Beyond Petroleum Equipment

29

2025

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05

Introduction to BEYOND drilling tools

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Introduction to BEYOND drilling tools

1.The composition and function of the drill string
(I) Composition of drill string 
Drilling String is the general term for the steel pipe string above the drill bit and below the tap.

It includes downhole tools such as Square Kelly, Drill Pipe, Drill Collar, various joints, stabilizers, etc.
(II) Function of drill string

(1) Provide a flow channel for drilling fluid;   

(2) Provide drilling pressure to the drill bit; 

(3) Transmit torque;  

(4) Lift and lower the drill bit;  

(5) Measure the well depth; 

(6) Observe and understand the downhole conditions (drill bit working conditions, wellbore conditions, formation conditions); 

(7) Perform other special operations (coring, cementing, salvage, etc.); 

(8) Drill-Stem Testing, also known as mid-course testing.




2. Drill pipe

(1) Function: transmit torque and transport drilling fluid, extend the drill string.

(2) Structure: pipe body + joint

(3) Specifications:

Wall thickness: 9 ~ 11mm, generally 9.19mm.

Outer diameter: depends on various drill pipe conditions, such as the commonly used 127, 140, etc.

Length: generally around 9.5m.

Common drill pipe specifications (inner diameter, outer diameter, wall thickness, linear density, etc.)



Connectors and threads

Thread connection conditions: equal size, same thread type, matching male and female threads.

Drill pipe joint features: thicker wall, larger outer diameter, higher strength.

Drill pipe joint types:

Flat inside (IF), through hole (FH), regular (REG); NC series

Internal flat type: mainly used for external thickened drill pipe. The characteristic is that the inner diameter of the drill pipe is the same throughout, and the drilling fluid flow resistance is small; but the outer diameter is large and easy to wear.

Through-hole type: mainly used for internal thickened drill pipe. Its characteristic is that the drill pipe has two inner diameters, and the drilling fluid flow resistance is greater than the internal flat type, but its outer diameter is smaller than the internal flat type.

Regular type: mainly used for internal thickened drill pipe and drill bits, salvage tools. Its characteristic is that the inner diameter of the joint is less than the inner diameter of the thickened part, and the drilling fluid flow resistance is large, but the outer diameter is the smallest and the strength is greater.

This type of joints all use V-type threads, but the buckle type, buckle distance, taper and size are very different.

NC series connectors

NC23, NC26, NC31, NC35, NC38, NC40, NC44, NC46, NC50, NC56, NC61, NC70, NC77, etc.

NC—National Coarse Thread, (US) National Standard Coarse Thread.

xx—Indicates the base thread pitch diameter, the first two digits in inches multiplied by 10.

For example: NC26 indicates a pitch diameter of 2.668 inches.

NC thread is also a V-type thread. The NC type connectors in the table have the same pitch diameter, taper, pitch and thread length as the old API standard connectors and can be used interchangeably.

The difference between digital connectors and old API connectors





3. Drill collar

Structural features: Directly machined threads at both ends of the pipe body, no special joints; thick wall (38-53 mm), heavy weight, high rigidity.

Main functions:

(1) Apply drilling pressure to the drill bit;

(2) Ensure the necessary strength under compressive stress conditions;

(3) Reduce the vibration, swing and jump of the drill bit, so that the drill bit works smoothly;

(4) Control well inclination.

Types: smooth drill collar, spiral drill collar, flat drill collar.

Common sizes: 6-1/4 , 7 , 8 , 9 .





4. Kelly 

Type: square, hexagonal

Features: thicker wall, higher strength

Main function: transmit torque and bear the full weight of the drill string.

Common sizes: 89mm (3.5 inches), 108mm (4.5 inches), 133.4mm (5.5 inches).

 

 

4. Stabilizer

Type: rigid stabilizer, non-rotating rubber sleeve stabilizer, roller stabilizer.

Function:

1) Anti-deflection;

2) Control wellbore trajectory.





 

drilling tools