Drilling thread types for dummies

Posted by Frode Bjørheim 30.09.2015

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At
Od﬋ell Well Services we constantly hear from people who ask us why certain drill pipes don't go
together. Sometimes these are experienced drillers who have been in the industry for years. So here
comes a post with the need-to-know basic stuff about drilling connection types. Hopefully it will be of
use to you - whether you're a rookie or a veteran.

What kind of thread types are we talking about?

It can be tough getting the terminology right, so let's nail it down right now. In this post I will deal with
the drill string connections only. I won't be talking about connections for casing or tubing.

To narrow it down further we are going to look at Rotary Shouldered Connections (RSC). RSC's come in
two sub-categories:

1. API connections (American Petroleum Institute)

 2. Premium connections

Study the schematic for drill pipe tool joints below to gain a better understanding of what we are
talking about: 

> Read also: How to choose the right drill pipe

API Connections
API connections go under many names: 

Regular
 IF (Internal Flush)
FH (Full Hole)
NC (Numeric Connection).

These are single shoulder connections: They only have one torque shoulder on both pin and box.

Premium connections
Premium connections are like cell phone chargers. They come in different shapes and sizes from the
many competing factories. Some examples are: 

XT (Grant Prideco),
DSTJ (Tenaris)
Vam Eis (Vam)
MT (DP Master).

Most premium connections have a double shoulder. That means that they have an extra torque
shoulder in the nose of the pin and in the bottom of the box. This provides a bigger shoulder area,
thus allowing a higher makeup torque.

Designed with drilling in mind

As is common for all threaded connection types, RSC's are designed with a single purpose in mind,
namely drilling. They must be strong enough to endure different loads and combinations of tension
and torsion. 

What might come as a surprise to many is that no API RSC is pressure rated with regards to gases and
liquids. The drill string data sheets tell us what the pipe can endure internally in the drill string before
it bursts or collapses. Yet, this applies to the pipe, and NOT to the connections.

RSC's can endure high pressures under favourable conditions. But take the necessary precautions. You
don't want an unexpected shoulder separation and an uncontrollable leak when drilling a deviated
well..

Why all these connections?

But why all these connection types? Why can't we as an industry just pick the best one and go with it?
That is a legitimate question. The short answer is competition. Manufacturers compete for the best
connection, and that will probably continue for some time.

Compatibility
The wide range of connections naturally brings up the question about compatibility. Can we screw
type A together with type B, etc.? Yes, some connections go together with other types under given
circumstances. Let's take a look at how this works. 

Premium + API
Some premium connections are compatible with API connections, even though one of them has a
double shoulder and the other not. These premium connections have the same thread profile as the
corresponding API connections. Examples of this are Vam Eis, DSTJ, GPDS, etc.

If there is space enough for a secondary shoulder in the API box, this can be a solution. In these
scenarios the API box typically has a bore back (BB).  

Before you try to screw different connections together, do the following. Ask your drilling equipment
provider whether they permit it. If they do, take care to use the makeup torque values for the weakest
connection.

Premium + Premium
Only in rare circumstances can you screw together two different types of premium connections . In
order for this to work the thread profiles need to match each other. Besides, the dimensions (diameter
and length) of the secondary shoulder need to allow it. 

Feel free to use this compatibility matrix as a guide when trying to figure out what goes together with
what:
So until a genius invents the perfect quick connection, we just have to accept the status quo and live
with it. As Voltaire so eloquently put it: "One day everything will be well, that is our hope. Everything's
fine today, that is our illusion". 

Download our free eBook

Inspection and Maintenance of Drill Pipe

Topics: Drilling Equipment

By: Frode Bjørheim

Frode Bjørheim is a specialist in drill pipe standards and lifting equipments with more than
30 years' experience in the oil & gas industry, both offshore and onshore.
Comments

Tim Sanderson
1/10/2015 4:49:14

This is an excellent article and will help a lot of people understand the subject.
Reply to Tim Sanderson

Lars Bjoland
6/10/2015 21:58:24

Interesting and very educational.

Reply to Lars Bjoland

Ronaldo Claridad
8/10/2015 0:23:49

easy to understand, a good reference for me. thanks!

Reply to Ronaldo Claridad

Luka
19/10/2015 9:38:36

Good post. I'm driller as well, but every time you learn something new.
Reply to Luka

Amir hedayatpour
9/11/2015 21:53:28

Good reference and very useful , Thanks alot

Reply to Amir hedayatpour

ali moradian
1/7/2016 2:00:14

what kind of connection is used in body connections such as hydraulic jars so its taper id different
Reply to ali moradian

Tim Sanderson
11/7/2016 2:21:17

No - one seems to have answered this one so i'll share what i remember and perhaps others with more
current knowledge can add to it. My memories of working with downhole tools and equipment are that
the threads connecting a mandrel to a sub, or a housing to a top or bottom connection were not usually
given a nomenclature or "named" in the manuals, also that those threads were generally much finer than
those found on top and bottom connections to the string. I also recall that when working with two tools
from the same manufacturer, there were occasions when these fine threads would not interchange from
one tool to another. This isn't the best answer you could get, I'm sure others could expand on it.
Reply to Tim Sanderson

LL
28/11/2016 5:31:36

Bore back on drill pipes connection? I do not understand what you thought by this, as I know you can
mate double shoulder pin (API interchangeable) with API box, of course then you will have limited
compatibility connection.
Reply to LL

Martin Bakos
6/6/2017 7:48:37

is somwhere also a compatibility matrix for VAM Top and TPS Techniseal threads? Thank you in
advance.
Reply to Martin Bakos

Gary Ong
7/8/2018 4:30:25

Not interchangeable. TPS thread design is identical to NEW VAM but not VAM TOP where the latter has a
-3 degree thread flank.
Reply to Gary Ong

otonye berepiki
4/8/2017 10:52:33

Need to know
Reply to otonye berepiki

Scott Kalm
2/5/2018 8:39:19

How foes a shoulder pipe connection work? How does the tapered thread, thread up?
Reply to Scott Kalm

Rudi Schellhorn
13/8/2018 5:46:27

Hi,
 What requirements are necessary for "preparation of well"for 36", 20", 13 3/8" etc drill pipe and "rig
return" for same? Is there a standard list of requirements for these activities?
Kind Regards Rudi
Reply to Rudi Schellhorn

iman saadaat
7/4/2019 18:29:21

dear Frode,your lecture was summerize and useful.

thank you for your guidance,hope to see you one day.

best regards

Iman
Reply to iman saadaat

jatin uniyal
25/6/2019 10:57:37

very well explained , i like it , gonna follow your blog

Reply to jatin uniyal

Andrei Marinescu
26/6/2019 17:38:02

Excellent article! Thank you!

Reply to Andrei Marinescu

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