How long does a string of HDD drill pipe last? Trick question or misconception?
Drill rods are consumables or wear parts, in fact, the most expensive wear parts on horizontal directional drills. Every contractor wants to get the most life out of their pipe, as reducing expenses directly drops to bottom-line profit.
Many people believe that a string of pipe should last "X" amount of time; however, many variables come into play throughout the lifecycle of a drill string that will directly affect the overall lifespan of the pipe. Ground conditions, operational factors and drill pipe maintenance all play key roles in determining the life of the pipe.
The ground conditions encountered during horizontal directional drilling are one of the most significant factors when it comes to wear and tear on the HDD drill pipe. For example, if most of your drilling is being performed in soft loamy soils your drill pipe will last significantly longer than if you are drilling in rocky soils or river crossings through cobble and chunk rock. This may appear obvious, but determining how much more, or less life too expect when factoring in ground conditions isn't so easy. Pipe inspection techniques will need to be employed to determine how much life is remaining. Deflection damage and pipe rotating on rock will dramatically reduce the life of the pipe and that has to be taken into consideration when bidding work and forecasting expenses.
Drilling operations are also instrumental when it comes to the life of a drill string.
We already addressed setback and bore planning and how that can reduce the life of drill pipe. Another important item to be mindful of is drill pipe make-up torque.
Be certain to thread the pipe together to the manufacturer's recommended make-up torque above ground, otherwise, the HDD drill pipe is at risk of over torquing downhole. This causes damage to the connections, such as flared boxes and mushroomed pins, which will significantly reduce pipe life, and don't forget to use a high-quality thread compound for every connection made. Proper vise alignment is also critical. The drill pipe must be centered properly in the vise for make-up with the next connection, if not, stabbing damage to the threads and box shoulder can occur.
HDD drill pipe maintenance also goes a long way when it comes to maximizing the life of a drill string. The most difficult part about maintenance procedures is taking the time to do them.
Here are some good practices that will definitely extend the life of drill pipe:
- Conduct periodic visual inspections of the pipe and set any that are bent or showing pin or box damage aside for further repair or disposal.
- Clean or remove any foreign debris from drill pipe compound on the threads.
- If box ends are showing significant die marks, check vise jaws and replace as needed. Always replace the drive chuck or sub saver when racking a new string of pipe.
- Rotate the pipe in the rack to spread the wear evenly throughout the drill string.
- If you plan on storing any used pipe it is a good idea to flush the pipe to remove any drilling fluids, let it dry and replace the thread protectors.
Making the extra effort to maintain a drill string will definitely pay off in the long run and give you the best return on your investment.
If you are interested in HDD drill pipe from Vigor, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us to get the most professional products and the best quality technical support.
For more information, you can write to our mailbox info@vigorpetroleum.com & mail@vigorpetroleum.com
