DRILL STRING

Introduction to Drill string

Drill string is defined as the drill pipe, with
attached tool joints, that is used to transmit the
fluid and rotational power from Kelly to the drill
collars and bit.

The Drill string primarily consists of Kelly, Drill pipe and the
bottom-hole assembly (BHA). The Drill pipe section contains
conventional Drill pipes, heavy weight Drill pipes. The BHA
contains the following items
Drill collars
Stabilizers
Jars
Reamers
Bit sub
Bit

The drill string serves the following purpose:

Provides a fluid conduit from the Rig to Bit
Impart rotary motion to the drill Bit
Allow weight to be set on the Bit
Lower and raised the Bit in the Well
Provides some stability to the Bottom - hole assembly to
minimize vibration
Permits through-pipe formation evaluation when logging
tools cannot be run in the open hole.

Drill Collar
Drill collars are heavy, thick walled steel pipes with
threaded connections cut on both ends.
Specified By : Example 8 x 3 , 6-5/8 Reg,
Spiral
Mechanical Properties

Standar
d

Square

Spiral

Drill Collar

FUNCTION OF DRILL COLLARS

It provides weight to the bit for drilling.
It keeps the drill pipe in tension.
It maintains weight to keep the drill
string from being subjected to buckling.
It helps provide the pendulum effect.
It stabilizes the bit.
Spiral drill collars are used to reduce
differential pressure sticking in the hole.

Drill Collar
SPECIAL / OPTIONAL FEATURES
Stress relief features

Cold working of threads

roots

and

stress

groove

Low torque face

relief

Drill Collar
SPECIAL / OPTIONAL FEATURES

Gall resistance coating

Elevator and slip recesses

Spiral

SELECTION OF DRILL
COLLAR
Size
Weight
Tapered
string

Drill Collar
HANDLING OF DRILL COLLARS
Thread protectors should be used and screwed fully on
both pin and box ends when handling drill collars.
Use cast steel protectors on pin and box end of drill
collars while picking up from catwalk to derrick floor.
Check that slips and elevator for handling the drill
collars are of proper size.
A safety clamp should be invariably used while making
up or breaking drill collars.

Drill Collar
HANDLING OF DRILL COLLARS
Before make up clean the threads thoroughly, check for
any burrs or damage and lubricate properly.
Always use a good thread compound .Thread compound
should contain 60% finely powdered metallic lead or 4060%finely powdered zinc.
If lift subs are used, its pin threads should be cleaned,
checked and lubricated on each trip.
A new joint should be carefully lubricated, made up,
break out, re-lubricated and made up again on initial
make up.

Drill Collar
HANDLING OF DRILL COLLARS

Always use chain tong for initial tightening of drill

collars.
A torque gauge should be used on tong line to measure
the make up torque.
Always make up drill collars to appropriate
recommended torque.
On each trip rotate top two stands of drill collars to
work in drill collar string below so that null point may
not remain on the same joint.

Drill Collar
HANDLING OF DRILL COLLARS
Make close visual inspection of every non-working
joint while pulling out.
Do not use rotary for making up or breaking out of
drill collar connection.
Do not over torque or under torque a drill collar
connection during make up. Insufficient torque or
too much torque both may cause problems.
Do not jerk the line for applying pull for make up;
give a long steady pull to the tong line.

Heavy Weight Drill Pipe

A Heavy Weight Drill Pipe (HWDP) looks like a normal
drill pipe except for an upset centered along the tube

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Its wall thickness is up to 3 times that of a similarsized normal drill pipe to add additional weight to the
bit.

APPLICATIONS OF HWDP

Acts as an effective weight-on-bit member in extendedreach, horizontal, and conventional directional well

Improves directional control by reducing torque and

drag
reduce the risk of differential sticking

Acts as an active weight on bit member

Reduces the risk of drillpipe fatigue failure

Remedial operations

Jar
placement
15

Drilling Stablizer
It is composed of a hollow cylindrical body and stabilizing
blades, both made of high-strength steel
It mechanically stabilizes the BHA in the borehole in order to
avoid unintentional sidetracking, vibrations, and ensure the
quality of the hole being drilled

Drill pipe grade

Longest section of the drill string. Steel tube

to transmit torque and hydraulic horsepower
at the bit
Sizes (API): 2-3/8" to 6-5/8".
Range
Length (ft)
1
2
3

18-22
27-30
38-45

Classes of drill pipe

Class

Colour code

Identification

Class I (New)

1 white band

No notches

Premium (80%
wall thickness)

2 white bands

1 Notch

Class II (65% wall

thickness, wear on
one side)

1 yellow band

2 Notches

Class III (55%

wall thickness,
wear on one side)

1 Orange band

3 Notches

Common grades of drill pipe and their

strength
GRADE

MINIMUM
YIELD
psi
75000

MAXIMUM TENSILE
YIELD
STRENGTH
psi
psi
105000
85000

95000

125000

105000

105000

135000

115000

135000

165000

145000

Nomenclature of drill pipe

Drill pipe is designated by outer diameter
e.g..5

Drill pipe is designated by its nominal weight

e.g..19.5ppf

General connection of 5 drill pipe mostly used.

NC-505XH4 IF

Identification marking

Kelly
Heavy hexagonal or square steel pipe
Normally used 37-54 in length and 5 1/4 size and 3
ID
Box End- Left hand threads (6 5/8 REG), Pin End- Right
hand threads(4 IF)
Better hook load and tensile strength in hexagonal
type
Transmits weight and torque through kelly bushing
Used along with Kelly Saver sub and pressure safety
valve- upper kelly cock and lower kelly cock
Regular lubrication of drive surfaces
Regular inspection of drive bushing and kelly corners
for wear
Check for crook and bend

Drill String Failure

Stress
Tension- Overpull exceeding tensile strength
Cyclic stress/Fatigue - Compression and tension simultaneously
Torque- Poor hole condition exerts twisting force on joints

Wash out
Improper metal to metal sealing and uneven tightening

Twist off
Excess torque, Tong & slip Marks, excessive unequal rotational
moment
of combinational string, Wear and thinning of pipe body, ageing
abrasive
formation
6

Slip crushing
Non uniform griping leading to crushing
Corrosion
Oxygen- Rusting and pitting leading to washouts and twist off
Carbon Dioxide- Carbonic acid formation causing corrosion
Dissolved Salts- Increased conduction increases corrosion
Hydrogen Sulphide
Organic Acids- Lowers pH and removes protective layer

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THANK U