Field Inspection of Drillpipe - Summary Overview

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Field Inspection of Drillpipe,

Summary Overview

Why Inspect Drilling Tubulars ??

To allow “used”
Drillstring components
to be catogorised against
a standard to prevent
costly, or potentially
dangerous failures, while
in service.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview

What Components Require Inspection ?

Drillpipe

Heavy Wall Drill Pipe

Bottom Hole Assembly Components

Drilling Substitutes

“Special” tools i.e. drilling motors, jars


Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
What Method of Inspection ?

Dimensional : to catogorise service capabilities against recognised


specification limitations, using the “as new” dimension as a base
line.

Visual : to identify any damage or wear which would be detrimental


to service downhole.

NDT : using applicable recognised industry standard methods, to


highlight surface/sub-surface indications in highly stressed areas.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Inspection Responsibilities

Both customer and inspection vendors have core


responsibilities, when applied to the inspection of
drillstring components i.e.

Customer : to specify the type of inspection required and


the allowable acceptance criteria.

Inspector : must ascertain if a component fullfills the


criteria of the inspection program requirements.

Both also share the responsibility to plan and complete


all inspection functions in a manner which is safe and
minimises any impact on the surrounding environment.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Inspector Qualifications

All inspectors must be qualified to a minimum


of EN 473/Nordtest or ASNT Level II for the use of MPI,
DPI and UT Inspection.

Annual eye examinations are a requirement for natural or


corrected sight to fulfill:

A Jaeger test chart J1 letters at a minimum of a distance at


12”.

The capability to distinguish contrast and color of the


medium used in the inspection methods. (Isihara)
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Inspection Procedures

A number of inspection procedures are used in the field, these


include :

A.P.I. Standard, based on the RP 7G specification

Standard DS-1, based on T.H.Hills Drill Stem and


Inspection document.

NS-2 , Drill String Inspection Standard by Fearnly Proctor


Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Inspection Procedures
How Do They Differ ?

A.P.I. RP7G : The basic industry standard inspection programme.


Concentrated on Drillpipe, with minimal specifications for Drill
Collars and subs. No reference made to HWDP or special tools.

DS-1 and NS-2 : An enhanced inspection criteria evolved from


A.P.I. It has specific categories for design, inspection type and
frequency based on application, with concise dimensional
inspection requirements. These are referenced against maximum
wear limitations, covering D.P, H.W.D.P, D.C’s, Subs, N.Magnetic
Tubulars and Special Tools.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview

“Pre” Inspection Preparation”


As in most jobs, preparation is the key to a high quality
finished product.

This is specifically applicable to the inspection of tubular


goods, where detailed dimensional, visual and NDT
techniques, requires the surfaces to be clean and free
from drilling fluids, thread lubricant and surface corrosion.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Removal of Drilling Fluids
All tubular bores must be fully flushed to remove all
residual drilling fluid. This is completed by a high
pressure water jetting method.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Removal of Surface Corrosion
External, internal and threaded sections for inspection
require removal of all surface contaminants and oxides. In
most cases this is completed using a power wire brush method.

** Although removal of heavy corrosion on tube section may


require a secondary blast media operation.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Identification of Tubulars
Prior to carrying out inspection of any tubular, the
components are racked in a safe and competent manner.
This allows :

Access to the tube body and connections

The recording of the tubulars unique Serial No.

The allocation of sequential numbers (if required)

This numbering system is used to identify the tubular on


its relevant inspection report
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Visual Inspection (Drill pipe)
Tube Section : Inspect O/D and I/D for evidence of
incurred damage; raised metal, corrosive pitting, eccentric wear,
slip area damage, bent sections and damaged internal
plastic coating.

ToolJoint : Record pipe grade. Inspect O/D - I/D, sealing


shoulders, bevel dia, thread surfaces and hardmetal
areas for incurred damage or surface indications. Check
for box swell and pin stretch.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Visual Inspection (BHA)
“Tube”
Inspect O/D and I/D for evidence of incurred damage; raised
metal, corrosive pitting, eccentric wear (inc centre upsets),
slip / elevator recess areas, hard metal damage, bent sections.
Connections

Inspect as for D.Pipe. Plus stress relief features (evaluate


surface finish of relief feature for surface corrosion or
mechanical damage)
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Dimensional Inspection (Drillpipe)

Tube : O.D. checked using a


go - no go gauge.

Connection: All critical dimensions are recorded relevant


to the connection integrity and operational usage including:

Tong Space,

Box / Pin O.D, I.D,

B.Dia, C/Bore,

Seal / Shoulder width.


Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview

Dimensional Inspection (Drillpipe)


Specific to DSTJ, Vam EIS, HT and XT Connections.

All High Torque Connections:

Require a supplementary
dimensional inspection to
determine the critical lengths
between the dual shoulders on
the box and pin members. To
maintain balance between both
shoulders in service.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Dimensional Inspection (BHA)

Connection: All critical dimensions are recorded relevant


to the connection integrity and application including:
Box / Pin O.D - I.D - lengths, B.Dia, C/Bore, Stress Relief
features.

“Tube” : Drill Collar slip / elevator


recesses checked for adequate
shoulder dimensions and tong space.
Centre upsets on HWDP checked
for O/D and eccentric wear.
All hardmetal areas inspected for
wear or surface defects
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview

Non Destructive Testing Methods


The methods used for the NDT of drilling tubulars are:

Wet Fluorescent / Black-White Magnetic Particle Inspection

Ultra Sonic

Electro-Magnetic

Dye Penetrant (Non Magnetic materials only)


Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Magnetic Particle Inspection
MPI is used as a method to identify
surface indications related to fatigue
type crack initiation points, by utilizing
lines of magnetic flux induced into the
tubular. If a crack or non conformity is
evident, suspended ferrous particles within the developing
fluid, are drawn to the indication.

← Indication in thread root


Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
MPI Slip and Upset Area’s
MPI is performed in the highly stressed slip and upset
areas to identify any surface indications (36” from pin /
48” from box shoulders). This is completed using the
“Black and White” method, which uses an AC yoke to
produce a localized magnetic field, on the tube body.
A ferrous solution (black) is applied adjacent to the yoke
over a pre-sprayed “white” background paint surface. Any
surface indications are highlighted by the action of the
magnetic field concentrating the black ferrous solution, a
round an indication.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview

Crack in upset on 3.½” Drillpipe


Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
MPI Connections
All rotary shouldered connections are inspected using
the “wet”/“black light” method, to allow identification of
surface indications in thread roots or relief features.
It is an efficient and rugged method which is well suited to
“field” inspections.
To maintain this efficiency the following are required :

A high degree of cleanliness


in the connection area prior →
to inspection.

Controlled application of the


suspension / D.C. magnetic field.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
MPI Connections

Monitor field strength

View and evaluate the full connection


area, including relief features using a
calibrated U.V. light source in a
controlled darkened environment.
(shown for clarity only)
Any indications recorded, are classed
and noted as a rejection, this includes
NO provision for re-work in the field.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview

Ultrasonic Inspection
The U.T. method is utilized in two phases of the
inspection program, specifically for drill pipe i.e.
as a wall thickness measurement on the tube body
and as a method of identifying sub surface “fatigue”
type crack initiations in the upset tube / tool joint transition
area.

Wall Thickness
The hand held UT gauge is used in
conjunction with a calibration block,
to identify the wall thickness of the
drill pipe tube. This is correlated with
specific dimensional limit to identify
the minimum acceptable criteria.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview

Ultrasonic Inspection
Upset / Tool joint Transition

The UT is set up as a semi-auto


unit to ride over the “end”
sections of a rotated drill pipe.
The sound pulse is transmitted
along the pipe at an angle
reflecting of the O/D-I/D.
If present, a defect will be
reflected back and highlighted
on the operators visual display, as a trace.

This method of verification is efficient, with good results


in identifying defects in the highly stressed “end” regions.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview

Electro-Magnetic Inspection
The EMI method is used to identif
surface defects (transverse) in the
tube section of Drill pipe. By using
a DC induced magnetic field, to
highlight any defects, which are
located by multiple (8) pick up shoes.

These run on the pipe, as it is


traversed through the unit and locate
any areas of disturbance within the
magnetic field around the tube. This
signifies a leakage in the magnetic
field, indicating the presence of a
flaw.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview

Electro-Magnetic Inspection
Calibration of the EMI unit is paramount in maintaining the
quality of the inspection logs. This requires running a
calibration pipe with 8 holes drilled in its section oriented
to the pick up shoes. The response of each coil is
monitored and evaluated by the operator. This operation is
performed before each job and after every 25 joints in
process.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview

Reports and Certification

All inspections are fully documented to the required


inspection category, with dimensional and inspection results
reported per serial numbers.

Recommendations are
included where repairs
are required (i.e
damaged hard band,
sealing shoulder,
damaged connection etc)
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Washout In D.P. Tube
Problem : Loss in drillstring integrity
through fluid erosion of drillpipe tube
at slip area. Initiation point

Probable Cause : Stress riser on tube


o/d caused by heavy slip mark led to
the initiation of a fatigue type fracture,
which propagated through tube section
from o.d. - I.d. Allowing communication
with drillstring and annulus, leading to
heavy fluid erosion.

Repair Option : None, component D.B.R.

Preventive Actions : maintain good rigfloor


practices offshore, inspect slips for damage.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Connection Thread Galling
Problem : Heavy galling of pin connection,
led to lost rig floor time and pup joint being
laid out

Probable Cause : Connection damaged


through cold friction welding (galling) of
mating surfaces due to combined high
surface loads and lack of adequate
lubricant.

Repair Option : Re-cut connection

Preventive Actions : Use adequate thread lubricant,


prevent contamination of threaded surfaces/shoulders,
use correct m/up torque, include an anti-gall plating, deter from
fast spinning or rotating in connections with the rotary.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview

Tool joint Hard band Damage

Problem : Break up of Chromium


Carbide Hard band material on tool
joints.

Probable Cause : Loss of material may


be related to heavy incurred downhole
parameters or poor initial application.

Repair Option : Remove the existing


hard band and re - apply.

Preventive Actions : Be aware of hard banded areas on tool joints


and keep them as NO tongs / slips zones.
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
RSC Stabbing Damage

Problem : Stabbing damage on sealing


shoulder of connection. Complete loss
in seal line capability

Probable Cause : While stabbing in


rotary table, or handling tubulars
without protectors.

Repair Option : Rework shoulder and


re-cut connection.

Preventive Actions : Use good rig practices by not landing pins


on shoulders of boxes and ALWAYS use protectors when moving
tubulars
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview
Connection Shoulder Galling
Problem : Heavy galling on shoulder
of connection, could lead to probable
loss in seal and ultimate washout

Probable Cause : Shoulder damaged


through cold friction welding (galling)
of mating surfaces due to combined
high surface loads and lack of
adequate lubricant.

Repair Option : Re-cut connection, if conditions allow i.e. tong


space, component space out etc

Preventive Actions : Use adequate thread lubricant on shoulder


area, check shoulder condition before make up, avoid stabbing
damage, use correct m/up torque, include an anti-gall plating
Field Inspection of Drillpipe,
Summary Overview

Pin Connection Crack

Problem : Crack like surface indication


in root of last thread on pin. Indicative of
Indication in
a fatigue type fracture initiation point. thread root

Probable Cause : concentration of cyclic


bending stresses during operation
downhole

Repair Option : Re-cut connection past


crack

Preventive Actions : Investigate application of suitable stress


relief features, applied make up torque, BSR’s, assembly
dynamics, inspection frequency / type / method used.

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