Pup joints are short sections of pipe used in a variety of downhole applications during drilling, completion, and production operations. Based on where they are deployed, they are categorized as casing, drill pipe, integral, or tubing joints. Each type serves specific purposes.
1. Tubing Pup Joints
These short steel tubes are used in production tubing strings between regular tubing joints. Typical lengths are 2 ft to 10 ft.
- Enabling accurate landing of production packers.
- Adjusting tubing string lengths based on pressure testing results.
- Spotting gels or pills during well interventions.
- Isolating zones for selective perforation.
- Facilitating workover operations by providing space-out flexibility.
- Pulling or running completion assembly components like subsurface safety valves.
2. Casing Pup Joints
It is short steel pipes inserted in between regular casing string sections. Typical lengths range from 2 ft to 10 ft.
It has threaded connections compatible with the casing string specifications. They are instrumental in:
- Enabling precise landing of casing shoes at target depths.
- Adjusting the overall string length to accommodate depth variations.
- Installing temporary plugs during well abandonment.
- Circulating bottoms up after casing cementing.
- Relieving debris collected on casing shoe seats.
- Providing flexibility in running long casing strings.
- Facilitating casing liner laps.
Proper use saves significant rig time and reduces operational risks during critical well construction phases.
3. Drill Pipe Pup Joints
These are short steel pipes used in the drill string between regular drill pipe joints. Lengths range from 2 ft to 10 ft.
Applications :
- Accurately landing BHA equipment like stabilizers, MWD tools, LWD sensors, mud motors, etc. at required depths.
- Circulating bottoms up to clean holes after drilling or cementing operations.
- Run pressure tests across formations using a joint to isolate zones.
- Break circulation during stuck pipe incidents and attempt to spot fluids across short intervals.
- Free stuck drill strings by repetitive downward jarring with pups installed.
- Enable cutting and retrieving the fish when fishing for fallen drill string components.
4. Integral Pup Joints
These pups have integral tool joints on both ends and are used in place of a regular drill pipe joint. Integral pups provide operational flexibility similar to standard drill pipe pups.
Key applications are:
- Adjusting the drill string length for precise BHA positioning.
- Bridging gaps between drill pipe joints of marginally different lengths.
- Assisting fishing and jarring operations.
- Facilitating drill string assembly and handling at rig sites.
Proper selection and application of casing, drill pipe, integral, or tubing pup joints improve operational efficiency during well construction, completion, and servicing, which continue to provide an economical way to optimize tubular string lengths for specific downhole needs. If you are looking for a professional manufacturer, you can choose Vigor, please contact us at info@vigorpetroleum.com.
