Alberta Drill Pipe Inspection and Oilfield Testing Services
Drill Pipe Inspections are done thoroughly, by experienced techs with cutting-edge technology.
Thanks to NDT (Non Destructive Testing), we are able to detect cracks in tubular goods, failed welds, surface corrosion, and other material flaws — well enough in advance to avoid additional costs & major downtime.
Additionally, hardbanding helps protect tool joints from excessive down hole wear, extending the life of your tubular goods.
Non-Destructive Testing methods are proven to improve safety, efficiency, and profitability.
Non-Destructive Testing for Oil & Gas Systems
Magnetic Particle (MPI) NDT Inspections
MPI is a Non Destructive Testing procedure where a magnetic field is used for detection of surface & shallow subsurface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials. The process puts a magnetic field into the material using a direct or indirect method. Fluorescent particle solutions are then applied and a black light is used to reveal defects & flaws.
Rotary Shoulder Connections Inspections
We check for signs of wear, damage, or deformation that could affect their overall usability. Connections are inspected visually, threads on both pin & box connections are then precisely measured to ensure a proper profile without excessive interference or gaps. We have the tools and equipment to re-surface double shoulder connections such as DS40, CET43 as well as all other rotary shoulder seals. Field dressing of threads is also done, right on site.
LPI (Liquid Penetrant) Inspections
LPI is a colored contrast penetrant test that requires good white light. This method can be used in non-ferromagnetic materials and even non-metals. Parts are thoroughly cleaned & dried. Using a penetrating dye, a developer agent is then applied to evaluate the materials for defects. Once assessed, usable components are then cleaned & set aside for next use.
Electronic Magnetic Inspections
EMI is a Non Destructive Testing method that can detect the prescience of cracks, internal & external corrosion, washing, cavities & similar defects by inducing a live magnetic field into tubular goods. This procedure covers the end to end scanning for transverse flaws, using flux leakage detection equipment.
API Complete Visual Thread Inspections
Visual thread inspection allows our inspectors to visually assess each connection & determine whether any repairs are necessary to sealing surfaces or threaded areas prior to each use. Essential for proper operation of each connection. Potential issues are mashed, galled, pitted or stretched threads from misuse.
Rotary Shoulder Connections
Today’s drilling rigs have such vast and high-technology equipment, specifically engineered for the make-up and break-out of rotary shoulder connections. You would think there would be virtually no damages caused to the equipment. However this is not the case as everything wears with usage. The damages reviewed during our inspections are generally caused on the rig floor. These damages consist of small debris caught in between the sealing surfaces and threaded areas of each connection. They are typically repairable in the field if routine inspections are performed. These areas are visually inspected to determine the causes & possible corrections to help reduce future damage.
Below is a brief description of the mechanics of these rotary shoulder connections & some of the damages they may incur during the drilling process. What we do is repair them to keep downtime, trucking & maintenance costs as low as possible for our customers.
Rotary-Shoulder Connections
The standard rotary-shoulder connection consist of 2 main components, threads and a seal on both pin and box connections.
There are others known as high torque connections such as DS40 and CET43 with additional torque stops for example.
These connections consist of the same 2 primary components (threads and a seal), as well as an additional secondary shoulder called a mechanical torque stop at the back of the box end and the nose of the pin end. These are not seals but rather a mechanical stop to help prevent over-torque damages and allow higher torque capabilities.
A Closer Look
Looking closer at the threads themselves there are 2 components as well, a stabbing flank and a load flank (these are on the sides of each thread).
The load flank takes the torsional pressure along with the shoulders after the connection has been made up. The stabbing flank is responsible for guiding the threads as the connection is made prior to the connections being torqued to optimal specifications. Critical areas inspected are the engaged threads. On the box, the first two threads near the seal and the last three or four vanishing threads at the back of the box, on the pin the first three or four starting threads and the final two threads near the seal are not engaged. The threads between these areas are closely inspected as the critical areas because they are the engaged threads. High torque connections are designed with less taper, therefor they have more engaged threads.
While the pin and box connections are being made together, in theory there should be no weight or tension on the connection while it is being made up. Once the adjacent seals and thread load flanks on the connections come into contact with each other, torque is then applied until the optimal make up torque is achieved. On a high torque connection, once torque is being applied the pin connection will stretch slightly until the secondary torque shoulders (mechanical torque stops) come into contact with each other & optimal makeup torque is then applied to the connection. Thread stretch is a normal part of making up any rotary shoulder connection as long as the torque specifications are not exceeded. If it is exceeded, then you will see stretched pin threads and belled boxes due to over-torque conditions.
Common damages in drill pipe inspection
The most common damage found is raised burrs forming on the thread crests and minor galling on the stabbing flank. These damages are addressed before measuring with standardized profile gauges to ensure proper thread profile on each connection.
The sealing shoulders (both primary and secondary on high torque connections) are visually inspected for damages as well as repaired on location. Resurfacing seal shoulders requires proper resurfacing equipment, as for double shoulder connections. We also have a specialty designed resurfacing tool to maintain pin & box lengths after necessary repairs. Proper field dressing of threads along with seal resurfacing, vastly help to reduce downtime & costs endured with transporting and machining each connection at a machine shop.
Our goal is to help maintain the longevity of each string or tool, as well as lower un expected costs which are most times unnecessary.
All drill pipe inspections are performed to RP7G-2 or DS-1 Standards along with the manufacturer’s specifications
MPI (Magnetic Particle Inspections)
MPI is a Non-Destructive Testing procedure where a magnetic field is used for detecting surface & shallow subsurface discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials. The process puts a magnetic field into the material via direct or indirect methods. Then, a fluorescent particle suspension mixture is then applied and a black light is used to reveal any defects in the material.
All connections to be inspected are cleaned down to bare metal and all contaminants are removed. Cleaning is certainly the most important part of any magnetic particle inspection.
Connections are then magnetized and checked with a magnetic field indicator (Gauss meter)
Connections are then inspected for cracks using the wet fluorescent magnetic particle method (Via black lighting). Inspected areas include all critical areas such as threaded areas, upset areas, both pin & box OD’s & ID’s as well as other specific damaged areas found that may require attention.
For detecting internal cracks and other deep internal transverse defects such as ID pitting & corrosion, that is undetectable with the wet fluorescent (MPI) method. There is a dry powder method that can also be applied using an A/C Yoke with dry powder that is made with various sized iron particles.
Tubular goods such as Hevi-wate, Drill pipe & Drill Collars come with hardbanding. All hardbands are measured with a standardized tool to determine if they are within specification. Hardband repairs can also be done on location with a mobile hardbanding unit.
Upon the completion of every job, tools are clearly identified as per industry standards by their usability, all usable rotary shoulder connections are then coated with a tool joint thread compound & thread protectors are then reinstalled.
LPI (Liquid Dye Penetrant)
When inspecting non-ferrous tools, the same procedures are followed as far as cleaning the areas prior to inspection. The Liquid Dye Penetrant method of Non-Destructive Testing is then performed. This method consists of a clean surface that is soaked in dye and then coated with a developing agent to reveal possible defects. This method will also work in some non-metal situations as well.
EMI (Electronic Magnetic Inspection)
EMI is a Non-Destructive Testing method that can detect the prescience of cracks, corrosion, washing, cavities & similar defects by inducing a magnetic field inside the metal objects. This procedure covers end-to-end scanning of used tubular goods for transverse flaws using flux leakage detection equipment. We use this method for scanning drill pipe, hevi-wate drill pipe, tubing & casing for these defects.
Our EMI system consists of a motorized buggy with size interchangeable buggy heads, to accommodate different tubular sizes. Ranging from 2-3/8” to 5” drill pipe, tubing & casing. This unit is 100% electronically controlled & calibrated using a certified calibration standard. Maintains consistency throughout every inspection.
All tubular goods are O.D. gauged for tube wear and these areas are then ultrasonic thickness tested before they are end-to-end run with the EMI equipment. Ultrasonic thickness testers and O.D. gauges are standardized and calibrated multiple times per day to ensure accuracy for consistent inspection results.
Tubular goods are lifted with a pneumatic jack system so the drive buggy can achieve the end-to-end scanning of each tube being inspected.
All tubular goods are identified as per weight, grade & usability. Customers are then provided with in-depth and detailed inspection reports on all inspected tubulars.
VTI (Visual Thread Inspection)
Threaded connections on all tubular goods & other drilling tools are inspected visually for signs of fatigue and wear including pitting, galling on threads, seal surface damage, and current condition of thread profile with industry-approved thread profile gauges. This is where we determine whether or not a machine shop is required to repair threads and seals or if they can be repaired in the field and kept in service via field thread dressing and seal resurfacing. We have the ability and equipment for thread dressing and seal resurfacing for standard and high torque rotary shoulder connections such as DS40 and CET43.
This service is performed throughout all of our inspections on standard drill pipe, hevi-wate drill pipe, drill collars, tubing, casing, BHA, and other drilling/specialty tools. All connections are thoroughly cleaned, dried, and buffed for proper visual inspection and reported to the customer accordingly. We offer visual thread inspections on there own as well as full tubular servicing.
Below are images of the above-mentioned damages that can be revealed after cleaning the connections
Check out our gallery for more of what we have done and encountered in our time in the field
Oilfield Inspection Services
API Oilfield Inspections Ltd. specializes in both in-shop and field inspections across western Canada.
- EMI, MPI, LPI & UT Services
- Drill Pipe RP7G & DS1
- BHA – Hevi-Wate & Drill Collars
- Racked Tubing & Casing
- Visual thread inspections
- Hardband Services
- Need something not listed? –Contact us
API only has ticketed inspectors coming to your job site. They are highly experienced and use the latest technology.
We provide detailed inspection reports adhering to the high quality needs of the oil and gas industry.
All of our inspectors are IPIA certified and hold all their certificates.
