Figure No.16
This crack will grow a little with each revolution and

a failure will occur unless it is found by inspection.
Fatigue is a continuous, cumulative process that
begins when the component goes into service.
How can we reduce fatigue
• Limit bit weight (or add BHA weight) to eliminate
buckling in the normal weight drill pipe if the
string is to be rotated
• Reduce the number and severity of stress
concentrators that are placed on the pipe
through poor handling practices (slip cuts)
• Drilling in hard formations can generate vibrations
which fatigue the drill string. Vibration is often
controlled by changing something about the
situation, such as BHA design, bit weight or RPM
• Control mud corrosion rate. The more corrosive
the drilling mud, the faster fatigue cracks grow
• Reduce the degree of drill pipe bending (dogleg)
and the degree of BHA bending and buckling to
the lowest levels consistent with other objectives
• Use MWD shock logs to monitor and control drill
string vibration

INTRODUCTION
FATIGUE
• Select bending strength ratio (BSR) in BHA

components to minimise fatigue
• Ensure BHA connections are designed with the
correct stress relief features to extend connection
fatigue life
HIGHER RISK OF HIGHER RISK OF

PREMATURE PREMATURE
BOX FAILURE PIN FAILURE
BALANCED CONNECTION
MAXIMUM LIFE
FATIGUE LIFE (cycles)
WEAK BOX WEAK PIN
1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5
Figure No.17
Bending Strength Ratio
STRESS RELIEF FEATURES

Stress relief features (when machined with the
correct dimensions) remove unengaged threads that
act as stress concentrators for fatigue and reduce
the effects of cyclic stresses, which for BHA
components due to their stiffness will be
concentrated at the connections. This stress is from
rotating of the components and is at its highest while
they are either bent or buckled or when vibration is
present.
The pin stress relief groove also provides a large radii

for smoother flow of stresses around the machined
corners. The bore back with its cylinder type design
provides increased flexibility for the high stressed
areas.

INTRODUCTION
FATIGUE
Figure No.18a
Pin stress relief groove, and box boreback
Figure No.18b
Connections without stress relief features
Figure No.19
Washout at pin connection
This MWD sub did not have a stress relief groove at

the pin connection and failed from a fatigue crack at
the last un-engaged thread of the pin.
All BHA connections NC38 or larger should have an

API stress relief groove with the dimensions of 1 inch
±1/32 as per API Spec 7 on the pin connection and an
API bore back stress relief feature with dimensions as
specified in API Spec 7 on the box connection.

FAILURE MECHANISMS AND HOW TO
RECOGNISE THEM
FAILURE MECHANISMS
fatigue
Drillstring Components
DRILLPIPE - HEAVYWEIGHT - DRILL COLLARS - SUBS
• BHA CONNECTION FATIGUE

• DRILL PIPE TUBE FATIGUE
• TENSION
• TORSION
• SULPHIDE STRESS CRACKING
• STRESS CORROSION CRACKING
• SPLIT BOX
• CONNECTION LEAK
• MECHANICAL
• COLLAPSE
• WELD RELATED
• COMBINATION TENSION/TORSION
• BURST
Recognising a Fatigue failure
Its shape and appearance...
Flat, planar shape, like a saw cut. May be washed out
Figure No.20
Fracture face on fatigue failure

RECOGNISE THEM
Orientation...
Perpendicular to the pipe axis
Location...
Drill pipe tube body
In slip cuts and near internal upsets (see Figure 21)
BHA Connections
Near last un-engaged thread roots (see Figure 22)
Figure No.21
Washout at the drill pipe internal upset
Figure No.22
Washout at the last un-engaged threads

INTRODUCTION
RECOGNISE THEM
Slip cuts cause more than one third of all drill

pipe washouts
• Any sharp notch focuses and accelerates fatigue
attack
Figure No.23
Slip Cuts
• API/IADC studies show fatigue cracks are more
than twice as likely on slip cut box ends than on
pin ends.
• These cracks almost always originate in the
bottom of slip cuts
• Internal upsets like any abrupt section change,
raises the stress level
TOOL JOINT Bending Force
External Upset
Tube Section
Notch
Weld MIU lnternal Upset
Figure No.24
Figure No.25
Cut section of drill pipe showing internal upset

INTRODUCTION
RECOGNISE THEM
Recognising a Tension failure

It’s shape and appearance...
“Jagged” and “necked down”
Orientation...
90 degrees to the axis of the pipe
Location...
Normally the drill pipe tube body
• A tool joint pin can sometimes be the tensile
failure location if the connection was subject to
higher than design torque limit. This can occur
due to high surface make up torque (MUT) or low
surface MUT followed by down hole make up.
Figure No.26
Tensile failure on a joint of 5 inch drill pipe

INTRODUCTION
RECOGNISE THEM
Recognising a Torsional failure

“Stretched pin connection” or a “belled box”
Location...
In almost all cases torsional failures will occur in tool
joints
API “standard” tool joints are about 80 percent as
strong in torsion as the tube to which they are
attached
Figure No.27
Thread profile gage indicates necking down and
stretching of thread lead due to excessive torque
Figure No.28
Excessive torque is indicated by some stretching
and distortion of the threads

INTRODUCTION
RECOGNISE THEM
Figure No.29
Down hole excessive torque may result in a belled-
out box and overly made-up pin
Recognising a Sulphide Stress Cracking failure

Location...
Tool joint pins and specialised tools are common
points of attack because they often have high stress
levels combined with harder material. (Both of these
conditions encourage Sulphide Stress Cracking in
the presence of Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)
• Sulphide Stress Cracking normally occurs in the
presence of Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S).
Figure No.30
Sulphide Stress Cracking

INTRODUCTION
RECOGNISE THEM
Recognising a Stress Corrosion Cracking failure

Location...
BHA stainless steel (non-magnetic) components
• Stress Corrosion Cracking is a mechanical-
environmental failure mechanism that mainly
attacks stainless steel (non-magnetic) drill string
components.
• Galvanic corrosion cells between grain boundaries
promote rapid intergranular corrosion in parts that
are experiencing simultaneous tensile stress. This
combined stress corrosion can rapidly form and
extend intergranular cracks in susceptible
material.
Figure No.31
Stress Corrosion Cracking seen at a cut through
section on an MWD tool
Figure No.32
Stress Corrosion Cracking in the bore
of an MWD tool

INTRODUCTION
RECOGNISE THEM
Recognising a Split Box failure

Longitudinal crack running along the box tool joint
OD
Orientation...
Along the tool joint axis
Location...
Box tool joint. Starting at the seal shoulder and
working its way back
Figure No.33
Extreme damage caused by excessive torque
developed during drilling includes : belled out and
split box and sheared shoulder of the pin.
Recognising a Connection Leak failure
A connection “washout” is caused by leaking drilling
mud that erodes away the metal on threads and
seals.
Recognising a Mechanical failure
The following tools are prime candidates for
mechanical failure:
• Safety Valves
• Kelly Valves
• Hole Openers
• Underreamers
• IBOP
• Jars
• Bits
• MWD Tools
• Mud Motors
• Shock Subs

INTRODUCTION
RECOGNISE THEM
Recognising a Collapse Pressure failure

Location...
Drillpipe Tube Body
• Collapse pressure load exceeds the collapse
capacity of the pipe and “mashes” it
Figure No.34
Collapsed drill pipe body
Figure No.35
Collapsed drill pipe body
Recognising a Weld Related failure
The following tools are prime candidates for weld-
related failure:
• Welded blade stabilisers
• Hole Openers
• Underreamers
• Rebuilt Tool Joints
• Hardbanded Tool Joints

INTRODUCTION
RECOGNISE THEM
Figure No.36
A crack located in the chrome alloy hardband that
had penetrated through the parent material to the ID
Recognising the Tension/Torsion failure

Location...
Pin connection or tube body
• Most likely to fail when fishing or pulling on stuck
pipe
• Tension will reduce a component’s capacity to
carry torsion, and vice-versa
Figure No.37
Cup type fracture

INTRODUCTION
RECOGNISE THEM
Recognising a Burst Pressure failure

Location...
Pipe body
• Drill pipe tubes may burst if pressure loading
exceeds capacity
• Burst is most likely to occur high in the hole
ALL FAILURES
ESTIMATED SHARE
FAILURE
OF TOTAL FAILURES FAILURE
POSSIBLE
POSSIBLE
ONLY
AT STRESS
IF STRESS
BELOW
EXCEEDS 15% 85% YIELD
YIELD
STRENGTH
STRENGTH
FAILURE FAILURE
FAILURE
OCCURS USUALLY
CAN
ONLY OCCURS
OCCUR
UNDER UNDER
UNDER
CYCLIC STATIC
EITHER
LOADING LOADING
TORSION
SULPHIDE SPLIT BOX
DRILLPIPE
TENSION STRESS
TUBE FATIGUE MECHANICAL
CRACKING
COLLAPSE
BHA CONNECTION
STRESS
COMBINATION CONNECTION LEAK
CORROSION
TENSION/ FATIGUE
CRACKING WELDING
TORSION
Figure No.38
Applied loads and failures

IF INTRODUCTION
FAILURE OCCURS
If failure occurs......
Whether it is a twist-off or a washout the Drillstring
Failure Autopsy Sheet, should be completed and sent
into the relevant drilling engineer for the Well
Operation as soon as possible, along with
photographs.
The failure data will be invaluable for the prevention
of other failures.
Preservation of the Failed Component

Immediate steps should be taken to preserve the
fractured piece from further damage.
Things to do :
• Coat fracture surfaces that have been exposed to
salt water with a soluble oil such as WD-40 prior
to packaging
• Package the pieces to prevent mechanical and
corrosion damage to fracture surfaces during
shipment
• Ship the pieces as soon after the failure as
practical
Things not to do :
• Put fracture surfaces together
• Touch or rub the fracture surfaces with fingers
• Remove fragments from fracture surfaces
• Clean the fracture surface with solvents, high
pressure sprays or wire brushes
• Paint the fracture surface or adjacent areas
• Cut off fracture surfaces with a torch without
leaving at least 12 inches of metal from each side
of the fracture to the torch cuts

IF INTRODUCTION
FAILURE OCCURS
Figure No.39
DRILLSTRING FAILURE AUTOPSY SHEET
Rig/Platform: Well
Date of Failure: Type of Failure: Hole Size:

(twistoff/washout) (in)
Depth of Failure: Drilled Depth: Mud Type:

(ft. MD) (ft MD)
Last Casing Size: Last Casing Depth: Deviation:

(ft MD) (state max
dev and DLS)
Supplied/owned Serial Number:

by:
Age of Rotating hrs Rotating

Component: this well: hrs since last
inspection:
Date of last Inspection Inspection

inspection: Company: Type:
Failed component description:
Brief description of failure: (drawing where appropriate

showing lengths, OD, ID, tool joint type and size, etc)
Hole Condition: (comment on any tight or over gauge

hole sections, or other conditions that may have
influenced the failure)
Drilling Parameters: (at time of failure)
Rotary torque: Rotary speed: Weight on

(ft-lbs) bit: (lbs)
Standpipe Pump Flow rate

pressure:(psi) (spm): (gpm):
Pickup weight: Slackoff: BHA weight:

(lbs) (lbs) (lbs in mud)

FAILUREINTRODUCTION
PREVENTION METHODS
FATIGUE
As fatigue is the most common cause of drillstring
failures, we must take every practical step to retard it.
Before the equipment gets to the rig:
• Ensure BHA connections are cold rolled after
machining
• Cold rolling BHA thread roots and stress relief
surfaces increases fatigue by placing a residual
compressive stress in the thread roots
Figure No.40
Cold rolling process on BHA connection
• Stress relief features should be machined on all
BHA connections, NC38 and larger
• Inspect all drillstring components to an
appropriate inspection specification
• Select products and components and design
assemblies with smooth geometric transitions.
(Remember, sharp section changes magnify
stress and accelerate fatigue)
• Select Bending Strength Ratio (BSR) in BHA
components to minimise fatigue
BSR Recommendations are as follows:

BHA Component OD BSR Range
less than 6 inches 1.8 to 2.5
from 6 to 8 inches 2.25 to 2.75
8 inches and above 2.6 to 3.2

FAILUREINTRODUCTION
PREVENTION METHODS
• Specify minimum fracture toughness in drillstring

material whenever possible. (No industry
specification covers toughness for anything
except drill pipe tubes)
• Specify internal upset geometry on new drill pipe
that will not magnify stress
On the rig:
• Follow the Drillstring Inspection Frequency
Guidelines in place
• Keep dogleg severity (DLS) as small as possible,
and keep planned doglegs as low in the hole as
other considerations permit
• Limit bit weight (or add BHA weight) to eliminate
buckling in the normal weight drill pipe if the
string is to be rotated
• Reduce the number and severity of stress
concentrators that are placed on the pipe through
poor handling practices (slip cuts)
• Use MWD shock logs to monitor and control drill
string vibration (lateral vibration). Other 3-axis
tools now becoming available can detect
vibrations from stick-slip, bit whirl and bit bounce
• Hole enlargement often causes or accelerates
BHA connection fatigue failure. Un-stabilised
BHA’s will be more susceptible. Possible
contributors to hole enlargement are turbulent
flow conditions around the BHA and long times
spent circulating near bottom
• Corrosive environment shortens fatigue life
• Oxygen - reduce dissolved oxygen (O2) in the mud
system by introducing scavengers and keep air
from entering around seals in pump suctions
• pH - increasing pH decreases corrosion by
reducing solubility of corrosive gases such as
oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (C02). A ph value
below 7 means the mud will be acidic and a
serious decline in drillstring fatigue life can be
expected

FAILUREINTRODUCTION
PREVENTION METHODS
• Carbon dioxide (C02) and Chlorides levels - the

lower the levels of carbon dioxide (C02) and
chlorides, the longer the drillstring fatigue life will
be, other things constant
• Barriers and Inhibitors (plastic coating is often
used as a corrosion barrier inside the pipe).
Chemical inhibitors available from the mud
company can also retard corrosion
TENSION
• Inspect for OD wear on drill pipe tube
• Check tool joint groove identification is consistent
with API RP 7G for grade of material (new
identification markings for API tool joints can be
found in the back of this handbook)
• Check weight/grade marks at base of pin this
could indicate wrong grade or weight of pipe
Figure No.41
Identification marking at base of pin connection
On the rig:
• Confirm calibration sticker on weight indicator

FAILURE PREVENTION METHODS
TORSION
Before the equipment gets to the rig and also on
the rig:
• Inspect tool joints for small or missing bevel
• Inspect for galled seal shoulders and rolled metal
in box counterbore
• Caliper tool joint OD and verify it is within
tolerances
• Inspect (profile gauge) for stretched pin or belled
box (straight edge)
On the rig:
• Check that the tong arm length written on the
gauge face matches the length of the tong arm
• Verify calibration sticker on torque gauge
• Check friction factor on dope bucket is 1.0
• Set torque limiter setting to 80% of lowest make-
up torque in the string. When milling in stick/slip
conditions consider reducing this to 50%.
SULPHIDE STRESS CRACKING

• Drill overbalanced to prevent Hydrogen Sulphide
(H2S) from entering the wellbore in large
quantities
• Use H2S scavengers to “eat up” some of the
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) that does manage to
enter the wellbore
• Use only quenched and tempered material and the
lowest grade of material that can handle the load
• Ensure use of oilbased mud as this can retard the
reaction between Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) and
steel, so less free hydrogen can be formed
• Keep mud pH elevated as this will scavenge the
free hydrogen that does get formed, 8 to 12 pH is
considered normal

FAILUREINTRODUCTION
PREVENTION METHODS
STRESS CORROSION CRACKING

• Failure by stress corrosion cracking can be
reduced by the type of material used and the
surface treatment it is given (hammer peening)
• Verify non-magnetic drill collars have ID surface
treatment for resistance to stress corrosion
cracking (hammer peening)
• Review and revise if required, inspection criteria
SPLIT BOX
• Inspect for refacing benchmarks at pin and box
connections
• If position of the shoulder changes more than 1/16
inch from original, the connection should be recut
• Ensure correct QA/QC is in place if build-up (weld
repair) is performed on worn tool joints
• Perform magnetic particle inspection of tool joints
to detect early crack indications from heat
checking
On the rig:
• Set torque limiter setting to 80% of lowest make-
up torque in the string. When milling in stick/slip
conditions consider reducing this to 50%.
Figure No.42
Grant Prideco Proprietary type field refacing
bench mark in box connection

FAILUREINTRODUCTION
PREVENTION METHODS
CONNECTION LEAKS
Before equipment gets to the rig:
• Inspect for refacing benchmarks at pin and box
connections
• If position of the shoulder changes more than 1/16
inch from original, the connection should be recut
On the rig:
• Inspect for thread damage which can interfere
with make-up
• Use care when stabbing and jacking pipe to
prevent seal damage
• Install thread protectors when pipe is being
moved
• Use correct make-up torque
• Adjust make-up torque to thread dope if friction
factor is not 1.0
MECHANICAL
On the rig:
• Understand the tool operation
• Keep the equipment clean and well lubricated
• Understand and do not exceed load capacities
• Disassemble and inspect tool
• Replace worn and damaged parts
• Function test (under pressure if required)
• Check tool is in a suitable location in the string

FAILUREINTRODUCTION
PREVENTION METHODS
COLLAPSE
On the rig:
• Calibrate weight indicator
• Reduce maximum pull when drill pipe is
evacuated or not standing full due to losses
• Perform ultrasonic wall thickness checks on tube
body with an inspector
• Check tool joints for correct weight/grade
identification
• OD gauge tube body (roundness)
• Check collapse safety factor
• Reduce collapse capacity for simultaneous
tension (and vice versa)
WELD RELATED
On the rig:
• Visually check for cracks at the weld prior to
running tool
• Avoid stick - slip and high BHA vibration drilling
conditions
• Inspect tool (welds) at regular intervals by either
of the following methods:
- Magnetic Particle Inspection
- Ultrasonic Inspection
- Liquid Penetrant Inspection
• Avoid welding on downhole equipment unless
absolutely necessary
• Review weld procedure (WPS) and procedure
qualification (QR)
• Ensure welder is certified to that procedure

FAILUREINTRODUCTION
PREVENTION METHODS
COMBINATION TENSION/TORSION
On the rig:
• Calibrate weight indicator
• Check dope friction factor (1.0)
• Use correct make up torque
• Make sure applied torque is known
• Derate maximum pull for applied torsion
• Check tool joint for weight/grade identification
• Do not backream with high drags without
checking failure calculations
• Check dimension of pin ID
BURST
On the rig:
• Keep pipe tensioned when pressuring plugged
pipe
• Calibrate drill pipe pressure gauge
• Check tool joints for correct weight/grade
identification

INTRODUCTION
TABLES
Rotary Shouldered Connection

Nomenclature
Tool Joint Make-up Torque (ft-lbs)
Tool Joint Make-up Torque (daN.m)
Drill Pipe Tensile Capacity (ft-lbs)
Drill Pipe Tensile Capacity (kN)
Identification Markings on Completion

of Routine Inspection
Friction Factors for different

make-up thread compounds
API Recommended Practice for Mill Slot and

Groove Method of Drillstring Identification

Rev. 0 10/97 Rotary Shouldered Connection Nomenclature
58
(Connections in the same column are interchangeable)
ROTARY SHOULDERED CONNECTION

Current API Name

OBSOLETE API NAME NC-26 NC-31 ~ ~ NC-38 NC-40 NC-46 NC-50
NOMENCLATURE
Internal Flush (IF) 23⁄8" 27⁄8" ~ ~ 31⁄2" ~ 4" 41⁄2"
Full Hole (FH) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 4" ~ ~
OTHER OBSOLETE NAME

Extra Hole (XH) ~ ~ 27⁄8" 31⁄2" ~ ~ 41⁄2" 5"
Double Streamline (DSL) ~ ~ 31⁄2" ~ ~ 41⁄2" ~ 51⁄2"
Slim Hole (SH) 27⁄8" 31⁄2" ~ 4" 41⁄2" ~ ~ ~
External Flush (EF) ~ ~ ~ 41⁄2" ~ ~ ~ ~
Semi-Internal Flush ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 5"
The difference between the current API connections and their obsolete counterparts is that the NC connections require the use of an
ROTARY SHOULDERED CONNECTION

improved thread form (V-038R). Even though almost all connections that now carry the old names are cut with the new thread form,
current API nomenclature NC-) should if applicable be used when specifying connections.
API Numbered Connections:
NOMENCLATURE
4.1/2 IF (NC50) SST Connections
4.1/2 IF has been obsolete since 1968 when it was replaced by A new patented design for tool joint pins. This is a NC pin
NC-50. The difference is changing the thread form from a flat with a rounded-out thread flank that gives a root radius of
bottom type to a round bottom type. 0.057" (compared to the NC's 0.038").
SST Boxes are identical to NC boxes of the same size.
This thread design will improve fatigue performance, but
ironically SST's are rarely found in BHA components where
their larger thread root radius would be most beneficial.
59
60
TOOL JOINT MAKE-UP

INTRODUCTION
TORQUE (ft-lbs)
Tool Joint Make-up Torques (ft-lbs) (Box weak connections shown in red type)
Make up Torque figures for 2 7/8 PAC Connection
OD (inches)
3 1/8 3 1/16 3 2 15/16 2 7/8 2 13/16 2 3/4 2 11/16
1 1/4 4090 3590 3130 2670 2220 1780 1370 960
ID (inches)
1 3/8 3880 3590 3130 2670 2220 1780 1370 960

1 1/2 3440 3420 3130 2670 2220 1780 1370 960
1 5/8 2960 2950 2930 2670 2220 1780 1370 960
1 3/4 2450 2440 2420 2670 2220 1780 1370 960
Make up Torque figures for NC38 Connection
TOOL JOINT MAKE-UP

INTRODUCTION
OD (inches)
TORQUE (ft-lbs)
5 4 15/16 4 7/8 4 13/16 4 3/4 4 11/16 4 5/8 4 9/16
2 1/8 15900 14900 13740 12610 11500 10420 9350 8290
2 1/4 14920 14870 13740 12610 11500 10420 9350 8290
2 3/8 13870 13830 13740 12610 11500 10420 9350 8290
ID (inches)
2 7/16 13320 13280 13240 12610 11500 10420 9350 8290

2 1/2 12770 12730 12680 12610 11500 10420 9350 8290
2 9/16 12200 12160 12120 12080 11500 10420 9350 8290
2 5/8 11610 11570 11530 11500 11460 10420 9350 8290
61
2 11/16 11000 10970 10930 10900 10860 10420 9350 8290

62
Make up Torque figures for NC46 Connection

OD (inches)
TOOL JOINT MAKE-UP

6 1/2 6 7/16 6 3/8 6 5/16 6 1/4 6 3/16 6 1/8 6 1/16 6 5 15/16
TORQUE (ft-lbs)
2 1/2 30100 30020 29940 29860 29780 29700 29620 28670 26980 25320
2 5/8 28690 28610 28540 28460 28390 28310 28230 28150 26980 25320
2 3/4 27220 27140 27070 26990 26920 26850 26780 26710 26630 25320
ID (inches)
2 7/8 25670 25600 25530 25460 25390 25330 25250 25190 25120 25320
3 24050 23990 23920 23860 23800 23730 23660 23600 23540 23470
3 1/8 22370 22310 22250 22190 22130 22070 22010 21950 21890 21830
3 1/4 20620 20560 20510 20450 20390 20340 20290 20230 20180 20120
3 3/8 18800 18740 18700 18640 18590 18550 18490 18440 18400 18340
3 1/2 16910 16860 16820 16770 16730 16680 16630 16590 16540 16500
Make up Torque figures for NC50 (4 1/2IF) Connection

OD (inches)
6 5/8 6 9/16 6 1/2 6 7/16 6 3/8 6 5/16 6 1/4 6 3/16
TOOL JOINT MAKE-UP

2 3/4 38040 36170 34190 32240 30290 28370 26500 24660
TORQUE (ft-lbs)
2 7/8 36400 36170 34190 32240 30290 28370 26500 24660
3 34680 34590 34190 32240 30290 28370 26500 24660
3 1/16 33800 33710 33630 32240 30290 28370 26500 24660
ID (inches)
3 1/8 32890 32810 32720 32240 30290 28370 26500 24660

3 1/4 31020 30950 30870 30790 30290 28370 26500 24660
3 3/8 29090 29020 28940 28870 28790 28370 26500 24660
3 1/2 27080 27010 26940 26870 26800 26740 26500 24660
3 5/8 24990 24930 24870 24800 24740 24680 24620 24550
63
3 3/4 22840 22780 22720 22660 22610 22550 22490 22430

64
Make up Torque figures for 5 1/2 FH Connection (Box weak connection shown in red type)
OD (inches)
7 1/2 7 3/8 7 1/4 7 1/8 7 6 7/8 6 3/4 6 5/8 6 17/32 6 11/32
TOOL JOINT MAKE-UP

3 52300 52060 47230 42430 33740 33180 28740 22410 21240 17120
TORQUE (ft-lbs)
3 1/16 51330 51100 47230 42430 33740 33180 28740 22410 21240 17120
3 1/8 50320 50090 47230 42430 33740 33180 28740 22410 21240 17120
3 1/4 48260 48040 47230 42430 33740 33180 28740 22410 21240 17120
ID (inches)
3 3/8 46120 45910 45700 42430 33740 33180 28740 22410 21240 17120
3 1/2 43890 43690 43490 42430 33740 33180 28740 22410 21240 17120
3 5/8 41590 41390 41210 41020 33740 33180 28740 22410 21240 17120
3 3/4 39200 39020 38840 38660 33740 33180 28740 22410 21240 17120
3 7/8 36730 36560 36400 36230 36060 33180 28740 22410 21240 17120
4 34180 34030 33870 33710 33560 33180 28740 22410 21240 17120
Make-up Torque figures for 6 5/8 FH Connections
OD (inches)
8 3/4 8 5/8 8 1/2 8 3/8 8 1/4 8 1/8 8 7 3/4 7 1/2 7 1/8
4 72230 71950 71670 71380 65120 58850 52720 40860 29550 24100
TOOL JOINT MAKE-UP

ID (inches)
4 1/2 59500 59270 59030 58800 58570 58330 52720 40860 29550 24100
TORQUE (ft-lbs)
4 3/4 52570 52360 52160 51590 51740 51530 51330 40860 29550 24100
5 45260 45080 44910 44730 44500 44380 44200 40860 29550 24100
5 1/4 37850 37440 37290 37140 37000 36850 36700 36400 29550 24100
1. All API tool joints (except those on HWDP) have the same minimum yield strength of 120,000 psi, regardless of the grade of pipe to
which they are attached. Therefore make up torque for tool joints is determined only by the tool joint pin ID and box OD.
2. Excessive make up decreases the tensile capacity of a connection pin. Therefore, do not increase make up torque above the
recommended value without first checking the combined tension/torsion load capacity of the tool joints.
3. API make up torques for new tool joints are intended for breaking in only. A tool joint is considered used immediately before it goes into
65
the hole for the first time, so API RP7G values for new make up torques should be ignored unless the tool joint is being broken in.
66
TOOL JOINT MAKE-UP

Tool Joint Make-up Torques (daN.m) (Box weak connections shown in red type)
TORQUE (daN.m)
Make-up Torque figures for 2.7/8 PAC Connection Ft.lbs* .1356 = daN.m
OD (mm)
79.4 77.8 76.2 74.6 73.0 71.4 69.9 68.3
31.75 555 487 424 362 301 241 186 130
34.93 526 487 424 362 301 241 186 130
ID (mm)
38.10 466 464 424 362 301 241 186 130

41.28 401 400 397 362 301 241 186 130
44.45 332 331 328 362 301 241 186 130
Make-up Torque figures for NC38 Connection

OD (mm)
TOOL JOINT MAKE-UP

TORQUE (daN.m)
127.0 125.4 123.8 122.2 120.7 119.1 117.5 115.9
54.0 2156 2020 1863 1710 1559 1413 1268 1124
57.2 2023 2016 1863 1710 1559 1413 1268 1124
ID (mm)
60.3 1881 1875 1863 1710 1559 1413 1268 1124

61.9 1806 1801 1795 1710 1559 1413 1268 1124
63.5 1732 1726 1719 1710 1559 1413 1268 1124
65.1 1654 1649 1643 1638 1559 1413 1268 1124
66.7 1574 1569 1563 1559 1554 1413 1268 1124
67
68.3 1492 1488 1482 1478 1473 1413 1268 1124

68
Make-up Torque figures for NC46 Connection

OD (mm)
165.1 163.5 161.9 160.3 158.8 157.2 155.6 154.0 152.4 150.8
TOOL JOINT MAKE-UP

TORQUE (daN.m)
63.5 4082 4071 4060 4049 4038 4027 4016 3888 3658 3433
66.7 3890 3880 3870 3859 3850 3839 3828 3817 3658 3433
69.9 3691 3680 3671 3660 3650 3641 3631 3622 3611 3433
73.0 3481 3471 3462 3452 3443 3435 3424 3416 3406 3433
ID (mm)
76.2 3261 3253 3244 3235 3227 3218 3208 3200 3192 3183
79.4 3033 3025 3017 3009 3001 2993 2985 2976 2968 2960
82.6 2796 2788 2781 2773 2765 2758 2751 2743 2736 2728
85.7 2549 2541 2536 2528 3251 2515 2507 2500 2495 2487
88.9 2293 2286 2281 2274 2269 2262 2255 2250 2243 2237
Make-up Torque figures for NC50 (4 1/2 IF) Connection

OD (mm)
168.3 166.7 165.1 163.5 161.9 160.3 158.8 157.2
69.9 5158 4905 4636 4372 4107 3847 3593 3344
TOOL JOINT MAKE-UP

TORQUE (daN.m)
73.0 4936 4905 4636 4372 4107 3847 3593 3344
76.2 4703 4690 4636 4372 4107 3847 3593 3344
77.8 4583 4571 4560 4372 4107 3847 3593 3344
ID (mm)
79.4 4460 4449 4437 4372 4107 3847 3593 3344

82.6 4206 4197 4186 4175 4107 3847 3593 3344
85.7 3945 3935 3924 3915 3904 3847 3593 3344
88.9 3672 3663 3653 3644 3634 3626 3593 3344
92.1 3389 3381 3372 3363 3355 3347 3338 3329
69
95.3 3097 3089 3081 3073 3066 3058 3050 3042

Make-up Torque figures for 5 1/2 FH Connection
70
OD (mm)
190.5 187.3 184.2 181.0 177.8 174.6 171.5 168.3 165.9 161.1
76.2 7092 7059 6404 5754 5118 4499 3897 3039 2880 2321
TOOL JOINT MAKE-UP

INTRODUCTION
TORQUES (daN.m)
77.8 6960 6929 6404 5754 5118 4499 3897 3039 2880 2321
79.4 6823 6792 6404 5754 5118 4499 3897 3039 2880 2321
82.6 6544 6514 6404 5754 5118 4499 3897 3039 2880 2321
ID (mm)
85.7 6254 6225 6197 5754 5118 4499 3897 3039 2880 2321
88.9 5951 5924 5897 5754 5118 4499 3897 3039 2880 2321
92.1 5640 5612 5588 5562 5118 4499 3897 3039 2880 2321
95.3 5316 5291 5267 5242 5118 4499 3897 3039 2880 2321
98.4 4981 4958 4936 4913 4890 4499 3897 3039 2880 2321
101.6 4635 4614 4593 4571 4551 4499 3897 3039 2880 2321
Make-up Torque figures for 6 5/8 FH Connection
OD (mm)
222.3 219.1 215.9 212.7 209.6 206.4 203.2 196.9 190.5 181.0
101.6 9794 9756 9718 9679 8830 7980 7149 5541 4007 3268
TOOL JOINT MAKE-UP

114.3 8068 8037 8004 7973 7942 7910 7149 5541 4007 3268
ID (mm)
INTRODUCTION
TORQUES (daN.m)
120.7 7128 7100 7073 7044 7016 6987 6960 5541 4007 3268
127.0 6137 6113 6090 6065 6041 6018 5994 5541 4007 3268
133.4 5132 5077 5057 5036 5017 4997 4977 4936 4007 3268
1. All API tool joints (except those on HWDP) have the same minimum yield strength of 120,000 psi (827.4 N/mm2), regardless of the grade
of pipe to which they are attached. Therefore make up torque for tool joints is determined only by the tool joint pin ID and box OD.
2. Excessive make up decreases the tensile capacity of a connection pin. Therefore, do not increase make up torque above the
recommended value without first checking the combined tension/torsion load capacity of the tool joints.
3. API make up torques for new tool joints are intended for breaking in only. A tool joint is considered used immediately before it goes into
71
the hole for the first time, so API RP7G values for new make up torques should be ignored unless the tool joint is being broken in.
72
Drill Pipe Tensile Capacity (lbs)

Class 1 (New) Pipe Premium Class Pipe Class 2 Pipe

Size (in) Nom. Wt (lbs/ft) E X G S E X G S E X G S
DRILL PIPE TENSILE

2 3/8" 4.9 97817 123902 136944 176071 76893 97398 107650 138407 66686 84469 93360 120035
CAPACITY (lbs)
2 3/8" 6.7 138214 175072 193500 248786 107616 136313 150662 193709 92871 117636 130019 167167
2 7/8" 6.9 135902 172143 190263 244624 106946 135465 149725 193503 92801 117549 129922 167043
2 7/8" 10.4 214344 271503 300082 385820 166535 210945 233149 299764 143557 181839 200980 258403
3 1/2" 9.5 194264 246068 271970 349676 152979 193774 214171 275363 132793 168204 185910 239027
3 1/2" 13.3 271569 343988 380197 488825 212150 268723 297010 381870 183398 232304 256757 330116
3 1/2" 15.5 322775 408848 451885 580995 250620 317452 350868 451115 215967 273558 302354 388741
4" 11.9 230755 292290 323057 415360 182016 230554 254823 327630 158132 200301 221385 284638
4" 14.0 285359 361454 399502 513646 224182 283963 313854 403527 194363 246193 272108 349852
4" 15.7 324118 410550 453765 583413 253851 321544 355391 456931 219738 278335 307633 395528
Drill Pipe Tensile Capacity (lbs) cont ...

Size (in) Nom. Wt (lbs/ft) E X G S E X G S E X G S
4 1/2" 13.8 270034 342043 378047 486061 213258 270127 298561 383864 185389 234827 259545 333701
DRILL PIPE TENSILE

4 1/2" 16.6 330558 418707 462781 595004 260165 329542 364231 468297 225771 285977 316080 406388
CAPACITY (lbs)
4 1/2" 20.0 412358 522320 577301 742244 322916 409025 452082 581248 279502 354035 391302 503103
4 1/2" 22.8 471239 596903 659735 848232 367566 465584 514593 661620 317497 402163 444496 571495
5" 16.3 328073 415559 459302 590531 259155 328263 362817 466479 225316 285400 315442 405568
5" 19.5 395595 501087 533833 712070 311535 394612 436150 560764 270432 342548 378605 486778
5" 25.6 530144 671515 742201 954259 414690 525274 580566 746443 358731 454392 502223 654715
5.1/2" 19.2 372181 471429 521053 669925 294260 372730 411965 529669 255954 324208 358335 460717
5.1/2" 21.9 437116 553681 611963 786809 344780 436721 482692 620604 299533 379409 419346 539160
5.1/2" 24.7 497222 629814 696111 894999 391285 495627 547799 704313 339533 430076 475347 611160
6.5/8" 25.2 489464 619988 685250 881035 387466 490790 542452 697438 337236 427166 472131 607026
73
6.5/8" 27.7 534240 676670 747937 961632 422418 535063 591385 760352 367455 465443 514437 661419
74
Basis of these numbers: Drill Pipe tensile capacity is the tensile load to yeild a drill pipe tube. These values assume minimum wall
thickness for Premium and Class 2 pipe and nominal wall thickness for Class 1 (new) pipe. Minimum yield strength is also assumed for
each grade and no simultaneous torsional loads are assumed.

1. Wall thickness on Class 1 pipe may be as low as 87-1/2% of nominal, and still meet the requirements of API Spec. 5D for new pipe. If
DRILL PIPE TENSILE

this is known or suspected to be the case, tensile capacity of Class 1 pipe should be reduced accordingly.
CAPACITY (lbs)
2. If a simultaneous torsional load is being applied, the tensile capacity of a drill pipe tube is reduced.
Drill Pipe Tensile Capacity (kN)

Size (mm) Nom. Wt (Kg/m) E X G S E X G S E X G S
60.3 7.2 435 551 609 783 342 433 479 616 297 376 415 534
DRILL PIPE TENSILE

60.3 9.9 615 779 861 1107 479 606 670 862 413 523 578 744
CAPACITY (kN)
73.0 10.2 604 766 846 1088 476 603 666 856 413 523 578 743
73.0 15.5 953 1208 1335 1716 741 938 1037 1333 639 809 894 1149
88.9 14.2 864 1095 1210 1555 680 862 953 1225 591 748 827 1063
88.9 19.8 1208 1530 1691 2174 944 1195 1321 1699 816 1033 1142 1468
88.9 23.1 1436 1819 2010 2584 1115 1412 1561 2007 961 1217 1345 1729
101.6 17.7 1026 1300 1437 1848 810 1026 1133 1457 703 891 985 1266
101.6 20.9 1269 1608 1777 2285 997 1263 1396 1795 865 1095 1210 1556
101.6 23.4 1442 1826 2018 2595 1129 1430 1581 2032 977 1238 1368 1759
114.3 20.5 1201 1521 1682 2162 949 1202 1328 1707 825 1045 1154 1484
75
114.3 24.8 1470 1862 2058 2647 1157 1466 1620 2083 1004 1272 1406 1808
76
Drill Pipe Tensile Capacity (kN) cont ...


Size (mm) Nom. Wt (Kg/m) E X G S E X G S E X G S
DRILL PIPE TENSILE

114.3 29.8 1834 2323 2568 3302 1436 1819 2011 2585 1243 1575 1741 2238
CAPACITY (kN)
114.3 34.0 2096 2655 2935 3773 1635 2071 2289 2943 1412 1789 1977 2542
127.0 24.2 1459 1848 2043 2627 1153 1460 1614 2075 1002 1269 1403 1804
127.0 29.1 1760 2229 2463 3167 1386 1755 1940 2494 1203 1524 1684 2165
127.0 38.2 2358 2987 3301 4245 1845 2336 2582 3320 1596 2021 2234 2912
139.7 28.6 1655 2097 2318 2980 1309 1658 1832 2356 1138 1442 1594 2049
139.7 32.7 1944 2463 2722 3500 1534 1943 2147 2760 1332 1688 1865 2398
139.7 36.8 2212 2801 3096 3981 1740 2205 2437 3133 1510 1913 2114 2718
168.3 37.6 2177 2758 3048 3919 1723 2183 2413 3102 1500 1900 2100 2700
168.3 41.3 2376 3010 3327 4277 1879 2380 2630 3382 1634 2070 2288 2942
Basis of these numbers: Drill Pipe tensile capacity is the tensile load to yeild a drill pipe tube. These values assume minimum wall
thickness for Premium and Class 2 pipe and nominal wall thickness for Class 1 (new) pipe. Minimum yield strength is also assumed for
each grade and no simultaneous torsional loads are assumed.
1. Wall thickness on Class 1 pipe may be as low as 87-1/2% of nominal, and still meet the requirements of API Spec. 5D for new pipe. If
DRILL PIPE TENSILE

this is known or suspected to be the case, tensile capacity of Class 1 pipe should be reduced accordingly.
CAPACITY (kN)
2. If a simultaneous torsional load is being applied, the tensile capacity of a drill pipe tube is reduced.
3. Converted from the Imperial Tables using 1"=25.4 1Lb(force) = 0.004448 kN, 1m = 3.281m
77
78
Tool Joint Connection Condition Bands
COMPLETION OF ROUTINE INSPECTION

IDENTIFICATION MARKINGS ON
Classification Paint Bands
for Drill Pipe and Tool Joints
5.2.T
Stencils for Permanent Marking for Classification of Drill Pipe Body,
Joint Serial No. and Inspection Company Identification Marking
THREAD COMPOUND
INTRODUCTION
FRICTION FACTORS
THREAD CORRECTION
COMPOUND FACTOR
Bestolife 270 1.00
Houghton Stap pb 6 1.00
Houghton Joint No 1 1.00
Jet-Lube Tef Kote 1.00
Jet Lube Polar 1.00
Molykote HSC (Mo S2) 1.00
Shell API Modified Compound 1.00
Shell France Modified Thread

Compound 1.00
Shell Myrina S 7715 1.00
Shell Lube 179A 1.00
Shell Lube 179B 1.00
Techlube TL 60 Zn 1.00
Baker Seal 0.60
Bestolife Honey-Kote 0.70
BP Energrease AS 13 0.75
BP AS 11 0.80
Houghton Stap Zn 6 0.70
Jet Lube 21 0.70
Jet Lube Kop-Kote 0.85
Jet Lube TF-15 0.90
Jet Lube TF-25 0.80
Jet Lube TF-65 Pb 0.70

THREAD COMPOUND
INTRODUCTION
FRICTION FACTORS
THREAD CORRECTION
COMPOUND FACTOR
Jet Lube TF-60 Z 15 0.80
Liquid O Ring 104 0.70
Research Laboratories
API Modified HP 300 0.85
Shell H.P. API Modified

(Shell Oil Code 72732) 0.80
Shell H.P. API Modified (Shell

Canada Ltd Code 504-599) 0.80
Shell H.P. (Japan) 0.70
Techlube API Modified

Thread Compound 0.70
Techlube TL 65 Pb 0.70
Thredkote 706 0.85
Thredkote 709 0.75
Halliburton Weld A 0.90
Thread Lock 0.60
Jet-Lube SS 30 (made in UK) 1.15
Molykote HSC 1.20
Shell S 962 1.30
Bakerlok 1.60
Gelokote T 7.285 0.70
Shell Malleus TC 1 1.10
Shell Malleus STC 1 1.10
Shell Malleus TC 2 1.10
Shell Malleus STC 2 1.10

INTRODUCTION
DRILLSTRING IDENTIFICATION
API recommended practice for mill slot and

groove method of drillstring identification.
API RP7G, Sixteenth edition, August 1998
NO MARKINGS
STANDARD WEIGHT GRADE E75 DRILL PIPE
STANDARD WEIGHT GRADE X-95 DRILL PIPE
PIPE WEIGHT CODE

PIPE GRADE CODE
HEAVY WEIGHT GRADE E75 DRILL PIPE
HEAVY WEIGHT GRADE X-95 DRILL PIPE

DRILLSTRING IDENTIFICATION
STANDARD WEIGHT GRADE G105 DRILL PIPE
STANDARD WEIGHT GRADE S135 DRILL PIPE
HEAVY WEIGHT GRADE G105 DRILL PIPE
HEAVY WEIGHT GRADE S135 DRILL PIPE

INTRODUCTION
NOTES

INTRODUCTION
NOTES

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CONTENTS

■ Failure Mechanisms And How To

■ Failure Prevention Methods

DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO 1

Failure Mechanism : Torsional

Root Cause : Low Yield Strength, due to downhole

Learning Points from the investigation were:

2 DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO

• The internal workings of this MWD sub showed

Failure Mechanism : Stress Corrosion Cracking

Learning Points from the investigation were:

The defect in the pin relief groove was a stress

The crack occurred under conditions of high

DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO 3

Failure No. 2 cont...

There was no compressive layer observed in the

Failure Mechanism : Fatigue

Root Cause : Low toughness (charpy) values

Learning Points from the investigation were :

The NC38 connection failed due to a fatigue crack

The low charpy toughness value tested on the tool

A mechanical test performed on another pin tool joint

4 DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO

Failure Mechanism : Fatigue

Learning Points from the investigation were :

The washout on this joint of drill pipe was from a

Inspection performed by the rental company on this

Ultrasonic Inspection is the only adequate method of

DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO 5

Failure Mechanism : Fatigue

Root Cause: Inability to predict accurate motor

Learning Points from the investigation were :

Failure of the Upper Saver Sub connection was

The thread design would seem to be in some

The implementation of real time vibration monitoring

The final mechanism was a fatigue failure originating

6 DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO

Failure Mechanism : Fatigue

Root Cause : The frequency for inspection was not

Learning points from the investigation were:

Failure Mechanism: Fatigue

Learning points from the investigation were:

DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO 7

Failure Mechanism : Torsion

Learning points from the investigation were:

8 DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO

DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO 9

Good metal properties in the drillstring is

Friction Weld Tube Body Friction Weld

• Minimum Yield Strength

10 DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO

Properties NOT COVERED

• Internal Upset Geometry (Spec 5D, Grade E only,

O.C.T.G. Procter have developed specifications to

DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO 11

Leak Before Break

A good way of lowering drillstring failures comes out

12 DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO

Both of the tool joint connections in Figure 1 and 2

DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO 13

Using the drillstring correctly can help towards

14 DRILLSTRING FAILURE PREVENTION RIG HANDBOOK REVISION TWO

Cleaning Connections and Application of