Wedge Thread Tool Joints: Applications and Economics

Wedge Thread Tool Joints: Applications and Economics Harris A. Reynolds; Harris A. Reynolds Hydril Company Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar John F. Greenip John F. Greenip Hydril Company Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, Dallas, Texas, February 2002. Paper Number: SPE-74567-MS https://doi.org/10.2118/74567-MS Published: February 26 2002 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Get Permissions Search Site Citation Reynolds, Harris A., and John F. Greenip. "Wedge Thread Tool Joints: Applications and Economics." Paper presented at the IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, Dallas, Texas, February 2002. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/74567-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll ProceedingsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition Search Advanced Search AbstractSeries 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 TooljointThe Series 500 Wedge Thread (WT) drill pipe tooljoint is a tapered, two-step threaded connection. The high torque and pipe body sealing capability of WT are provided by the tapered, dovetail thread. See Fig. 2, Wedge Thread Tooljoint Profile.Development of the WT tool joint connection began at the request of a North Sea operator drilling extended reach wells. The operator recognized that both the very high torque needed to rotate the drill string, and the corresponding decrease in the available hydraulic horsepower at the bit would limit their ERD opportunities. The operator was familiar with the torque strength available from the Series 500 tubing and casing connections, and asked if a high torque tool joint with a favorable OD/ID profile could be developed based on the same Wedge Thread technology.Applying the industry's existing tool joint technology and materials, and incorporating the basic Wedge Thread concept, a comprehensive design and testing process led to the exhibition of the WT prototype at the Aberdeen Oil Show in September, 1993.Since then, drill strings using the Wedge Thread tooljoint have confirmed expectations in extended reach and slimhole drilling, while simultaneously achieving unanticipated savings in the life-cycle costs of the drillstring.Similarities Between API and WT TooljointsWedge Thread tooljoints are nominally similar to API rotary shouldered connections. For example, WT tooljoints are:machined on standard API tool joint material. For most applications, WT drillpipe is S-135 grade to take advantage of WT's torque capacity.run with conventional 18° bottleneck elevators.are welded to standard API drillpipe upset ends.use standard pipe dope.uses existing free-point and back-off procedures. Keywords: torque, iadc spe 74567, wt tooljoint, drill pipe selection, drilling operation, drillstring design, economic life, wedge thread tool joint, application, upstream oil & gas Subjects: Drillstring Design, Drilling Operations, Drill pipe selection This content is only available via PDF. 2002. IADC/SPE Drilling Conference You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.