University of Zakho

University of Zakho
Collage of Engineering
Petroleum Department
Drill
String
Compon
ents
Prepared by Supervised by
Nasih Nori Ahmed Mr Ali Alyas
Introduction
The drillstring means the tubulars and the accessories used to run the drill bit to the bottom. The drill string
is composed of drill pipe, heavy weight drill pipe, drill collars and other components like stabilizers and drilling
jars.
There are many functions of the drill string among them:

- Suspend the drill bit
- Transmit the rotary motion from the Kelly or top drive to the drill bit
- Provide a flow path to circulate drilling fluids
The bottom hole assembly BHA is the components used above the bit without taking in consideration the
drill pipe.
1- Drill pipe
The drill pipe constitutes the majority of the drill string length. It is seamless with threaded
connections. The drill pipe has two tool joints, one female is called a box and the other
male is called pin. The outer diameter of the tool joint is larger than the body of the drill
pipe to accommodate the threads.
One drill pipe is called a single or a joint. The dimensions of the drill pipe are specified by
the API (American petroleum Institute). There are three ranges of length; range 2 is most
common on rig sites. The drill pipe must be measured on rig site to get accurate length of
drill pipe. The drill pipe is manufactured in verity of weight, diameters and also materiel
grades. The specification of drill pipe can appear as: (5'' 19.lb/ft Grade S Range2).
The drill pipe is characterized by burst, collapse, tensile and torsional strength. These
specifications are used to select the appropriate drill pipe for a particular drilling operation.
The weight of the drill pipe mentioned in the manual is called weight in air. When drill pipe
is in the well, it has to be taken in consideration the buoyancy force which is related to
density of the drilling fluid. The weight of the drill pipe when run in the well can be
calculated as follows:
Buoyant weight= weight of pipe in air x buoyancy factor
Tool joints:
The tool joints provide screw threads in order to connect drill pipes together. The seal is
guaranteed by the shoulder/shoulder connections between pin and box. Hard facing
material is welded on the surface to protect the tool joint from abrasive wear when rotating
drill string in the borehole or when making connection by rig tongs. This layer of hard
facing material can be replaced in workshops when it becomes depleted due to excessive
wear. The internal diameter of the tool joint is less than the internal diameter of main body.
The same stresses applied on the drill pipe during drilling operations are subjected on the
tool joint, but also there are other additional issues:
- During operations, frequent engagement of box and pins can be done harshly which can
damage the threads.
- When tripping out of the hole, the last tool joint support all the weight of the string
beneath it.
Heavy weight drill pipe (HWDP)
Heavy weight drill pipe has a greater wall thickness if we compare it with the wall thickness
of ordinary drill pipe. It is used instead of drill pipe where the stresses concentration is
important. These stresses are due to:
- The sharp difference in cross section between the drill pipe and drill collars.
- The difference in stiffness between the drill pipe and drill collars
- The bouncing caused by the bit while drilling
The main benefit of using the HWDP is absorbing the stresses being transferred from the
drill collars to the drill pipe. The use of HWDP between drill collars and drill pipe can
minimize the stresses caused by the high level of difference in stiffness.
The heavy weight drill pipe is characterized by many features:
- High wall thickness

- Long tool joint
- More hard facing
For operations, the heavy weight drill pipe should be operated in compression; in order to
maintain the compression while drilling highly deviated wells.
Drill collars:
Drill collars have larger outer diameter and smaller inner diameter than drill pipe. The
functions of drill collars are:
- Provide the required weight on bit while drilling

- Maintain drill string in tension which reduces bending and fatigue failures.
- Provide stiffness for directional control
The connection thread of a drill collar can be machined directly on the body due to the
large wall thickness. In order to prevent failure, correct make up torque has to be applied.
It is very important to handle drill collars carefully. Shoulders and threads should be
lubricated with lubricant containing 40% to 60% of metallic-zinc powder.
Similarly to drill pipe, drill collars are subjected to different stresses caused by:
- Bending and buckling forces

- Tension
- Vibration
- Alternate tension and compression
There are other types of drill collars used for special operations:
- Spiral drill collars are used to avoid stuck while drilling through highly porous formation.
The stuck can occur when high overbalanced of mud pressure is applied or while drilling
high deviated wells. Among the methods used to minimize the risk of differential sticking is
reducing the contact area between the collars and wellbore. In order to reduce the surface
contact, spiral grooves are cut on collars.
- Nonmagnetic collars: this type of collars is used to isolate survey instruments from
magnetic distortion caused by the steel of the drill string. The magnetic distortion can
affect the directional instrument.
Stabilizers
Stabilizers are piece of pipe with blades machined on the external surface. The blades can
be spiral or straight, normally they are 3 blades. They have many functions
- Reducing bending and buckling stresses on drill collars

- Remaining the string in concentric position which allows higher WOB.
- Preventing stuck by differential sticking.
During operations, stabilizers can wear and become under-gauge. If the stabilizers become
3/16" under-gauge, they have to be replaced to operate effectively.
Shock sub:
A shock sub is used to dampen the vibration caused by the bit while drilling hard
formation. it is normally located above the drilling bit to minimize stresses due to bit
bouncing. The shock sub absorbs the vertical vibrations using a steel spring. Reducing bit
bouncing has many advantages:
- Extending bit life by reducing impact on teeth

- Avoid string failures
- Reduce damage to surface equipment
Subs:
They are short joints of pipe used as crossovers. The main function is adapting the threads,
the size, or both of them to connect different joints of string components.
Drilling jars
It is a very important piece of equipment which has to be used in any drill string. It is used
to free the
string if any stuck pipe is faced. They are activated by a straight pull and provide an
upward blow. The sharp motion or blow can shake the string and free it. The drilling jar is
placed above the drill collars and it is not recommended to work in compression.
Reference
www.drillingcourse.com

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There are many functions of the drill string among them:

Buoyant weight= weight of pipe in air x buoyancy factor

The heavy weight drill pipe is characterized by many features:

- High wall thickness

- Provide the required weight on bit while drilling

- Bending and buckling forces

- Reducing bending and buckling stresses on drill collars

- Extending bit life by reducing impact on teeth

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