How long are well drilling pipes?

Important Facts About Your Drilling Pipe

There are various types of drilling pipes, each with unique construction, properties, and applications. Selecting the appropriate type requires understanding these differences. For more information, View Details.

In this post, we will discuss the different types of drilling pipes and their uses. We will also highlight some of the factors that you need to consider when choosing a drilling pipe for your project.

Without drills, there is no petroleum; without drill pipes, there are no drills. Drill pipes play a crucial, often underestimated role in the drilling industry. These tempered, hollow steel pipes are hardened to withstand the pressures of subterranean environments and pump drill fluid to the drill bit.

Given their working conditions, drill pipes must be rigorously checked for wear and tear. They are assessed with spherometers, instruments that precisely measure the radius of a sphere, to ensure their reliability.

Drilling Pipe Classification

After a spherometer check, drill pipes are classified into three categories:

N-class pipe (New Pipe)

The strongest and newest pipe available, usually in pristine condition.

P-class pipe (Premium Pipe)

A step down from N-class, premium pipes have some wear but remain highly functional.

C-class pipe

There are three subclasses: C-1, C-2, and C-3. Depending on their rating, C-class pipes are either well-worn or nearing the end of their useful lives.

Once a pipe has reached the end of its service life, it is graded as scrap, often indicated by red bands. Given the high cost of drill pipes, they are frequently reused, with both new and used pipes being sold according to the mentioned grading criteria.

Types of Drilling Pipe

Having covered the basics of drill pipes, let's explore the various types available.

Drill String

The drill string comprises the entire column of tools, including the drill pipe, shaft collar, tools, and the drill bit. Typically, drill pipes for the drill string are made from tempered steel, with sections rarely exceeding 30 to 33 feet in length for cost and transport reasons.

Given the extreme drilling depths, especially offshore, which can reach up to 15,000 feet, different sections are connected using tool joints. One pipe section will have a male connection, paired with a female connection on another section.

Drill pipes vary in thickness, examples include 2 3/8 inches, 5 inches, and 6 5/8 inches thick drill pipes. Pipes used in the upper drill string parts differ from heavyweight drill pipes (HWDP), which serve as transitions between drill collars and regular, thinner drill pipes.

Heavyweight Drill Pipe (HWDP)

Heavyweight Drill Pipes are stronger than regular drill pipes, designed to handle the added pressures and stresses as transitions between drill collars and thinner pipes. Generally preferred for transitions because they are more flexible, HWDP usually range from 3.5 inches to 6 5/8 inches in diameter, almost twice the weight per foot of regular drill pipes, and have tensile strengths between 200,000 lbs and over 1,000,000 lbs.

Interestingly, drill pipes are typically equipped with center upsets, thick wear pads that prevent the drill pipe from grinding against bedrock, reducing wear and tear, and prolonging their lifespan.

While drill pipes come in various sizes and materials, they fall into two broad categories: regular and heavyweight drill pipes (HWDP). They can be purchased new or used and are graded into three categories: New (N), Premium (P), and C (with three subdivisions).

Oilfield equipment, including drill pipes and OCTG, undergo tremendous stress while drilling, making regular inspections by Field Service Supervisors crucial for safety and performance.

How Long Are Well Drilling Pipes?

In onshore drilling operations, rigs often use Range 2 drill pipes, each approximately 31.5 feet long, to create "stands" of about 94.5 feet. These stands allow the drilling of longer hole sections before adding a new string section, increasing efficiency and reducing hydraulic pressure changes. Sometimes, rigs use Range 3 drill pipes, each about 45 feet long. For more details on types and uses, View Details.

Using Range 3 pipes has advantages:

1) Fewer connections mean less time spent on makeup and break out.

2) Fewer connections reduce handling damage and repairs.

3) Reduced handling time minimizes higher-risk operations, including fewer incidents in the red zone.

4) Reduced pressure losses improve efficiency and decrease pump wear.

5) A significant reduction in weight aids in lower torque and drag, enhancing drilling rig capacity.

However, there are cons:

1) Shipping can be complicated due to the pipe length.

2) Not every repair shop can handle Range 3 pipes.

3) These pipes may wear faster due to increased contact with the formation.

4) Rig fingerboard height adjustments may be required for these pipes.

For some applications, Range 3 drill pipes are excellent, but they may not suit every scenario. To explore further, please visit our website Water Well Drill Pipe.