Drilling School for IPM

Drill String Well Site Supervisors

Components

Module – 1
Drill String & BHA

Section – 1
Drill String Components

1/149
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components

Contents

1. Functions of the Drill String

2. Main Components of Drill String

3. The Drill Pipe

4. Heavy Weight Drill Pipe

5. Drill Collars

6. Other BHA Components & Accessories

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
1. Functions of Drill String

• Transmit rotation from surface to the bit

• Transmit and Support axial loads

• Transmit and support torsional loads.

• Put the required WOB for drilling

• Guide and control well bore trajectory

• Allow circulation of drilling fluid for

• hole cleaning

• lubrication of drill bit

• Data transmission (telemetry / down linking)

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
2. Main Components of the Drill String

• Kelly or Top Drive

• Drill Pipe (DP)

• Heavy Weight Drill Pipe (HWDP)

• Drill Collars

• Bottom Hole Assembly (BHA)

• Drill Bit

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
2. Main Components of the Drill String

• Kelly or Top Drive

• Element that transmits rotation to the drill

string
• Transmits and withstands torsional loads to
drill string
• Supports tension loads of drill string weight

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Description
• Tubular body built of seamless steel cylinder (pierced)
• Threaded ends built separately and coupled to the
pipe body by electric flash welding in the furnace
• DP is manufactured in different grades of steel
according to the strength required
• Internal bore with plastic coating that provides
resistance to chemical corrosion and abrasive flow
• Length Range: Range I (18’ – 22’); Range II (28’ – 32’)

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Functions
• Transmits rotation to the bit

• Allows circulation of drilling fluid

• Withstands tensional, rotational and

compressional stresses

• Designed to safely rotate in tension;

not under compression

• while drilling high angle, extended

reach wells eventually works in
compression

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications
• Steel Grade
• It is related to the “Minimum Yield Strength” of the
steel alloy from which the pipe is manufactured
• Also called “Plastic Limit” or “Yield Strength Limit” is
the value of stress above which a given specimen of
the material undergoes permanent deformation
• Steel Grade is a mechanical property of each alloy
and is identified by a Letter followed by a number.
The number expresses the thousands of pounds
force per square inch of sectional area (ksi) to reach
the elastic limit of the alloy, above which permanent
strain will occur
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications
• Steel Grade

There are four grades of pipe commonly used today:

Grade Avg Yield

E or E-75 85,000

X or X-95 110,000

G or G-105 120,000

S or S-135 145,000
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications
• Drill Pipe Weight

When referring to Drill Pipe Weights, there are four important ones:

Plain end Weight – refers to the weight per foot of the pipe body.

Nominal Weight – refers to an obsolete standard (weight of Range I

pipe with connections). Is used today to refer a class of Drill pipe.

Adjusted Weight – refers to the weight per foot of pipe including the
upset but excluding the tool joint based on a length of 29.4 ft.

Approximate Weight – the average weight per foot of pipe and tool
joints of Range II pipe. This approximate weight is the number to use in
Design calculations.

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications – Tool Joints

 All API tool joints have a minimum yield stress of 120,000 psi
regardless of the grade of the drill pipe they are used on (E, X, G,
S).
 Tool joints are always stronger in tension than the tube to which
they are attached, and almost always weaker in torsion than the
tubes to which they are attached.
 API says that tool joint torsional strength should be at a minimum
of 80% of the tube torsional strength.
 Make up torque is determined by pin ID or box OD. The make up
torque is 60% of the tool joint torsional capacity. The equation for
determining make up can be obtained from the appendix of API
RPG7.
 The API has developed a series of charts to find the recommended
make up torque to any connection given the tool jt OD of box and
C. Alvarez
ID of pin. Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Make Up determination for Tool Joints

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications – Tool Joints

Drill pipe Upsets

Where the pipe joins the tool joint, the pipe wall thickness is increased
or “upset”.
•This increased thickness is used to decrease the frequency of pipe
failure at the point where the pipe meets the tool-joint.
•The drill-pipe can have
• Internal upsets (IU), ( OD stays the same, ID reduced )
• External upsets (EU), ( ID stays the same, OD enlarged )
• Internal and External Upsets (IEU), (ID reduced, OD enlarged)

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications
• Tool Joint Types
• There are three common types of Tool Joints for DP:
• Internal Upset (IU),
• External Upset (EU),
• Internal and External Upset (IEU)
• The Adjusted or Approximated weight is rarely calculated. It is
found in the API – RPG and or proprietary / manufacturer tables

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications

Mass of steel left in

EU, IU, EIU tool
joints

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe Wt DP Adjust x 29.4 + Wt. Tool Jt Adjusted

Wt (lb./pie) =
• Specifications 29.4 + L Tool jt. Adj.

• “Approximated” weight calculation

Nom upset Wt
Wt DP Adj  Tube Wt  ….(1)
29 . 4
Data from Table 7 - API 5D

Wt Tool Jt Adj  0 . 222  L D  2

d 2
 0 . 167  D 3
D 3
TE 
 0 . 501  d 2
 D  D TE  ….(2)
L= combined length of pin and box (in) D= outside diameter of pin (in)
d= inside diameter of pin (in) DTE= diameter of box at elevator upset (in)
Data From API Spec 7 - Fig 6 & Table 7

….(3)
L  2 . 253  D  D TE  ft
L Tool Jt Adj 
12 Data From API Spec 7 - Fig 6 & Table 7
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications
• “Approximated” weight calculation – Example:

Calculate the “Adjusted weight” (approximated weight) for 5”OD,

19.5 lb/ft, X-95, NC50, “IEU” Drill Pipe.

Tool Joint dimensions: 6.375” OD x 3.5“ ID

Pipe body ID: 4,276”

Approximated weights for Drill Pipe are found in API – RP7G

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications
From API RPG7

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications – Threaded Connections

• DP tool joints pin and box are built separately and welded into the
pipe body during the manufacturing process.

• Thread geometry is strong with low taper and 3.5 to 5 threads per
inch defined by the manufacturer (proprietary connections)

• The thread seal area is the metal-to-metal contact between the pin
base and box circumference, often referred as the “shoulder” area /
polished surface.

• Some of the tool joint thread types available in the market are:

• API Regular, Internal Flush (IF), Extra Hole (XH), Slim Hole
(SH), Reed Wide Open (RWO), PAC, ACME, Etc.

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications – Numbered Connections

• IADC code proposed to identify and standardize different types of

tool joints threads with arbitrary names given by the
manufacturer

• The number given to a specific connection is derived from the

measurement of the pin diameter taken at 5/8 of an inch from the
pin base (see figure on next slide)

• Once the measurement is taken, the two first digits of it are

selected and “truncated rounded” without given consideration to
decimal place

• The result is the corresponding “Numbered Connection” or NC

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications – Numbered Connections

The most common thread style in DP is the so called “Numbered Connection”, NC

The thread has a V-shaped form and is identified by the pitch diameter, measured
at a point 5/8 of an inch from the shoulder

The size of a rotary shouldered connection

is fixed by its gauge point pitch diameter.
Example:
If the pitch diameter is 5.0417 in 
This is an NC50 connection:
5/8”

GAUGE POINT PITCH DIAMETER

Multiply 5.0417 by 10  50.417
Choose first two digits  50
Hence, NC 50

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications – Numbered Connections

Examples of equivalent / interchangeable connections with NC:

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications - Tool Joint Thread Seal

The threads DO NOT provide the hydraulic seal

Shoulder is the only seal

Channel

Bo
x
Pin

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications - Thread Identification
Use a Tool Joint ruler to measure
and identify both pin and box
thread type

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Specifications – Summary:

 Size: 2 3/8” to 6 5/8” – refers to OD of pipe body

 Length: Range 1: 18-22 ft, Range 2: 27-30ft, Range 3: 38-45

ft

 Grade: E - 75, X - 95, G - 105, S - 135

the numbers denote 1000’s of psi minimum yield
stress
each grade has a min, max and average yield stress

 Weight: Called nominal weight

 Class: API classification for used pipe

For example a drill pipe could be: 5”, Range 2, G-105, 19.5ppf, New

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Drill Pipe Class:

Unlike casing and tubing, which are normally run new, drill pipe is normally
used in a worn condition. It therefore has Classes:

New: No wear, has never been used

Premium: Remaining wall not less than 80%.
Class 2: Remaining wall not less than 70%.
Class 3: Remaining wall less than 70%.

Other details such as, dents and mashing, slip area mechanical damage,
stress induced diameter variations, corrosion cuts and gouges, specified on
Table 24 (Classification of Used Drill Pipe ) of API RP 7G.
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Drill Pipe Class:

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 API Criteria
Drill for Classification
String Components of Used Pipe

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Manufacturing Tolerances:

The API has set manufacturing tolerances on DP tubes:

 OD tolerance:
 For OD<= 4”, the tolerance is +/- 0.031”
 For OD>4”, the tolerance is +1% -0.5%

 Wall Thickness tolerance: -12.5%, +??

 Mass tolerance:
 For a single joint: +6.5% -3.5%
 For a string: +6.5% -1.75%

 There is no tolerance on the ID which is solely governed

by the OD and the weight tolerance
Tolerances do not apply to used pipe
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
3. Drill Pipe
• Drill Pipe of New Technology:

Enhanced Drill Pipe – Description:

Conventional DP with upsets like
stabilizers pads along its body to
stir cuttings beds in high angle &
Extended Reach wells
Handling:
Same as regular drill pipe

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components

4. “Heavy Weight Drill Pipe”, HWDP

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
4. Heavy Weight Drill Pipe, HWDP
• Characteristics

Design
 Heavier wall and longer tool joints
 Center wall pad
 Also available in spiral design for more flexibility
and stuck pipe prevention (“flexi - wate”)

Function
 Used in transition zones between DC and DP
 This prevents the DP from buckling
 Can be used in compression (?)
 Used for directional drilling
 Used in place of DC sometimes (?)
 Not to be used for Weight on Bit in vertical wells

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
4. Heavy Weight Drill Pipe, HWDP
• Characteristics

 Has the same OD as a standard DP but with much

reduced inside diameter (usually 3” ID for 5” DP)
and has an integral wear pad upset in the middle.
 Uses same pipe handling tools and equipment than
standard DP of same size
 It is used between standard DPs and DCs provide a
smooth transition between the different sections of
the drill string components.
 Tool-Joint and Rotary shouldered connection, just
like DP
 HWDP, although stiffer than DP, can also buckle

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
4. Heavy Weight Drill Pipe, HWDP
• Characteristics

HWDP run in Compression?

 HWDP can be run both in tension and in compression

BUT,
 They should not be buckled
 Manufacturers recommend not to run HWDP in compression in
hole sizes larger than 12 ¼”
 Experience shows that they should not be run in compression in
vertical holes
 If run in compression, rules of thumb are:
 TJOD + 6” > OH diameter
 2 x TJOD > OH diameter
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
4. Heavy Weight Drill Pipe, HWDP

• Selection Options:
There are three selection options of HWDP for different
applications:
• Conventional: slick pipe body with central upset
• Spiraled: spiral channeling on body surface (Flexi-wate)
• Tri-Spiraled: Slick pipe body with three spiral channeled
upsets

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
4. Heavy Weight Drill Pipe, HWDP

• Selection Options:

Conventional Spiraled (“Flexi-Wate”) Tri - Spiraled

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Characteristics
Description:
 Heavy walled metal tubes with built in threaded
connection on both ends (box up, pin down)
Dimensions:
 Wide variety of OD and ID sizes, ranging
typically from 3 ½”x 1 ¾” to 11” x 3”
 Most commonly in lengths of 30-31 feet
Types:
 Slick – smooth external surface
 Spiraled – spiral channeled surface to prevent
differential sticking
Special Fixtures:
 Elevator and slip recesses for easy handling
 Square collars where the holes tend to be
crooked
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Characteristics:
Functions of Drill Collars:
 Provide weight on bit for drilling / making hole
 Protect the Drill string from Bending
 Keep DP in tension while drilling vertical holes
 Control direction and inclination of wells
 Drill straighter holes or vertical holes
 Provide Pendulum effect
 Reduce dog legs, key seats and ledges
 Improve the probabilities of getting casing in the hole
 Increase bit performance
 Reduce rough drilling, sticking and bouncing
 As a tool in fishing, testing, completing
 DC connections can work in tension or compression
 Neutral Point of drill string should be located in the upper 15%
length of Drill Collars

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 DrillCollars
Drill String Components
and HWDP

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Specifications - Strapping
length
I
OD D
elevator slip
fish neck
recess recess connection
Well# TRG 1 Bit # 1
Date: 28-Jul-03 Sl # 1234
Rig: IDPT Type atm 234
BHA#: 1 Manuf Hughes
Hole Size 26" Jets 20-20-20

Item Sl # ID OD FN Pin Box Length Remarks

Bit 1234 26" 7 5/8" R 0.75 New
Bit Sub SL 235 3 1/8" 9 1/2" 7 5/8 R 1.01
9 1/2" Drill Collar 9546 3 1/8" 9 1/2" 0.67 7 5/8" R 7 5/8 R 8.96
Stab 237689 3 1/8" 9 1/2" 0.93 7 5/8" R 7 5/8 R 2.36
9 1/2" Drill Collar 9503 3 1/8" 9 1/2" 0.78 7 5/8" R 7 5/8 R 9.01
9 1/2" Drill Collar 9521 3 1/8" 9 1/2" 0.95 7 5/8" R 7 5/8 R 9.04
9 1/2" Drill Collar 9520 3 1/8" 9 1/2" 1.03 7 5/8" R 7 5/8 R 8.99

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Specifications - Connections

 DC connections are rotary shouldered connections and

can mate the various DP connections.
 The shoulder provide the only positive seal against fluid
leakage.
 The connection is the weakest part of the entire BHA.
 Improper M/U torque, improper or insufficient lubricant,
galling can all lead to connection failure.
 The DC connections go through cycles of tension-
compression and are subject to bending stresses.

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Connection Stress

• Cracking in last thread of Pin

Stress in Pin

• Cracking in last thread of Box Stress in Box

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Connection Stress
 Stresses in DC connections are concentrated at the base of
the pin and in the bottom of the box
 DP body bends easily and takes up the majority of the
applied bending stress, DP connections are therefore
subjected to less bending than the DP body.
 DCs and other BHA components are however much stiffer
than the DPs and much of the bending stresses are
transferred to the connections.
 These bending stresses can cause fatigue failure at the
connections

Stress Relief Solution:

Pin “Relief Groove” and Box “Bore Back”

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Stress Relief Features
 The stress relief groove is a circular cavity built around the
pin root to mitigate the fatigue cracks where the face and
threads would have otherwise joined

 The Bore Back is an enlargement at the bottom of the box that

serves the same purpose

 Pin stress relief grooves are not recommended on

connections smaller than NC-38 because they may weaken
the connection’s tensile and torsional strength.

 Bore Back boxes could be used on smaller connections.

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Stress Relief Features
• Pin relief groove to dissipate stress concentration in the joint

Relief Groove

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Stress Relief Features: Relief Groove and Bore Back

Normal Pin Normal Box

Pin with Stress Box with Box with Stress

Relief Groove Bore Back Relief Groove
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Stress Relief Features: Relief Groove and Bore Back

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Stress Relief Features: Relief Groove and Bore Back

Pin Root “Relief Groove”

Upper Box “Bore Back”

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Stress Relief Features: Relief Groove and Bore Back
 The low torque feature consists in
removing part of the shoulder area of
the pin and box.

 This allows for lower make-up torque

maintaining adequate shoulder
loading.

 It is a common feature in large OD

connections.

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Stress Relief Features:

Cold Rolling

 Cold Rolling BHA thread roots and stress relief

surfaces increases fatigue life by placing a residual
compressive stress in the thread roots.
 Cold rolling is beneficial on HWDP threads, though not
on normal drill pipe tool joints.

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Recommended Make Up Torque:
API recommended make-up torque for connections is a
percentage of the total torsional yield of the connection.

M/U Torque as % of torsional yield

DC< 7 in DC>7 in

PAC 79.5% N/a

H-90 51.1% 56.2%

API NC 56.8% 62.5%

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• DC Selection:

• Usually the largest OD collar that can be safely run is the

best selection
– Greatest stiffness to resist buckling and smooth
directional tendencies
– Cyclical movement is restricted due to tighter
Clearances
– Shortens BHA to
• Reduce handling time at surface
• Minimize # of Connections (failure points) in the hole
• Minimize total Dc in contact with the wall for
differential sticking exposure

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Bending Strength Ratio, BSR:

• BSR is the relative stiffness of the box to the pin  ( D4  b 4 )

of a given connection. Zbox 32
BSR   D
• Describes the Balance between two members of a
connection and how they are likely to behave in a Z pin  (R4  d 4 )
rotational cyclical environment 32 R
( D4  b 4 )
Zbox
Where:
BSR   4D 4
Zbox = box section modulus of elasticity Z pin (R  d )
Zpin = pin section modulus of elasticity
D = Outside diameter of pin and box R
b = thread root diameter of box threads at end of pin.
R = Thread root diameter of pin threads ¾ of an inch from shoulder of pin.
. d= inside diameter or bore.

( See diagram on next slide )

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Bending Strength Ratio, BSR

Section Modulus for Connections

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Bending Strength Ratio, BSR, in Connections

High risk of High risk of

• A Connection is said to be balanced if Premature Box Premature Pin
the BSR is 2.5 Failure Failure
“Balanced

Fatigue Life (cycles

– When BSR is higher tend to see Connection”
Maximum life
pin failures
– When BSR is lower tend to see
more box failures
• However, field experience has shown
that:
Weak Weak
– 8” Dc having BSR’s of 2.5 usually Box Pin
fail in the box
– 4-3/4” DC having BSR as low as 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5
1.8 very rarely fail in the box.
Bending stress ratio

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Bending Strength Ratio, BSR, in Connections

BSR in Connections

This table is from T.H. Hill & Associates Inc. Standard DS-1.
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Bending Strength Ratio, BSR, in Connections:

Additional BSR Guidelines:

• High RPM, Soft Formation Small DC (8” in 12.25” hole or 6” in 8.25”

hole):
– BSR to be in the range 2. 25 – 2. 75
• Low RPM Hard Formations Large DC (10” in 12-1/4” hole)
– BSR to be in the range 2.5 - 3.2 (3.4 if using lo-torq connection)
• Abrasive formations. BSR to be in the range 2.5 - 3.0
• Shock loads or torque/stick Bicenter bits URWD URF ERD applications
– BSR to be in the range 2.5 - 2.75

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
Lo-Torq Feature
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Bending Strength Ratio, BSR, in Connections:

•The low torque feature consists in

removing part of the shoulder area of
the pin and box.
•This allows for lower make up torque
maintaining adequate shoulder
loading.
•It is a common feature in large OD
connections.

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components

• Fortunately for you API has

worked out the problem
• Pages 39-44 of Spec 7G list
the BSR of Connections by OD
and ID of the collar

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
5. Drill Collars, DC
• Stiffness Ratio in Connections:

Guidelines for Transitions – Stiffness Ratio, SR:

• Based on field experience, in a transition

from one collar or pipe to another the
SR,(stiffness ratio) should not exceed
– 5.5 for routine drilling
– 3.5 for severe or rough drilling

SR 
Zlwr


4
ODupr ODlwr 4
 IDlwr 
4

4
Zupr ODlwr ODupr  IDupr 
Note: Stiffness Ratios are calculated using tube ODs & IDs, not connections.

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
2. Main Components of the Drill String
• Other BHA Components:

• Tools and Accessories:

Stabilizers, Cross-Over subs, Drilling
Jars, Hole Openers, Reamers,
Directional Drilling Tools, etc.
• Different functions according to the
application
• Its position is crucial to achieve the
drilling objectives
• Most of these tools are weak points for
the drilling string

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Stabilizers – Description and Functions
• Stabilizers are pieces of tubular components
similar in construction to a DC but with a length
of 4 to 6 feet.
• Have pads or blades built in or welded to the
pipe body with a diameter equal to or slightly less
than the drill bit diameter
• Stabilizers are properly positioned in the BHA to
accomplish specific functions:
• Blades contact walls of the drilled hole and
create side forces that push the bit toward
the desired direction while the drilling string
is rotated
• Depending on the number, position and OD
of the stabilizer, the well angle can be
increased, hold or decreased
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Stabilizers - Classification
• According to the type of blade:
• Integral
• Welded
• Straight
• Spiraled
• Replaceable
• Variable (Adjustable) Gauge

• According to its position in the BHA:

• Near bit Stabilizer, NBS
• String Stabilizer , SS

• According to the function performed:

• Directional (Full Gauge, FG; Under Gauge, UG)
• Roller Reamer
• Key seat wiper
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Stabilizers

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Stabilizers – Near Bit Stabilizer, NBS

Description and Applications:

• Easily identify by having double box connection can

be made up directly to the bit
• Constructed from modified and heat treated 4145 H
steel alloy
• Thread connection regularly phosphate treated
• Most common of integral blades, although can be
welded
• When using Mud Motor, the NBS is Replaceable
Sleeve type mounted on the drive sub of the motor.

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Stabilizers – Near Bit Stabilizer, NBS
Description and Applications – continued:
• In some directional drilling applications the NBS is required
to be “Under Gauge”, UG
• One Roller Reamer connected directly to the bit performs
the same function as one NBS.

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Stabilizers – String Stabilizer, SS
Description and Applications:
• Typically with pin down, box up connections for location in
the BHA above the drill bit
• Built with same steel alloy than NBS
• Should have same thread that the DC in the BHA to
avoid the use of connecting subs
• Blades can be integral type or welded (spiraled or straight)

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Stabilizers – String Stabilizer, SS
Description and Applications - continued
• Some designs are with mounted
replaceable sleeve
• Optional sizes in “FG” or “UG”
• Mainly applied in directional drilling jobs
for holding, building or dropping angle
• Design can be “open” with 12º to 15º
angle between blades or “closed”, with
15º to 45º angle between blades to have
360° contact with well bore walls.

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Stabilizers – Roller Reamer / Water Melon Reamer
• Description and Applications
• Of same size and general design like stabilizers,
instead of blades has 3 or 6 rollers externally attached
to the body
• Circle around the rollers has same diameter as the
drill bit which enables them to be rolling against the
walls of the hole drilled by the bit
• Roller reamer is used to trim hole roughness, ledges,
and dog legs created while drilling
• When built of rigid spiraled blades with tungsten
carbide grains on the surface is called “water melon”
reamer used mainly to ream through dog legs

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Stabilizers – Roller Reamer
Roller Design options:

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Stabilizers – Replaceable Sleeve
Description and Applications:
Tubular sleeve with spiraled blades mounted
concentric on the stabilizer body mandrel

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Stabilizers – Replaceable Sleeve
Description and Applications:
Tubular sleeve with spiraled blades mounted concentric on
the stabilizer body mandrel

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Stabilizers – Other Design Options

Straight Blades Non Rotating Key Seat Expansible blades

Sleeve Wiper Variable OD
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Stabilizers – Variable Gauge Stabilizer, VGS

Available in 2, 3 and 10 positions 2-D steerable tools

• Run as Near Bit Stabilizer
• Run as Control stabilizer
• Run above or below a drilling motor

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Stabilizers – Variable Gauge Stabilizer, VGS

• Various makes & sizes available – D&M, Andergauge, Sperry

AGS, TRACS

• First Rotary Steerable tool – 2D only

• Minimum two position stabilizer

• In most cases can be run as a Near Bit or String Stabilizer

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Cross Over Subs / Thread Combinations
Description and Application:
• Tubular accessories (3 to 4 feet long) with
diversity of design in pin / box sizes,
combinations, positions (up or down) and thread
type
• used to connect two members of BHA with
incompatible thread type or design
Classification:
According to geometry or application Cross Over can
be:
• Straight Cross Over Sub (Straight OD Sub)
• Combined OD Connector (Reduced Section Sub)
• Thread Protector Sub ( Saver Sub)
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Cross Over Subs / Thread Combinations
Straight Cross Over Subs:
• Used for connecting string components having same of
approximately the same external diameter, OD.
• Drill bit, BHA components, HWDP or DP can be connected
with this type of Cross Over

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Cross Over Subs / Thread Combinations
Combined OD Connector
• Used for connecting together two string components with different OD.
• Can be connected in series to gradually reduce large OD differences
and to avoid stress concentrations in the combination.

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Cross Over Subs / Thread Combinations
Thread Protector Sub
• Used as “sacrificing” connection help to extend service life of Kelly
and Top Drive.
• Are repairable while have the required length or disposable if not
repairable
• When used for Kelly are usually equipped with a rubber protector to
prevent the well head and casing from damage with the Kelly rotating
inside

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Cross Over Subs - Specifications
All API Cross Over Subs / Thread Combinations shall be
manufactured according to the class, type and applications /
features included in the following table:

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Cross Over Subs - API Specifications

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Cross Over Subs - API Specifications
Types “A” & “B” Dimensions & Properties:
• Sizes, styles, beveled diameter (DF), and the
external diameters (D ó DR) must comply those
values indicated in the corresponding tables of
the APl – Spec 7, as follows:

• Tables 2 y 3 when are connected to the Kelly

• Table 7 when connected with DP
• Table 13 when connected with DC
• Tables 21, 22 and 24, when connected to drill bits

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Cross Over Subs - API Specifications

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Cross Over Subs - API Specifications

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Drilling Jars
Description:
• Tubular accessory conveniently positioned in the
BHA capable to develop tremendous longitudinal
impact forces that are transmitted below it to free the
drilling string stuck in the hole
• The magnitude of the impact (intensity) and its
duration (impulse) can be set at the shop or
increased during the jarring operation
• There are three basic types of drilling jars according
to the way the stored energy is liberated for jarring:
• Mechanical Jar
• Hydraulic Jar
• Hydro- Mechanical Jar
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Drilling Jars - Examples

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Drilling Jars
Guidelines for Position and Operation :
• Need to know or predict the actual sticking place
and mechanism to get effective jarring
• Never run the jar inside the neutral region of drill
string
• It is preferable / desirable to run the Jar in tension
• Never run a flexible component near the jar
• Do not use the jar as a thread Cross – Over
• Hydraulic Jars can fire accidentally while handling
on the rig floor or when run in compression

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Drilling Jars - Components

Open
Internal Mandrel 8”
Cocked
8”
Closed
External Mandrel
grooved control

Detent

Internal Seal
Wash Pipe

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Drilling Jars - Operation
Hydraulic Jar Operational Sequence
Deterrent released
Setting weight to activate the jar Applying Over Pull
and jar tripping up

Oil located
in one Compressed oil
oil flows chamber is suddenly flows to
through compressed the empty
the conduit
chamber

Oil slowly flows

through to the
empty chamber

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Drilling Jars - Operation – Pump Opening Force, POF

The circulating pressure inside the jars pushes upwards the piston
and tries to open the jar. The opening force is directly related to the
wash pipe sectional area given by the manufacturer. POF helps in
the jarring up but is opposed to the jarring down operation

2 0,0 0 0 lbs
Pressure drop = 2000 psi
Wash pipe sectional area = 10 in2
Pump Opening Force (POF) = 20,000 lbs.

Internal Seal
Wash pipe

2000 PSI

wash pipe area = 10 in2

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Jar Accelerator
Description
• Tubular accessory installed above the jar to
multiply the impact and to protect the drill string
and surface equipment from axial shock waves
generated when the jar is fired up
Functions
• Intensifies the jar impact (usually twice of jar
impact alone)
• Absorbs jar impact waves that propagate along
the string to the surface and protects string
connections and surface equipment
• Compensates the lack of tension of drill string
for jarring in shallow wells
• Compensates the excess of friction in high
angle wells

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Jar Accelerator - Components

Applying Over Pull

Internal
Mandrel

External Grooved
Mandrel Control

N2 IS EXPANDED

N2 IS EXPANDED
Compressing
Nitrogen

DCs above the jar

Wash Pipe are accelerated

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Jar Accelerator - Operation

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Bumper Sub

Description
• Tubular accessory with mechanical springs
or hydraulic piston positioned above the bit to
absorb shock waves and longitudinal
vibrations of the string while drilling
• Old technology used to drill in rough seas
before the development of wave
compensators
• Can be used as a directional drilling tool to
give even weight on bit.

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Bumper Sub
Functions:
• Reduces impact loads on the drill
string by absorbing the longitudinal
vibrations generated by the bit
• Protects the bit and extends its life
by avoiding impact loads on bottom
• Increases drilling rate by improving
the applying of an even WOB

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Bumper Sub
Operation:
• Make up the Bumper Sub with the “Drive
Stem” box pointing down (the piston mandrel
visible in the lower section of the tool)
• Do not use pipe wrenches or power tongs
directly on the mandrel
• Use the proper lifting sub for handling at
surface
• For jarring operations assure that the
Bumper Sub is in tension with the mandrel
fully extended (maximum tension given by
the manufacturer)

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Bumper Sub
Position in the BHA:

• The Bumper Sub should be installed

directly above the bit or as closer to
it as possible
• Improper positioning in packed
assemblies could damage the tool
due to the development of excessive
bending loads (see next slides)

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Bumper Sub – Position in Packed
Assemblies Drill Collar

1 Drill Collar
2 Drill Collar 3 4
Drill Collars
Bumper Sub
Stabilizer
Stabilizer
Drill Collars Maximum (1) DC
Drill Collar
Drill Collar

Drill Collars Stabilizer Stabilizer

Drill Collar Drill Collar

Bumper Sub
Stabilizer

Drill Collar
Bumper Sub Bumper Sub

Near Bit Stabilizer

Near Bit Stabilizer

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Bumper Sub – Selection Recommended

Not Recommended
8” Drill Collar

8” Drill Collar

Mandrel OD = 8”

Mandrel OD = 5.5”

11” OD Bumper Sub

8” OD Bumper Sub

17.5” Bit 17.5” Bit

Conventional Special
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Thruster

Tool description:

• Accessory that operates like a Bumper Sub

• with a stroke position indicator for accurate
operation
• Limited stroke length
• Is in general more expensive than the
conventional Bumper Sub

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Vibration Sub
Tool Description
• Tubular accessory with internal spiral thread filled with
rubber like material
• Conveniently positioned in the BHA helps in eliminating
string vibrations.
Applications
• Damping drill strings vibrations to improve bit
performance
• Electrical isolation of BHA components
• Protecting MWD tools from high-frequency vibrations
(particularly for those tools having collar-mounted
electronics)
• Isolating acoustic tools to prevent echoes from
corrupting measurements
• Controlling drill string critical frequencies

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Agitator
Tool Description:
• Tubular accessory that works like a 1:2 lobe
down hole motor but without a drive shaft

Functions:
• Sets up lateral vibrations to help overcome
friction lock

Position in the Drilling String:

• Tool position depends on a good side loading
analysis of BHA

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Hole Openers and Under Reamers

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Hole Openers and Under Reamers
Description:
• Tools designed to drill over a drilled hole to enlarge its
diameter
• When connected above a pilot bit is called “hole opener”
• If run below a casing string to drill a larger hole is
properly called “under reamer”. It may have below a pilot
bit or not.
• Can be of fixed arms with cones (hole openers) or of
expandable arms driven by the drilling fluid (hydraulic
under reamer)

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Hole Openers and Under Reamers
Hole Opener of Fixed Arms with Roller
Cones
• Characteristics:
• Compact / rigid design
• Roller Cones are field replaceable
• Cutting structure can be milled tooth
cones or tungsten carbide inserts
• Nozzles changeable
• Sealed bearings
• Allows reaming and back reaming
• Usually with 4 or 6 cones concentric
with the pilot bit

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Hole Openers and Under Reamers
Hole Opener of Fixed Arms with Roller Cones
• Operational Guides:
• Should be run with pilot bit when used
for enlarging immediately the hole is
drilled or “bull nose” ahead to avoid
accidental side track of the well already
drilled
• Tool generally is of difficult operation.
Attention should be paid to proper BHA
design
• Special rough condition tool

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Hole Openers and Under Reamers

Hole Opener of fixed Arms with Roller Cones

Hole Opener - Cones with
Tungsten Carbide Inserts
Applications: (TCI)

• Enlarging holes for running and setting

conductor pipe and large diameter surface
casings

• Enlarging well bores having severe bit

balling problems and extremely reactive, Hole Opener – Cones with
Milled Tooth (MT)
instable formations

• Milled Tooth Cones mostly used in soft to

medium formations; Tungsten Carbide
Inserts in medium to hard formations

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Hole Openers and Under Reamers
Hole Opener of Expansible Arms with Cones
Description:
Tubular accessory with hydraulic activated
piston that pushes out retractable arms with
roller cones to enlarge a drilled hole or under
ream enlarged hole below the casing seat.
Hydraulic piston arm
operating
mechanism
Hinge
p
i
n
Jetting action Sealed Roller
for Cone
improved Cutter
cutting
Expansible
and hole Arm
cleanin
g
Box for pilot
bit.
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Hole Openers and Under Reamers
Open Hole of Expansible Arms with Roller Cones
Characteristics:
• Ideal for soft to medium formations
• Not very strong
• Arms remain expanded by the circulating pressure
• Arms are interchangeable
• Roller cones with milled tooth or tungsten carbide
inserts
• Adjustable jets
• Field reparable
• Arm opening set to the desired diameter in its range

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components

• Opens hole below smaller casings or where there are ID

restrictions

• Hydraulic activated

• Can confirm open by pulling up against the casing shoe

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Hole Openers and Under Reamers
Hole Opener of Expansible Blades with PDC Cutters

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Hole Openers and Under Reamers

Hole Opener of Expansible Blades with PDC Cutters

Interchangeable cutting structure

Cutter Housing

Interchangeable Top Sub

Piston with seals
Actuator Mandrel
Main Jet

Stabilized Bottom Sub

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Hole Openers and Under Reamers

Hole Opener of Expansible Blades with PDC Cutters

Tool Description
• Strong, integral or articulated expansible blades
• Solid and robust body with a minimum of movable
parts
• Set of field replaceable cutters
• Blades are hydraulically extended by building up
pressure inside the tool after dropping a ball that
lands on a circular seat
• 13 mm or 19 mm PDC cutters mounted on the
cutting blades

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Hole Openers and Under Reamers
Hole Opener of Expansible Blades with PDC Cutters
Applications:
• All Type of formations: soft, medium to hard
• Enlargement of hole below casing seat for
improving external gravel packing of slotted
liners
• Enlarging of open hole below casing shoe for
installation of expandable liners
• Improve drainage radius and increase well
productivity
• Remove skin factor in old developed in
previous open hole completions
• Enlarge the pilot hole drilled with directional
assembly
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Hole Openers and Under Reamers
Under Reamer While Drilling

Description:
• Cutting structure specially designed for
hole enlarging while drilling conventional
• The cutting structure can be a bi-center bit
or an eccentric roller reamer
• The Eccentric Reamer can be located
anywhere above the drilling assembly
• Sometimes run above an RSS needing full
gauge contact with the well bore to work
properly

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Hole Openers and Under Reamers
Under Reamer While Drilling & Bi Center Bits

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Dog Sub
Tool Description and Application:
• Type of solid drag bit with
straight blades and cutting
structure of PDC and TSP
connected immediately above
the bit to ream and keep in
gauge formations extremely
hard and abrasive
• When the bit becomes under
gauge the DOG sub will
cause an increase in drilling
torque

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Mud Motor / Down Hole Motor / Positive Displacement Motor, PDM

Tool Description:
• Tubular equipment connected directly to the bit which converts the
hydraulic energy of the drilling fluid pumped through the drilling
string into rotational power that turns the bit connected to the drive
shaft
• The motor is formed by helical lobular rotor (made of polished
steel) installed inside a tubular barrel with the internal surface
covered by an elastomeric lobular surface
• The stator surface has one more lobe than the elastomeric surface
on the stator thus crating cavities through which the pumped fluid
is directed to turn the rotor and the bit attached to its end.
Drill Bit Drive Shaft Stator

Rotor
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Mud Motor / Down Hole Motor / Positive Displacement Motor, PDM

Components
Dump Valve (optional)

Power Section (Rotor / Stator)

Adjustable Bent Housing Angle (ABA)

Transmission Assembly

Bearing Section

Rotating Shaft

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Mud Motor / Down Hole Motor / Positive Displacement Motor, PDM

Components:
Power Section
• Lobular Rotor & Stator
• The Rotor is a helical bar of polished steel
with lobules on its surface
• The Stator is actually a lobular surface made
of elastomeric coating the inner walls of a
tubular housing
• The number of lobes in both the rotor & stator
define the motor configuration
• The Mud Motor operates as an inverted Des
Moines pump (progressive cavity pump)

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Mud Motor / Down Hole Motor / Positive Displacement Motor, PDM

Components

Power Section – cont.

• Rotational Power of the motor depends on

the ratio of rotor to stator lobes (x : y)

• For instance, a 5:6 configuration indicates

that the rotor has 5 lobes while the stator
has 6

• The higher the number of lobes in the

configuration, the higher the power and the
lower the rotating speed of rotor

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Mud Motor / Down Hole Motor / Positive Displacement Motor, PDM

Components
Thrust
Power Transmission Section Bearings
Drive Shaft
• Formed by the “universal connector” to
Adjustable
attach the rotor to the drive shaft Bent Housing
Angle (ABA)

• The eccentric movement of the U-Joint

absorbs the lateral displacement of the
rotor due to its helical shape and to the
bent set in the adjustable bent housing Rotating
Bearings

• The result is a smooth rotation of the bit

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Mud Motor / Down Hole Motor / Positive Displacement Motor, PDM

Components
Stator Adapter
Adjustable Bent Housing Angle (ABA)
• The tubular housing of the motor is formed by two Grooved Mandrel
sections that can be set in eccentric position by
Adjusting Ring
turning the lower section to give an offset angle
Displaceable Housing
between 0° y 4° of their respective turning axis
• For short radius wells are used ABA of 4° or
articulated motors (housings of two or three
sections connected with knuckle joints)
• For performance drilling or straight holes, down
hole motors with 0° ABA are used

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Mud Motor / Down Hole Motor / Positive Displacement Motor, PDM

Components
Bearing Section & Rotating Shaft Housing
Drive Shaft
• Support both axial and radial loads.
Race
• Transmit torque and rotational speed Bearing Balls

to the drive shaft and to the bit

• On its housing is mounted a slick
Thread Protector for
sleeve or Sleeve type NBS, when
Sleeve type Stabilizer
required

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Mud Motor / Down Hole Motor / Positive Displacement Motor, PDM

Classification of Mud Motors:

In general mud motors are divided in three groups
according to its performance in torque and speed, as
follows:

• High Torque – Low Speed Motors

• Medium Torque and Speed Motor

• Low Torque & High Speed Motors

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Mud Motor / Down Hole Motor / Positive Displacement Motor, PDM

Classification of Mud Motors:

According to its general application, mud motors can be:

• Performing Drilling Motors : Straight Housing

• Steerable Motor: Adjustable Bent Housing
• Short Radius Motors: Articulated Housing

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Rotary Steering System: PD X6/ PD Vortex / PD Xceed / PD Archer / PV

Description:

• A 3D fully steerable tool capable of

changing both the inclination and
azimuth of the well bore while
maintaining continuous drill string
rotation

• All external components rotate with

string RPM

• Sliding drilling in oriented mode is

not required to construct a
deviated well trajectory

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories

• Rotary Steering System – Power Drive Xtra / PD Vortex / PD Xceed

Steering Principle of Power Drive Xtra: “Push the Bit”

• Retractable lateral pads open and close cyclically contacting

walls of hole and pushing the bit in the opposite direction
• Apply side force to the bit to initiate a side cutting action
• Pads extend dynamically from the Bias Unit
• Tool Face controlled by orientation of internal valve assembly

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Rotary Steering System – Power Drive / Vortex / PD Xceed
Power Drive Vortex – Power Drive Xtra connected to a Mud Motor:
Uses “Push the bit” steering principle.
Bearings
Top Sub/Flex Power Section Straight Housing Filter PowerDrive Xtra
Bit

~60 ft (PDX900)

 Straight Motor with 7:8 GT HN234 Tool max O.D. (in) 11.00
Power Section Hole Size (in) 12-1/4 to 14-3/4
 New Generation Motor Bearings Flow Rate (GPM) 600-1200
 New Generation Motor Transmission 5
DLS/BUR (°/100 ft.)
 Tailored Stabilization Options 220
Op. Speed at Bit (RPM)
 Rubber Filter 8.3 – 14
Mud Weight (lbm/gal)
 No E-Mag but working on “C-link”
Temp. (°C) 125

PD + Motor length (ft) 60

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Rotary Steering System – Power Drive / Vortex / PD Xceed

Power Drive Xceed – “Point the bit” system: Internal deflection of drive shaft

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Rotary Steering System – Power Drive / Vortex / PD Xceed
Power Drive Xceed – “Point the bit” system: Internal deflection of drive shaft

Configuration:
• 3 sections – Power Generation, Sensors/Control, Steering
• High reliability through:
– Proven MWD sensor and servo technology, 150oC rating
– All steering control in oil bath, no moving seals
– Designed to operate in abrasive environments
– Sensor package 12.8 ft from bit
• RT continuous TF, Inc. and Az. allow improved control
• Capability to kick-off from vertical

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Rotary Steering System – Power Drive / Vortex / PD Xceed
Power Drive Xceed – “Point the bit” system: Internal deflection of drive shaft

Steering Operation:
• Collar supplies drilling torque directly to the bit shaft
• Bit shaft has a fixed offset from the axis of collar (eccentric)
• DC motor holds offset tool face geo-stationary by rotating at
collar rpm in the opposite direction
• Three points contact provides the steering tendency
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Rotary Steering System – Power Drive / Vortex / PD Xceed

Power Drive Xceed – “Point the bit” system: Internal deflection of drive shaft

Steering Modes:

• Tool has 2 modes while drilling:

– Steering Mode: Tool face is held geo-stationary
– Straight Mode: Tool face indexes at 112.5° / 10 s
• Dog Leg capability is varied by changing mode timing

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Turbines
Tool Description & Applications:

• Stacks of vanes stators and rotors spinning on

a common axis inside a tubular housing
• Very high speed of around 1500 RPM
• Usually of low torque capacity
• Requires very high circulating rates and
pressure due to the also high pressure drop
across the tool and the need of high flow rates
to move the vanes
• Applied in drilling extremely hard and abrasive
formations with diamond impregnated bits
• The new technology has developed turbines
to gear the speed down and increase the
torque capacity

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Whipstock

Tool Description and Applications:

• Device of truncated cylinder shape installed
inside a well bore to start deviation in a quick
and efficient manner
• The tool has an inclined plane which is
oriented in the proper direction to drill a side
track hole
• It can be used in vertical or deviated holes
• Works positively both in open and in cased
holes
• It does not require the previous setting of a
cement / deviation plug but a proper
anchorage on the well bore or casing wall
(sometimes requires a sump packer)

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Whipstock – Components and Accessories

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Whipstock

Whipstock Operation – Setting inside casing, no sump packer required

Starting Mill

Setting Pin

Whipstock (inclined plane)

Centralizer / Drag Block

Setting Slips

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Whipstock
Whipstock Operation – Setting inside casing supported by sump packer

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Whipstock Accessories
Mills
Description and Applications:
• Drilling tool used to open windows or lateral exits
through out the casing with the guide of a whipstock
previously installed
• As most bit, mills have Regular pin up connection
• The cutting structure is formed by granular tungsten
carbide incrusted in a matrix of braze alloy on the
steel surface of the mill
• Shape, profile, and special features are designed
according to the application and operational needs

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Whipstock Accessories
Mills

Types of Mills – According to the function performed:

• Starting mill – used to initiate the casing exit

• Window mill – To cut the window through casing

• Watermelon mill – To polish further the window cut

• String mill – Used to redress / rectify the window cut

• Tapered mill – to enlarge and redress the window cut

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Miscellaneous Subs
UBHO: “Universal Bent Housing Orienting” Sub
• Connecting sub positioned in the BHA below the Non Magnetic Drill Collars
used as seating nipple for Directional Surveying tools (SS, EMS, MWD, etc)
• The sub has an internal rotating sleeve that is positioned with a guide key
oriented toward the scrubbed line on the “tool face” direction
• The sleeve is retained in place by grub screws tightened from outside of the
sub
• The internal sleeve has a keyway that allows the survey instruments to seat
aligned in the direction of the “tool face”
BENT SUB
• Connecting sub built with the pin axis in an offset angle between ½° - 3° with
respect of the box axis
• The Bent Sub is connected on the top of a straight motor (ABA = 0°). Its
curved side is the “tool face” position for DD operations
• The “UBHO” run above the bent sub needs to be aligned to the tool face
ADOS
• Special sub built to allow ADN logging on the low side of the hole while
running the GST

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Miscellaneous Subs
UBHO Sub – Components:
Internal Sleeve Orienting Sub

Keyway oriented
toward the Tool Face

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Miscellaneous Subs
Circulating Sub

• Connecting sub properly positioned in the

BHA which allows establish full circulation
DP to annulus in case of having obstructed
the normal circulating path with LCM, cement
or solids packed off inside the string.
• It also allows the circulation of coarse LCM
above the DD jewelry that may become
plugged in
• The circulating sub is activated by dropping a
dart or a ball to displace an internal sleeve
and communicate the inside of drill string
with the annulus via a circulation port built in
the sub

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Miscellaneous Subs
PBL Sub
• Multiple activating circulating sub which is
opened by a vinyl ball and closed by a steel ball
• The open/close sequence can be repeated up to
six times. This make the tool specially useful to
drill through zones with severe lost circulation
conditions

TIW Valve
• Surface stab-in safety valve must be available at
the rig floor with the required combination sub,
used to shut the well in.
Single & Dual
Ball Check
Valve

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Miscellaneous Subs

Dart sub
• Internal BOP activated by dropping a
dart which lands in a preinstalled sub
in the BHA
• The dart sub is a check valve that
prevents upward flow from the well
inside the drill string, while allowing
downward mud flow or pumping from
injectors.
• Features include high flow capacity,
long life and pressure ratings to
10,000 psi.

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Miscellaneous Subs
Float Valve
• Non return valve installed inside a
special bored sub or directly inside
the bore of the Bit Sub
• Its function is to prevent the flow
reverse from the annulus to the drill
string thus avoiding the plug in of bit
nozzles or surveying tools inside the
drill string with cutting and solids in
the well
• It can be spring loaded cone seating
on a circular seat or flapper valve
which closes as soon the circulation
through the DP is stopped

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Miscellaneous Subs

Bit Sub
• Used to connect the bit to the Drill
Collar when there is no motor or
PowerDrive being used

• Houses the float valve in its bore

• Houses the “Totco ring” used for

landing directional survey tools

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Measurement While Drilling, MWD

Tool Description:
• Specially designed telemetry system that record drilling and
directional parameters of well bore trajectory in the well bore while
drilling and transmits the coded information to surface via mud
pressure pulses, continuous waves or electromagnetic waves
• The MWD surveying tool is activated by the mud flow through the
drill pipe when pulsers, turbines or current induced activate
accelerometers and magnetometers that measures well bore
inclination, direction and tool face orientation
• Mud pressure pulses can be positive, negative, siren waves, or
electro magnetic waves
• The MWD tool is installed inside the UBHO with the proper
orientation to the tool face of the deviation device

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors

 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Measurement While Drilling, MWD

Schlumberger MWD Tools

1. Impulse
2. Slimpulse
3. Power Pulse

2 3
1
C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors
 Drill String Components
6. Other BHA Components & Accessories
• Drill Bit

Selection Parameters:

• Dull grading of previous bits run in the area /

well
• Performance evaluation of bits in offset wells
• Geophysics logs run in offset wells
• Seismic data for the area
• Special software developed by bit
manufacturers
• Drilling fluid properties

C. Alvarez Drilling School for IPM Well Site Supervisors