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Abstract
Series 500 Wedge Thread (WT) tool joint connections
were developed in 1993 for high-torque extended-reach
drilling applications in the North Sea.
These non-shouldered connections offer extremely high
torque limits and a small OD/ID profile for improved drilling
hydraulics. The combination of features on WT tool joint
connections has enabled a series of ground-breaking
applications in extended reach and slim profile drilling around
the world.
Recent analysis of more than 4 years worth of operational
data on the Wedge Thread tool joint connection has yielded
the unanticipated result that WT tool joint connections have
lower average operating costs than API Numbered
Connections (NC). In many cases, the marginal investment in
a WT drill string has a payback of less than 2 years,
independent of the special technical features of the connection
such as higher torque and better hydraulics.
This paper describes the special drilling applications
enabled by Wedge Thread tool joints, including considerations
of drilling hydraulics, fishing, pipe running and handling,
inspection and repair, and especially the concept of using one
WT string to substitute for two conventional NC
drilling strings.
A methodology is presented for evaluating the economics
of using WT tool joints connections in everyday drilling, in
lieu of API Numbered Connections.
History of the Wedge Thread Tooljoint
The Series 500 Wedge Thread (WT) drill pipe tooljoint is a
seal along the thread of the small step. API tooljoints seal
on the torque shoulder.
require more rotation from hand-tight make-up to powertight make-up than a shouldered connection.
IADC/SPE 74567
IADC/SPE 74567
4
WT39
5
NC50
5-1/2
WT56
6-5/8
FH
0-5,000 ft.
3.2
3.3
3.8
510,000 ft.
5.5
4.8
4.6
1015,000 ft.
6.4
7.2
7.5
9.8
1520,000 ft
9.6
8.4
20-25,000 ft.
10.1
9.2
25-30,000 ft
11.6
Because WT can make-up downhole to very high breakout torques, it is especially important that the rig be equipped
with power tongs with torque ratings well in excess of the
maximum recommended make-up torques, particularly for
aggressive ERD programs or other applications where
downhole make-up to high torques is anticipated.
In the field, breakout torques higher than the published
WT tooljoint torsional yield have been experienced without
failing the connection or requiring a recut.
For example, in a record-setting application in an ERD
well in South America (see Ref. 5), WT38 tooljoints on 4
14.00 ppf drillpipe reached breakout torques up to 50,000 ftlbs, almost 20% above the rated torsional yield of the
connection of 41,000 ft-lbs. All of the affected connections
passed inspection, with only slightly accelerated thread flank
wear, (evidenced by reduced gaps at the wear indicators) and
were re-run.
To insure rapid make-and-break times, it is imperative that
the power tongs be able to apply continuous torque; that is,
they should ideally not be a rachet-type tong.
A typical power tong which is ideal for use with WT
connections is shown in Fig. 4. Its design is based on a tong
first produced in the late 1960s by Joy Manufacturing, and
now substantially updated. It will handle drillpipe from 4-1/2
to 8-1/2 OD, and is rated at 110,000 lb-ft. of torque. It is a
continuous rotation type tong, with eccentric, convex, camtype dies, as shown in Fig. 5.
The camming action of the tong dies provides for efficient
transmission of torque to the tooljoint without scarring. The
convex surface of the dies eliminates the issue of a diameter
mis-match between convex dies and the OD of the tooljoint,
and allows a quick and positive release when hydraulic power
is removed. The upper dies also serve as a de-stabbing
guide at lift-out.
This particular tong is also available with a mud-bucket
attachment (Fig. 6) for pulling a wet string (as when backreaming with a top-drive).
Field Inspection and Repair of API and WT Tooljoints.
Because the sealing function of the Wedge Thread is within
the threadform, rather than at a radial shoulder, the inspection
criteria for WT is different from that of an API tool joint.
Unlike an API tooljoint, damage to the external pin
shoulder or box face of a WT tooljoint does not require refacing or rejection of the joint; damage to the pin external
shoulder, pin face, box face, and box internal shoulder are
IADC/SPE 74567
IADC/SPE 74567
Capital Cost
Economic Life
Annual Repair Expense
Available Joints, i.e. the average number of joints
available for work on the rig
IADC/SPE 74567
A.
B.
Economic Life
C.
D.
Machining Expense
($)
E.
Logistics Expense
($)
F.
Inspection Expense
($)
G.
H.
I.
Available Joints
( joints)
J.
($/joint)
$3.42 / joint
$13.65 / joint
$47.09 / joint
$58.86 / joint
($)
(years)
( $/year )
( $/year )
($)
API
WT
1.3X
A.
Capital Cost
B.
Economic Life
3 yrs.
3 yrs.
C.
.333X
.433X
0.1X
5Y
Y
4Y
IADC/SPE 74567
costs twice as much as an API repair, but that there are ten
times as many API repairs on average.
API
WT
1.3X
A.
Capital Cost
B.
Economic Life
3 yrs.
4 yrs.
C.
.333X
.325X
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Repair Costs
API Drillpipe
WT Drillpipe
Distance from Repair Facility
IADC/SPE 74567
Percent of Wells
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
0 to 1% 1 to 2% 2 to 3% 3 to 4% 4 to 5% 5 to 6% 6 to 7% 7 to 8% 8 to 9%
>9%
IADC/SPE 74567
Table 5. Make-Up Torque of API (NC) and Wedge Thread (WT) Tooljoints
ToolJoint
NC 26
WT 26
NC 31
OD
(in)
ID
(in)
3-3/8
1-3/4
Min.
Makeup
Torque
(ft-lb)
2,800
4-3/4
2-9/16
NC 40
5-1/2
2-13/16
14,270
WT 40
5-1/2
3-1/8
12,000
5-7/8
3-1/2
NC 38
NC 46
WT 46
NC 50
WT 50
6-5/8
3-5/8
RADIAL Wear
Allowance at
Rated Torque
6,880
12,300
0.117
13,200
22,500
28,500
0.109
19,170
31,500
41,000
0.094
9,800
7,920
WT 38
Tooljoint
Torsional
Yield
(ft-lb)
4,130
4-1/8
WT 31
Max.
Makeup
Torque
(ft-lb)
6,200
11,500
9,000
23,790
54,000
0.188
27,420
70,000
0.063
41,650
86,000
109,000
0.141
57,650
99,000
132,000
0.188
42,000
16,770
15,000
56,000
24,990
23,000
NC 56
7-1/4
34,590
WT 56
7-1/4
4-5/8
27,000
Fig. 5
Rogers Oil Tool
Mud Diverter
Fig. 6
Convex Cam-Type Pipe-Dies for
Rogers Oil Tool Model 8.5 Power Tong