Drill pipe is the key component to connect DTH drilling tools and drilling rigs, it is an important part of DTH drilling tools. The drill pipe serves as a guide throughout the drilling process. Because the length of its service life directly affects the entire construction period, the drill pipe quality requirements are so stringent. For construction parties, choosing drill pipes with high strength, toughness and reliability can prolong the drill pipe’s service life. In addition, maintaining the drill pipe is also an effective way to prolong its service life. Today, we share the relevant content with you. To facilitate your understanding, let’s start with some drill pipe basics.

What is a drill pipe?

Drill pipe is a steel pipe with a thread at the end, used to connect the surface equipment of the drilling rig and the drilling and grinding equipment or bottom hole device at the bottom of the well. The purpose is to transport drilling mud to the drill bit and raise, lower or rotate the bottom hole device together with the drill bit. Drill pipes must be able to withstand enormous internal and external pressure, twisting, bending, and vibration. Drill pipe can be used multiple times in the extraction and refining of oil and gas.

Structural characteristics of drill pipe

Drill pipe includes a rod, a pin adapter, and a box adapter, all of which have axial holes. The back end of the Pin adapter and the front end of the Box adapter are embedded into the axial hole of the rod from both ends by interference fitting. It has a shaft shoulder on the Pin and Box adapters, and the end face of the rod is connected by welding. The DTH drill pipe is a new type of rod. The Pin and Box adapters are connected by radial interference fit and welded from the axial end face, so the torsional strength of the DTH drill pipe is high, which can meet the drilling rig’s requirements. It has the characteristics of less investment in equipment and the light weight of drill pipe.

Drill pipe is easy to cause wear, corrosion, and fatigue due to its poor working environment, and the length of its service life directly affects the construction cycle. The fracture of the drill pipe is the main form of its failure, which is caused by quality and human factors. Quality problems can be solved by choosing the right supplier. Human factors come from daily unsuitable maintenance and use. So how to maintain the drill pipe?

How to maintain drill pipe？

1. When the new drill pipe is used for the first time, the protective grease on the drill pipe thread should be wiped clean, and the drill pipe’s inner wall should be cleaned with air or water. Then apply thread oil to the inner and outer threads of the drill pipe to prevent damage to the threads or thread gluing.

2. Drill holes vertically as far as possible. Avoid premature drill pipe wear caused by drilling deflection or bending.

3. The starting rod should be connected between the DTH hammer and the drill pipe. Otherwise, the drill pipe will be damaged prematurely.

4. When connecting the drill pipe, remember to apply thread oil to the drill pipe thread and tighten the drill pipe. If the drill pipe is not tightened, the following conditions may occur: A. Thread connection is loose. The threads grind each other and the tooth crests become sharp, leading to thread damage or bonding.

B. The box adapter step is not pressed, resulting in air leakage, which seriously causes the Pin adapter thread root fatigue fracture.

5. When connecting the drill pipe, the Pin adapter cannot collide with the shoulder and thread of the Box adapter, and ensure that the Pin and Box adapters are aligned. If they are not aligned, do not force the hook. Make sure that the drill power head spindle is coaxially aligned with the connecting drill pipe.

6. When the drill pipe shackle is difficult, a small hammer can be used to gently vibrate the threaded part of the joint. Do not use a sledge hammer to hit the joint violently, resulting in thread deformation and damage.

7. If the drill pipe thread has local small-scale damage, it should be repaired with a file in time before use.

8. Avoid long-term open storage of drill pipes. Before storage, wipe the drill pipe clean, apply anti-rust grease to the thread parts, wear a protective cap, and avoid impact damage to the pin when carrying the drill pipe.

That’s how to maintain a drill pipe. We have learned that drill pipe fractures are fatal to drill pipe. The human-caused drill pipe fracture often comes from the construction team’s lack of understanding of the characteristics of the drill pipe. Therefore, if the construction team wants to ensure the construction period and prolong the service life of the drill pipe, it is necessary to do a good job in the daily maintenance of the drill pipe. As a drill pipe manufacturer, it is necessary to know the requirements of various excavation projects on drill pipes and to produce higher quality drill pipes. When that happens, the drill pipe’s service life will be optimal.