Drill pipe connection method

What is drill pipe?
A drill pipe is a steel pipe with a thread at the end that is used to link the drilling rig’s surface equipment to the bottom hole device or drilling and grinding equipment at the bottom of the drilling well. Drill pipe functions include carrying drilling mud to the drill bit and raising, lowering, or rotating the bottom hole device in tandem with the drill bit. Drill pipe needs to be resistant to extreme twisting, bending, vibration, and pressure from both the inside and the outside.

Drill pipe connection method:

Common drill pipe joint connection methods include the following:

1. Threaded connection

The drill pipe has threads connecting its upper and lower ends. Its benefit is that it is simple to disassemble and reassemble, making it appropriate for drilling operations where drill bit replacement is necessary on a regular basis.

2. Bayonet connection

Snap rings and pins are used in this connection method to join the drill pipes. Its advantage is that it can be used for operations requiring ultra-deep drilling because it is not easily broken.

3. Spline connection

The drill pipe connector has several splines and female keys. To make the connection, the splines and female keys must be socketed.

The selection of the above three connection methods needs to be selected according to the specific operating environment and requirements.

The function of the connector:

Joints are an essential part that connect drill pipes in various ways. The joints need to be able to withstand extreme strain and pressure in addition to having corrosion- and wear-resistant qualities.

There are many different kinds of joints; the more popular ones are non-torque joints, reversible joints, and threaded joints. These joints must be chosen with consideration for the operating conditions because they each have unique properties and applications.

Apart from its inherent purpose, the joint is frequently employed in geological exploration and data gathering activities, including temperature, pressure, flow, and other types of measurements. These processes are essential to exploration and acquisition endeavors and necessitate the transfer of data via connectors.

How to connect kelly pipe and drill pipe?

1. Direct connection
Kelly pipe and drill pipe can be connected using direct connection. This method requires cleaning the surface of the kelly and drill pipe first to ensure the safety of the connection.
The advantage of direct connection is that it is simple and convenient to connect, avoids connection gaps, and can effectively reduce friction loss during rotation of the connection and resistance to sludge discharge. However, direct connection has shortcomings such as low connection strength and easy breakage. It is necessary to pay attention to the strength during connection and inspection after use.

2. Establish an interface link
You can use the installation interface connection method in addition to direct connection. The drill pipe and Kelly pipe must be installed with the appropriate interfaces and connected via the interfaces in order to use this method.
High connection strength, high efficiency, and simple connecting part replacement are benefits of the installation interface connection. Installing drill pipes, installing interfaces, inspecting interfaces, and other preparatory work are necessary before installing interface connections.

You must take the following usage precautions into consideration, regardless of whether you are connecting directly or through an installation interface:
a. The circular runout error and surface polish of the connecting parts should be examined prior to connecting.
b. The drill pipe should be connected correctly, with the right amount of force, and without being too tight or loose.

c. To keep mud out of the connection holes, a thorough cleaning should be done after connecting.

d. Throughout operation, periodically assess the level of wear on connecting components and replace those that require it.

To put it briefly, drilling efficiency and safety are greatly influenced by the way that drill pipe and kelly are connected. Selecting the right connection techniques and stepping up maintenance and inspection in accordance with real needs and conditions can significantly increase project efficiency and lower risks.