5 Things to Know Before Buying pipe floats

There are a variety of types and classifications of drilling pipe that vary in their construction, properties, and applications. In order for an offshore driller to select the most appropriate type of drilling pipe for a given operation, it is important to understand the different types and classifications and their properties.

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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 cannot be petroleum; without drill pipes, there cannot be drills. Drill pipes, as you know, play a huge, perhaps underestimated role in the drilling industry. These tempered, hollow steel pipes, hardened against accidents and to withstand the pressures inherent to subterranean conditions, pump drill fluid to the drill bit.

Because of the working conditions in which they operate, drill pipes generally have to be carefully checked and rechecked for wear and tear. To that end, they are assessed with spherometers, instruments which can precisely and quickly measure the radius of a sphere.

Drilling Pipe Classification

After a spherometer check, drill pipes are classified in one of three categories:

N-class pipe, or new pipe.

The strongest, newest pipe available. Usually in pristine (or close to it) condition.

P-class pipe, or premium pipe.

A step-down from N-class pipe, premium pipe have endured some wear, but can still function very capably.

C-class pipe

C-class pipe, of which there are three classes (C-1, C-2, and C-3). Depending on their rating, C-class pipes are either well-worn pipes, or nearing the end of their useful lives.

After a pipe has reached the end of its useful service life, they will be graded for scrap, denoted with the application of red bands. Because of the high cost of drill pipes, remember that they are often reused, with many companies selling both new and used pipes (graded according to the criteria mentioned above) often until the very end.

Types of Drilling Pipe

Now that the basics of drill pipes are covered, let’s take a look at the several types that are available.

Drill string

The drill string refers to the entire column of tools, essentially the drill pipe, shaft collar, tools, and the drill bit itself. Generally, drill pipe used for the drill string is made from tempered steel. For cost and transport reasons, sections of drill pipe rarely exceed ranges of 30 to 33 feet long.

As a result, given the extreme depths involved in drilling (particularly offshore), which can reach almost 15,000 feet, different sections are usually connected with tool joints; one section of pipe will have a male connection, which is then paired with a female connection.

Note that drill pipes will have different thicknesses, which are specified. Examples include (but are not limited to) 2 ⅜ inch thick drill pipe, 5 inch thick drill pipe, and 6 ⅝ inch drill pipe.

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Drill pipes used in the upper parts of the drill string differ in both thickness and construction from heavyweight drill pipe (HWDP), used to transition between drill collars and regular, thinner drill pipe. HWDP will be discussed below

Heavyweight Drill Pipe (HWDP)

Heavyweight Drill Pipes are, as mentioned before, much stronger than regular drill pipes, because they are designed to deal with the added pressures and stresses arising from serving as transitions between drill collars and regular, thinner drill pipe.

Generally, HWDP are preferred for transitions because they are more flexible than alternative, solid connections.

Note that such piping is thicker, ranging in diameter from 3.5 inches to 6 ⅝ inches, weight almost twice as much lb/ft as regular drill pipe, and is often rated with tensile strengths ranging from 200,000 lbs to over 1,000,000 lbs.

Interestingly, drill pipes typically are equipped with a center upset, or thick wear pads that prevent the outside of the drill pipe from grinding against the rough bedrock of the hole walls. Mostly, center upsets are a desirable addition to heavyweight drill pipes, especially since by reducing wear, tear, and friction, they can prolong the lifespan of drill pipes.

With this in mind, remember that drill pipes, while they come in a variety of sizes, diameters, and materials, are divided into two broad types: regular drill pipe, and heavyweight drill pipe (HWDP), used as transitions. Generally, most pipe types can be bought new or used, and are graded according to three broad categories (New, or N; Premium, or P; and C, which has three subdivisions).

Oilfield equipment, such as drill pipes and OCTG, can be subjected to a great amount of stress while drilling. It is important that these items are inspected regularly by Field Service Supervisors to ensure their safety and performance.

HDPE Pipe Promotes Sustainability

HDPE has a small carbon footprint beyond the creation of the material.6 Since HDPE is much lighter than heavy materials traditionally used in pipe construction, it is less expensive to transport. That saves on gas and energy usage.

HDPE pipe is also recyclable. Traditional pipe materials, such as lead, could pose substantial environmental and human health hazards in disposal and recycling. Recycling metal pipes uses large amounts of energy. HDPE has fewer sustainability trade-offs for end-users than some other materials like copper pipe, which is not considered a “green” product due to the toll copper mining and manufacturing takes on the environment.

And the durability and leak resistance of HDPE pipe also aids in shielding the environment from harm. HDPE helps prevent leaks that can result in severe environmental and financial consequences for handlers of chemicals and potentially hazardous materials.

HDPE Pipe Beats Traditional Pipe Alternatives

When compared to typical pipe materials, HDPE demonstrates significant advantages. Using HDPE to create pipe can be an upgrade from:

• Copper and ductile iron because HDPE is more corrosion-resistant and flexible, lighter and less costly to transport, and won’t burst in freezing weather.
• Clay, since HDPE is less brittle and won’t break if pressure is applied or the ground shifts, is less expensive and weighs much less, is easier and less costly to repair, and won’t enable intrusive plant roots.
• Concrete, as HDPE requires less maintenance and inspections, it won’t build up sewage materials that cause backups and is less susceptible to breaking when handled.

Shell Polymers Can Fulfill Your HDPE Supply Needs

Shell Polymers’ new polyethylene plant in Monaca, Pennsylvania (within 700 miles of the majority of North America polyethylene buyers) is a supplier with the polymer grade slates and polymer supply that converters need to help make their products. And we will help them determine what Shell Polymers pellets are right for them, based on their business needs.

Our Innovation Center is an 86,000-square-foot lab space adjacent to the plant and home to over 50 industry experts who will be available to work with converters. It includes:

Our Analytical Lab, which helps ensure pellet consistency by analyzing pellets as they come off the reactors to verify that the resin produced is molecularly and chemically correct. By doing this, we enable product quality that our customers can trust and that will run successfully on their machines.

And our Application Hall, which houses commercial-scale, state-of-the-art pipe equipment. We use it to make pipe, which is key to the resin qualification process by verifying that it functions in processing equipment the way we expected it to. Further, the equipment fosters deep customer collaboration since customers can run trials on our machines in the hall.

Shell Polymers gives converters both a polymer supply and the support they need to capitalize on opportunities in HDPE pipe and beyond.

The company is the world’s best hdpe mining pipe supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.